![“I wasn't discouraged by some of the obstacles we faced. I learned a lot from the leadership. I found that different people need different ways of receiving feedback — you can't [just] tell them to do something and expect the best. [Some] people needed more incentive. A large part of my role was to figure out what worked for everyone and to figure out how to lead all these separate individuals as a team,” Suhana Bhandare (’26) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/SuhanaBhandare_JasmineHansra-1-1200x798.jpg)
![“This is actually from Randy Pausch Randy P. Brick: ‘Walls are there for a reason. You have to show how much you want to overcome them.’ You have to show how much you want something. That's what I've always been able to do with tennis, Link Crew and getting that internship [with Kushy Baby]. It’s important pushing through that — getting around that brick wall, climbing over it or clawing through it,” Yash Sachdeva (’26) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/YashSachdeva_RamBatchu-copy-1200x1002.jpg)
![“[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)
NHS initiates 59 new members with candle-lighting tradition
Dhruv Saoji (10) listens as upper school head Butch Keller delivers a speech to the newly-inducted NHS members.
October 17, 2019
Four tall, waxy-white candles flicker onstage in the Nichols Hall auditorium, bathing the dimly lit room in warm orange glow. A light smattering of applause echoes down the rows of seats filled with formally dressed students and parents as Dr. Shaun Jahshan walks onto the stage, stopping in front of the National Honor Society (NHS) banner draped over the candle filled table. This year, the upper school proudly welcomes the 59 newly inducted members of the Harker upper school chapter of NHS, run by chapter adviser Dr. Jahshan, during its annual initiation ceremony.
Along with Dr. Jahshan, the Harker NHS chapter consists of history teachers Julie Wheeler and Mark Janda, English teacher Ohad Paran, math teacher Anthony Silk and biology teacher Michael Pistacchi, who selected the applicants after reviewing each application. Prior to becoming a member, students were required to send in an application form to Dr. Jahshan regarding their positive performance in two out of the four core values of NHS: leadership, scholarship, community service and character.
The ceremony began with Dr. Jahshan delivering a welcome speech and explaining the general details of NHS and its four core values. Head of the upper school Butch Keller presented his congratulatory speech to the newest members, asking them what role model they aspired to be for other members of their community as well as offering words of insight and inspiration.
“Your responsibility as a member of the Harker chapter of the National Honor Society is to be present, to be aware, to elevate and to encourage those around you so that we can all be the best that Harker has to offer,” Keller said.
Dr. Jahshan then introduced the 2019-2020 NHS student officers. Each officer reflects a core value that the NHS upholds: President Jai Bahri (12) representing leadership, Vice President Bryan Wang (12) representing character, Secretary Arushi Nety (12) representing scholarship and Community Service Coordinator Ashley Jazbec (12) representing community service.
Following the short speeches that each officer made on the pillar he or she represented, Jai led the new members in the Reading of the Pledge.
Students were called up individually to the stage to receive their official induction certification and perform the candle lighting tradition. The first member passed on the flame to the next student after lighting their own candle from one of the four large candles on the table onstage, representing the four pillars of NHS.
“It was great to listen to the thoughtful speeches made by the faculty and the officers, who all seemed super welcoming and motivated,” said newly-inducted NHS member Yejin Song (10).
