![“[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)
Upper school orchestra to perform at Chicago International Music Festival
Instrumental music teacher and director of the upper school orchestra Chris Florio stands with the ensemble at the end of one of their pieces for the collaboration concert with the Santa Monica High School Wind Symphony. The upper school orchestra will be traveling to Chicago from March 29 to April 2 to perform at the Chicago International Music Festival.
March 26, 2018
The upper school orchestra will embark on its annual trip, heading to Chicago from March 29 to April 2 to perform at the Chicago International Music Festival. The orchestra will be judged along with three other ensembles as part of the festival.
The Chicago International Music Festival is held at the Chicago Symphony Center, home to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Ensembles must apply and audition in order to be one of four adjudicated groups at the festival. The four chosen ensembles will be judged on Sunday.
“I’m looking forward to sightseeing and spending time with other members of the orchestra, and I’m also excited about performing at the Chicago Symphony Center,” violinist Sophia Horng (9) said.
Aside from the judged performance, the orchestra will also be able to rehearse with various guest educators and participate in workshops with festival faculty. The itinerary also allows for time for the students to sightsee and explore the city.
The orchestra will play the “Overture to The School for Scandal” by Samuel Barber and the “American Symphony” by Adam Schoenberg, pieces that they have played at previous concerts. They will perform “San Jose” by Carl Wittrock for the first time in Chicago.
