![“[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)
New senior class initiated at annual baccalaureate
Efrey Noten (12), chosen to speak by the senior class, took the stage after an introduction by Upper School Head Butch Keller in today’s baccalaureate celebration. The seniors graduate on Monday morning.
The annual baccalaureate celebration, hosted in the Quad, initiated members of the 2015 class as the seniors of the upcoming school year.
The ceremony began at approximately 6:30 p.m. with the juniors and seniors walking into the seating arena, while the String Ensemble performed live introductory music.
Assistant Head of School for Academic Affairs Jennifer Gargano began the evening’s processions, welcoming “especially the seniors to this year’s baccalaureate ceremony.”
Cantilena followed Gargano’s introduction with “I Shall Not Live in Vain,” a piece chosen by Cantilena seniors to honor the memory of former English teacher Jason Berry, who passed away last August.
Succeeding the choir’s performance, the String Ensemble played “October,” composed by Eric Whitacre and arranged by Paul Lavender.
“It was great to perform one last time for the seniors,” ensemble violist Lekha Chirala (11) said. “Although I was nervous about performing, it was an awesome feeling after.”
Lekha added that though the ensemble did not have much time to practice, she felt as though the performance was a success.
Upper School Head Butch Keller then introduced this year’s faculty speaker, mathematics instructor Anthony Silk, who addressed the vitality of overcoming failure in his Faculty Farewell. He emphasized pushing oneself outside of his or her comfort zone and finding a rewarding, yet equally enjoyable, path in life.
“One, don’t get too comfortable,” Silk said in his speech. “Two, just because you’re making a lot of money doesn’t mean you’re successful. And three, failure isn’t failing.”
Following Silk, the second speaker chosen by the senior class, Efrey Noten (12), took the stage after an introduction by Keller. In the Student Farewell, Efrey drew upon an analogy of fish and water to emphasize the importance of appreciation.
“The stuff most obvious and common to us is the stuff we have the most trouble conceptualizing,” Efrey said.
Head of School Chris Nikoloff closed the evening, thanking the senior class and those who attended the event. Nikoloff also reminded seniors to pick up their senior collages, which were set up for display in the gym.
With the final words of the night, the Class of 2014 officially handed the seniorship baton to the rising seniors.
“I’ve laughed and cried so much today, and baccalaureate just tied the whole experience together and made me really look forward to what’s coming,” Maneesha Panja (12) said. “It’s more a celebration of what we’ve accomplished in the past and an appreciation of what’s to come.”
Prior to the event, students, such as Savi Joshi (11) expressed excitement for the baccalaureate celebration.
“I’m really excited to hear Efrey speak, and I’m pounced to be officially a senior,” Savi said. “But I’m also really sad, especially after watching that video [during the assembly]. It’s really starting to hit me that all the seniors are going to be gone next year.”
To others like Brandon Aguilar (11), becoming a senior means more than simply graduating into another year—it represents the “the beginning of the end.”
Earlier today, students and faculty had the chance to say goodbye to the current senior class in the first annual Senior Appreciation Assembly, which featured Conservatory performances from Downbeat and Varsity Dance Troupe and videos of students and faculty reflecting on the past four years with the senior class.
The Class of 2014 will officially graduate on Monday, May 26 at the Mountain View Winery.
Mariam Sulakian is the Features Editor of Harker Aquila. She has been a member of the journalism program for four years and appreciates the opportunities...