![“[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 performs Spring Concert in RPAC
Middle schoolers perform on the balcony of the lobby to entertain parents who were waiting for the theater to open. Spring Concert was held in the Patil theater in the Rothschild Performing Arts Center starting at 7 p.m.
Juniors Ashley Jia and Stephanie Xiao warm up their fingers by playing the scales and then their songs. During intermission, students were doing any last minute preparations needed before going on stage.
Chris Florio directs the orchestra during the Spring Concert last Friday. Spring Concert included performances lower school, middle school and upper school orchestras.
The seniors put on a skit to introduce an overture from the play “The School for Scandal”. Before every song the orchestra played, students gave some background information to introduce the song.
Chris Florio gives recognition to the seniors during the Spring Concert. Florio gave a speech about how he is going to miss the seniors and gives recognition for all the work they have done during the concert.
Joanna Lin (12) stands up after being recognized by Chris Florio. Florio gave a speech about how he is going to miss the seniors and gives recognition for all the work they have done.
Andrew Semenza (12) plays Rhapsody in Blue with the orchestra. The last piece in the orchestra’s repertoire was George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, which featured Andrew on the Bosendorfer piano.
Chris Florio acknowledges the audience with Andrew Semenza (12) after performing Rhapsody in Blue. The last piece in their repertoire was George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, which featured Andrew on the Bosendorfer piano.
About the Photographers
Laura Wu, TALON Business Editor
Laura Wu is a sophomore and Co-Buisiness Editor for TALON Yearbook. This is Laura's second year on staff. In her free time, Laura enjoys dancing, reading,...
Nicole Chen, Harker Aquila Editor-in-Chief
Nicole Chen (12) is Harker Aquila's Editor-in-Chief. She joined the journalism program in her freshman year as a reporter and became features editor as...