![“[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)
Performing arts groups across all four campuses gave a “Harkerween”-themed show at Harker Day in the Patil Theater on Saturday. Featured groups included the upper school’s Downbeat, Festival Chorus, Harker Dance Company and Kinetic Krew; the middle school’s High Voltage, Concert Choir, Dynamics and Showstoppers; the lower school’s Bucknall Choir, Picnic Players and Dance Fusion; and Transitional Kindergarteners.
The performance encompassed an overarching theme of “being yourself” as the impetus to belonging. Lower school technical director Danny Dunn scripted the show by piecing together different songs for each group, creating a comprehensive storyline. Her script incorporated many moving parts, making it difficult to ensure that everyone had sufficient practice.
“We have almost no rehearsal since the show is so early in the year,” Dunn said. “Everyone’s scrambling to get it done. We always think, ‘oh my gosh, we’re never going to make it,’ and then of course, it always turns out to be great. I was really proud of the kids this year. They really had so little time and there was so much to do and the show had a darker theme. It was a lot harder than it’s been in past years, but they still did it.”
At the start of the show, fourth-grader Nia Arun, dressed as Wednesday Addams, moves to a new school and has to learn how to fit in. In a school full of supernatural creatures, Wednesday feels excluded.
After an introduction to the various characters acting in the show, Festival Chorus kicked off the performance with the song “It’s the Monster.” Members sang and shrieked as senior Jason Shim, dressed as an orange octopus monster, ran around scaring them.
“The monster is a deeply tortured and troubled individual,” Jason said. “Showing that it has a side to it that isn’t just evil was the most rewarding part because I was able to project a side of childishness and wonder that you wouldn’t associate with the word ‘monster.’”
Seventh-grade Showstoppers dancer Shannon Lee, who danced to “Haunted Heart” by Christina Aguilera, appreciated performing with high schoolers at Harker Day.
“It’s really surreal because many people are watching who wouldn’t usually watch you,” Shannon said. “It’s extra special during Harker Day. Next to the high schoolers in Kinetic Krew and HDC, I get to know what I’m going to experience when I’m older and interact with everyone.”
While performers were proud of the final work, the technical rehearsal on Friday posed a few problems, including nerves and pitchiness. Group leaders made sure to connect with their teammates before the show to create cohesion.
“Before we went on stage, we got in a circle, went over notes with each other and held hands — we were physically connected,” Downbeat senior Ananya Das said. “We did a warm up to get focused, and then we did our pep talk. It just worked, and we really clicked.”
Parent Mohini Suchanti thought the performers’ efforts paid off in creating a dynamic and engaging performance. Suchanti attended to watch her fourth-grade son Neil Agarwal act as one of the zombies on the cast.
“We love coming to watch all the kids perform together,” Suchanti said. “This is a highlight for us at Harker. The dances were phenomenal, and most of all, I love the coming together of all of the different grades.”
The show united all three campuses through the stage performances, highlighting Harker’s inclusive environment.
“The best part about this is that you have TK all the way through high school in the show together,” Dunn said. “The whole point of the show is that Harker is pretty awesome. I just love that aspect of being able to write a love letter to the school and to have everybody be a part of it. That’s my favorite thing about getting to do this job.”
