![“[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)
An unprecedented 122 students auditioned for the upper school Dance Production, ‘All You Need is Love,’ in the Patil Theater on Sept. 6 from 3:15-5:30. The performances will be held on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1.
Harker Dance Company captain Yasmin Sudarsanam (12) taught a routine to “Disturbia” by Rihanna. The choreography incorporated different styles to showcase several specialties like hip-hop and technical dancing while also demonstrating general proficiency. Students learned the choreography together and then auditioned in smaller groups. Dance teacher Jill Yager explained the placement progress, decided by dance teachers and student choreographers.
“We score them based on what we think will be best regarding level and style,” Yager said. “Trying to accommodate 122 people and their schedules, especially kids here at Harker who are doing so many different things, is difficult.”
Despite the challenges with placement, given the influx of dancers who auditioned, Yasmin expressed enthusiasm at the turnout and the quality of the dancers. She will be choreographing her own routine this year.
“It was so great seeing a bunch of seniors who’ve never done it before turn out and also so many new freshmen,” Yasmin said. “I’m really excited for rehearsals to start the week after next. As a student choreographer, I’m looking forward to getting my own routine and learning the music.”
Frosh Regina Zhang, who has been dancing since middle school, enjoyed learning the choreography from her peers. She noticed several differences between how dance auditions are conducted at the middle school compared to at the high school.
“The routine was taught way more quickly,” Regina said. “In middle school they would teach you one count of eight and then they’d repeat it and repeat it. In high school, they just teach it and you run it and then they move on.”
Kinetic Krew co-captain Nikhil Sharma (11) was unwell during auditions, so he helped play the music and ensure the event ran smoothly. Having auditioned for the past two years, he was able to view the show from the audience this time. Nikhil looks forward to seeing dancers’ performances in the January dress rehearsal.
“I’ve auditioned before but I was always dancing on stage so I never got to see it from this perspective,” Nikhil said. “It looks great together and it will be really exciting to see them in a couple of months’ time. Watching the performance at rehearsal week and the first show is awesome. Those are definitely the highlights of dance production.”
