![LALC Vice President of External Affairs Raeanne Li (11) explains the International Phonetic Alphabet to attendees. "We decided to have more fun topics this year instead of just talking about the same things every year so our older members can also [enjoy],” Raeanne said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/DSC_4627-1200x795.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)
Seniors and juniors attend 2017 Baccalaureate ceremony
Members of the senior class listen to Baccalaureate faculty speaker Samuel Lepler’s speech. Today’s Baccalaureate ceremony took place in the Quad from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
May 17, 2017
The classes of 2017 and 2018 attended the Upper School’s annual Baccalaureate ceremony today in the Quad from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Prior to the beginning of the event, the Harker String Ensemble, led by conductor Chris Florio, performed a short program of pieces while the seniors, juniors and their families socialized with other attendees and found their seats in the area. Assistant Head of School Jennifer Gargano opened the ceremony with an introductory address on the history of the Baccalaureate ceremony.
Gargano then invited to the stage Cantilena, directed by upper school vocal music teacher Susan Nace, to perform Burt Bacharach and Carole Bayer Sager’s “That’s What Friends Are For.” The Harker String Ensemble then played J.S. Bach’s “Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G Major.”
Following the performances, Upper School Head Butch Keller delivered a short speech introducing this year’s Baccalaureate faculty speaker, upper school economics teacher Samuel Lepler. Lepler spoke about the importance of relaxing during college and changing one’s perspective of problems by considering hindrances not as obstacles in the path towards success, but as circumstances simply part of the situation that needs to be solved.
Baccalaureate faculty speaker and economics teacher Samuel Lepler gesticulates during his address. The Class of 2017 voted Lepler as their faculty speaker for this year’s ceremony.
“I thought Baccalaureate was a really great way to send off the Class of 2017, as well as a great opportunity to welcome the Class of 2018 to their newfound leadership position on campus in the upcoming year,” Jimmy Lin (11), current junior class council president and ASB president for the next school year, said. “The speakers at the event were full of insights from their own experiences on campus, and I think there were a lot of valuable lessons to be learned that we can take with us in our upcoming school year as well.”
Keller then took to the stage again to welcome Baccalaureate student speaker Aditya Dhar (12), who encouraged his classmates to enjoy life through humor. He used his personal philosophy of “make every joke you can” to encourage his classmates to take risks and explore opportunities in college. Additionally, he advised them to be confident in their decisions.
“When we’re in high school, we have a world of opportunities. We have the chance to do almost anything,” he said. “As we go further and further down our own paths, our options start to narrow. We have to solidify what we want to study, We have to solidify what our plans are after graduation, what is we want to do in life, but the only way that you can set out on your own path is if you take all the opportunities.”
The seniors, juniors and their families celebrated after the ceremony with flowers and pictures.
“Last year, I actually felt that senior year was pretty far from where I was now, but now this year I’m part of the class welcoming the juniors into their final year of high school,” Tina Li (12) said. “My advice to them would be to always try out new opportunities; I moved here in my junior year from China, and I would encourage the Class of 2018 and also the grades below to always grab any chances presented to them.”
Today’s events also included the Class of 2017’s Alumni Induction Lunch and their Brick Laying Ceremony. Their graduation will take place tomorrow at the Saratoga Mountain Winery starting at 5 p.m.
