![“[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)
Q&A with Agata Sorotokin
Agata Sorotokin (12) performing piano. She performed as a piano soloist with the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra at Davies Symphony Hall on Nov. 23, from 2:00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m.
Agata Sorotokin (12) is performing as a piano soloist with the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra at Davies Symphony Hall on Nov. 23, from 2:00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m. Apoorva Rangan (12), Jason Jeong (12), Austin Lai (12) and Edward Oh (10) will be playing as part of the orchestra.
Winged Post: Can you explain the journey you took to get to this concet?
Agata Sorotokin (12): I am a member of the orchestra as well as the soloist this year. One and a half years ago, in the middle of sophomore year, the orchestra needed to find a second pianist because they had one at the time for one of the pieces that they were doing, so I thought it would be really interesting to work with an orchestra. The other pianist left that year because she was graduating and I just stayed in the orchestra. Every year they have a concerto that is open to just the members within the orchestra, so I was the only pianist competing.
WP: What will you be performing?
AS: I will be performing the Prokofiev No.3 piano concerto, which is one of my all time favorite pieces, so I’m very excited about that.
WP: Do you play any other instruments?
AS: I sing. I’m a member of Cantilena and I’m the assistant conductor this year. I also play the organ, I played the organ with the symphony as well last year, and other keyboard instruments that are similar to the piano like the harpsichord.
WP: How did you choose to play piano?
AS: When I was four and a half, I went to a recital with little kids playing, and I got so inspired by their playing that I begged my mom after that concert to let me start taking lessons. There was also a piano cake after the recital, which was also very inspiring. Other than that, I think the piano has a very wide range of possibilities, both in terms of repertoire, because there are way more pieces written for piano than for other instruments in general and also since I can play so many notes at once, there’s a lot that I can do, whereas in other instruments it’s usually one melodic line. The tone quality as well is very poignant in my opinion.
WP: What is your favorite part about piano and music in general?
AS: I like to collaborate with other musicians. I think that’s probably one of the most exciting things in my life. In general, being a pianist can be pretty isolating at times because you usually don’t play with an orchestra. I’m a huge fan of chamber music. I’ve done a lot of chamber music; I’ve gone to multiple festivals. There’s a festival here called Music at Menlo that I’ve gone to five or six summers in a row, and also the Aspen Music Festival in Colorado, and I’ve performed in Lincoln Center for chamber music and on NPR.
WP: What are you the most looking forward to about the concert?
AS: I think just playing in Davies Symphony Hall. We’ve been rehearsing there, but playing for an actual audience is really, really exciting and thrilling. I’ve gone to that hall as an audience member since I was three years old, and I’ve gone there every year to listen to professionals play, and I’ve always dreamed of being up there myself one day, and I really couldn’t imagine that it would be this soon in my life.
WP: Do you think you’ll continue to pursue piano after high school?
AS: I’m actually considering a career in music. I am hoping to continue academics and music, so I’m hoping to find that possibility, both in my studies and just in the future in general. I really can’t imagine my life without music. I can’t exactly say where I will go within the musical field, because I’m also really interested in conducting right now, and I’m a fledgling composer, so I don’t know where that will all go, but I want to continue growing in all directions.
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...