![“[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)
Humans of Harker: Mia Giammona develops confidence through performing arts
![“[Acting gives you] a chance to be not who you are. When you are a character, no one is looking at you the way they do in real life,” she said. “It’s cool to have an effect on the audience and to grow from that," Mia Giammona (12) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Screen-Shot-2017-01-14-at-9.09.38-PM.png)
“[Acting gives you] a chance to be not who you are. When you are a character, no one is looking at you the way they do in real life,” she said. “It’s cool to have an effect on the audience and to grow from that,” Mia Giammona (12) said.
January 14, 2017
Mia Giammona (12) lives by the motto “Fortune favors the bold,” and believes that her self-confident nature has benefitted her performing arts career and mentoring activities as well as her willingness to step out of her comfort zone.
“Upon reflecting on it, nothing good has ever come of hiding in the background and shying away from something for me,” Mia said. “Every time I took a risk, it paid off in some way or another, so I think that is applicable to me.”
Since elementary school, Mia participated in karaoke, and she discovered a liking towards singing. After joining Bucknall choir in the lower school and listening to her teacher, Jennifer Sandusky’s voice, Mia decided to continue to pursue her passion for singing.
“When I heard her voice, I didn’t even know a person could sound like that,” Mia said. “From then on, my goal was to be trained [and] to be able to sing like that.”
Mia has actively participated in Harker’s performing arts department since middle school and often auditions for the school’s annual musicals and plays. She is an all-arounded performer having developed an interest in classical choral music. For Mia, acting is an outlet to express herself in a supportive environment.
“[Acting gives you] a chance to be not who you are. When you are a character, no one is looking at you the way they do in real life,” she said. “It’s cool to have an effect on the audience and to grow from that.”
In addition to singing and acting, community service has been a significant aspect of Mia’s life. She has volunteered at Lakewood Elementary School for two years by mentoring young children, and she hopes to continue in the future.
“It makes me try harder in everything I do because I do think about those kids who are working really hard to better themselves,” she said. “I think that’s a lesson we can all learn from them because they really are doing it for themselves, even though it’s not what someone wants to do on a Friday afternoon.”
Kailee Gifford (12), one of Mia’s close friends, describes how her self confidence has enabled her to believe in herself.
“Mia is someone who you can trust with anything, she’s kind of a maternal figure to our entire friend group, always inviting us over. I think she has found herself a lot more and her attitude and overall confidence since freshman year has definitely grown since she has explored herself and seen who she wants to be,” Kailee Gifford (12) said.
Additionally, her confidence has encouraged her to take risks and try new courses.
“I’m taking Science of Food this year, and I’m excited. I hated the structure of physics and chemistry, so I’m glad I get to study something that reflects me,” she said.
