![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)
The Jazz Factor shares their love of music
William Rainow (12) plays the bass. He joined the Jazz Factor last year.
August 28, 2019
Trills of assorted jazz music float through the pavement in front of the Glass House as six musicians tap their feet along to the rhythm. Before their performance at the San Jose Jazz Festival, the Jazz Factor, a band made up of several students from the Bay Area, started a little over two years ago as an idea to play music in a group setting.
“We rehearsed basically every week at Neil’s place, and we just tried to scrap together a set list of five to six songs. So that summer, it was me, Brendan [Wong] (12), Max Lee (12) and Neil Ramaswamy (‘19), on alto sax, tenor sax, piano and drums, respectively,” founder Bryan Wang (12) said.
Booking venues proved to be a difficulty, and many early performances were staged at open houses or house parties. The group eventually found themselves routinely performing, including playing in downtown Los Altos. When the band is not featuring at an event, they meet every week to hone their skills.
“During the summer, we usually practice on weekdays, at either my house or the drummer’s house, which is Ethan [Fong] (12) ,” said bass player William Rainow (12), who joined last year. “During the school year, we usually practice on weekends and during breaks, sometimes during office hours or after school.”
The band’s message of sharing music with the general public has already resonated with members of the community.
“They’re so talented, and they’re giving their time and their energy to have other people enjoy their music,” said Grace Hajjar (12), who attended the San Jose Jazz Festival. “The fact that they were out there on Saturday, playing for the public, it was really nice.”
In the future, the Jazz Factor hopes to make a resounding impact on the community around them, donating their revenue to provide instruments and music lessons to others without the opportunity.
“We’re looking to put the money to tangibly impact the community and better jazz,” Bryan said. “So whether that’s going to be in a charity or the local radio station, or to one of these school districts, the overall mission and intention is the same and that’s just to support jazz and bring jazz wherever we can.”
The Jazz Factor routinely performs, including at house parties and in downtown Los Altos.
