![“[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)
“Everything is Rosie” at the spring musical, “Bye Bye Birdie”
May 5, 2016
The Upper School Conservatory took audiences on a jukebox jammin’ ride for this year’s annual spring musical, “Bye, Bye Birdie”, from April 12 to April 14 at the Blackford theater.
When rock ‘n’ roll heartthrob Conrad Birdie (Emre Ezer, 11) is drafted into the army, managers Albert Peterson (Kayvon Solaimanpour, 11) and Rosie Alvarez (Namitha Vellian, 12) organize a contest for one lucky girl, Kim MacAfee (Mia Giammona, 11), to receive his one last kiss. Hilarity ensues when her jealous lover, Hugo Peabody; disapproving parents and lovestruck fans prepare for Conrad’s appearance in the town.
The comedic plot and large cast of “Bye, Bye Birdie” lend a hand to the upbeat energy it brings to the audience, contrasting with last year’s dark, modern (spring?) musical, “Into the Woods.”
“[The students] had not had a traditional old school musical with lots of song and dance, lots of choral enthusiasm and joy,” Performing Arts Department Head Laura Lang-Ree said. “It sounds very light and fluffy at first, and while the content of ‘Bye, Bye Birdie’ was charming and about love, nothing serious, it’s very hard to convey that sense of enthusiasm authentically.”
“Bye, Bye Birdie” is a jiving jitterbug performance. The show featured complex choreography, showcasing featured dancers like Hazal Gurcan (11), who also performed as a part of the teen ensemble. Though she has participated in dance, “Bye, Bye Birdie” was Hazal’s first musical.
“I think the hardest part was learning the songs and figuring out how to act without being obnoxious because I don’t normally act,” she said.
Rachel Renteria (12) belted out the overture, her voice ringing loud and clear through the Blackford theater. Rachel has participated in the (spring?) musical for three years, and she has also previously performed in a production of “Bye, Bye Birdie.”
“[My favorite aspect of the show] probably is the energy. This show is very alive,” she said. “It’s not one that has boring parts. The whole thing is really vibrant at all times.”
When Conrad Birdie arrives, Sweet Apple, Ohio, is electrified – disgruntled parents, awestruck children and obsessive teenagers’ lives turn upside down.
“Hello, this is Harvey Johnson. Can I speak to Penelope Ann?” sang Johnny Trinh (12) as the awkward teenager, Harvey Johnson. In a broken voice, three-year musical veteran Johnny wails into a telephone.
“Perhaps the hardest part is intentionally trying to crack my voice,” he said. “I didn’t know how to do it before, but now I do. That basically the hardest part for me personally, but it’s fun, so that trumps everything.”
The cast performed four shows, one on each evening, and an additional matinee show on April 14. Additionally, they performed for a retirement home on April 11.
This piece was originally published in the pages of The Winged Post on May 4, 2016.
