![Setter Emma Lee (9) sets the ball to the middle during the match against Pinewood on Sept. 12. “[I’m looking forward to] getting more skilled, learning more about my position and also becoming better friends with all of my teammates, Emma said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/DSC_4917-2-1200x795.jpg)
![“[Building nerf blasters] became this outlet of creativity for me that hasnt been matched by anything else. The process [of] making a build complete to your desire is such a painstakingly difficult process, but Ive had to learn from [the skills needed from] soldering to proper painting. Theres so many different options for everything, if you think about it, it exists. The best part is [that] if it doesnt exist, you can build it yourself, Ishaan Parate said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/DSC_8149-900x604.jpg)
![“Animation just clicked in a way. I had been interested in art, but that felt different. [Animation] felt like it had something behind it, whereas previous things felt surface level. I wasnt making that crazy of things, but just the process of doing it was much more enjoyable, Carter Chadwick (22) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Screen-Shot-2022-08-16-at-9.44.08-AM-900x598.png)
![“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 its played such a major role in who Ive 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 Im [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)
![“[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)
![“Im 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 theres a lot of people that are really confident in what they do, and I really admire them. Everyones 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)
![“My slogan is ‘slow feet, don’t eat, and I’m hungry.’ You need to run fast to get where you are–you arent going to get those championships if you arent 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)
![“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)
Performing arts update (Issue 5)
Stage crew members Tamar Sasson (10) and Logan Frank (10) spin cheerleading coach Jill Bettencourt on a wheel at the beginning of the teachers’ dance “You Spin Me Right Round.” This year’s production featured nine teachers and more than 160 students.
February 21, 2017
Students choreograph dance show:
The Upper School’s annual dance production took place on Jan. 27 and 28. This year’s theme was “Circus” and featured 160 dancers and nine teachers, the greatest number of performers in the show’s history. There were 24 student dances, as well as one teacher dance. Charley Huang (11), Miranda Larsen (11), Gracean Linthacum-Janker (11), Liana Wang (11), David Zhu (12), Hazal Gurcan (12), Sanjana Marce (12), Tamlyn Doll (12), Sravya Cherukuri (12) and Surabhi Rao (12) had the opportunity to choreograph dances for their peers, a unique experience not available in many schools.
Performers rehearse for High School Musical:
Musical rehearsals started before the break, and performers will be rehearsing until the shows in April. This year’s show is an adaptation of the Disney movie “High School Musical,” and over 70 people auditioned for this year’s production. Auditions began after Thanksgiving break. Mandatory technical rehearsals for the show will take place from April 10 to 18. The dates of the shows are April 20, 21 and 22, and there will be a Thursday evening, Friday evening, Saturday matinee and Saturday evening show.
Cantilena scheduled to perform in Maitri Gala:
Cantilena will be performing at the Maitri Gala for the first time this year. Maitri is a nonprofit organization based in the Bay Area that helps women from southern India facing domestic violence, emotional abuse and other forms of conflict. The organization also runs a boutique which sells South Asian clothing; all funds from the boutique go to the Economic Empowerment Programs. The Gala will have performances, dinner and auctions and will take place on Feb. 25 in Crowne Plaza, a hotel in Palo Alto.
This piece was originally published in the pages of The Winged Post on February 21, 2017.
