![“[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)
Eighth grade students and their families assembled in the Rothschild Performing Arts Center for an introduction to the upper school from 6 to 7:15 p.m on Nov. 14 at the Saratoga campus.
The annual upper school information event introduces eighth graders to high school life and academics.
Middle school division head Evan Barth gave an introductory speech for the event at 6 p.m.
The audience first watched performances by upper school show choir Downbeat and dance team Kinetic Krew. Upper school vocal music teacher Jennifer Sandusky and upper school performing arts director Laura Lang-Ree directed Downbeat, which sang “You Can’t Stop the Beat” from the musical “Hairspray.” Kinetic Krew, directed by upper school dance teacher Rachelle Haun, danced to “JUMPIN” by Pitbull and Lil Jon. Keshav Gupta, parent to Avi Gupta (8), shared his thoughts on the performing arts shows.
“The level of community and passion that I see with the kids here is phenomenal,” Gupta said. “[The performing arts shows were] so phenomenal. Our son is also doing performing arts in the dance program at the middle school, and I hope this level of performing arts continues.”
Upper school division head Paul Barsky and assistant upper school division head Kelly Horan followed with a presentation on academics, Living with Intent, Focus and Enthusiasm (LIFE), extracurriculars and time management. Barsky spoke about “toxic pressure” in the academic environment and discouraged competition among peers and sharing grades, which may lead to excess stress and self-doubt. Horan emphasized the importance of prioritizing health over grades. She discussed Harker’s four-year course plan, Advanced Placement classes and the special electives in each subject.
“Mr. Barsky’s talk [was] a really important thing to highlight, because as kids going into high school, there’s a lot of stress and a lot of that is coming from parents,” senior panel member Ritu Belani said. “When you’re more aware of that from the start, it’s less of a shocker when it comes later.”
Afterwards, a student panel consisting of seniors Ryan Barth, Ritu, Luke Mehta, Isabella Ribeiro, Alena Suleiman, Om Tandon, Sarah Westgate and Ella Yee shared their insights from four years at the upper school. Barsky asked the seniors prepared and audience-volunteered questions, such as their favorite part about Harker and three words to describe their high school experience. When asked to give one piece of advice to the eighth graders, Ryan explained his viewpoint on joining clubs and programs at Harker.
“If you’re on the fence about anything, you should just join,” Ryan said. “The worst thing that can happen is you don’t like it, and you leave it. The best thing that happens is you can join this group or this team you really enjoy, and you meet all these great people.”
The event concluded at 7:15 p.m, with several parents staying behind to ask final questions to Barsky and Horan.
“Overall, our students like to return year to year, especially with the big transitions from eighth to ninth grade,” middle school division head Evan Barth said. “If they take anything away from these meetings, it’s all the great things they can do in high school so they can be inspired and be ready to enter high school.”
