Performing dance shows in the Patil Theater. Following a Lego instruction manual meticulously. Coordinating Harker’s spirit events day after day. This is how Luke Mehta (’24) expresses himself through his hobbies and school activities.

Since kindergarten, Luke has been experimenting with Legos, even starting a club dedicated to it in his junior year. He enjoys not only the relaxation that building Legos gives him but also the creativity involved in building different structures from the same sets.

“What I like about Legos is the amount of identity you can put into whatever you make,” Luke said. “You can always follow the instructions, but you could also go off on your own, which pertains a lot to who I am.”

Luke started dancing at Harker in first grade. Throughout his life at school, he has made numerous friends, connected with fellow dancers and choreographers, and received the guidance of experienced mentors on improving his technique. Upper school dance teacher Rachelle Haun commends Luke’s dedication to choreographing, leading his peers and dance as a whole. She witnessed his overall growth in the dance room, noting his maturity.

“He cares, he absolutely 100% cares how the dance looks, he cares how the other dancers look,” Haun said. “Because he’s such a leader in the class, it helps everybody. When they see somebody that they’re looking up to care that much, they understand, ‘okay, I need to care too.’”

Luke also tries to support his friends through challenging times, whether he is calming nerves before a dance performance or giving advice during a casual conversation. 

“I’m able to bring light into dark moments for my friends who maybe feel like they’re having a bad day,” Luke said. “It’s a super powerful thing, being able to cheer people up. The moment might be sad, but just think of it from the perspective of everything else.”

Close friend Kuga Pence (’24) attests to Luke’s openness when it comes to conversing with friends. After meeting through dance, they grew close throughout middle school and high school, choreographing together and participating in dance activities.

“He’s able to express himself very freely,” Kuga said. “As a friend, he’s very decisive. He’ll always plan gatherings for us, and sometimes it’ll be out of the blue. He’s like glue for a friend.”

In supporting the school community as a whole, Luke acted as spirit coordinator this year. Holding the responsibility of a leadership position and the need of creating new and exciting ways to raise school spirit required Luke to develop new perspectives on problems that he faces.

“Leadership has helped me a lot in my day to day life,” Luke said. “Having that responsibility has made me realize that I can do the smallest thing and it could have the biggest impact. Leadership has helped me in thinking out my choices and making sure I’m doing what I really want to do.”

For Luke, his character shines on and off the stage. Fellow dance team member Arthur Wu (12) admires Luke’s self-confidence, a trait that makes him a better friend and dancer.

“He’s his own personality,” Arthur said. “That’s what’s different about him compared to a lot of people. He’s himself around you, and he doesn’t care what people think. That’s what makes him such a good person.”

Though many people tend to only identify Luke as a dancer, missing the other parts of his identity, he understands the significance of practicing dance because his own love for it. Legos and dance are an essential part of Luke’s life because of the joy it brings him. 

“I used to think that I have to keep doing dance just because it’s what I’m known for,” Luke said. “But now I’ve realized there’s beauty behind all the madness that happens. Now it’s a part of me, so not doing dance or not having Legos is like I’m losing a part of my identity.”