12.

That’s how many words Ariana Gauba (’25) lives by: “Take everything one step at a time and have compassion for yourself.” This simple phrase has guided Ariana through three transformative years in Harker’s Student Diversity Coalition (SDC), where she has discovered that making others happy brings her the greatest joy of all.

“I used to be a quiet person, afraid to speak up,” Ariana said. “But as I was doing SDC, I found my voice.”

In fact, Ariana hasn’t just found her voice, she’s used it to amplify others. But her dedication to making a difference started long before she joined SDC. 

“I’ve always been really passionate about social justice and every time I heard about injustices when I was a kid, it really bothered me,” Ariana said. “So when I heard about the opportunity, I knew I definitely wanted to run, even though I was really scared. I was really happy to have that position of power in the community, and it’s something I’ve always been really interested in.”

When Ariana was elected in sophomore year, SDC was still a relatively new initiative. She needed to figure out how to expand the organization as well as find and address problems in the Harker community. In junior year, with the guidance of former Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Brian Davis, she created the Social Justice Conference. This year, under the mentorship of Patricia Burrows, Harker’s DEI Director, Ariana has been a key part of the Day of Understanding and the upcoming Student Diversity Leadership gathering. 

“I was really proud of helping out with all these events and seeing people really enjoy themselves,” Ariana said. “The most impactful initiative for the Harker community is Culture Week. It helps people recognize other cultures, celebrate and be more mindful about what everybody goes through and how that shapes them in life.”

During Culture Week, Ariana often helps with creating music to play, running the food trucks and registration, planning the events and even leading her own culture booth. But she doesn’t mind the work as her decision to join SDC stems from a genuine desire to make a difference. Kindness and respect are key values to Ariana, and she is not only empathetic towards other people’s situations, but also loves giving back to the community.  

History teacher and Ariana’s adviser Mark Janda encouraged her to embrace her interest for social justice through his social justice class. 

“Ariana is phenomenally kind and inviting,” Janda said. “The first time you meet her, you’re gonna feel like you found a new friend. There are people who, within 30 seconds of talking to them, you feel like you’ve known them a really long time. That’s Ariana. There are no secrets with Ariana, she is warm, she brings people in and brings people together. There is nothing self centered about her. Every breath she takes is about wanting the world to be better for everybody else.”

Anika Pallapothu (’25) has been Ariana’s close friend since first grade, and she values Ariana’s warmth and inclusivity. The pair clicked from the first grade, and throughout the years, they bonded through golf, navigating online school and planning sweet sixteens. 

“To anyone who was gonna meet Ariana for the first time, I would say you have nothing to worry about,” Anika said. “She’s the most unjudgmental person there is. She always makes sure you’re included. You can always find something to bond over with her. And she’s truly funny. If you’re having a conversation with her you’ll find yourself laughing at least within five minutes.”

Summer Adler (’25) is another of Ariana’s close friends, and they have known each other since fourth grade. The two connected over their shared sense of humor, especially jokes whispered over desks during class. 

“When we were sophomores, we took social justice together,” Summer said. “A lot of it is lecture, and she would say things to me, just really quick, witty, sarcastic, or funny comments that would have me in tears laughing during class and I would need to walk myself out to stop laughing.”

SDC has had a significant influence on Ariana by shaping her aspirations for the future. Through engaging with different speakers and participating in new experiences, Ariana has gained different perspectives and learned values that go beyond the classroom, such as how to create change in her community. 

“SDC makes me feel happy and fulfilled,” Ariana said. “And so as I go into college, keeping that in mind, I want to study sociology and possibly become a social worker, do humanitarian work to benefit others in the community and help with inclusivity.”

Ariana’s journey through SDC has been guided by her kindness and care for others. She is not only a fiercely loyal and funny friend, but also an unwavering advocate for positive change. Like a steady flame, she offers warmth to others and inspires them to spark change of their own. 

“The most important thing to me is helping others and making other people feel happy,” Ariana said, “That’s what brings me joy. I always take that into account every day and try to bring a smile to other people’s faces.”