In a setting as fast-paced as Harker, it’s easy to overlook the beauty in personal stories — the small, human details that make a student more than just their résumé. But for senior Sidak Sanghari, it is essential to pause and honor every individual on a more profound level.

As editor-in-chief of the Humans of Harker publication, she delights in tracing every senior’s journey from their first day of high school to their final moments on campus, transforming conversations into articles that preserve their voices for the entire community to read and remember. 

“I can really connect to someone on a deeper level in conversation,” Sidak said. “I can do something I’ve always loved to do. Talk to people, hear their story, understand them, but do it in a way where all of a sudden it becomes something a greater audience could read. I’m able to gift that to somebody and give them a piece of writing that lives on for eternity. Capturing them and everything that is who they are, it’s something very special to freeze that moment in time.”

From her very first Humans of Harker interview as a ninth grader, Sidak felt an immediate connection to every step of the process, from the first words of her interview to the final touches to her article. Her enthusiasm and dedication led her to become a Humans of Harker Managing Editor in 10th grade. Now, as editor-in-chief, she continues to experience that same feeling of awe and thrill over and over again with each new face, quote and photo.

“Every single graduating class is so different,” Sidak said. “Each class has been through their own different challenges and have their own unique memories. As leaders, we have the opportunity to look at it on a macroscale and see a whole class in its entire entity, its entire being, so we really get a sense for who they are. We get to make these profiles and magazine that are unique to the class entirely.”

Sidak’s adviser and Honors Human Anatomy and Physiology teacher (HAPY) Anita Chetty recognized her natural leadership skills from the very first time they met. Sidak immediately struck her as remarkably mature and independent, qualities that only grew more evident over time. Whether initiating a tradition of celebrating birthdays in advisory or guiding her partners in HAPY through dissections, she brings a sense of spirit and thoughtfulness to every interaction. 

“In HAPY, when she’s working with her team, she has this ability to make space for other people,” Chetty said. “When she leads, she doesn’t control. She lets everybody participate, but she has a way of directing the group, which is what a good leader should do. Everyone feels like they contributed.”

That welcoming nature has defined Sidak’s relationships, even outside the classroom. Close friend and senior Vika Gautham remembers how Sidak’s blend of poise and boldness stood out even when they first met in fourth grade.

“Sidak’s very outgoing and fun, but almost in a very elegant and regal way,” Vika said. “She’s very put together but at the same time, she’s willing to try new things. Having that calm personality despite being in a situation where you haven’t experienced something yet is very rare. She always puts her best foot forward and tries it.”

Sidak’s confidence didn’t come easily. Growing up in a Sikh family, she rarely saw her cultural background reflected in the community around her. Her Bhangra dance group, which she’s been part of for 13 years, encouraged her to take pride in who she was and embrace all sides of herself.

Her cultural spirit now pulses through the community, reflected in her founding of Harker’s Sikh Student Association, annual culture booth contributions and self-choreographed Bhangra performances for the entire school.

“I’m still so glad that I decided to put myself out there because it’s opened up so much of who I am,” Sidak said. “I’m so much more confident in myself when I’m dancing because I’m like ‘everybody in the whole world knows I can do this.’ I no longer have that weight on me. And it makes me really happy that I can leave Harker knowing that I shared my whole authentic self with everybody here. Everybody knows who I am, what I stand for and what’s important to me.”

Central to Sidak’s embrace of Sikhism is Seva, the concept of selfless service. Her acts of giving extend far into all spheres of her life. Close friend Shaila Tandon considers Sidak’s giving nature one of her defining qualities.

“Her selflessness really stands out. I don’t think I’ve ever met a teenager who puts so many people before themselves,” Shaila said. “We call her the mother in our group because she’s always looking out for other people. She only has the best intentions and wishes well for everyone.”

Behind Sidak’s embrace of her culture is a deep-rooted internal drive to teach others, particularly future generations, that a sense of identity and belonging can coexist. Her authenticity, once unimaginable to her younger self, has become central to how she presents herself and the legacy she seeks to leave behind.  

“I hope that younger generations get to see me and understand that you don’t have to hide who you are,” Sidak said. “Whether it’s at school, whether I’m teaching younger kids, whether it’s my family members who, some of them, they’re still immigrants. It’s hard to come to the U.S. and assimilate. I can be a positive example of that and show that your two worlds can coexist. You don’t have to hide yourself. What’s driving me is that I don’t want others to feel they need to hide that.”