![“[Building nerf blasters] became this outlet of creativity for me that hasn't been matched by anything else. The process [of] making a build complete to your desire is such a painstakingly difficult process, but I've had to learn from [the skills needed from] soldering to proper painting. There's so many different options for everything, if you think about it, it exists. The best part is [that] if it doesn't exist, you can build it yourself," Ishaan Parate said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/DSC_8149-900x604.jpg)
![“When I came into high school, I was ready to be a follower. But DECA was a game changer for me. It helped me overcome my fear of public speaking, and it's played such a major role in who I've become today. To be able to successfully lead a chapter of 150 students, an officer team and be one of the upperclassmen I once really admired is something I'm [really] proud of,” Anvitha Tummala ('21) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-25-at-9.50.05-AM-900x594.png)
![“I think getting up in the morning and having a sense of purpose [is exciting]. I think without a certain amount of drive, life is kind of obsolete and mundane, and I think having that every single day is what makes each day unique and kind of makes life exciting,” Neymika Jain (12) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Screen-Shot-2017-06-03-at-4.54.16-PM.png)
![“My slogan is ‘slow feet, don’t eat, and I’m hungry.’ You need to run fast to get where you are–you aren't going to get those championships if you aren't fast,” Angel Cervantes (12) said. “I want to do well in school on my tests and in track and win championships for my team. I live by that, [and] I can do that anywhere: in the classroom or on the field.”](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/DSC5146-900x601.jpg)
![“[Volleyball has] taught me how to fall correctly, and another thing it taught is that you don’t have to be the best at something to be good at it. If you just hit the ball in a smart way, then it still scores points and you’re good at it. You could be a background player and still make a much bigger impact on the team than you would think,” Anya Gert (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AnnaGert_JinTuan_HoHPhotoEdited-600x900.jpeg)
![“I'm not nearly there yet, but [my confidence has] definitely been getting better since I was pretty shy and timid coming into Harker my freshman year. I know that there's a lot of people that are really confident in what they do, and I really admire them. Everyone's so driven and that has really pushed me to kind of try to find my own place in high school and be more confident,” Alyssa Huang (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AlyssaHuang_EmilyChen_HoHPhoto-900x749.jpeg)
The Quad began to fill as the Baccalaureate ceremony was about to begin around 6:00 pm on Thursday, May 23. Each year, this ceremony consists of a variety of speeches and performances.
The ceremony began with a piece played by the Orchestra followed by a performance by Cantilena.
This year, seniors chose Emily Wang (12) and Carlos Cruz Johnson (12) as the student speakers and Julie Wheeler as the faculty speaker.
This ceremony is also one of the many events that conclude the Class of 2013’s time in high school. Many of the seniors felt a sense of reminiscing as they bonded over their years together.
“It’s crazy, it does not feel real,” said Ragini Bhattacharya (12). “When they say Class of 2013, that’s the last time we get to cheer but I would not leave with any other class.”
The evening was also filled with laughs and smiles as Head of Upper School Mr. Butch Keller introduced each speaker with comic anecdotes and as each speech included a variety of comical moments. During Wheeler’s speech, senior students held a cutout of John Caldwell Calhoun in the aisle as a way to make her feel less nervous.
“[When I found out I was chosen to speak] I was very very honored and absolutely terrified,” Wheeler said. “It was a challenge to do the class justice and through everything that has gone on, I just wanted to make sure that I put my best foot forward.”
While she began her speech with amusing yet accurate quirks of many teachers at the Upper School, the inspiration behind Wheeler’s speech was a dollar bill and her name-tag as she went on to ask the seniors what their name-tag will say.
Carlos’ speech, consisting of a variety of gestures and quotes, caught the audience’s attention as he gave them the choice to tune out or pay attention. He then went on to send a message across about choices and decisions.
The ceremony concluded with closing remarks by Head of School Christopher Nikoloff. The seniors will be graduating on Saturday, May 25 at the Mountain Winery.
