![“[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)
Upper School performs “The Wedding Singer”
Jeton Guitierrez-Bujari (11) and Ishanya Anthapur (11) perform “Move that Thang.” This song also featured spotlight dancers.
The cast of The Upper School’s production of “The Wedding Singer” performed for the fourth and final time yesterday evening at the middle school campus.
“The Wedding Singer,” which is based on a 1998 movie starring Adam Sandler, follows Robbie (Ian Richardson, 12), a New Jersey wedding singer, and Julia (Shenel Ekici, 12), who must fight poor timing and misunderstandings to end up together. To add to the complications, both Robbie and Julia are engaged to other people, Robbie to Linda (Caroline Howells, 11) and Julia to Glen (Glenn Reddy, 11). Other characters include Robbie’s band-mates Sammy (Kevin Moss, 12) and George (Jeton Gutierrez-Bujari, 11), and Julia’s cousin Holly (Namrata Vakkalagadda, 12)
The musical, which held auditions over four months ago, was also performed Thursday evening, Friday evening, and Saturday afternoon. Tickets were sold for $8.
The performances were very popular with the audience, garnering cheers, laughs, and copious applause throughout the night.
Everything was always moving behind the scenes as well as backstage. The set, which comprised a fold-out backdrop and multiple moving set-pieces, was in constant transition from weddings to Robbie’s bedroom to Wall Street to more weddings.
“I love it,” said Sana Aladin (9) during intermission. “I really like the music because it’s really pop-rockish, which is kind of like the music I regularly listen to.”
Other audience members appreciated the musical for its humor.
“I think it’s good to have something funny,” Reena Sandhu (11) said. “I haven’t seen a good funny musical in a while, and I like this. It’s a change from last year definitely.”
The audience was composed of a varied crowd, even containing a few adults who were not Harker parents.
Senthil Kumar, whose niece and nephew study at Harker (but were not in the musical), came with his wife. “It’s quite fast paced and complicated, and they put a lot of work into it. It’s very creative.”
The spring musical was an experience for the performers as well as the audience members. Michael Jin (9), who had an ensemble role in “The Wedding Singer,” reflects on his experience.
“Since the first day of rehearsal, I knew this would be an experience I wouldn’t forget,” he said. “Performing the show gave me a huge sense of satisfaction and it was a blast working with all the other cast members from the start to the last bow. Even though it’s only been one day since the last performance, I already miss the fun, energetic, familial, and awesome experience I had.”
Meilan Steimle (12) is co-Editor-in-Chief of the Winged Post. She was a reporter her freshman year, Winged Post Opinion Editor her sophomore year and Winged...