![“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)
What’s new in performing arts: Spring music performances kick off
March 28, 2017
Music groups perform at United Voices
The United Voices concert was held at 7 p.m. on March 16 at the Mexican Heritage Theater, where singing groups from across three Harker campuses performed a variety of songs. Bucknall Choir, Dynamics, Concert Choir, Harmonics, Vivace, Bel Canto, Camerata, Downbeat and Cantilena all performed two or three songs each.
“I’m really excited to show what we’ve been working on and to sing with everyone else from all the other choirs,” Bel Canto member Tasha Moorjani (9) said.
Jazz musicians perform at An Evening of Jazz
Jazz musicians from the Middle and Upper Schools performed at An Evening of Jazz on March 17 at the Blackford campus.
“It’s not as stressful as an orchestra performance, where you know you’ve got to get it a certain way,” Jazz Band director Chris Florio said. “You just try to fine-tune things to get them where they need to be.”
The jazz bands showcased a diverse set of piece arranged by various musicians, including Bob Mintzer, Mike Tomaro and Lab Band director Dr. David Hart.
“It’s a whole different spectrum of songs,” Florio said. “Both Lab Band and Jazz Band are doing arrangements of pop tunes and ballads.”
Senior Maile Chung, who has been involved in Harker music programs sincefourth grade, enjoyed performing songs alongside her friends at the final concert of her high school career.
“Everything [came] full circle on March 17, because the last song that I [played] on stage was one of the first songs that I played when I joined Jazz Band back in 2008,” Maile said. “I’m so happy that I was a part of the Jazz Band because it helped me find my passion in music, and it has become a great creative outlet for me to express my emotions.”
Four upper school trumpet players, along with Lab Band director Dr. David Hart, perform solos at the front of the stage. Lab Band, along with Jazz Band and groups from the Middle School, performed at the An Evening of Jazz concert on March 17.
Musical rehearsals continue for cast
The 47-member cast continues rehearsals for this year’s spring musical, an adaptation of the Disney movie “High School Musical.” Mandatory technical rehearsals will take place from April 10 to 18. There will be a preview performance for an invited audience on April 19.
Evening performances on April 20, 21 and 22 at the Blackford theater will begin at 7 p.m. The matinee performance on April 22 will be at 2 p.m. Tickets can be purchased either through an online link or at school during lunch starting April 10.
Last year’s musical cast lines up onstage after their performance. This year’s musical is an adaptation of the Disney movie “High School Musical.”
This piece was originally published in the pages of The Winged Post on March 28, 2017.
