![“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)
Harker performing arts groups light up night at ‘Spirit of The Row’
Downbeat members Alan Jiang (12) and Shareen Chahal (11) pose as they perform “Deck the Halls.” Upper school groups Harker Dance Company, Kinetic Krew and Downbeat as well as several middle school groups performed at Santana Row’s Spirit of the Row on Dec. 6.
Though the chill of the night intensifies, the crowd packed tightly around the small stage only continues to grow. Small ornaments and string lights strewn across the set highlight the massive tree in the center of the plaza. Four high school students, one snug in a thick mustard scarf and a violet button-up and three in glimmering a-line dresses, take to the stage amidst excited shushing and camera flashes.
The emcees, seniors Sawyer Lai, Samvita Gautham, Lucy Feng and Kris Estrada of the Downbeat show group, introduce the second night of this year’s Spirit of the Row, a weekly celebration of performing arts and festive cheer on Tuesday evenings from 6-7 p.m. in Santana Row during the holiday season. The Dec. 6 show’s setlist included upper school groups Harker Dance Company, Kinetic Krew and Downbeat, as well as middle school groups Showstoppers, High Voltage, Dance Fusion and Harmonics.
Harmonics kicked off the show with “You Make Every Day Feel Like It’s Christmas,” and Showstoppers and High Voltage followed with “No Ordinary” and “Christmas with Friends,” respectively.
“I’m really proud of how far the team has come,” Showstopper member Claire Tian (8) said. “It’s nerve-wracking [performing in front of a crowd] for the first few times, but [now] I don’t even think about who’s watching. I’m just having a good time.”
Downbeat then performed “Deck the Halls,” starting with four members singing serenely but quickly turning into a funky flash mob as the rest of the group burst onto the stage. Downbeat member Ian Ogden (11), who performed for the first time at Santana Row this year, enjoyed Downbeat’s unique arrangement of the song.
“I really like our version of ‘Deck the Halls’,” Ian said. “We start out with four people and trick everyone into thinking it’s a traditional song. Then, our ensemble comes up from [in] the audience, and we surprise everyone.”
Harker Dance Company then took over with an upbeat routine to “Girls.” Every holiday season, they also perform a kickline, with this year’s set to “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.” The girls wore their usual sequined green outfits, adding Santa hats and switching to jazz shoes for the second dance. Harker Dance Company member Yasmin Sudarsanam (10) reflects on the team-building environment of their performance.
“My favorite moment from that night was right before our performances,” Yasmin said. “The team was touching up our hair, makeup and costumes and hyping each other up for the upcoming dances, because it felt like an amazing bonding moment between the fourteen of us and our coaches.”
However, the 20-foot wide stage did pose some problems, especially considering the larger space used for rehearsals and practice.
“It was really exciting, but the stage was really small,” Harker Dance Company member Emily Kwan (11) said. “But still, we managed to make it work because we trust each other on the team. It was really fun to perform.”
Spirit of the Row performances also allow members of the Harker community who are not in the performing arts to appreciate the talents of their peers. SAB (Student Activities Board) member Sara Wan (12) explained her reason for attending the ceremony.
“In the past four years, I’ve never come before [to ‘Spirit of The Row’] and I really wanted to support the Harker performing arts community, especially Downbeat, Kinetic Krew and Harker Dance Company,” Sara said.
Bright lights, small stage and chaotic energy aside, Yasmin appreciated the tradition of performing at Santana Row during the holiday season.
“[Performing at Spirit of] The Row is exhilarating,” Yasmin said. “It’s one of those performances everyone looks forward to the entire year. Watching and cheering for [Dance Fusion and Showstoppers] is also a full circle moment for me. I remember looking up to the older girls so much when I was younger.”
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