![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)
Matriculation welcomes class of 2021 to upper school
Head of School Brian Yager delivers his opening comments at this year’s Matriculation. Before his remarks, the upper school faculty and the Class of 2021 participated in processionals into the quad.
August 25, 2017
Students and faculty gathered in the quad for the upper school’s annual Matriculation ceremony, which officially marked the second day of Harker’s 124th academic year.
After the seniors, juniors and sophomores took their seats, upper school faculty, dressed in black caps and gowns, walked into the quad and sat onstage. Both students and faculty then stood and applauded during the processional of the Class of 2021, the new freshman class.
Head of School Brian Yager then took the stage to officially welcome the Harker community back to the upper school campus and to introduce vocal group Cantilena. The ensemble, directed by vocal music teacher Susan Nace, performed Paul John Rudoi’s “Yonder Come Day.”
Following Cantilena’s performance, Head of the Upper School Butch Keller delivered his customary Matriculation Address, recounting three stories of successes and failures and reminding the Harker community to always uphold the values of kindness, respect, integrity, compassion, humility and accountability.
“When people think of you, do they think of any of these words? One of your goals for the year should be that others think of you when they think of these words,” Keller said. “Just think for a minute what the alternatives are if these characteristics aren’t part of you—kindness would be meanness, integrity would be cheater, compassion would be cold-hearted, empathy would be cruelty, respect would be indifference, accountability would be apathy and humility would be arrogance.”
ASB President Jimmy Lin (12) then welcomed the Class of 2021 to the upper school community and introduced the student and honor council representatives of each class for this school year. He also spoke about his high school experience and encouraged the freshmen to take risks and look into new outlets of expression.
“High school is like riding a bike—except the bike is on fire and the ground is on fire and you’re on fire and everything is on fire,” Jimmy said. “The moment you start pedaling, it feels like everything is flying right at you. Despite how nervewracking it feels, I challenge you to take your time exploring high school.”
After ASB Vice President Neil Ramaswamy (11) led the student body in a recitation of the Matriculation Oath, Assistant Head of School Jennifer Gargano introduced the Harker String Quartet. This year’s group, consisting of violinists Amy Jin (12) and Constance Horng (11), violist Jerry Peng (11) and cellist Amy Dunphy (12), performed arrangements of Sam Smith’s “Stay With Me” and Sia’s “Chandelier” while the freshmen signed the Honor Code.
Student council and honor council members then gave the Class of 2021 a preview of school life with their annual presentation of “Freshman 101.” This year’s production was the first to feature honor council participants and presented useful tips and tricks to surviving high school.
Yager returned to the podium to deliver the ceremony’s closing remarks. After the recessional of the faculty, students left the quad to attend grade-level orientations, take their pictures for the yearbook, check their lockers and receive time management worksheets from their advisors.
Classes for the 2017-2018 school year will begin next Monday, on Aug. 28.
