![“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)
Graduation falls on weeknight, Priscilla Chan to be 2016 speaker
Members of the Class of 2015 throw their caps into the air as they celebrate their graduation from high school. The seniors will graduate this year at the Mountain Winery in Saratoga on May 19.
May 8, 2016
The Class of 2016 will graduate at the Mountain Winery in Saratoga on Thursday, May 19.
“Each class has their own personality; I have now seen 35 classes graduate and no two have been alike,” Butch Keller, Head of the Upper School, said. “My special connection with student councils and teams that I have coached create a special bond. We always look forward to hearing the successes of all of the members of each graduating class in college and beyond.”
Unlike previous years, graduation will take place on a weekday, as opposed to Saturday. The seniors received their caps and gowns during their class meeting on Tuesday, April 2. After trying her graduation attire in the CyberLoft in Nichols, senior Sahana Narayanan reflected on her high school journey and how she was looking forward to graduation.
“The whole experience of trying on my cap and gown was pretty surreal; it was one of those moments I thought would never arrive,” Sahana said. “I’m happy to move forward on to the next adventure and to see where everyone ends up in ten years.”
This year’s valedictorian, Anika Mohindra, will address the Class of 2016 at graduation.
“I was pretty surprised when I found out that I would be this year’s valedictorian,” Anika said. “I think my speech is going to have a serious theme and perhaps overall tone, but that isn’t to say there won’t be any funny anecdotes.”
Baccalaureate this year will be on Wednesday, May 18. Before Baccalaureate, the seniors will vote on their class salutatorian, who will be determined and announced during the seniors’ class trip to Laguna Beach.
Seniors like Lawrence Li had mixed feelings about starting college in the fall.
“I feel bittersweet because high school is ending and I want senioritis to continue,” Lawrence said. “I’m not excited about AP exams, but I’m sure that I will be starting a new life in college and that college will be great.”
The Class of 2016 will participate in a graduation rehearsal on Wednesday, May 18, at the Mountain Winery.
This piece was originally published in the pages of the Winged Post on May 4, 2016.
