![“[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)
Just Dance: Annual dance showcase features six Harker dance troupes
Kinetic Krew member Jerry Chen (12) and Varsity dance troupe member Miranda Larsen (12) pose at the end of the finale routine of this year’s Just Dance showcase. Earlier this school year, the Patil Theater was also the venue for a piano master class, An Evening of Jazz and annual spring musical “42nd Street.”
April 29, 2018
Upper, middle and lower school student dancers performed in this year’s final dance showcase, Just Dance, this evening at 6 p.m. in the Patil Theater. Upper school Varsity and Junior Varsity dance troupes along with boys’ group Kinetic Krew joined Dance Fusion, Showstoppers and High Voltage in a series of dance numbers from a variety of genres, ranging from lyrical to hip-hop. With this being the seniors’ last performance, each senior was presented with a bouquet of sunflowers at the end of the show to celebrate their participation in and contributions to the Conservatory dance program.
Junior varsity dancer Tiffany Zhao (11) performs in the routine “Let It Go,” the first in this year’s Just Dance showcase. Choreographed by dance teacher Rachelle Haun, the number featured the popular song from Disney’s hit movie “Frozen.”
Vance Hirota (10), a member of Kinetic Krew, dances in the number “Mic Drop,” choreographed by dance teacher Jazon Escultura. Just Dance was the first dance performance in the new Patil Theater and also the last performance for the seniors in Kinetic Krew.
Dancers in middle and lower school dance troupe Dance Fusion perform a number in the Just Dance showcase this evening. Just Dance is the only annual dance showcase that involves all six upper, middle and lower school dance troupes.
Varsity dance troupe co-captain Liana Wang (12) lands a turn with a penché in the routine “Pyre.” “Pyre,” a contemporary routine, was choreographed by Ankita Sharma ’16.
Junior varsity dancer Elaine Xiao (9) does a leap in the jazz routine “Feel It Still” during this year’s Just Dance showcase. Just Dance was held in the new Patil Theater in the Rothschild Performing Arts Center, with free admission and seating.
Varsity dancer Christie Chen (11) performs in the number “River Lea.” Varsity dancers had debuted “River Lea” at the Head of School’s Circle Celebration in March, and they performed it once more at the school meeting last Thursday to encourage students and faculty to attend this year’s Just Dance showcase.
Varsity dancers Gracean Linthacum-Janker (12), Liana Wang (12) and Charlotte Blanc (10) lean into a penché during the finale of this year’s Just Dance performance. Just Dance was Gracean and Liana’s last dance performance before the Senior Showcase in May.
Varsity dancer and co-captain Charley Huang (12) dances the finale routine with other Harker student dancers to end this year’s Just Dance showcase. Just Dance, the only dance showcase that features all six Harker dance troupes, was held at 6 p.m. in the Patil Theater this evening.
