![LALC Vice President of External Affairs Raeanne Li (11) explains the International Phonetic Alphabet to attendees. "We decided to have more fun topics this year instead of just talking about the same things every year so our older members can also [enjoy],” Raeanne said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/DSC_4627-1200x795.jpg)
![“[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)
Members of Downbeat perform short song during school meeting
Downbeat sits in a semi-circle formation in Catherine Snider’s room to practice for the Winter Concert on Friday. Comprised of members who do individual voice training, the group learns the dance and routine for a song in approximately a week.
The boys of Downbeat performed their rendition of “Holly Jolly Christmas” today during school meeting as a brief sneak peek of the upcoming Conservatory performances on Friday.
“Holly Jolly Christmas,” a piece selected by Performing Arts Department Chair Laura Lang-Ree, was chosen for its brevity and short preparation time.
“I think [the performance] was good. I think the whole idea was to showcase what we’re all about and what to expect from us this coming Friday,” Downbeat member Jeton Gutierrez-Bujari (11) said.
In preparation for Friday’s Winter Concert, Downbeat has been practicing songs that it previously performed. Though acquainted with the musical pieces, the group faces a new challenge in adapting to different stages at each campus.
“We’re doing it in the gym, so that’s a relatively small stage when you compare it to Bucknall and Blackford, and Blackford is also in the cafetorium, so that’s a small space,” Stephan Pellissier (12) said. “There’s a whole bunch of challenges just with adjusting the mics and how we sing and how we project, which has to go with where we’re performing.”
Downbeat typically rehearses its performances under the guidance of Choral Music teacher Jennah Somers, who is filling in for Performing Arts teacher Jennifer Sandusky, absent on maternity leave. Collaborating with Somers is Lang-Ree, who manages the performance aspects and choreography.
Arden Hu, copy editor for the TALON Yearbook, is a senior and has been on staff for three years. She is also part of the varsity tennis team and enjoys...
Cheryl Liu is an assistant photo editor of TALON yearbook. She is a junior and has been part of the journalism program since her freshman year. Her favorite...