![“I wasn't discouraged by some of the obstacles we faced. I learned a lot from the leadership. I found that different people need different ways of receiving feedback — you can't [just] tell them to do something and expect the best. [Some] people needed more incentive. A large part of my role was to figure out what worked for everyone and to figure out how to lead all these separate individuals as a team,” Suhana Bhandare (’26) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/SuhanaBhandare_JasmineHansra-1-1200x798.jpg)
![“This is actually from Randy Pausch Randy P. Brick: ‘Walls are there for a reason. You have to show how much you want to overcome them.’ You have to show how much you want something. That's what I've always been able to do with tennis, Link Crew and getting that internship [with Kushy Baby]. It’s important pushing through that — getting around that brick wall, climbing over it or clawing through it,” Yash Sachdeva (’26) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/YashSachdeva_RamBatchu-copy-1200x1002.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)
Deacon reflects on career as she leaves Harker
Former Director of Alumni Relations, MaryEllis Deacon, receives goodbye hugs from Dylan Patel (12), Justin Yen (12), and Nick Nguyen (12) following a senior sing-a-long in her honor on her last day. Deacon has been working at the Upper School campus as Director of Alumni Relations for the past four years.
With her dog as her only check- in bag, MaryEllis Deacon moved cross-country on Sept. 13, 2010 – her first day working at the Upper School. Wearing “corporate” high heels for her job as the special assistant to Executive Director of Advancement, she never anticipated the trajectory her career as Director of Alumni Relations would take.
“I was overwhelmed. I was obviously overdressed that first day. I think that I lived off pizza my first two weeks here,” she said. “But then, I remember we had the first golf tournament, and I saw the community come together. A month in, I had my first picnic, after that I had my first homecoming. It just kept snowballing.”
In addition to organizing alumni and senior class events, like the time capsules, senior gift, and Spirit Week activities, Deacon says the best part of her job is witnessing the growth of each senior from student to alumni.
“It feels like I went to high school with them,” she said. “I don’t have a classroom or a textbook to teach, but I get to see that progression. When we’re at senior trip, I see the ‘through Life’ part of ‘K through Life.’ It’s amazing to watch the kids just be kids. You get to look to the future. They want to change the world.”
Deacon was especially surprised by the level of personal interaction and connection she had with students.
“This job is like a Magic-8 ball – you shake it and never know what’s going to happen next,” she said. “Sometimes, there will be kids who just sit there and just spin my gumball machine to see if the pink or purple will win. Then there’s the prom stuff, the random questions, the kid who didn’t get into their dream school but isn’t upset because they realize that isn’t their path. Some come in to celebrate. I see them in a totally different light.”
Deacon cited personal reasons for her decision. “It is time for me to move on, there are a lot of reminders of Mr. Berry that make it kind of hard and it’s time to focus on moving forward,”she said. Though Tuesday was Deacon’s last day as the Director of Alumni Relations, she will still be doing the “behind-the-scenes” work for the Varsity boys’ basketball team, like being at practices and games, and making sure they all have their uniforms.
“Basketball is my outlet. It’s calming to me to watch plays and that chaos. Being in the gym is one of my favorite places,” she said. “I can say goodbye to this office because I know it will be handled well, but basketball has been part of me for so much longer so it’s difficult to be separated from that. Besides, I know the boys wouldn’t wear the right socks.”
Fourth-year basketball player Srivinay Irrinki (12) says that having Deacon stay as part of the basketball season will keep the basketball team’s journey smoother and more organized.
“Ms. Deacon is always so open and kind, and the fact that she will stay as part of our basketball team is very comforting,” he said. “She is very supportive and ensures we are always playing our best.”
Deacon says that working at Harker gave her the inspiration to push harder in her own endeavors. “I got an appreciation for life working here,” she said. “We get bogged down by so many to-do lists, but then you come here and there’s so much energy. It’s so youthful. I’ll miss ‘put the eagles up’ and the rallies, the little things that happen every day. All I can say is ‘thank you.’ Harker will always be a part of me.”
In terms of future plans, Deacon will be visiting family and friends before starting up with basketball again in November.
“I’ll still be around. I’m not walking away never too look back. I’m simply shutting this door only, just this office door.”
Board alumna and Harker parent Karri Baker (‘84) will serve as an interim alumni relations director on a part-time basis.
This piece was originally published in the pages of The Winged Post on October 17, 2014.
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