![“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)
Student performs at regional Shakespeare competition
MC Smitherman (11) practices his monologue with his Shakespeare in Performance teacher, Jeffrey Draper. MC performed a monologue and sonnet the Regional Shakespeare Competition in Archbishop Riordan High School last Saturday.
Maxwell (MC) Smitherman (11) performed his own interpretation of Shakespeare’s Berowne’s monologue and Sonnet 65 at the Regional Shakespeare Competition in Archbishop Riordan High School last Saturday.
After a round of school-wide competition between 12 performers, MC was chosen to represent the Upper School’s first participation at the regional competition. He auditioned with the same Berowne’s monologue from “Love’s Labor’s Lost” that he performed at the actual competition.
While he did not place in the regional competition, MC said that he was able to learn from other performers while he was there.
The Shakespeare competition brought together a dozen students who auditioned for the regional match.
MC regularly practiced his monologue and sonnet with Draper during his Shakespeare in Performance Class and extra help sessions.
“What’s great is that what he’s working on applies directly to the [Shakespeare in Performance Class], so the class gets to work with him together as he prepares,” Draper said.
While MC has previously performed in several plays, this was his first time performing solo.
“It’s more personal [and] individual[ly] focused on how I can put myself into these single positions in a play rather than a whole play,” MC said. “I prefer shows because I like interactions with other people on stage and the chemistry between two characters as opposed to something where it’s just me talking.”
Students from the region, all who have passed through school wide competitions, gather together to witness unique approaches to performing as well as a “celebration of Shakespeare,” according to Draper.
“I don’t enjoy having artists compete; it’s an interesting choice,” Draper said. “But, I like the idea of a bunch of artists getting together and watching each other play.”
Before the competition, MC mentioned his main objective was to see his fellow actors’ interpretations of Shakespeare.
“Hopefully, I get to interact with everyone else that’s there, and I can watch their performances,” MC said. “I want to learn as much from the other people who have gotten into this as I can. I want to figure out how I can become better from it.”
Charles Shuttleworth initially brought the competition to the Upper School this year after participating in its judging in his former New York school.
“I really enjoy the competition,” Shuttleworth said. “It improves students’ understanding and appreciation for Shakespeare. Between their talent and their drive, I thought they were likely to do well. I think the momentum will build [in the years to come].”
Shuttleworth hopes to make the Shakespeare competition into an annual competition in the future.
This piece was originally published in the pages of The Winged Post on March 13, 2015.
Priscilla Pan is the features editor for the Winged Post and co-creator of In a Nutshell. She is a senior and has been part of the journalism program for...