![Setter Emma Lee (9) sets the ball to the middle during the match against Pinewood on Sept. 12. “[I’m looking forward to] getting more skilled, learning more about my position and also becoming better friends with all of my teammates, Emma said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/DSC_4917-2-1200x795.jpg)
![“[Building nerf blasters] became this outlet of creativity for me that hasnt been matched by anything else. The process [of] making a build complete to your desire is such a painstakingly difficult process, but Ive had to learn from [the skills needed from] soldering to proper painting. Theres so many different options for everything, if you think about it, it exists. The best part is [that] if it doesnt exist, you can build it yourself, Ishaan Parate said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/DSC_8149-900x604.jpg)
![“Animation just clicked in a way. I had been interested in art, but that felt different. [Animation] felt like it had something behind it, whereas previous things felt surface level. I wasnt making that crazy of things, but just the process of doing it was much more enjoyable, Carter Chadwick (22) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Screen-Shot-2022-08-16-at-9.44.08-AM-900x598.png)
![“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 its played such a major role in who Ive 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 Im [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)
![“[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)
![“Im 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 theres a lot of people that are really confident in what they do, and I really admire them. Everyones 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)
![“My slogan is ‘slow feet, don’t eat, and I’m hungry.’ You need to run fast to get where you are–you arent going to get those championships if you arent 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)
![“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)
Senior Showcase 2014
Twenty-three seniors put on final performance of high school career
Certificate dancers Michaela Kastelman (’13) and Tiphaine Delepine (’13) perform at the 2013 senior showcase. This year’s show includes the acts of 23 seniors.
After four years of practice, dedication, and memories, the seniors of the performing arts Conservatory Certificate program will put on their final collective performance of their high school career on May 23, at the Mexican Heritage Theater.
The 2014 Senior Showcase will incorporate the talents of 23 seniors, who have each specialized in one of the following categories: instrumental music, musical theater, vocal music, theater, dance, and technical theater.
The showcase will serve as a graduation ceremony for Conservatory Certificate members, celebrating their passions for the arts. Seniors will perform a solo or ensemble piece that they have prepared over the last year.
“I think the seniors every year are ready to fly, and this is just a nice symbol of that,” Laura Lang-Ree, Musical Theater Director and Performing Arts Department Chair, said.
While in the past, the show was held in the Blackford Theater, last year, the switch was made to the Mexican Heritage Theater. According to Lang-Ree, the new location is much more appropriate for the occasion, and she is looking forward to returning.
Because the showcase directly follows the senior trip, performers will be able to practice their acts in a designated “rehearsal room” during their vacation.
Avinash Nayak, a vocal musician, will be singing Sammy Chan’s “Love Is The Tender Trap.” He picked this particular number because it tells a personal story of how he has matured over the past four years.
“I am looking forward to starting my song, and also ending it, because it’s symbolic of the start and end of my performing arts journey,” Avinash said. “Performing arts has changed me a lot since freshman year, and it’s made me a much more diverse person.”
Meanwhile, Damon Aitken, a theater certificate member, will be reenacting two Shakespearean monologues. Over his years in performing arts, he has found that his passion, as an actor, truly lies in Shakespearean works.
“The monologues I’m doing I worked on in Shakespeare scene study class last year with Mr. Draper so I already did the hard work of memorizing them,” Damon said. “Now it’s just kind of modifying it for a big audience and an actual stage.”
Other acts include Pooja Chirala and Anishka Agarwal’s Bollywood dance, Justin Young’s piano rendition of “La Campanella”, and Anna Kendall’s comedic musical theater performance.
While the rest of the participants will be carrying out their acts on stage, Nicky Semenza, a member of the technical theater subdivision, will be behind the scenes.
“I will be managing backstage, organizing actors, changing sets, and things like that,” he said.
Following the Senior Showcase, each senior member of the Certificate program will be awarded with a plaque in honor of his or her dedication, passion, and commitment to the performing arts program.
This piece was originally published in the pages of the Winged Post on May 16, 2014.
Anokhi Saklecha (12) is the Global Editor for the Winged Post. She has been in the journalism program for the past three years. She loves the creativity,...
Melina Nakos (12) is a reporter for The Winged Post. This is her third year as a part of the journalism program. She loves to spend time with the rest...
