![“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)
Leading up to fifth annual HOSCARS talent show
Teachers perform “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” in the 2014 HOSCARS show. Teachers perform each year in HOSCARS.
Auditions for the Upper School’s fifth annual talent show, dubbed HOSCARS start this week. The show, will be held on March 25 and will feature performances from students across all grade levels.
Student council invited all students to sign up to audition for a spot in this year’s HOSCARS via a google form. The audition process is currently ongoing for both performers and the MCs; this year, student council hopes to incorporate an increased number of acts into the show to match the influx of audition sign-ups.
In previous years, notable performers have included alumnus Varun Cherukuri (‘14), Apoorva Rangan (12) and group of last year’s graduating seniors in a Bollywood number. As a freshman, Varun won plaudits for his dance rendition of Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal.” Varun amassed a large following and to this day, a Facebook fan page created in approbation of his prowess remains in existence. In her sophomore year in 2013, Apoorva beatboxed her way to first place on the flute. Last HOSCARS, several seniors formed a group and performed to a medley of well-known Bollywood songs including “Badtameez Dil.”
Maya Rai (10) and her friends will be continuing the Bollywood tradition in an all-sophomore number.
Another act this year includes students from across grade levels, with freshmen Darren Gu, Marcus Chen, and Maxwell Woehrmann, junior Lev Sepetov and seniors Alex Thomas, Vivek Sriram and Jai Ahuja. They will be dancing to the KPOP song “Roly Poly,” by the all-girl group T-ara.
“I am most excited to show all my friends how much heart I have put into this dance, as I have been working on this for a long time already,” Darren Gu said. “I definitely would like to participate next year; it’s really exciting to prepare for, and a nice way to hang out with your friends when you’re practicing.”
ASB Student Council President Sarah Bean (12) anticipates watching her peers “share their talents with the school.” Student council has formed three committees to prepare for HOSCARS: technology, auditions and decorations/publicity.
Dean of Students Kevin Williamson recounted acts that were memorable to him.
“[Varun] brought the house down with his Michael Jackson impersonation,” Williamson said. “That one stands out because he was someone who was kind of under the radar and then all of a sudden was in the spotlight and did an amazing job. [And] Doc Harley performed an operatic piece in german and he was wearing his lederhosen, I’m hoping he’ll do that again.”
Additional reporting by Lauren Russell.
This piece was originally published in the pages of The Winged Post on March 13, 2015.
Tara Parimi (12) is co-Editor-in-Chief of Harker Aquila, and this is her fourth year on staff. She has been involved with the upper school's journalism...
Shay Lari-Hosain (12) is the Editor-in-Chief and co-founder of Wingspan Magazine. Shay has interviewed 2013 Nobel Laureates, authors like Khaled Hosseini...