![“[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)
Students exhibit art, writing and music at annual Artstravaganza
A student points out a detail in a piece of art on display at the Artstravaganza today during long lunch. Works from art students, Scholastic Art & Writing Award winners and HELM submitters were displayed on both floors of Nichols.
April 27, 2016
Art students, Scholastic Art & Writing Award winners, HELM submitters and jazz band members exhibited their art, writing and music at the third annual Artstravaganza in the Nichols atrium today during long lunch.
Throughout long lunch, students, faculty and parents could view artwork, videos and excerpts from literary works displayed on both floors of Nichols while consuming refreshments provided by the organizers.
“The students get to see their finished work in a nice setting, and they have the chance to share it with their peers. It’s always something that students and faculty look forward to quite a bit, because it’s always a fun thing and they’re always amazed,” Jaap Bongers, visual arts department chair, said. “It boosts their self-confidence; it makes them proud. That’s really the main benefit—and it’s a party at the end of the year.”
As well as pieces that won Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, the exhibit included work from drawing, painting, sculpture and AP Studio Art students.
Students look at art and writing on display at the Artstravaganza today during long lunch. The event included a performance by jazz band, the unveiling of this year’s issue of HELM magazine and readings by selected authors.
“The entire upper school art program showcases their work there, so video, the visual arts, sculpture: all that stuff is showcased,” English teacher and event organizer Dr. Pauline Paskali said. “That’s a sort of marriage between the arts department and the English department, that we’re all kind of getting together to promote the arts. It gives the rest of the community an opportunity to see what the passions and talents are of our students working in isolation.”
Jazz band performed for the last time this school year at the event. The performance was originally scheduled to take place in front of Nichols, but light rain at the beginning of lunch caused it to move into the rotunda.
“Jazz band is really casual, and we’re a flexible group,” Jonathan Ta (12), who plays trombone, said. “It’s not a big deal.”
HELM editors-in-chief Shay Lari-Hosain (12) and Elisabeth Siegel (12) introduced the new issue of the magazine, which club members sold during the Artstravaganza and will continue to sell in front of Manzanita tomorrow and Friday, at 12:15 p.m.
“This is a planned way to help focus the community’s eyes and ears,” English teacher and event organizer Nicholas Manjoine said. “So often we’re just busy and running from one thing to another; I think that this show kind of helps focus and really present student work.”
Seniors Elisabeth Siegel and Kaitlyn Gee; juniors Sarisha Kurup, Jordan Murtiff, Andrew Rule, Meilan Steimle and Tiffany Zhu and freshman Annabelle Perng read from their literary works in the auditorium from 12:15 p.m. to 12:45 p.m.
