![“[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)
On Wednesday, August 29, the Performing Arts Department hosted its annual Conservatory Kickoff in the Saratoga gym to introduce students and parents to this year’s performing arts programs.
According to Performing Arts Department Chair Laura Lang-Ree, the objective of the kickoff ceremony is to excite students about upcoming performances and to inform them about what the Performing Arts Department has planned for the year.
“It’s just really neat when you can bring together a whole community of students and parents who just love and appreciate performing,” Lang-Ree said.
Conservatory students also shared Lang-Ree’s enthusiasm for this year in performing arts.
“I’m very excited about being a part of Camerata this year and watching all the performances,” Nathan Dalal (10) said.
The first performing arts production of the year will be the fall play, Hamlet, directed by Jeffrey Draper. Draper announced that auditions for the play will begin this week, and he emphasized the abundance of roles in the play, as multiple actors will play some of the major characters. According to Draper, five people will play the role of Hamlet.
Lang-Ree announced that this year’s spring musical will be Oklahoma! and that auditions for the play will begin in January.
In addition, Instrumental Music teacher Chris Florio, Dance teachers Amalia De La Rosa and Karl Kuehn, and Technical Theater Directors Paul Vallerga and Brian Larsen spoke about what events and performances were new this year in their respective fields.
The kickoff also served as an information session for those interested in the conservatory’s certificate program, which allows students to specialize in a certain field of performing arts by taking part in productions and attending workshops throughout their high school careers. After performing at the end of senior year during the Senior Showcase, these students will be given a certificate commemorating their contributions to the conservatory. Only freshmen and sophomores were invited to attend the certificate program information session portion of the event.
Lang-Ree said, “I can’t wait; we’re looking forward to an awesome year with a great group of people.”
