WINGED POST FRIDAY, AUGUST 31, 2018 | THE HARKER UPPER SCHOOL STUDENT NEWSPAPER, VOL. 20, NO. 1 | www.harkeraquila.com WHAT’S INSIDE? New Teachers 2 Trade War 4 Immigration 8 Summer Research 12 Landscaping 14
KATHY FANG
KATHY FANG
Matriculation welcomes class of 2022
NICOLE CHEN
WARM WELCOME (RIGHT) Freshman adviser Yumiko Aridomi and members of the class of 2022 recite the matriculation oath at the matriculation ceremony in the upper school’s quad on Aug. 24. (UPPER LEFT) Members of Student Council and Honor Council gather on the stage at the end of their “Freshman 101” skits at matriculation to inform the incoming freshmen. (LOWER LEFT) Upper school division head Butch Keller addresses the audience at matriculation. After Keller gave his speech, which dealt with the importance of kindness and feeding positive rather than negative emotions, ASB President Neil Ramaswamy (12) gave a speech and students recited the matriculation oath in unison with ASB Vice President Shania Wang (12).
eric fang & arushi saxena news editor & global editor
The 2018-19 school year’s annual matriculation ceremony welcomed incoming freshmen, returning students and faculty with a series of speeches and skits on Aug. 24. After sophomores, juniors, and seniors settled into their seats in the upper school’s quad, the processional of teachers in their gowns took their seats behind the stage. The class of 2022 soon walked down the center aisle in their advisory groups. Once everyone was seated, Head of School Brian Yager commenced the ceremony by commemorating Harker’s 125th anniversary and offering introductory remarks to the incoming freshmen. He stressed the need for upperclassmen to aid freshmen in their first year of high school. Next, upper school vocal group Cantilena performed a
rendition of Stephen Hatfield’s “Ain’t That News” directed by Susan Nace. Jennifer Sandusky, director of Bel Canto and Downbeat, also joined the choir during the performance. Following their performance was a speech by Upper School Division Head Butch Keller. He began with a Cherokee legend to emphasize the importance of expressing love and kindness to all members of the student body. According to the legend, Keller explained that a good wolf, embodying love, kindness, generosity and other aspects, constantly clashes with an evil wolf, which represents one’s negative traits. In the end, Keller highlighted the fact that students are in control of their actions and that they have the power to decide “which wolf to feed”. “You must be the guardian of your own mind,” Keller said. “Attitude and emotions directly coincide with how you see the world; be good to one another,
and let your decisions not only positively influence you but have an impact on the entire world.” ASB President Neil Ra-
“Be good to one another, and let your decisions not only you, but have an impact on the entire world.” BUTCH KELLER UPPER SCHOOL HEAD maswamy (12) then took to the stage to once again welcome the Class of 2022. He chose to recite a personal anecdote of a recent conversation with a friend, in which he at first felt embarrassed to say that he was a Harker student,
and closed by emphasizing pride about being a part of the diverse Harker community. “What differentiates us is the passion, intensity, and authentic fascination that is present in everything that we do,” Neil said. “It is because of this passion that we excel not only in classrooms and labs, but also on the field and on the stage.” Neil introduced all of the Student Council and Honor Council representatives, and Shania Wang (12), ASB vice president, recited the Matriculation Oath in unison with the rest of the student body. Next, Assistant Head of School Jennifer Gargano invited the incoming class to take a copy of the Oath and sign the Honor Code. As freshmen filed out in lines to sign books containing the Honor Code, the Harker String Quartet — comprising Rachel Broweleit (11), Constance Horng (12), Sophia Horng (10) and Jerry Peng (12) and con-
ducted by instrumental music teacher David Hart — performed John Legend’s “Stay With Me” and Bastille’s “Pompeii.” Student Council and Honor Council followed up the performance with their annual “Freshman 101” skits. The skits referenced TV shows and advised the Class of 2022 on the “do’s and don’ts” of the upper school, covering topics such as Eagle Update, campus rules, Extra Period Options, clubs, performing arts and the Honor Code. After the performance, Yager offered closing remarks as the teachers filed out of their seats. Students then departed for orientation meetings specific for each grade and had their photographs taken in the auxiliary gym. After, they ate their first lunch of the school year in Manzanita and gathered in advisory groups to receive forms and lockers. The academic year began with classes on Aug. 27.
Former upper school music teacher arrested on misconduct charges nicole chen & kathy fang & ryan guan & prameela kottapalli & katherine zhang strategic leadership
A former Harker upper school teacher was arrested in San Jose on Aug. 16 and faces criminal charges for inappropri-
reach out to counselors, advisers and administrators. “In any situation that is challenging, there’s a lot of dynamics involved that are hard to manage for the community, and a range of emotions,” Yager said in an interview with Harker Aq-
“In any situation that is challenging, there’s a lot of dynamics involved that are hard to manage for the community, and a range of emotions.”
ate communication with a minor during school functions and on social media. Schools officials terminated instrumental music teacher, orchestra and jazz band conductor and class of 2019 dean Christopher Florio, 39, after they were informed of an allegation of misconduct with a student. Head of School Brian Yager met with faculty about the situation and Harker policy on appropriate faculty-student interactions this week. Yager encourages students who are processing the situation and who want to talk to
uila and Winged Post. “We have to recognize that and, as always, be our best and learn from this experience.” Dr. David Hart, an instrumental and vocal music teacher at the middle school, has transitioned to the upper school to assume Florio’s teaching roles. Upper school music group members and their parents were notified of the transition on June 30, but no other details about Florio’s departure were provided. “I have a love of this place and I have a love of the faculty and the students here,” Hart
KATHY FANG
BRIAN YAGER HEAD OF SCHOOL
THE RPAC The Rothschild Performing Arts Center. A former upper school teacher was terminated in June and arrested on Aug. 16 on felony and misdemeanor charges relating to misconduct with a student.
said. “I’m happy to now be a part of this team here.” Upper school math teacher and former class of 2018 dean Dr. Victor Adler took on Florio’s role as dean of the class of 2019. “I understand that it’s a loss. Somebody’s been with you for three years, and having gone through that process, I understand you get attached to this person,” Dr. Adler said. “I feel bad for the class. At some point we have to move forward ... and I hope we [do so] together.”
Prior to his termination, Florio had taught at the upper school for nine years. Members of the community received the news with a range of reactions. Teachers in the performing arts department, as well as the rest of the school, look to support their students in the coming months. “Often in arts classes, people’s emotions come up, and we want to be able to let students say they’re sad or angry or whatever they are,” Director of Performing Arts Laura Lang-Ree
said. “We’re often in a dance, or in a play, or in a musical; we’re talking about deep and personal things, so we’re fostering that conversation, but at a level where the student feels safe.” Students and teachers alike are dealing with the impact of the situation. Additional reporting by Eric Fang Continued on page 2