![Setter Emma Lee (9) sets the ball to the middle during the match against Pinewood on Sept. 12. “[I’m looking forward to] getting more skilled, learning more about my position and also becoming better friends with all of my teammates, Emma said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/DSC_4917-2-1200x795.jpg)
![“[Building nerf blasters] became this outlet of creativity for me that hasnt been matched by anything else. The process [of] making a build complete to your desire is such a painstakingly difficult process, but Ive had to learn from [the skills needed from] soldering to proper painting. Theres so many different options for everything, if you think about it, it exists. The best part is [that] if it doesnt exist, you can build it yourself, Ishaan Parate said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/DSC_8149-900x604.jpg)
![“Animation just clicked in a way. I had been interested in art, but that felt different. [Animation] felt like it had something behind it, whereas previous things felt surface level. I wasnt making that crazy of things, but just the process of doing it was much more enjoyable, Carter Chadwick (22) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Screen-Shot-2022-08-16-at-9.44.08-AM-900x598.png)
![“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 its played such a major role in who Ive 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 Im [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)
![“[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)
![“Im 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 theres a lot of people that are really confident in what they do, and I really admire them. Everyones 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)
![“My slogan is ‘slow feet, don’t eat, and I’m hungry.’ You need to run fast to get where you are–you arent going to get those championships if you arent 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)
![“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)
A 125th year in review
Head of School Brian Yager and Assistant Head of School Jennifer Gargano released doves to celebrate the graduation of the Class of 2018 at the end of the ceremony.
January 20, 2019
A lot happened in 2018 at the Harker Upper School.
Harker welcomed its 125 anniversary in 2018. With that came the opening of the Rothschild Performing Arts Center. The Student Directed Showcase, with its senior directors Haley Keller (‘18), Sameep Mangat (‘18), Anika Banga (‘18) and Jessica Skinner (‘18), and the annual Dance Production, with its theme “Viva Las Vegas,” were some of the final performances at the Blackford theater.
We found new ways to have fun and stimulate our minds:
Harker Spirit worked with class councils to organize the first year Spirit Rally in the Athletic Center and the inauguration of Quadchella. We were visited by a crazy brass band, and Winter Ball’s Starry Night theme was a hit.
To help accommodate the block schedule and reduce long lunch lines , the cafeteria expanded into the auxiliary gym, and two new food stations were added.
Art club raised money and established “The Gallery,” a dedicated space to showcase a different student’s art ensemble each week under the Shah staircase.
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We shared in many victories:
In a combined effort, DECA and TALON yearbook took first place in the Herff Jones Challenge for a presentation on yearbook’s marketing effort to win a $5,000 prize and won many awards including a Pacemaker Finalist for Harker Aquila.
Speech and debate saw won many awards and garnered recognition.
Alumna Jessica Dickinson (‘07) took office as San Jose Human Services Commissioner.
The annual John Near and Mitra Family grant funded eight seniors’ independent research: Amy Jin, Derek Yen, Matthew Lee, Serena Lu, Jacqueline He, Alan Jiang, Andrew Semenza and Emily Chen.
Boys and girls volleyball, boys soccer and boys golf led historic seasons
And commiserate over the losses:
The community mourned the deaths of former Chair of the Board of Trustees Diana Nichols and former French teacher Antoinette Gathy.
We worked together to overcome difficulties:
In support of the 17 lives that were lost at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida on Feb. 14, members of the upper school community worked together to hold a vigil in the Athletic Center and provided opportunities for discussion and for students and teachers to contact their local lawmakers. Students and faculty also took to the streets and joined the March for Our Lives movement in downtown San Jose and San Francisco to protest weak gun control laws.
Two teachers were involved in felony charges of misconduct with students. Former music teacher and class dean Chris Florio was arrested in the summer before school, and recently hired psychology teacher Jonathan Sammartino was arrested in the fall.
A fire broke out on the I-280 wall; Head of School Brian Yager and Head of Student affairs Greg Lawson assisted the fire department in putting out the fire.
After an assault and robbery on a middle school teacher in early January, administration made measures to tighten security.
We powered through weeks of smoke and poor air quality and reached out to communities devastated by wildfires.
And we said our farewells and hellos:
Long-time biology teacher Dr. Gary Blickenstaff retired, Academic Dean Evan Barth transitioned to Middle School Head and former upper school psychology teacher Kelly Horan took his position. Eight new teachers joined the faculty.
The class of 2018 graduated with Andy Semenza as the Valedictorian, Julie Wheeler as the student-chosen faculty speaker, Dolan Dworak as the student-chosen student speaker,\ and Tanya Schmidt (‘08) as the guest speaker.
With matriculation, we brought in the freshman class of 2022.
With the coming and going of 2018, we learned as a community how be supportive, caring, energetic and present.
