![“[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)
Annual picnic attracts all ages
Preparations for the festival involved the gathering and organization of decorations, booth equipment, and prizes on the Blackford Campus. This year’s theme is “Get Your Kicks at Picnic 66,” a spin on a popular slogan.
October 13, 2016
The 66th annual Harker Family and Alumni Picnic fundraiser, centered around the theme “Picnic 66,” invited students, faculty and friends to a day of carnival entertainment at the Blackford campus yesterday.
To contribute to the community, students and teachers from all four campuses as well as alumni joined together and enjoyed the games and performances at the event.
“I really like how more and more of the upper school kids are getting involved,” said Director of Special Events Danae McLaughlin, who coordinated the picnic. “It’s not that cool for them to run around and play the games, but to set up their clubs and to show the community what they’re doing with their clubs and to actually interact with the younger kids I think is really, really cool, and it’s something I hope we grow on.”
Classical booths such as the Hamster Dash and raffles were mixed with new activities such as a Nerf foam Arabejo Archery range and a smoothie stand, a healthier alternative to shaved ice. A student showcase featuring performing groups from the lower, middle and upper schools centered around a skit directed by lower school performing arts teacher Danny Dunn.
The showcase included the upper school’s junior varsity dance troupe, Kinetic Krew and choirs Bel Canto and Downbeat; middle school dance troupes Showstoppers, High Voltage and Dance Fusion and choirs Dynamics and Concert Choir; the lower school choir, the fourth grade class; some preschoolers and teachers and administrators.
“I love seeing all the performing art groups perform, practice together [and] come together kind of as one for the community event,” upper school dance teacher Karl Kuehn said. “It’s just a fun kind of gathering, preschool through 12th [grade].”
Upper school clubs contributed their efforts as well. The Visual Arts Club offered face painting and displayed members’ pieces, while the Green Team hosted a booth presenting succulents as prizes to advocate water conservation.
“I love that game booth where you can throw the ball into the hole, and the best part is that you can win a succulent plant,” freshman Katelyn Chen said. “I just love the prizes and the thought that goes into choosing the succulent plants.”
All four campuses were involved in rehearsals and preparation to host another year of the Harvest Festival. The next major fundraiser, Night on the Town, occurs in the winter.
This piece was originally published in the pages of The Winged Post on October 10, 2016.
