![“[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)
Annual holiday show features conservatory groups
The lower, middle, and upper school conservatory programs performed in the annual holiday show, dubbed “Big Assembly Day” (BAD), last Friday.
Traveling from the Blackford to Saratoga to Bucknall campus, the groups toured together through the three campuses. The annual show acts as a celebration of the approaching holiday season and usually, as the case this year, takes place the Friday before Finals Week.
The Upper School instilled an alternative schedule to account time for the hour-long assembly, which took place after lunch in the gym.
“In terms of pieces, I really liked the creepy deck the halls rendition,” said Ashir Bansal (12), dancer in the Certificate Conservatory Program. “I especially found the jokes of the MC’s to be hilarious!”
The assembly opened with the Upper School Orchestra’s classical rendition of “Sleigh Ride,” conducted by Chris Florio. Later, other US groups such as Cantilena and Camerata followed and the show concluded with a number from Downbeat, which was the only group other than Harmonics to perform more than one piece.
Featured Conservatory Groups
- Orchestra (US)
- Show Stoppers (MS)
- Cantilena (US)
- High Voltage (MS)
- Camerata (US)
- Vivace (MS)
- Varsity Dance Troupe (US)
- Junior Varsity Dance Troupe (US)
- Harmonics (MS)
- Downbeat (US)
- Dynamics (MS)
- Dance Fusion (LS)
For freshmen, the holiday show experience on the upper campus was new. Raveena Panja (9), though having performed previously in the show during middle school as part of Vivace, sang in her first high school BAD assembly as a member of Bel Canto.
“It was a wonderland experience because each school had a different atmosphere in terms of the people and crowd,” Raveena said. “The high school was very enthusiastic throughout the performance, so it made singing a lot more enjoyable!”
Seven of the conservatory groups, including Downbeat and Dance Fusion, also performed in the Santana Row Tree Lighting ceremony Nov. 18. Groups like the Varsity Dance Troupe performed the “Santa Baby” dance routine in both events.
“My favorite part of doing the Santa Baby routine was getting to perform with my dance family,” said Ankita Sharma (11), dancer on the Varsity Dance Troupe.
The next conservatory events will include the Upper School Winter Concert in January and the annual Dance show towards the start of February.
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...
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...