![“[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)
Artstravaganza showcases student artwork, literature in Nichols reception
Students view art and writing on display at the Artstravaganza today during long lunch. The event included a performance by Jazz Band, the unveiling of this year’s issue of HELM magazine and readings by selected authors.
April 18, 2018
Annual campus art exhibition Artstravaganza displayed student artwork and literature in a series of exhibits during long lunch in Nichols Atrium today.
Students, faculty and parents alike attended the event, which featured pieces of a wide range of media, including colored pencil, ink, watercolor, clay, photography and more. The exhibition also showcased a variety of literary works, from poems to personal narratives.
“I did a figure ground with a bird and a fish that fit together like yin and yang, which resembled the natural order of life,” Anya Gert (10) said. “I also made a colored pencil piece with the planets orbiting around a baby; the Earth is slowly deteriorating, and the baby is crying. It was inspired by a Fall Out Boy song, and it signified the impact of our actions on the world and on future generations.”
At Artstravaganza, Harker Eclectic Literary Magazine (HELM) also held sales of their newest print issue. Many of the artists and writers recognized in this year’s Scholastic Art and Writing Awards discussed and read their works for exhibition attendees.
“My favorite part [about Artstravaganza] is that it’s a community-wide event. Our collaboration with the English department also makes it so that students who are involved in writing, which is another creative expression, are equally celebrated,” visual arts teacher Pilar Aguero-Esparza said. “I find it extremely interesting to see visual artwork depicting certain issues that students are grappling with that are happening in the world—and then you read something that somebody’s writing and discover they’re also thinking about very similar issues.”
Jazz Band performed outside the Rotunda during the first half of Artstravaganza. Attendees were also served light refreshments inside the atrium.
Other campus art exhibitions held earlier this school year featured the works of AP art students and school winners of this year’s Scholastic Art and Writing Awards.
