![“[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)
Class of 2022 graduates at Mountain Winery
Members of the Class of 2022 clap during their graduation ceremony. The ceremony took place at the Mountain Winery in Saratoga on May 19 at 5 p.m.
May 28, 2022
The class of 2022 concluded their high school careers at their graduation ceremony at the Mountain Winery in Saratoga on May 19 at 5 p.m.
Graduates and faculty arrived at the winery at 3 p.m., followed by ceremony guests at 3:30 p.m. The program began with prelude music from the Harker chamber orchestra conducted by upper school director of instrumental music Dr. David “Dave” Hart, followed by processional music. The 2022 graduation chorus, consisting of upper school choirs Downbeat, Cantilena, Bel Canto and Camerata and conducted by upper school choral teacher Jennifer Sandusky, performed “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
“It’s good to tell the seniors good luck –– singing and performing in general is a major part of saying goodbye and sending someone off to their future,” Bel Canto member Bhavya Srinivasan (9) said. “There’s a lot you can communicate through music with emotion.”
Following the choral performance, retiring head of upper school Samuel “Butch” Keller Jr. welcomed the attendees to the ceremony.
Rohan Thakur (‘22) delivered his valedictorian address after Keller’s welcome, commending the class of 2022 for their endurance throughout the last four years, especially through the COVID-19 pandemic. He highlighted the importance of carrying this resilience into the future.
Harker alumnus, Board of Trustees member and DoorDash Co-Founder Andy Fang (‘10) then gave a keynote speech. Fang presented three life lessons he learned through his years of successes and struggles at Harker and with DoorDash: to remember that growth and its potential overcome initial knowledge or talent, to find a balance between one’s talent and passion in one’s career and to believe in oneself. Next, the graduation chorus performed a rendition of “Omnia Sol,” which they started practicing in March, according to Bhavya.
After the graduation chorus returned to the stage for their final performance of “The Harker School Song,” Head of School Brian Yager delivered a farewell speech to the graduating class. Alluding to the survival of the crew of the ship Endurance despite its sinking and Percy Bysshe Shelley’s poem “Ozymandias,” Yager emphasized the endurance the class of 2022 displayed throughout the last few years.
“I’m really grateful for [the seniors], grateful for their leadership, and the seniors did take some responsibility to be more proactive in mentoring younger students and guiding them and communicating expectations,” said class of 2022 dean and upper school English teacher Christopher Hurshman. “It’ll be hard to see them leave, and I’m not quite ready to let go yet. I’m really proud of them, and I’ll miss them.”
In a procession after Yager’s speech, one by one, as Hurshman read aloud their names, the graduates filed onto the stage, received their diplomas and posed for photos with Yager and Keller.
“When I walked across the stage, and it’s just me on stage, and my name is read, it’s one of the few moments where I’m honored in that way,” Harshil Garg (‘22) said. “Everyone, regardless of people, people who [I] might not even know, would cheer for me for a milestone that everyone looks up to.”
As the graduates returned to their seats, they each turned their cap’s tassel from right to left to signify the transition from high school to college. The graduates then tossed up their caps in celebration, and the ceremony closed with final remarks and closing statements from Yager and Assistant Head of School Jennifer Gargano, who then released doves into the air.
“Attending graduation and hearing all the names read, taking photos with everyone, it was a great moment because everyone was congratulating everyone; people’s parents who I have never met were saying congratulations to me, giving me hugs, shaking my hand,” Harshil said. “It was a festive day for everyone. Everyone shared that celebratory spirit, regardless of your existing friendship circles.”
