![“[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)
Cast of fall play performs annual show to fundraise for recent natural disasters
Ellie Lang-Ree (11), portraying the role of Dromio of Ephesus, stamps her foot in frustration as Jessica Skinner (12), portraying the role of Adriana, regards her with a look of concern. The cast of the fall play performed three shows of Shakespeare’s “A Comedy of Errors” on Oct. 26, 27 and 28.
November 16, 2017
The cast of the fall play performed Shakespeare’s play “The Comedy of Errors” from Oct. 26 through Oct. 28 and fundraised for the recent natural disasters.
“The Comedy of Errors” uses misunderstanding and wordplay to tell the story of two sets of twins separated at birth. The play describes Antipholus of Syracuse being mistaken for his brother Dromio of Syracuse when he attempts to find him.
“It’s hilarious,” Hannah Lak (11), who plays Dromio of Syracuse, said. “I think even if it’s hard for you to comprehend Shakespearean language, the actors and actresses do a really good job of using their physicality to get all of the messages across. There are pies; there’s a fat woman. It’s fun.”
Joel Morel (10) uses hand gestures while describing a situation to Matt Kennedy (12) and Meghna Phalke (11). Joel, Matt and Meghna portrayed the roles of Angelo, Antipholus of Ephesus and Balthasar, respectively.
The cast sold boba tea and Dippin’ Dots throughout the weeks preceding the fall play to fundraise for the recent natural disasters. They raised $1700.33 in total, and all proceeds have been donated to Habitat for Humanity in support of the relief efforts for the recent hurricanes and wildfires.
“I want to model for the students how we need to reach out and support people in need all over the world. We, in the Silicon Valley, have the potential to be very influential and helpful to people who are in desperate need,” fall play director and performing arts teacher Jeffrey Draper said.
This year’s fall play incorporated many unique elements that added flair and excitement to the performance.
“One thing, obviously, is that this play gives a lot more room to just be over the top, to be sarcastic and not things that we’ve seen already,” audience member and conservatory member Praveen Batra (12) said. “It’s very special.”
Additionally, live music was featured throughout the play. No pre-recorded sound effects were used, and the cast held a sing-along with the audience during the play’s intermission.
“This unique show is benefiting from a sing-along at intermission and from incidental music played throughout. Last year, there were 70, 100 sound effects and recorded sound cues. There are none in this show and they’re all done live,” Draper said.
The next performing arts event will be the Student Directed Showcase in Jan. 2018.
This piece was originally published in the pages of the Winged Post on November 16, 2017.
