![“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)
Internationally acclaimed photographer Platon presents at Flint Center
Platon speaks to a member of the audience after the presentation. The famous photographer spoke at the Flint Center for Performing Arts about his work on Friday.
“All right. It’s going to be bumpy. So get ready,” award-winning photographer Platon Antoniou remarked as he began his presentation at the Flint Center for the Performing Arts on Friday at 8 p.m.
Platon was one of seven speakers in the 47th Annual Celebrity Forum Speakers Series that takes place from Oct. 2014 to May 2015. Last month’s speaker was Anderson Cooper.
Platon has worked to provide pictures for Esquire, The New Yorker, TIME Magazine, GQ, Vanity Fair, Rolling Stone and countless other publications. He is perhaps most notably known for his portrait of Vladimir Putin as Person of the Year on TIME Magazine in 2007, for which he won the 2008 World Press Photo Award for Portraits.
Platon published two books on his photography, “Platon’s Republic” and “Power: Portraits of World Leaders,” and he is the founder of a non-profit organization to support human rights called The People’s Portfolio.
Platon signs a copy of his book, “Platon’s Republic.” The famous photographer spoke at the Flint Center for Performing Arts about his work on Friday.
Throughout his presentation, Platon regaled the audience with the stories behind some of his famous celebrity portraits including Barack Obama, George Clooney, Prince, David Beckham, Muhammad Ali, Mark Zuckerberg and Dustin Hoffman.
“It’s time to roll the dice. It’s time to place all bets on myself, for better or worse,” Platon said as he described the moment behind his controversial cover portrait of Bill Clinton on Esquire.
Platon discussed his work in photographing world leaders such as Hugo Chavez and Muammar Gaddafi and controversial figures such as Edward Snowden. He went on to speak about his photography with those fighting for freedom and human rights.
He shared anecdotes about his various projects including his journey in taking pictures of world leaders at the United Nations, a car chase in Burma when he was photographing Burmese opposition politician Aung San Suu Kyi, and his experiences photographing soldiers and military families. Platon explored the lessons that he had learned throughout his adventures all over the world.
“It’s not what I see that counts,” he said. “It’s what you see that counts.”
Platon ended the presentation with a question and answer session with the audience.
Platon poses for a picture with a member of the audience at his presentation after the show. The famous photographer spoke at the Flint Center for Performing Arts about his work on Friday.
The next speaker in the Celebrity Forum Speakers Series will be Walter Isaacson on March 25, 26, and 27. Isaacson is most notably known for his biography of Steve Jobs, and he has served as the CEO of CNN and as the managing editor of TIME magazine.
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