![“[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)
Upper school show choir Downbeat traveled across the Bay Area for their annual Holiday tour on Dec. 1st.
Downbeat held a home show in Nichols Auditorium, where they sang a collection of winter songs for the Harker community.
“It was really fun to watch all of my friends perform,” audience member Ishani Sood (12) said. “I was so proud of Downbeat because I saw all of their hard work come together to make an amazing show. Even after a super long and tiring day of performing, they were still able to produce an amazing, enjoyable performance.”
Downbeat visited Harker’s transitional kindergarten at 9 a.m. to perform winter classics, complex a cappella and upbeat dance numbers choir members shared holiday plans and gifted books to each student.
Following the book gifting, the group headed to The Forum at Rancho San Antonio in Cupertino. They first performed at the memory care facility that houses senior citizens. Smiles and tears filled the room as residents recalled stories from their pasts. Group member Ananya Das (11) dazzled the audience with a solo, “White Christmas,” and found the audience’s response heartwarming and powerful.
“I was trying to make them feel the love I was feeling in that moment,” Ananya said. “As I started the second verse, this couple joined in. Just when it couldn’t get any better, I saw the husband of one of the women hold her hand and she leaned on him and they continued to sing with me. It was one of the most beautiful and cathartic moments I have ever experienced.”
Downbeat proceeded to the assisted living facility. Members handed out candy canes during the set.
After The Forum, the group visited Glide Memorial Church in San Francisco and sang for unhoused people who were at the church for a provided lunch. Downbeat members gave out handmade chocolate chip cookies and pairs of socks. They also shared the goods with kitchen staff, who energetically cheered and sang along to songs they recognized in the set.
Their next stop was the San Francisco Ferry Building, a venue Downbeat performed at in previous years. Downbeat caroled to Pentatonix arrangements like “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” and “Mary Did You Know.”
The annual Holiday tour, a tradition that emerged years ago when Downbeat first was founded, brought the choir closer to their community.
“[Tour] really reminded me how much of an impact music can make,” Ananya said.” [It] made me feel so small compared to the love that was circulating the rooms in those moments. It was truly very beautiful.”
