![“[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)
Conservatory seniors honored at annual Senior Showcase
A senior practices her routine prior to Senior Showcase. The showcase features all members of the Conservatory who have completed the Certificate program, which culminates in this final performance.
May 23, 2019
Senior members of the upper school conservatory certificate program performed at the annual senior showcase last Friday.
This year marks the eighteenth anniversary of the showcase since the first one in 2002, where the inaugural certificate candidates graduated. Senior showcase honors the work and achievements of performing arts seniors who have chosen to join the certificate program through high school.
The Harker certificate program entails a comprehensive course of study in any of the following disciplines: musical theater, theater, dance, tech theater, instrumental music and vocal music. Certificate members are assigned a performing arts faculty member who works with them all four years to strengthen their skills and talents in their chosen field.
“It’s really them doing what they consider to be the culmination of all the years of work that they’ve done here with us as teachers and in workshops and in productions and so, to watch them up on stage—to see how much they’ve grown from when we first met them in eighth or ninth grade is really awesome,” said K-12 Performing Arts Director Laura Lang-Ree.
Before senior showcase on Friday was the Hammies, an annual award ceremony held to honor the 275 students in the conservatory, ranging from performers to technicians. There was also departmental awards for every discipline, along with a graduation ceremony after the showcase.
This year’s showcase also included the “Life in the Arts” award for the first time to honor alumni who have chosen a life in the arts. Both Gabrielle DeMers (‘03) and D.J. Blickenstaff (‘09) were presented with the award.
Senior certificate members who performed on Friday had been preparing for the showcase for several months. Performing arts mentors began talking to them towards the end of their junior year and held check-ins last December.
“I’m very excited, it’s a chance to show off what I’ve been working on,” said Raphael Sanche (12), who performed Hamlet by William Shakespeare. “I’m probably going to cry a lot because it is the end of my performing time at Harker, but I’m really excited to leave it all out on stage.”
Senior Timothy Wang danced to “Under Lover” by Infatuated Rose along with backup dancers Kai-Ming Ang (11), Alissa Gao (10), Christopher Gong (12), Vance Hirota (11), Joel Morel (11), Elaine Xiao (10) and Irene Yuan (9).
“I think dance is just something to get your mind off everything else,” said Timothy. “In this hectic first semester of senior year, I think I would’ve gone kind of insane without dancing. There were just so many times where I would put on some music and start dancing right next to my desk because I felt like I couldn’t write any more college essays.”
Senior showcase marked the end of these seniors’ performing arts career at Harker, recognizing and celebrating their dedication to their craft for the past four years.
“We’re just so proud of the class of 2019. It’s been a really, really special year,” said Lang-Ree. “They’re not only really talented performers, but super great, motivated seniors who have stuck with the program all the way through. They are to be commended and honored.”
