![“[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)
2017 performing arts certificate seniors honored at annual Senior Showcase
The performing seniors line up across the stage at the end of yesterday’s Senior Showcase to receive their certificates of completion from faculty members of Harker’s performing arts department. The event was held at Foothill College’s Smithwick Theater from 7 to 9:30 p.m.
May 13, 2017
Senior members of the upper school conservatory’s Certificate Program performed in yesterday’s Senior Showcase at Foothill College’s Smithwick Theater from 7 to 9:30 p.m.
As part of the program, each senior majored in one field of performing arts over a four-year period. Participants of the program chose to focus on vocal music, instrumental music, dance, theater, musical theater or technical theater.
Each senior performed a piece showcasing his or her development in their chosen area of study. After the end of the concert, performing arts department faculty officially graduated the seniors from the program and gave each performer their certificates of completion.
“They’re an incredible class. My students in particular are extremely talented, and a lot of them are going on to pursue music in college, and they were very well-prepared,” instrumental music teacher Chris Florio said. “They really put their hearts into it, and really played well, and it was great.”
The featured seniors included dance majors Tamlyn Doll, Hazal Gurcan, Surabhi Rao and David Zhu; instrumental music majors Cuebeom Choi, Maile Chung, Jack Farnham, May Gao, Alexa Gross, Aashish Jain, Soham Khan, Lauren Liu, Edward Oh, Judy Pan, Shekar Ramaswamy, Andrew Rule, Vedaad Shakib, Melinda Wisdom and Alex Youn; musical theater majors Shivani Awasthi, Zahra Budhwani, Priyanka Chilukuri, Anahita Far, Chetana Kalidindi, Sara Pachauri, Medha Shah and Kayvon Solaimanpour; theater majors Sana Aladin, Sravya Cherukuri, Emre Ezer, Marina Newman, Amrita Singh and Brandon Stoll and vocal music major Mia Giammona.
“[Performing] was terrifying, and also bittersweet. I’m going to miss all these people so much,” Amrita, who performed the theater piece “Chapter Two” by Neil Simon with fellow theater major Brandon, said. “I feel like [the certificate program] helped me find my voice. All the teachers have been such great mentors and so kind. It’s such a supportive and nurturing program, and I love it.”
Many friends and family of the graduating seniors came to the event to celebrate with flowers, posters and pictures to commemorate the students’ performances.
“Just looking at the seniors up there—and I know many of them from all the shows I’ve done—is just sort of heartbreaking, but I’m so proud of them and of how far they’ve come. Everyone was absolutely fantastic,” Senior Showcase attendee Neha Premkumar (10) said. “I can’t wait to see what they do in the future.”
Prior to the certificate students’ performances, performing arts teachers Laura Lang-Ree, Susan Nace, Carl Oser, Jeffrey Draper, Rachelle Haun, Karl Kuehn, Chris Florio and Brian Larsen hosted the annual Hammies award ceremony and honored students from upper school vocal, theater, dance and instrumental groups for their achievements and contributions to Harker’s performing arts community. Hammies attendees were also served dinner before the start of the Senior Showcase at 7 p.m.
