WINGED POST THURSDAY, MAY 11, 2017 | THE HARKER UPPER SCHOOL STUDENT NEWSPAPER, VOL. 18, NO. 7
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HATS OFF TO THE CLASS OF 2017
WHAT’S INSIDE? Gym Construction A2 Sanctuary Cities A3 March for Science A5 Senior Shoutouts A8
MEENA GUDAPATI
Seniors graduate in Mountain Winery ceremony
STRETCH YOUR HORIZONS Andrew Semenza (11) reads Harker Horizon the day it comes out right outside of Manzanita Hall during lunch.
Space is infinite for new science magazine anvi banga reporter
The premier issue of the Upper School’s student-run scientific journal Harker Horizon came out May 8. The journal consists of student research papers and projects, articles about current scientific issues and topics and interviews with professors. “Our goal is to spread student research throughout the campus so we featured a lot of research articles, like more lay-pieces on just a broader discussion of scientific topics,” Rajiv Movva (11), Articles Editor, said.
Annual Senior Showcase performance to be held tomorrow kshithija mulam editor-in-chief
Seniors will perform in the annual Senior Showcase tomorrow night at the Mexican Heritage Theater as part of their certificate performances. A dinner will be held beforehand to honor other members of the Conservatory this year.
CHECKMATE Last year’s national team, consisting of members Vignesh Panchanatham (11), Richard Yi (‘16), Michael Wang (10), Evan Lohn (‘16), Richard Wang (10) and Shaunak Maruvada (10) pose with their awards. This year’s competition will be held in Nashville instead of in Atlanta, and Harker will once again send a delegation to compete in the competition.
School protects against phishing outbreak jenna sadhu reporter
A phishing program was globally released last week and students at the Harker School were vulnerable to the hack. Emails from students were sent out to all their contacts, asking them to open a Google doc. The link came from an unknown server, and once it was opened, hackers gained access to their username, password, contacts, and other information. Director of Learning, Innovation, and Design of grades 9-12 Diane Main sent out a few emails following the outbreak to warn students about opening these emails. “Phishing is usually an programmed hack that one can send out in a mysterious link,” she said.
ALL PHOTOS NICOLE CHEN
SPECIAL TO THE WINGED POST
Chess club advances; state of game changes
IT’S OVER (TOP) The class of 2016 tosses their hats into the air at the graduation ceremony last year at the Mountain Winery. (BOTTOM LEFT) Mary Najibi (‘16) shakes hands with Head of School Chris Nikoloff as she walks across the stage at graduation. (MIDDLE RIGHT) Anika Mohindra (‘16), the valedictorian of the class of 2016, addresses the senior class last year at graduation. (MIDDLE BOTTOM) Priscilla Chan, wife of famous tech giant Mark Zuckerburg and ex-Harker teacher delivers the keynote address at last year’s graduation. (LEFT BOTTOM) Students sit in the audience as they wait to graduate at last year’s class of 2016 graduation. This year’s graduation will be held on May 18 at the Mountain Winery at 5 p.m.
kshithija mulam & maya valluru editor-in-chief & Aquila news editor
Upper School Division Head Butch Keller announced the 2017 baccalaureate and graduation speakers during senior class meeting on April 17. Students in the senior class voted for the baccalaureate faculty and students speakers as well as for the faculty members who will present speeches at the other ceremonies that will take place to celebrate the completion of the school year. Keller announced that the baccalaureate faculty speaker will be economics teacher Samuel Lepler, and the student speaker will be Aditya Dhar (12). Baccalaureate is a ceremony held for the junior class, the senior class, faculty and senior parents as an induction of the junior class as seniors and a way to bid farewell to the graduating seniors. “When he told me, I kind
of waffled between being really honored, because it means a lot to me, and being horribly nervous,” Lepler said. “It is the last time that this school is together with the senior class. There is a little pressure, but it’s great and always really fun to watch the seniors accomplish what they have and move on.” In addition, history and social science teacher Damon Halback will speak at the alumni luncheon and math teacher Troy Thiele will speak at the bricklaying ceremony. The alumni luncheon is held for parents and students of the senior class to honor their becoming alumni. The bricklaying ceremony is held by the Office of Advancement to honor the seniors who will have bricks engraved with their names lain into the walkway that leads to the Patil Performing Arts building. The alumni luncheon, the bricklaying ceremony and baccalaureate ceremony will all take place on May 17 in that re-
spective order. They will all take place at the upper school.
“Being named valedictorian is [knowing that] I’ve come a long way. A lot has changed, and I have a lot to be grateful for.” KAI SIANG-ANG (12) VALEDICTORIAN Keller also announced the valedictorian of the class of 2017, Kai-Siang Ang (12), who will also speak at the graduation ceremony. He has been awarded the title of valedictorian by the administration for being the senior with the highest cumulative GPA throughout his high school career. “Being named valedictori-
an is [knowing that] I’ve come a long way. There have been a lot of people who have helped me along the way. A lot has changed, and I have a lot to be grateful for,” Kai said. “The most significant impact that [being named valedictorian] has is that I know I have these 5 minutes in the speech to say something that is valuable to me...I really value that opportunity, and I’ll try to make the most of it.” This particular graduation will also mark the last time that long-time Head of School Christopher Nikoloff will address the senior class at the graduation ceremony. Nikoloff will be replaced by Brian Yager on July 1. Other speakers and performers at the graduation ceremony include Chris Malachowsky, one of the founders of the Silicon Valley tech company Nvidia, honor council representatives and various upper school choirs. Graduation will take place at Saratoga’s Mountain Winery on May 18 at 5 p.m.
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VOLUME 18 • ISSUE 7 MAY 11, 2017
TIFFANY WONG
NEWS
Construction update Work continues on theatre while gym nears completion tiffany wong & kathy fang
aquila news editor & reporter
Construction of the new gym and performing arts center continues as the one-year anniversary of the groundbreaking ceremony draws closer. The gym, which houses two floors at basement and ground levels, will primarily draw its power from solar panels installed on its roof. The building will be lit by four windows fitted with blackout shades that span the ceiling. Two separate courts will allow for two games or classes to be held at the same time. A therapy pool and a twopool system of one hot pool and one cool pool, both designed for athlete rehabilitation, will also
be featured in the building. The construction process also involves a performing arts center, which includes a theater, classrooms, changing rooms and an adjustable orchestra pit that can be raised or lowered to any of four levels. The theater will incorporate advanced sound technology, a full set of lighting devices, an individual projection system and a control booth. A fly tower with 20 pulley settings will also allow stage managers to change backdrops during theatrical performances. “Even as qualified as Harker’s technical staff are—Mr. Vallerga and Mr. Larsen and their supporting staff—it will take a full six weeks for them to learn how to utilize all of that technology, given the complexity of the theater,” head of facilities Mike
Bassoni said. In addition, the theater lobby will house a 15 feet by 35 feet video screen, which students and faculty will be able to use to display programmed announcements and videos. “It’ll be an instrument, an artistic canvas, more than just information,” architect Kevin Hart said. “It’ll be like a million videos; you could have a video of the last dance production playing while audience members are waiting in the lobby.” Given the progress of the construction process so far, the gym will be completed in the summer, in time for the next school year’s fall athletic season. The theater will be completed by the first week of January 2018 and will be open to student use in the spring of 2018.
BUILD AWAY! (TOP LEFT) Structural beams go up for the performing arts center. (TOP RIGHT) A look inside the emerging theatre. (CENTER) A crane scrapes dirt next to the buildings. (BOTTOM LEFT) The upper school’s new gym nears completion. (BOTTOM RIGHT TOP) Construction workers place plaster on the walls of the soon-to-be gym. (BOTTOM RIGHT BOTTOM) Steel beams of the new gym glint in the afternoon sun. The gym is expected to be completed at the start of the 2017-2018 school year.
IB’s present alternative to AP’s
Q&A with Brian Yager meilan steimle & rashmi iyer editor-in-chief & reporter
Winged Post: What motivated your switch from Keystone to Harker? Brian Yager: I was contacted in February by the search consultants who were responsible for finding the next Head of School. I went online and checked out some history of the school in the last ten years and I was amazed by the excellence that has clearly been part of the high school. Everything about the position is really appealing to me. Harker checked all the boxes of the things that are important to me that Keystone does too. It’s a big school and has impact, excellence with a wonderful culture, a vibrant community, a tremendous student learning clearly and that’s crucial. [Another] big thing for me is that I’m from California. I grew up in Santa Barbara and so did my wife, so we are at a point in our personal lives where we would love to get back to the Golden State and be close to the family and friends with whom we’ve grew up. It’s hard to leave Keystone because they have a wonderful community but the job opportunity at Harker made it a no-brainer. WP: Preliminarily, do you have a vision for where you want to take
the school as Head of School? BY: A big piece of the leadership role for any institution is for the head to help push towards the future and to articulate a vision. For me, it’s really important that that vision be a collective vision, not one person’s vision. To have a good sense of the future of the school and where [to focus] my leadership energy, I’ve got to get to know the place [and the people] better, to understand the history the school, what we do well and how we cash those profits and build on them in the future. I’m glad education is an enterprise. Through education, we grow individually, but we also grow in advance collectively. I think all schools have the opportunity and really the obligation to work to better society at large, not just to better the lives of the kids who attend, but to better the lives of all the communities that those students will impact, those in the short term and long term. With schools like Harker that are at the forefront and have students who are doing incredible things, we have a real opportunity to lay the groundwork and have a huge impact for the future. I would like to nurture or build upon the school as a beacon, as a leader of all the good that is possible [through] education and how we optimize as a school for the benefit of the students who are then transferred to the worlds around them.
rose guan & gloria zhang copy editor & reporter
Many upper school students are preparing for the dozens of AP exams in the next two weeks—but other students in the U.S. and worldwide, at schools that use International Baccalaureate (IB) programs as an alternative to AP exams, are preparing for IB exams instead. IB classes often focus on different areas of the same subjects that APs do; both culminate in exams at the year’s end. Colleges often give credit for higher-level IB exams in addition to AP exams. Founded in 1968 in Switzerland, the international IB program has since grown to over 4,000 schools worldwide. AP exams were offered in more than 21,000 schools in 2015, according to an annual participation report released by the College Board. The IB Diploma Programme requires students to take a variety of courses, including humanities, languages, sciences and math. “IB is a very suitable pathway for students who feel as though they are still open to try a range of things,” Emily Hyland, an IB student at Pres-
byterian Ladies’ College in Perth, Australia, said. Emily will graduate from high school in November 2019. “Students are available to more options and future career pathways, as they are taking up a multitude of subjects from different topics.” The IB program’s requirement to take diverse courses restricts the focuses on specific subjects if a student has already chosen a major or is set on a certain career path, however.
“IB is a very suitable pathway for students who feel as though they are still open to try a range of things.” EMILY HYLAND IB STUDENT “The AP system is more a la carte, meaning you can choose to take AP classes in areas of your specialty and as many as you like. [IB] is an inclusive curriculum, meaning you take IB courses across the board in multiple subjects,” history teacher Damon Hal-
back, who has taught at an IB program at the University of Massachusetts at Boston. “[The IB program] has got advantages in that it allows for deeper thinking, and allows for essay driven instruction, but it has disadvantages because it is kind of all-or-nothing, meaning you have less ability to style the courses you take.” Both AP and IBs offer challenging and in-depth courses and result in exams which tests student’s knowledges. However, as the Harker community is more connected to the AP program, the chance for switching curriculums is minimal. “I would think there’s a much better chance that we’re going to get rid of the AP program than just put a period at the end of that statement, rather than switching to IBs. I’m not saying that it is a news flash. I don’t see that happening anytime soon, but I think that than switching to IB,” academic dean Evan Barth said. “I think that if you were to list positive and negatives of the AP program, the negatives on the external side becomes a metric that people measure themselves against the world. ‘How many AP classes do you have?’ I don’t think it would be really different, if it were IBs.”
MEENA GUDAPATI
FAMILY MAN Brian Yager poses for a family photo with his wife and kids. Yager, a California native, is moving to work at the upper school.
COURTESY OF BRIAN YAGER
As AP exams approach, some pursue alternative testing options
FEATURES
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VOLUME 18 • ISSUE 7 MAY 11, 2017
Performing arts students shine in spring musical
Hearts in the song nicole chen & jenna sadhu
aquila features editor & reporter
IN THE SPOTLIGHT (TOP) Troy Bolton (Kayvon Solaimonpour) sings his heart out at the beginning of the show. In the musical, Troy is torn between his dedication to basketball and his budding romance with Gabriella (Chetana Kalidindi). MOVE IT TO THE GROOVE (LEFT) Thespian twins Sharpay (Priyanka Chilukuri) and Ryan Evans (Ashwin Rao) perform the energetic routine “Bop to the Top”. “High School Musical” had 4 performances for members of the Harker community last week, and cast members attended several weeks of rehearals.
ALL PHOTOS NICOLE CHEN
The audience’s quiet chatters silence and as the curtains are drawn back and the dimmed lights slowly illuminate the stage. The instrumental music of the opening song starts playing in the background, and the story of basketball star Troy Bolton (Kayvon Solaimonpour) and academic whiz Gabriella Montez (Chetana Kalidindi) begins. Approximately 40 students performed in the annual spring musical, “High School Musical,” in a total of four shows at the Blackford campus on April 20, 21 and 22. “It’s amazing to perform something that was part of my and everyone’s childhood,” Dilara Ezer (10), who plays an East High cheerleader, said. “It’s so fun.” The cast performed one show each on Thursday and Friday and two shows on Saturday. “It’s a great cast—they’re all super nice and super talented [and] very, very high-energy. Everyone’s super excited and invested because [‘High School Musical’] was all part of their childhoods,” performing arts director and musical director Laura Lang-Ree said. “Having Corbin Bleu come [during rehearsal] was unbelievable. We’ve just been having a really good time.” During a day of rehearsal in spring break, actor Corbin Bleu visited and helped direct the show. Many members of the cast particularly enjoy this year’s musical because “High School Musical” is well known amongst students. “This musical is differ-
ent than the others because it’s about ‘High School Musical,’ which most of us have watched,” Charlotte “Charley” Huang (11), an ensemble dancer in the musical, said. “We all can relate to a character in the movies, and it’s great to see it in life performed by your peers because it makes it even more relatable.” Auditions for the musical originally took place in late November, with approximately 70 students across all four grades auditioning. Following auditions, the selected cast then started rehearsals for the show in February, attending several weeks of afterschool and weekend rehearsals and workshops in the months leading up to the four performances. “We’ve been working for weeks. We started with singing and then layering in lots of choreography in rehearsals. Then, we tie[d] it in all together with scenic and character work,” Lang-Ree said. “Everything has been pulled together, and then we extract[ed] all of the character types, so that they all [came] to life really nicely.” Actor Corbin Bleu, who plays Chad Danforth in the High School Musical movies, visited the cast during one of their rehearsals over spring break this month. Bleu also helped to direct the show for a day. “There was a huge collective scream, [and] everyone freaked out. It was really awesome, and it was just really surreal to see someone who made the role come to life,” Sana Aladin, who plays theater teacher Mrs. Darbus, said. “[Akhil Arun (11)], who plays Chad in our musical, got to hug him. It was really surreal for everyone.”
(ABOVE) NICE TO MEET YOU New student Gabriella Montez (Chetana Kalidindi) meets soon-to-be-BFF Taylor Mckessie (Sara Pachauri) in the school hallway. The run time of “High School Musical” is approximately two hours, along with a short intermission.
(ABOVE) WILDCATS, EVERYWHERE! Ensemble ast members signal the start of the musical with none other than “Start of Something New.” (LEFT) GRAND ENTRANCE Gabriella (Chetana) sings “Start of Something New,” her first song of the production. (RIGHT) BRINGING THE SPIRIT Cheerleaders Charley Huang (11), Dilara Ezer (10), Ellie Lang-Ree (10) and Aryana Far (10) perform a dance routine. This year’s musical had 16 featured dancers who participated in cheer and basketball routines.
COURTESY OF ADRIENNE PON
Sanctuary policies spark debate
LOCATION FOR IMMIGRATION The San Francisco City Hall, where the Office of Civic Engagement and Immigrant Affairs is located.
prameela kottapalli asst. features editor
When most people think of the word “sanctuary,” they think of safety, a place to take refuge in the midst troubled times. But for some, sanctuary is much more than that–it’s a policy, one that enables undocumented immigrants to receive an education, to hold jobs and to contribute to society. “It’s allowed them to live their lives: to flourish, to work, to go to school, and to be engaged in society. It’s given parents the confidence that their
children can attend school, learn and not be deported,” Adrienne Pon, the executive the director of the Office of Civic Engagement and Immigrant Affairs in San Francisco, said. “It makes immigrants, regardless of their status, feel like they are a part of the community, and they, in turn, contributes a lot to our success.” “Sanctuary city” is the designation given to a municipality in which citizens are protected from law enforcement repercussions on basis of their legal status as immigrants. In the recent
months, though, the term has also been used disparagingly, particularly by politicians and right-wing activists who oppose more welcoming immigration policy. During the second week of April, President Donald Trump issued an executive order mandating a block in federal funding of city governments that adopt sanctuary ordinance. The directive was met with backlash from city officials, lawyer and immigrant allies, and the San Francisco and Santa Clara County municipalities are currently attempting to sue the Trump administration arguing that the president’s order was unconstitutional. Prior to the court lawsuit, the Immigrants’ Rights Commission in San Francisco–of which Adrienne Pon and the Office of Civic Engagement and Immigrant Affairs are a part of–held a briefing in which they discussed the impact of changes in federal immigration policy on the general public, particularly amongst the worker population.
Sanctuary policy–which restricts law enforcement officials from using city resources to aid Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)–allows undocumented immigrants in urban areas to access public health and safety resources without fear of federal immigration law repercussions. “It keeps communities safe by making sure that all residents, regardless of their immigration status, feel comfortable calling the police, reporting public hazards and emergencies, reporting domestic abuse and cooperating with city agencies,” Pon said. “It also keeps communities healthy by making sure that all residents feel comfortable reporting if there’s an outbreak of disease– they feel comfortable accessing city health services and benefit programs.” But there’s another side to the sanctuary policy debate. Many of those who oppose the ordinance, including the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), argue that there exists an association between a high population of undocumented immigrants and crime.
“Sanctuary policies protect criminal aliens and illegal immigrants who have violated laws and should not be in the country,” David Ray, the communications director for FAIR, said. “By looking the other way and not asking for someone’s status, it can also hurt immigrants.” Moreover, sanctuary guidelines defy national immigration standards by preventing counties from complying with the federal government in cooperating with detainer requests. According to FAIR, sanctuary policy also “gives prospective immigrants little incentive to pursue legal paths to immigration” due to protective ordinance. “Any laws that violate communication between federal agencies and local governments are already illegal,” Ray said. “And refusal of California cities and municipalities to cooperate with federal immigration officials entices illegal immigrants to come to California, particularly criminal aliens because they know that once they’re here they won’t be deported. We can’t be naive and believe that everyone who comes here is coming here to chase the American dream.“
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A&E
VOLUME 18 • ISSUE 7 MAY 11, 2017
SF MOMA modernizes
katherine zhang asst. stem editor
The bright red letters pop out from the white and gray exterior of the building, beckoning you in as you walk through the glass doors and into the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art’s (SFMOMA’s) maze of exhibitions and galleries. The contrast between the warm red and the stark white can be seen in all aspects of the museum’s recently opened Snohetta building, from its glossy facade to the items in the gift shop. Walking around this building to the other side reveals a very different side of the museum. Made of red brick and black granite, the long-established Mario Botta building creates a stark contrast with the new Snohetta expansion, as it should—the Snohetta building was the result of a threeyear-long project dedicating to promoting a new and more welcoming visual identity. And now that the new expansion has been open to the public for a year, SFMOMA is celebrating its opening. When architect Mario Botta first set out to design a building for the SFMOMA,
he wanted to create a landmark building that highlighted strength, using simple forms and geometric designs to create the five-story building. “When the [Mario Botta building] was opened, the critique was that the building was dominant over the art that was put into it,” visual arts department chair Jaap Bongers said. “It was a very impressive build-
ROSE GUAN
ROSE GUAN
ROSE GUAN
ROSE GUAN
PROVIDED BY ENYA LU
PROVIDED BY ENYA LU
ROSE GUAN
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art’s most recent expansion, the Snoøohetta building, celebrates a year of being open with a “Birthday Bash”
company Snohetta’s 10-story expansion, which was unveiled last May. The process first began in 2010, during which the leadership of the museum identified several principles that would be central to the design of the new building. These included Welcoming, Participatory, Surprising, Illuminating, Of Our Time, Boundaryless and Open.
“The visual identity helped to seam the exteriors of the old and new buildings together with signage.” JENNIFER SONDERBY SFMOMA DESIGN DIRECTOR ing—the black granite showed a strong contrast of rough and polished—but the critique was that it had been overdesigned. And that’s a fine line that you have to walk.” Since this landmark building was opened in 1995, the SFMOMA has made other adjustments to its structure as well, including the addition of a roof garden to the Mario Botta building. However, the largest addition yet is architecture
With these principles in mind, the SFMOMA Design Studio then began work on the new building. “Our work began with a set of workshops in which members of staff, our board members and donors were invited to attend,” SFMOMA Design Director Jennifer Sonderby said. “During the workshops we looked at the a gigantic wall filled with visual identities from other institutions and dis-
cussed which ones were meaningful and why. This active process provided an opportunity to explain how visual identities operate to all those that would be involved in the process.” In addition to expanding the museum to almost three times its original size, museum directors and staff wanted to make the museum more accessible and welcoming toward the public. “I would say that it was more crowded because it had just opened, but it was brighter and very cool in terms of the variety of the mediums they had, such as a wall just for nature,” said AP Art History student Andrea Simonian (10), who visited the new expansion soon after it was built. “It had a very clean design, but I think that if they were trying to make it more welcoming, the fact that there were so many people there made it harder to be personal.” SFMOMA held a Birthday Bash for the one-year anniversary of the creation of the expansion on Apr. 26.
DRAWING YOUR ATTENTION (RIGHT) Mark Di Suvero’s “Che farò Senza Eurydice” (MIDDLE TOP) Marcel Duchamp’s “Fountain” (MIDDLE RIGHT) Beverly Pepper’s “Tarquinia Cone Column” (MIDDLE LEFT) Antony Gormley’s “Quantum Cloud VII” (TOP LEFT) The interior of the Snohetta building (LEFT MIDDLE) (BOTTOM LEFT) Tony Cragg’s “Guglie”
Q&A with Jennifer Geller, Hamilton’s “Bullet” prameela kottapalli
ALL PHOTOS PROVIDED BY JENNIFER GELLER
asst. features editor
HAMILTON’S BULLET (TOP) Geller dances during the show, in a scene with Aaron Burr, played by Joshua Henry (BOTTOM LEFT) The cast of Hamilton SF takes a bow during curtain call. (BOTTOM RIGHT) Geller dances in another scene. The show opened on March 10.
Winged Post interviewed Jennifer Geller, a dancer in the cast of Hamilton SF. Geller plays the Bullet–the dancing omen that foreshadows Alexander Hamilton’s impending death throughout the musical. The text of the interview with her, which has been edited for style and length, follows. Winged Post: How do you personally connect with characters that lived in a bygone era? Jennifer Geller: The people in this story embody the same qualities that we have today. They go through similar things. They experience envy, rage, heartbreak; there is political tension, a love story, friendship, infidelity, there are enemies, and so much more. Sure, it was a different time, but there is so much depth to this story, so much to connect to. And the brilliant writers made the show so incredibly contemporary, while still staying true to the poised nature and time period, whether it be through the costume design, the delicacy of the music at times, or even the language. I find myself so immersed in the story that it’s not difficult at all to share something that happened so long ago, because there truly is so much
that we can all relate to! WP: Were you a fan of Hamilton before joining the San Francisco cast? What was it like joining the cast of a musical that was already so huge and famous? JG: I wasn’t a huge crazy fan, but I was most definitely a
“There is so much depth to this story, so much to connect to. And the brilliant writers made the show so incredibly contemporary, while still staying true to the poised nature and time period.” JENNIFER GELLER DANCER IN HAMILTON SF fan! I’d seen the show on Broadway and cried the entire time. It was the most amazing piece of work that I had ever seen in my entire life. It changed my life. And I listened to the music constantly! So yes, I was a fan I guess! Being part of a musical
that is so huge is absolutely incredible. It still hasn’t really sunk in yet; it doesn’t feel a hundred percent real! The audiences each night are outstanding; it’s unbelievable the way people respond to the show. It’s so refreshing and really wonderful to be able to impact people and to inspire and change lives. WP: What advice would you give to a young aspiring performing artist? JG: Keep going! Never stop! Seriously. That’s all you can do! Don’t give up, don’t take no for an answer, and keep training. Keep trucking on, keep moving forward. Study, work the hardest that you possibly can, take masterclasses, go to intensives. There is always more to learn, there is always room to grow. See shows, be inspired, be curious, ask questions, talk to professionals. The people who succeed are the people who haven’t given up! So many people in New York City are told no, and don’t book jobs for months, even years sometimes, and then all of a sudden, they book a Broadway show. If they had quit, that would have never happened. Keep going! Amazing things come to those who work hard and don’t give up!
STEM
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VOLUME 18 • ISSUE 7 MAY 11, 2017
STEM SCENE adrian chu & ruhi sayana
Aquila opinions editor & copy editor
International Linguistics Olympiad Two Harker students were selected as alternates for the United States team for the International Linguistics Olympiad (IOL) competition. Rose Guan (10) placed tenth and Swapnil Garg (11) placed 12th in the Invitational Round on March 9 for the 2017 North American Computational Linguistics Olympiad (NACLO).
michael sikand co-news editor
On April 22 and Earth Day 2017, thousands of scientists and their supporters across the country donned their lab coats not to conduct research, but to march on Washington, DC, among other major cities, to emphasize the importance of rooting government policies in science. Organizers for this march, the March for Science, created a website and a Facebook page that engaged hundreds of thousands of people prior to the event and inspired over 600 satellite marches and more than 170 scientific organizations to partner with the march’s mission. “We are building a broad, nonpartisan, and diverse coalition of organizations and individuals who stand up for science,” the event’s website reads. “We are advocating for evidence-based policymaking, science education, research funding, and inclusive and accessible science.” Plans for the event were born after President Donald
Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20 and were further inspired by the massive international Women’s March that took place the day after. As tweets proposing a scientific protest circulated the social media sphere, a group of researchers got together to materialize their vision. Many scientists have felt as if their guiding discipline has come under attack since Trump’s inauguration. Since assuming office, Trump has signed an executive order rejecting President Barack Obama’s emissions policies, expressed interest in exiting the landmark international Paris climate agreement and appointed climate change skeptic Scott Pruitt to lead the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). While many researchers saw the march as a valuable opportunity to take a powerful stance against research budget cuts, threatened agencies, censorship and “alternative facts,” others in the scientific community expressed concern that science, an objective concept, has been politicized as a result. Dolan Dworak (11) ex-
Elementary Crossword
MEILAN STEIMLE
Scientists across the nation park experiments to protest
pressed criticism for the march. He worried that in the wake of the event, scientists would be more easily targeted as a politically-aligned, special interest group. “The rejection of clearly provable scientific facts by certain political pundits merges politics and sciences,” he said. “Although the reckless disregard for scientific fact by certain political wings will inevitably have detrimental policy impacts, the March for Science—even unintentionally—contributes to the increased partisan fracturing within American society.” Many members of the upper school’s WiSTEM Club and Green Team attended the San Jose demonstration. Amy Jin, WiSTEM president, reflected on the march as a whole. “I think it’s a positive thing; it’s just that I feel like maybe the march shouldn’t have been so political. A lot of people I feel like came, people came protesting more against the Trump administration rather than advocating for science and science education overall,” she said. “I
didn’t expect so many people to be there, it was a really unique experience to be around so many people marching for a common cause.” Dr. Anita Chetty, upper school science chair, thinks that the march was important at a time when the future of research is in question. “I think that banding together, although it does cause division, banding together and saying ‘this is what we all believe’ — only when you are directly impacted are you going to be able to understand what’s at stake. Everything from funding all the way to reporting of data and findings — the very core of what science really is, which is to be able to report what you’ve learned,” she said. “It’s unfortunate that people don’t feel right now as if they have any other way of expressing their viewpoint. I think that personally maybe people are feeling as though unless they themselves are there expressing it that maybe either they won’t be heard or it will not be reported.”
Down Used in cellular respiration, this element appears light blue when in liquid or solid form; This element is known to have 29 known radioactive isotopes and is said to ward off paranormal beings; A pyrophoric element used in matches.
6 A poisonous gas at room tem-
1
2
This Nordic element is of drinking age; This halide lives up to its name, and is very unstable: only one gram of it exists in the earth’s crust at any given time; This element sublimates into a violet-pink gas. A deficiency of this element can lead to serious health concerns.
Directions: This unconventional crossword’s answers are elemental symbols. Each line in across or down has multiple clues in it, each corresponding to a different element that appears in that row in that order. For example, if the clue for 1 across was: 1 Element in diamonds; Element in semiconductors The answer would be “CSI” (Carbon C + Silicon SI)
Answers:
National Science Olympiads
3 This element is a decay prod-
uct of radium, and can dangerously accumulate in basements; This element can cause algal blooms in lakes; This element’s oxide is critical for stainless steel.
4 This element is a key compo-
nent of oobleck and heat-shock resistant glass; This alkali earth is a component of California’s state gem; This poisonous element smells like garlic when heated.
perature, and constituent of a common condiment; Named after its main spectral lines of indigo, this element makes a “tin cry” when it is bent. Across This densest natural element is used in fountain pen tips; This alkali metal is often overshadowed by potassium.
1
Seniors Sandip Nirmel, Arjun Subramanian and Venkat Sankar, juniors Praveen Batra, David Wen, Neelesh Ramachandran and Derek Yen and sophomore Alexander Young qualified as semifinalists for the 2017 USA Biology Olympiad (USABO). Alexander Young (10) and Linus Li (11), qualified as semifinalists for the 2017 United States National Chemistry Olympiad (USNCO). The students took the exam to qualify at the national level in April. Three Upper School students qualified for and took the USA(J)MO (United States of America (Junior) Mathematics Olympiad) exams on April 19. Rohan Cherukuri (9) took the USAJMO, while David Zhu (12) and Swapnil Garg (11) took the USAMO. For each olympiad, 20 finalists from around the country attend a residential training program at a university. After programs, four of these students are then selected to compete at the international levels of each competition as representatives for the United States.
Science Bowl The sciencebowl team will travel to Washington DC to play in the national round from Apr 27 to May 1. The team qualifie after winning the regional round held at SLAC National Accelerator Labratory on Feb 11.
5 This element is the only “child”
of another element; This lifeless gas is critical for life; Element used in N-type doping, and an antiquarian soap; Element famed for its many allotropes: hard, soft, and spherical.
7 Curiously, this metal can melt
in your hand; This glorious element has four allotropes; Metal of choice for Napoleon’s cutlery (not silverware)
8 Amazing catalyst, much great-
er than just little silver; Essential element for bones and shells; Essential element for thyroid hormones.
9 Metal whose salts are colorful to the eye; One of the two constituents of the first widespread alloy.
CSSF/ISEF Harker students competed at the Synopsys Science Fair on March 17 at the San Jose Convention Center. Forty-two Harker students received awards. Fourteen students will also participate in the California State Science Fair (CSSF) from April 24-25, 2017. Amy Jin (11) and Manan Shah (12), received Grand Prizes in physical sciences and biological sciences, respectively, and were selected to compete in the ISEF on May 14-19, 2017.
A6
OPINION
Editors-in-Chief Kshithija Mulam Meilan Steimle
VOLUME 18 • ISSUE 7 MAY 11, 2017
Burn, baby, burn: How to deal with academic burnout
Managing Editor Sahana Srinivasan News Editor Meena Gudapati Features Editor Maya Kumar Asst. Features Editor Prameela Kottapalli Opinion Editors Vijay Bharadwaj Adrian Chu STEM Editor Derek Yen
Sports Editors Anjay Saklecha Alex Wang Photo Editor Ashley Jiang Copy Editors Rose Guan Ruhi Sayana Adviser Ellen Austin, MJE Wingspan Editor-in-Chief Kaitlin Hsu Aquila Editors-in-Chief Raveena Kapatkar Tara Parimi Aquila Managing Editor Trisha Dwivedi Aquila Staff Neil Bai Maya Valluru Vijay Bharadwaj Alex Wang Nicole Chen Tiffany Wong Adrian Chu Derek Yen Zachary Hoffman Katherine Zhang Michael Sikand
ROSE GUAN
Asst. STEM Editor Katherine Zhang
EMBERS OF KNOWLEDGE LIGHT OUR WAY It’s been a long year. and it’s both normal and valid to feel burnt out and exhausted. What is important to remember is that everyone feels burnt out at some point -- it isn’t a sign of weakness, and most importantly, it will pass.
EDITORIAL THE OFFICIAL OPINION OF THE WINGED POST It’s been a long year. A really, really, REALLY long year. There’s less than a month of school left, and we’re all just about done with homework and APs, and we’re almost done with
finals. The seniors graduate in two weeks. And in a matter of weeks, your year will be over too. Whenever we feel stressed, we are inclined to blame ourselves. We get told to change our lifestyles, start early or not procrastinate. But most of us might not get around to that. And ultimately we feel responsible for our own state of mind. If you’re burnt out, that’s okay. Seriously. Ev-
eryone is burnt out. Nothing’s wrong with you if you feel this way. You’re not “weak” just because you feel stressed from a class. And because you’re not alone, you should talk about it. Share your hardships with other people going through a similar experience and find solidarity. When we open up to each other, we can find solutions to cope and handle our time better. Sometimes, it’s the best that we can do.
Take pride in the little things. Getting out of bed is a more significant victory than you might think. It’s hard, because haven’t we all wanted to sink back into our mattress and not face the rest of the day? It takes courage and stamina, and you should own it. Finals will soon be over. So embrace summer and take a break. You deserve it.
Reporters Jenna Sadhu Nisha Shankar Neal Sidhu Jin Tuan Anya Weaver Angele Yang Helen Yang Gloria Zhang
Visit The Winged Post Online at www.harkeraquila.com Follow us on social media with the handle /harkeraquila
eart of Harker Lessons learned teaching French
A FOND FAREWELL Winged Post Editors-in-chief Kshithija Mulam (12) and Meilan Steimle (12) perch on a bench as they discuss their plans for next year.
A note of farewell... kshithija mulam & meilan steimle
The Winged Post is published every four to six weeks except during vacations by the Journalism: Newspaper Concentration and Advanced Journalism: Newspaper Concentration courses at The Harker Upper School, 500 Saratoga Ave., San Jose, CA 95129. The Winged Post staff will publish features, editorials, news, sports and STEM articles in an unbiased and professional manner and serve as a public forum for the students of The Harker School. Editorials represent the official opinions of The Winged Post. Opinions and letters represent the personal viewpoints of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Winged Post. All content decisions are made by student editors, and the content of The Winged Post in no way reflects the official policy of The Harker School. The opinions expressed in this publication reflect those of the student writers and not the Harker board, administration, faculty or adviser. Letters to the Editor may be submitted to Manzanita 70 or emailed to wingedpost2017@ harker.org and must be signed, legible and concise. The staff reserves the right to edit letters to conform to Post style. Baseless accusations, insults, libelous statements, obscenities and letters that call for a disruption of the school day will not be considered for publication. Letters sent to The Winged Post will be published at the discretion of the editorial staff. The Winged Post is the official student newspaper of The Harker School and is distributed free of cost to students. 2016-2017 Silver Crown-winning publication 2015-2016 Gold Crown-winning publication 2014-2015 Silver Crown-winning publication 2013-2014 Silver Crown-winning publication 2012-2013 Silver Crown-winning publication 2010-2011 Gold Crown-winning publication 2009-2010 Silver Crown-winning publication
editors-in-chief
The Winged Post is a lot like a sandwich from Ike’s: It’s really too much for one person to handle, but we ignore common sense and bite off way more than we can chew. It’s messy, and even when you try to keep it compartmentalized to your mouth, it gets everywhere until your entire life is tinged with it. And yet, we keep going back to Ike’s. Why? Because it’s so delicious that it’s worth it. Just like journalism. It takes an army to produce every volume of the Winged Post, and we were very lucky to have so much support during our four year journey. First, to our staff: thank you for your efforts to keep this ship afloat and for putting the time in to make this paper beautiful; we wish you the best of luck in the future. Next, we’d like to thank those who came before us in Winged Post history and created the powerful foundation that we built upon this year. Thank you to our fellow journalists on other Harker publications for stepping in to help and support us whenever necessary; we’ve loved being part of this giant journalism family. A huge thank you to the Mr. Keller and the rest of the administration for supporting us in publishing at our own journalistic discretion. This paper
wouldn’t be here without you standing behind us. And to every teacher either of us has ever had: thank you for dealing with our many late-passes and extension requests. We’re sorry. Thank you the people who have supported us behind the scenes since before we were born: our parents. We can’t give you back the aggregate days of your life you’ve spent waiting in the Harker parking lot while we send the paper two hours later than expected, but we can give you a shout-out in this column. No one deserves a thank you more than the two other members of this strategic team: Sahana and Ms. Austin. For the amount of time you’ve spent with us this year, you’ve earned the rights to our first-born children and keynote speeches at our weddings. We look forward to seeing where you will take the Winged Post next year. And finally, last but definitely not least, a huge thank you to you, our readers. You gave us purpose, even when you only read the abs for laguna article. If we’ve learned anything from these four years, it’s this: we may never have Ike’s at a Harker deadline night again, but we’ll keep eating these sandwiches and pursuing journalism for the rest of our lives. Our hunger for the journalistic truth is insatiable. - Kshithija “KJ” Mulam & Meilan Steimle
KATHY DUAN
Anvi Banga Krishna Bheda Eric Fang Kathy Fang Nina Gee Ria Gupta Rashmi Iyer Nerine Uyanik Anika Rajamani
antoinette gathy guest writer
After teaching at Harker for 17 years, I am leaving with countless wonderful memories. I would not if I had worked anywhere else. Lisa, a student in French III, came one morning before class and asked me a question about the quiz she was going to take that day. A friend, who was accompanying her, whispered in her ear; Lisa blushed, looked at me and apologized for not saying “Hello Mrs. Gathy” before asking her question. Only in Harker. Since Robert was having difficulties in my class in spite of being a gifted learner of French, I had a talk with him one day after classes. The next morning, the first thing he did was coming by my classroom and telling me “Thank you for caring”. Only in Harker. Mrs. Elchert, the nurse, called me once during office hours to ask me if I could come by in order to give a student, who was getting sick and needed to go rest at home, her oral test because she did not want to miss it. Only in Harker. I had a few students who attended their French classes in spite of being excused because of an AP exam the same day. Only in Harker. If a test is coming soon, when asked if they want to play a game to review the vocabulary or work on grammatical exercises, some classes will choose the
latter. Only in Harker. I have taught many students whose forte was not foreign languages, or at least not French, who gave 100% in time and efforts to the class, so they could do a perfectly decent job. Only in Harker. Several students always enter the classroom with a warm greeting, and never leave without saying good bye and thanking the teacher for the lesson. Only in Harker. I could go on and on … Stu-
“I had a few students who attended their French classes in spite of being excused because of an AP exam the same day. Only in Harker.” dents: you guys are all amazing! I have kept every card, every note you gave me, I have a big box full of them. When I am retired, I will open that box each time I need a little pick-me-up. I will miss you, Madame Gathy
Antoinette Gathy is a French teacher at the Harker Upper School. She plans to leave at the end of the 2017 school year, having taught students for 17 years at Harker. In this repeating guest column, we encourage all student writers from around the community to share their memorable experiences while at the Upper School. Please email all column ideas to wingedpost2017@gmail.com.
SPORTS
A7
VOLUME 18 • ISSUE 7 MAY 11, 2017
SPRING SPORTS
a look into
GIRLS LACROSSE 8-6
overall record
1-3
league record CRA
DLI
NG THE C S O Rich e mon nior Al URT the d ru ayna The lacros ns with se la curr crosse ball. e n leag tly h team ue r olds eco a rd o f 1-3.
Alay Rich na Var mon sit d
Sta ts Sta ts Sta ts
y Ca
ptai
n
The varsity girls lacrosse team holds a league record of 1-3 and an overall record of 8-6. Sophomore Elise Mayer sees this season as her best yet with the team. “The season is going so good,” Elise said. “We’re not even at the end of the season, yet we won almost four times the number of games we won last year, and everyone has just improved so much, and everyone is feeling happy.” Senior captain Alayna Richmond plans to continue this strong season. “I think the season started out very well, but we had a bit of a lull in the middle, and we weren’t doing so well, but I think we have really come back with a vengeance and really cracked down on the focus, deciding we wanted to finish the season strong,” Alayna said. They play their next game tomorrow against Notre Dame Belmont.
MEENA GUDAPATI
BASEBALL
TRACK
ALEX WANG
SOFTBALL
ERIC FANG
Track and field runners competed in their second WBAL meet for this season on April 12. The girls team consisting of Grace Koonmen (11), Gloria Guo (11), Alycia Cary (10) and Nikki Solanki (9) set a new school record for the 400m relay. They compete in their third WBAL meet today at Sacred Heart Prep School.
The varsity girls softball team currently holds an overall record of 7-5, and league record of 3-3. They play their next away game tomorrow against Cupertino High School.
tion, respectively. The boys team consisting of Jack Farnham (12), Yannick Bohbot- Dridi (11), Justin Culpepper (12) and Ethan Hu (9) qualified for CCS too in the 200 medley relay. Ethan additionally qualified for CCS in the 100m fly and 100m breaststroke. They swam against King’s Academy yesterday and on May 5, compete in WBAL trials.
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
ANTHONY XU
BOYS TENNIS
The swim team recently competed in its second league dual-meet on Apr. 12 and the Ron Freeman Memorial Invitational on Apr. 8. The varsity girls swim team of Angela Li (10), Vivian Wang (12), Alyssa Huang (9) and Clarissa Wang (10) won the Varsity 200 medley relay and qualified for CCS. Angela and Vivian won the varsity 200 individual medley and 200 and 100 freestyle competi-
ANJAY SAKLECHA
The varsity boys baseball team has an overall record of 8-5, with a league record of 5-3. They play their next game tomorrow against El Camino High School.
ANJAY SAKLECHA
The boys golf is currently 6-0 in league. The boys placed second at the Marin Catholic Wildcat Invitational and 16th at the 2017 Champions Invitational. They also played in the Aptos Tournament on Monday.
The varsity boys tennis team currently holds a 11-2 in league and 17-3 overall. During the weekend of March 3-4, the Eagles travelled to Fresno, to play as part of the California Tennis Classic tournament, where they got third in their division. They play in their CCS Qualifier matches today and tomorrow.
SWIMMING
RUHI SAYANA
VIJAY BHARADWAJ
BOYS GOLF
The varsity boys volleyball team has an overall record of 9-5, with a league record of 5-5. “Our team has been really focused throughout the season. We’ve been very supportive of each other and heading into CCS, we’re looking to make a strong run and I’m hopeful about our team’s chances,” Ezra Bekele (12) said.
A8
BACK PAGE
VOLUME 18 • ISSUE 7 MAY 11, 2017
KSHITHIJA MULAM
SENIOR SHOUTOUTS To: David Zhu From: Timothy Wang Thanks so much for having such a positive attitude no matter when I talk to you, whether it be during Office Hours or during Kinetic Krew rehearsal. I’m going to miss being with you in Kinetic Krew next school year. To: C Huang From: Lou Sanche C, thank you so much for being such an amazing friend! Thank you for all your support this year and helping me come out of my shell. You’re so kind and I am going to miss you so much. Good luck in college and I hope you can come visit! HEY WINNIE!!!!!!!!!! Thank you for being an awesome person and an awesome friend!!! I’m going to miss our walks around campus during extra help, and your hugs and advice. It won’t be the same without you next year, but I know you’ll spread your sunshine wherever you go and make another campus a brighter place <3. Love, Divija To: Crystal Jin From: Your clarinet family We love you so much Crystal!! We’ll miss you even more than we miss you every morning when you’re late…. Good luck in Berkeley and come visit often! :)
To: HSM Seniors From: HSM Cast Love you all so much and we are all going to miss you!! Good luck wherever you go!
To: Payal Patel, From: Sohenee Bannerjee 6 Years. 6 Years is how long I’ve known you, and I could not be luckier to have gained such a beautiful and amazing sister. You have been there for me through so much, and I could not be more thankful for you. I will miss you more than you will ever know, but I know you will go so far in life and continue to make me even prouder of you than I already am. I love you to the moon and back, and I can’t wait to kill it at college :) To: Hazal Gurcan Thank you for being an amazing friend over the years. I love you and hope you have a great college experience. To: Tamlyn Doll I’m going to miss you so much next year! I know you will love SoCal though :) - Charlotte Blanc To: Tamlyn Doll, Noor Singh, Hazal Gurcan, Surabhi Rao From: JV Dance Team Hello, varsity seniors ~ We love you guys, and we’ll miss you so much! Best of luck in college, and PLEASE come back to visit <3
To: Andrew Rule Thanks for letting me make fun of your distaste for grammar and clear affinity for technology and social media! HELM was amazing this year, and Gwen and I will do our best to not let you down. :) To: Kai-Siang Ang Thanks for being an amazing AMASE leader and co-leader and for coaching me through math! AMASE will be worseoff without all its current seniors, and I’m going to miss all of you so much. - Emily Chen
Molly and Anika! You two were basically my big sisters throughout all of high school, and I don’t know how I’ll survive without you next year. (who’s going to drive me to Tpumps and protect me from the snakes???) You both mean the world to me and I’m going to miss you an insane amount next year. I know you’ll kill it in college (thanks for choosing the same one so it’s easier for me to visit!), and don’t forget to facetime me lots!!! Love you tons!! Megan
To: Alexis Gauba and Riya Chandra From: The Original Five Thank you guys so much for an incredible year! Your dedication is unmatched and we really appreciate how you guys always put in 2000% into everything you do. Whenever we had any questions or problems, you guys were there to help us. We’ve been through so much together this year, from our interesting experience at ELS to random rants about college and school to very enlightening card games. Every insightful grain of wisdom from you both has kept us afloat throughout times both calm and turbulent. Thank you for your perseverance, patience, and kindness, and we could not have accomplished what we did this year without you guys. We’ll miss you so much and hope you have an amazing time in college! :) To Journalism Seniors From: Ms. Austin Four years. 30 issues of Winged Post. Covering a historic election, gender gap in classrooms, Silicon Valley gentrification. And who can forget Squirrels of Harker? Creating Aquila online, then starting a social media presence with Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Launching Wingspan, a new longform magazine. Four yearbooks, in 1004 matte and glossy pages. Life in color. But wait, there’s more. What just happened? Work in progress. Humans of Harker. San Diego, New York, DC, Los Angeles, Maui, Seattle, Indianapolis, Austria. Deadlines. DEADLINES!!!! Being in the journalism room before school, during office hours, at lunch, after school, until late at night (and on weekends, too) for yearbook/ newspaper/magazine. Bean bag chairs. The quote wall. Hysterical laughter. Photographers fighting over the 85 1.4. Panda Express. Ike’s Sandwiches (Dutch crunch!). Keurig drinks in journalism mugs. Hershey’s kisses in the little wooden box. One constant: our journalism family. It’s been a delight and a privilege to work with you, laugh with you, and see you become who you are throughout the past four years. I’ll miss you all. To: Davis Dunaway From: Track team Thank you Davis for being so accepting and helpful throughout the season. From giving advice, to cheering others up when they’re disappointed with their race times, you are always there to support your team. You have a kind heart and an amazing personality and we wish you well in college.
To: Alexander Lam From: Taylor Lam Thank you for being my best friend and always being there for me. You are my role model and inspire me to be the best I can be everyday. I don’t know what I would do without you and am glad that you are staying close to home for college. I love you! <3
To: Emaad Raghib From: Hasan Awais School won’t be the same without being ambushed by a T-rex : ^)
To: Lucas Wang From: Liana Wang Stop calling the cat Wilson.
To: James He From: Susan He Have fun in college, I will miss you
SENIORS
THURSDAY, MAY 11, 2017 | THE HARKER UPPER SCHOOL STUDENT NEWSPAPER, VOL. 18, NO. 7
| www.harkeraquila.com
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We did it.
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9 ALL PHOTOS KSHITHIJA MULAM AND NICOLE CHEN
CAPTIONS 1
EVERYBODY RUN FOR IT The senior class storms the field before the last rally, led by class president Alex Youn (12).
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COLOR SHOUT Manuel Cabello (12) cheers with the rest of his junior class during a rally in his junior year.
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2
RAIN DOWN ON ME Brandon Stoll (12) clenches his fist in victory following a scream-off win at a spirit rally in his junior year.
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SCREAM & SHOUT Kayvon Solaimanpour (12) and the rest of his class participate in the scream-off at a spirit rally.
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EVERYBODY DANCE NOW Hazal Gurcan (12) and Surabhi Rao (12) lead their fellow seniors in a dance at their final rally.
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GOT YOUR BACK Rahul Shukla (12) jumps on Rishabh Nijhawanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (12) back during the spirit rally as they cheer along with the rest of the senior class.
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REPRESENT Haley Tran (12), class spirit coordinator, leads the class of 2017, pictured as juniors in a cheer at the Panoply of Chaos. RAIN OR SHINE The class of 2017 sweeps a decisive victory during the scream-off at the spring rally in their junior year. ALL TOGETHER NOW The class of 2017 dominates the other classes at the scream-off at the Panoply of Chaos in their senior year.
SENIORS
B2
Niki Iyer
Ria Gandhi University of PennsylvaniaWharton School
UC Berkeley
ROSE GUAN
Green Advisory
What was one thing you checked off your bucket list this year? Visited my uncle in New York Personal best moment of high school? Winning CCS my junior year and seeing my dad in the crowd Describe a memorable high school moment: All of the senior nights What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? Thank you for being the most amazing and supportive class I could have ever imagined
Austin Advisory KSHITHIJA MULAM
What’s one thing you checked off your bucket list this year? Going on a short road trip with friends (to Mt. Tamalpais) High school anthem? Hoedown Throwdown by Miley Cyrus Favorite spirit event? Donut-eating contest Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag: #alwaysnapping What is one thing you want to tell
your classmates before you leave? Don’t let a single opportunity fly by unnoticed, whether it’s an opportunity to talk to a new person or an opportunity to try something new. Cherish your current friends because they’ll be some of the most downto-earth, loyal humans you’ll ever meet in your life. Thank you, all of you, for making high school full of so many amazing memories that I’ll never forget - I’ll miss you!
Kshithija “KJ” Mulam
Daniel Reidenbach
Columbia University
UC Berkeley
Enzensperger Advisory
Martinez Advisory MICHAEL SIKAND
(academic plans, travel plans, personal goals, etc) Walk on to the football team Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag: #wouldntchangeathing What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? Don’t take school so seriously, it’s supposed to be fun Intended major in college? Chemical Engineering
MEILAN STEIMLE
Personal best moment of high school? Qualifying for CCS Favorite spirit event? Powderpuff Favorite Harker lunch item: Salmon Favorite year of high school? Senior Describe a memorable high school moment: Friday Night Lights What are your plans for next year?
VOLUME 18 • ISSUE 7 MAY 11, 2017
What is something you regret about your high school experience? Not learning to slow down and stop sprinting through every day. Now that we’re closer to the end, I wish I had relaxed a bit. Intended major in college? Biomedical Engineering Describe a memorable high school moment: Any and every time I photographed an event Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag: #workhardplayhard
Rishi Maheshwari
Sana Aladin
UC Berkeley
Tufts University
VARUN BALDWA
Paran Advisory
What was one thing you checked off your bucket list this year? Seeing the set of the Hobbit at New Zealand Personal best moment of high school? Prom Describe a memorable high school moment: Taking photos with friends at prom What is something you regret about your high school experience? Go to more dances before senior year
Manning Advisory KEVIN HUANG
What’s one thing you checked off your bucket list this year? Doing the musical! Favorite Harker lunch item: Chicken tostadas Describe a memorable high school moment: Listening to all my friends sing during United Voices Personal best moment of high school? Closing night of Student Directed Showcase
Most memorable book/movie of high school career? Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them What are your plans for next year? (academic plans, travel plans, personal goals, etc) Have fun and explore Boston a lot! High school anthem? Riptide by Vance Joy Favorite class t-shirt? Senior
Megan Swanson
Shreya Neogi
Bennington College
UC Los Angeles
Aguero-Esparza Advisory
Brada Advisory Favorite year of high school? Freshman Favorite Harker lunch item: Churros Favorite class t-shirt? Senior What was one thing you checked off your bucket list this year? Made at least five new friends every year How many AP exams have you taken collectively throughout high school?
8 What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? Cherish time with your friends because in a blink of an eye that time diminishes High school anthem? Mask Off by Future Favorite TV show? The Office Most memorable high school book/ movie? The Proposal
JULIA HUANG
JIN TUAN
What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? You can do anything. Personal best moment of high school? Graduating Describe a memorable high school moment: The orchestra trips What are your plans for next year? (academic plans, travel plans, personal goals, etc) Enjoy freshman year of college. Intended major in college? Modern Languages
SENIORS
B3
VOLUME 18 • ISSUE 7 MAY 11, 2017
Molly Wancewicz
Peter Wu
Rice University
Carnegie Mellon University
MELISSA KWAN
Pistacchi Advisory
What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? I’m so glad to have had the opportunity to interact with and to learn from all of you. Personal best moment of high school? I was really happy to submit my Near, which was the culmination of a year of research, this spring. Describe a memorable high school moment: I had so much fun (and got really sunburned) while rafting with my advisory during the junior class trip.
Garcia Advisory What are your plans for next year? (academic plans, travel plans, personal goals, etc) Make the most of freedom/opportunities/resources in college. Favorite class t-shirt? Senior High school anthem? Harker School song Favorite Harker lunch item: Everything Describe a memorable high school moment:
KAITLIN HSU
Exorbitantly long but fun bike rides with friends Most memorable book/movie of high school career? La La Land Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag: #carpediem Favorite spirit event? Homecoming What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? Keep in touch :)
Aman Navani
Judy Pan
Tufts University Pistacchi Advisory
Cornell University Garcia Advisory MELISSA KWAN
Favorite spirit event? Dressing as ugly as possible for Wacky Wednesday Describe a memorable high school moment: On February 10, 2017, I went to Kittea Cat Cafe and then the SF Symphony with my friends!!!!!! There were a lot of cats. And Beethoven and Brahms. Brahms’ birthday is in six days, May 7th, which is also Tchaikovsky’s birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
JUSTIN SU
Favorite year of high school? Senior Favorite Harker lunch item: Minestrone Favorite academic assignment? Economics game theory project High school anthem? Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No. 2, Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4 Personal best moment of high school? Adopting my cats
Favorite year of high school? Freshman Favorite Harker lunch item? Pizza Favorite TV show? The Flash Most memorable book/movie of high school career? Fast and Furious 7 Personal best moment of high school? Placing 3rd in Squash High School Nationals for Harker Describe a memorable high school moment: When the whole senior class gathered together in the middle of the field to chant 2017 during the spirit rally.
Lauren Liu
Chelsie Alexander
Caltech University
UC Santa Barbara
MELISSA KWAN
King Advisory
Favorite TV show? Agent Carter High school anthem? Only Anarchists Are Pretty Most memorable book/movie of high school career? Give Me Liberty Favorite high school go-to outfit: That one outfit I wore every day for a good four months Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag: #I_still_dont_know_how_ hashtags_work
Garcia Advisory TRISHA DWIVEDI
What’s one thing you checked off your bucket list this year? Go on a San Francisco adventure with my best friends. Favorite Harker lunch item: Salmon High school anthem? Independent Women Pt. 1 by Destiny’s Child Favorite TV show? Keeping up with the Kardashians Most memorable book/movie of
high school career? Mean Girls What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? Stop caring about what people think of you and live for yourself. Intended major in college? Biology What is something you regret about your high school experience? Nothing. I live with no regrets.
Andrew Rule
C Huang
Williams College Paterson Advisory
UC Los Angeles Paterson Advisory
What’s one thing you checked off your bucket list this year? Taking on a leadership role in the GSA :) Favorite Harker lunch item: Chicken noodle soup Describe a memorable high school moment: Hawaii trip with TALON Yearbook Personal best moment of high school? Getting Harker to change their policy to let trans students use their pre-
ferred names What is something you regret about your high school experience? Not being more outspoken about what’s important to me What are your plans for next year? (academic plans, travel plans, personal goals, etc) Figure out how to Adult Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag. #TalonFam
MELISSA KWAN
LAVINIA DING
Favorite Harker lunch item? Steamed rice High school anthem? Old West by Brad Mehldau and Joshua Redman Personal best moment of high school? On the Orchestra trip, a walk in Central Park. Describe a memorable high school moment: Receiving, on my birthday after freshman year, a yearbook signed in secret by all of my closest friends. I’ve never received a better gift. I’m still reeling.
SENIORS
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VOLUME 18 • ISSUE 7 MAY 11, 2017
Kai-Siang Ang
Alexis Gauba
Stanford University
MELISSA KWAN
Paterson Advisory
What is something you regret about your high school experience? Learning Chopin’s Ballades No. 1&2 High school anthem? Chopin’s Ballade No. 1 Describe a memorable high school moment: Wandering off campus and talking with Andrew Rule and Steven Cao on a whim, just because we could. For a bit, I felt as carefree as I imagined second semester senior would be. Favorite high school go-to outfit: Plain t-shirt and shorts
UC Berkeley
Martinez Advisory
VARUN BALDWA
What’s one thing you checked off your bucket list this year? Visiting Japan during cherry blossom season & seeing The Weeknd live Favorite Harker lunch item: Paneer Pizza Describe a memorable high school moment: When we put the first prompt on The Art Wall and students started responding
Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag: #swagh Intended major in college? EECS Favorite TV show? Mr. Robot Most memorable book/movie of high school career? The Fountainhead
Norman Garcia
David Zhu
University of Redlands
Harvard University
Glass Advisory
Chetty Advisory MAYA VALLURU
Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag. #ballislife What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? I love you all :). Thanks for making my high school experience absolutely incredible! What is something you regret about your high school experience? Not being able to take some really cool classes because I didn’t have enough slots.
ROSE GUAN
Intended major? Applied Math/CS What’s one thing you checked off your bucket list this year? Participate in the Musical Describe a memorable high school moment: When we fit 14 Kinetic Krew members into a single bathroom stall. What are your plans for next year? (academic plans, travel plans, personal goals, etc) Branch out, try new things, make new friends.
Personal best moment of high school? Friends and food Describe a memorable high school moment: Meeting Will Park Plans for next year? Visit Nicaragua Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag: #timeflies What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? Enjoy every moment of your high school experience, trust me, it will go by VERY fast
Mataan Peer
Sarisha Kurup
Colorado College
Bowdoin College
Docherty Advisory
Radice Advisory
MELISSA KWAN
MEILAN STEIMLE
Favorite year of high school? Junior Favorite class t-shirt? Junior Favorite spirit event? Spirit Bowl/powderpuff Most memorable book/movie of high school career? Dawn by Octavia Butler Favorite Harker lunch item? Lemon tart deserts
What’s one thing you checked off your bucket list this year? Visiting all the wings in The Met. Favorite spirit event? Scream-off Favorite Harker lunch item: Tofu at the salad bar Describe a memorable high school moment: Falling into the river on the rafting trip. Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag:
#growth What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? Good luck! Intended major in college? Art History and Political Science What is something you regret about your high school experience? Not making more of an effort to meet people from different friend groups in freshman and sophomore year.
Neymika Jain
Avi Khemani
Caltech University Jahshan Advisory
Stanford University Lieberman Advisory VIJAY BHARADWAJ
the fancy dinner at Santana Row and riding on the golf cart around the football field during the Homecoming game. What are your plans for next year? (academic plans, travel plans, personal goals, etc) My goal is to walk on to the Stanford golf team in my freshman year and hopefully compete on the starting line up. Intended major in college? Economics
HEIDI ZHANG
Personal best moment of high school? Making Harker history by qualifying to the state championship with my golf team then having a blast on the trip to Southern California where we competed and I did pretty well at the tournament!! Favorite Harker lunch item: Grapes Describe a memorable high school moment: Being Homecoming prince: getting
What was one thing you checked off your bucket list this year? Hanging out with friends outside of school (and driving them!) Personal best moment of high school? Leaving my phone in Mr. Thiele’s room, going back up the stairs to see if he’s in his room, and seeing him come down the stairs. As an underclassman scared out her mind, the only words I could verbalize for a solid minute were “phone.” Intended major in college? Computer Science + Business, Economics, & Management
SENIORS
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VOLUME 18 • ISSUE 7 MAY 11, 2017
Mia Giammona
Trisha Dwivedi
Bard College
Carnegie Mellon University
NICOLE CHEN
Jahshan Advisory
Intended major: Voice performance Plans for next year? Learning as much as I can about singing and music and improving my voice. Describe a memorable high school moment: Going to Starbucks during my free period sophomore year with my friends and thinking we were really cool. What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? Relax, don’t stay up all night studying, try as many new things as possible, and go on adventures
Blickenstaff Advisory MEENA GUDAPATI
Intended Major: Computer Science 24 piece art portfolio! Favorite Harker lunch item? Jicama, canned watery peaches Describe a memorable high school moment: Making some of my best friends, friends who surprised me on my 16th birthday What is something you regret about your high school experience? Not talking to more people earlier on
Plans for next year? Make lots of new and good friends, visit grandparents and nieces and nephews, step out of my comfort zone What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? Thank you to those who welcomed me and never judged me and accepted me for how I am, you made these last 4 years amazing, and good luck to everyone in the future!
Raveena Kapatkar
Noor Singh
New York University
University of Maryland
Paran Advisory
Manning Advisory MEILAN STEIMLE
Trying harder academically when I was an underclassman Personal best moment of high school? Performing in the dance show senior year Plans for next year? Start freshman year and adjust to life on the east coast What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? We did it together!!
MEENA GUDAPATI
What’s one thing you checked off your bucket list this year? Going to outside lands Favorite spirit event? Homecoming rally Describe a memorable high school moment: Walking onto the field at the homecoming football game during halftime as we were about to perform with the crowd cheering What is something you regret about your high school experience?
Intended Major: Business Plans for next year? Learn Favorite Harker lunch item? Pizza Favorite TV show? The Office What is something you regret about your high school experience? Not talking to more people Favorite spirit event? Spirit Rally Favorite year of high school? Junior
Lucas Wang
Arnav Tandon
New York University
MEENA GUDAPATI
Chetty Advisory
Intended Major: Business Describe a memorable high school moment: Sophomore year I asked a girl to homecoming with someone else’s name Plans for next year? I want to start an online freelancing job to make some money during college. Favorite academic assignment? MIA policy paper What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? Where we’re going, we don’t need roads.
Columbia University Martinez Advisory Favorite year of high school? Senior Favorite class t-shirt? Senior Favorite Harker lunch item? Kale High school anthem? Flame of Knowledge Favorite spirit event? The football game Describe a memorable high school moment:
ALEX WANG
We beat Lynbrook What is something you regret about your high school experience? Not beating Lynbrook enough times Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag: #beatlynbrook What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? Always beat Lynbrook if you have the chance
Misha Ivkov
May Gao
Carnegie Mellon University
Brown University
Brada Advisory
Blickenstaff Advisory Intended Major: Health & Human Biology Plans for next year? I’d love to become more knowledgeable in graphic arts/design, check out the Cardiovascular Research Center in Rhode Island, and take more time to reflect on myself and my passions! What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? To those who have taken the time to know me: Thank you for asking
if I’d like to go somewhere with you out of the blue, having never spoken to me before. I would love to. You are a breath of fresh air. Thank you for hearing me out. Thank you for disagreeing and pointing out when I am (so extremely) wrong, which is often. Thank you for helping me not only get past the most difficult period of my life thus far, but to also make me able to say that I’ll always hold these memories near and dear to my heart.
DEREK YEN
TRISHA DWIVEDI
Intended major: Applied Math/ CS What was one thing you checked off your bucket list this year? Going to a school dance... Plans for next year? Actually getting in shape Favorite academic assignment? Building an AI What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? Looking forward to going to Harker pt. 2 for the next 4 years!!!
SENIORS
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Jay Paranjpe
Joyce Zhao
University of Toronto
BRANDIE VAN LONDEN
Glass Advisory
Intended major: Double major in Cell and Molecular Biology and Management Plans for next year? Get a job at a milk tea place and find the best boba in Toronto. Oh yeah and study or something idk. Describe a memorable high school moment: Sharing chicken strips with Kavya at prom instead of dancing and then passing out over a game of cards against humanity during the afterprom. What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? I just like the look of green. I swear to God there’s no other reason...it’s just a really nice color.
Carnegie Mellon University
Chetty Advisory Intended major: Psychology Describe a memorable high school moment: Figuring out that fries dipped in Sriracha mixed with ketchup is the best thing ever. Favorite year of high school? Senior Favorite class shirt? Junior Most memorable book/movie of high school career? Girl Interrupted
KAT ZHANG
Favorite spirit event? Spring rallies Favorite TV show? Friends High school anthem? iSpy Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag: #UHIS What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? everything works itself out in the end
James He
Kedar Gupta
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
UC Los Angeles
Martinez Advisory
Docherty Advisory VARUN BALDWA
them in forever before that) Plans for next year? Taking a lot of roadtrips with friends, figuring out a better haircut, meeting people from around the world. What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? Every person around you has a lot more perspective than you might think. Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag: #sinusoidal
MELISSA KWAN
Intended major: Computer Science / Psychology What’s one thing you checked off your bucket list this year? Seeing a celebrity. Elizabeth Banks was standing right in front of me at a fancy dinner place but I was too scared to talk to her and ended up taking a picture of both our feet. Describe a memorable high school moment: scoring the go-ahead goal against menlo (soccer, we hadn’t beaten
Favorite Harker lunch item? Breaded Ravioli Favorite class t-shirt? Senior Describe a memorable high school moment: Regatta Favorite spirit event? Regatta What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? Good luck wherever you go and with whatever you’re doing
Sarah Gonzalez
Davis Howard
MIT
UC Riverside
MELISSA KWAN
Chetty Advisory Intended major: Biomedical engineering and mechanical engineering Describe a memorable high school moment: The Harker girls water polo senior night in junior year where we took the game into double sudden death overtime. Plans for next year? Continue pursuing robotics as well as join some club sports What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? Thanks for all of the good memories
Enzensperger Advisory GLORIA GUO
Favorite year of high school? Senior Favorite class t-shirt? Junior Describe a memorable high school moment: winning homecoming was great Personal best moment of high school? football homecoming Favorite spirit event? Spirit bowl
High school anthem? The Harker School song Favorite Harker lunch item? Chicken fingers Favorite academic assignment? Taking photos for photography Favorite high school go-to outfit? slides and shorts What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? please don’t cry
Crystal Jin
Vedaad Shakib
UC Berkeley Brada Advisory
University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign Manning Advisory
Intended major: Computer Science Favorite year of high school? Senior Favorite class t-shirt? Sophomore Favorite Harker lunch item? Choccy milk Favorite high school go-to outfit?
Topmost items in my closet What is something you regret about your high school experience? Not sleeping more Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag: #highschool
KATHY FANG
ASHLEY JIANG
Intended major: Computer Science What’s one thing you checked off your bucket list this year? dyed my hair (my mom was VERY angry) Favorite TV show? teletubbies Most memorable book/movie of high school career? GATSBY Plans for next year? don’t fail school, sleep a lot, don’t procrastinate too much (prob not happening) Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag: #awk
SENIORS
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VOLUME 18 • ISSUE 7 MAY 11, 2017
Maya Rai
Illana Goldberg
Loyola Marymont University
Santa Clara University
KSHITHIJA MULAM
Pistacchi Advisory
What’s one thing you checked off your bucket list this year? Eat a burrito Personal best moment of high school? when a teacher yelled at me and my friends for making growling/ vomit noises because it was unladylike and then we laughed for an hour What is something you regret about your high school experience? dancing with Maya and Maya in our special corner to the Serial podcast theme song
Aguero-Esparza Advisory LAURA WU
Intended major: Psychology and Computer Science Describe a memorable high school moment: When a teacher yelled at me and my friends for making barfing noises behind Dobbins. Apparently, it wasn’t very lady like of us. Favorite high school go-to outfit? My Drake shirt Most memorable book/movie of high school career? Angus, Thongs, and Perfect Snogging
What is something you regret about your high school experience? I wasn’t myself enough Plans for next year? Write in my planner everyday Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag: #ikesandjambajuice What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? I’ve never held a proper conversation with more than 50% of you
Arben Gutierrez-Bujari
Hazal Gurcan
Pepperdine University Brada Advisory
UC Irvine Jahshan Advisory
ZACH HOFFMAN
Winning the scream-off senior year Favorite spirit event? Spirit Dance Favorite TV show? The 100 What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? Love you guys!
MELISSA KWAN
Intended major: Psychology & Dance Double Major Favorite Harker lunch item? Sushi Favorite academic assignment? Econ Video Project Describe a memorable high school moment:
Describe a memorable high school moment: Spending countless hours with my awesome hardworking teammates in water polo. Plans for next year? I plan to set myself up for success during my college journey, and seek to find unique academic ventures. What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? I have a high level of respect for every single one of them. We are quite an amazing group of people.
Joyce Li
Anuva Mittal
UC Los Angeles
MEILAN STEIMLE
Green Advisory
Intended major: Fine Arts, Applied Math Plans for next year? I hope to figure out what I really want to do in the future and have a better idea of what courses to take. I’m looking forward to doing an art internship, studying abroad too. Favorite spirit event? Tug of war Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag. #AllYouCanEat What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? Nothing is really in your way!
USC
Wicklund/ Gathy Advisory Intended major: Human Biology Personal best moment of high school? Having a single pair of jeans lead me to become a more confident person Favorite Harker lunch item? Mediterranean Quinoa Salad Plans for next year? Join lots of tutoring clubs because I love children and acknowledge how privileged I am to have an amazing education, figure out how to have multiple minors, and cook a lot!
SAHANA SRINIVASAN
What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? Every time someone posts where they are going to college on social media, I feel nostalgic that I won’t see the same people every day and will soon lose the comfortable routine of high school. But I’m also excited for the new chapter that is about to open in front of us and can’t wait to see what everyone accomplishes in the future. I will miss you Class of 2017.
Kathy Duan
Jordan Goheen
Northwestern University
UC Los Angeles
Brada Advisory
Enzensperger Advisory JULIA HUANG
innovative person that I am, used a bowl. At that very moment Mr. Keller walked in. It was great. Favorite Harker lunch item? Chicken Waffles Favorite academic assignment? Golden Chain of Philosophy (AP Euro) Plans for next year? Study...#grinddon’tstop What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? I like dogs.
MEILAN STEIMLE
Intended major: Double Major: Critical Ethnographies and Philosophy In the beginning of freshman year What was one thing you checked off your bucket list this year? Learning golf Most memorable book/movie of high school career? Religious Pluralism in the West Describe a memorable high school moment: I was really thirsty during advisory and they had no cups so I, being the
Personal best moment of high school? It was my first time behindthe-wheel and I ran over a pole and then my dad got out of the car and just stuck it back in the ground and we kept driving. :) What is something you regret about your high school experience? should have taken more free donuts What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? there are free cookies in Main go take them
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VOLUME 18 • ISSUE 7 MAY 11, 2017
Alexa Gross
Emre Ezer
Wellesley College
VARUN BALDWA
Blickenstaff Advisory
Indtended major: Neuroscience and Art What is one thing you checked off your bucket list this year? Rode a motorcycle, performed (at All-State) in sneakers, played contrabassoon in Carnegie hall Describe a memorable high school moment: Coming back for senior orchestra day! We sight read pieces we played in freshmen year. It was such a nostalgic exhilarating moment. It made me realize how much I’d improved over the past four years, since I could now actually play all the notes, because when I was a freshman I had to air-bassoon it.
New York University Paterson Advisory Intended Major: Drama Favorite high school go-to outfit: My epidermis Describe a memorable high school moment: One time, and only one time, I gave a speech to the whole school (well really only the juniors and seniors). I talked about me sexuality for national coming out day. That was the first time I ever truly had stage fright. It went well in the end though. Summarize your high school experi-
ASHLEY JIANG
ence in one hashtag: #blessed Favorite academic assignment? RUSH final project Plans for next year? Explore New York Most memorable book/movie of high school career? Moonlight What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? I’m going to miss you guys
Kathryn Cole
Marti Sutton
Loyala Marymount University
Dordt College
Chetty Advisory
Enzensperger Advisory KEVIN HUANG
Describe a memorable high school moment: The lower-school show with our buddies What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? Thanks for putting up with me Plans for next year? Working at Harker middle school as a TA, working in the national parks service in Whiskeytown CA, long road trip from California up to Oregon, through Yellowstone and Iowa
KEVIN HUANG
Intended major: Environmental Science What’s one thing you checked off your bucket list this year? Have a meaningful conversation with a stranger Favorite academic assignment? Marine Bio field trip to Montery Bay Favorite spirit event? Pajama Day What is one thing you regret about your high school experience? Not getting enough sleep
Indtended major: Mathematics What is one thing you checked off your bucket list this year? I sat on a roof for the first time What is something you regret about your high school experience? I didn’t really start putting myself out there and getting to know people until I was a junior, and I feel like I missed the opportunity to get to know a lot of amazing people in my class. What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? I hope everyone gets to pursue what they want to, and I’ll miss everyone, even the people I still haven’t met yet.
Lindsey Trinh
Rahul Shukla
Scripps College
MELISSA KWAN
Radice Advisory
What’s one thing you checked off your bucket list this year? Going out more Plans for next year? Think about a major in Neuroscience, continue singing, take a lot of hikes, and try new things Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag: #itgetsbetter Personal best moment of high school? Evening of Jazz What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? I really really do love you guys and thank you for making high school as good as it was
Northwestern University Gilbert Advisory Intended major: Economics What’s one thing you checked off your bucket list this year? Played a Varsity sport Favorite academic assignment? Avi, Emaad, Ray, and I made an externaltiies music video for econ. Describe a memorable high school moment: During Spirit Bowl this year, I had an interception, which lead to the first touchdown in the game. Personal best moment of high
ELEANOR XIAO
school? In senior year, I joined the Varsity soccer team to play the sport for the first time in my life. In our game against ECP, I scored my first league goal after a nice pass from one of the other players on our team. Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag: #physicallyfit What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? Be yourself
Sandip Nirmel
Maile Chung
Harvard University Pistacchi Advisory
University of Washington King Advisory
Intended major: Japanese Favorite Harker lunch item? Chilli Favorite year of high school? Senior Favorite class t-shirt? Junior Favorite spirit event? Hungry Hungry Hippos Describe a memorable high school
moment: Going laser tagging with my friends at 10PM, then having a mass sleepover at my house! Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag: #shook What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? It was fun while it lasted!
NICOLE CHEN
KAITLIN HSU
Most memorable book/movie of high school career? Give Me Liberty by Eric Foner Describe a memorable high school moment: Belly flopped into the pool during spirit week Plans for next year? Try out lots of new clubs/activities; be more open to trying new things Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag: #intense What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? It’s been really awesome getting to know you over these past 4 years!
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Evani RadiyaDixit
Rishabh Nijhawan UC Berkeley
VARUN BALDWA
Manning Advisory Indtended major: Economics What is one thing you checked off your bucket list this year? Watching Hillary Clinton speak live Personal best moment of high school? Coming back to win homecoming game junior year Describe a memorable high school moment: Winning scream off four 4th time Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag: #memes
Stanford University Docherty Advisory Intended Major: Computer Science (AI) Favorite Harker lunch item? samosas Describe a memorable high school moment: Going to Big Mug with friends! Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag: #thecagedhuman Most memorable book/movie of high school career?
MELISSA KWAN
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison Plans for next year? Go out of my comfort zone, make new friends, keep in touch with old friends, challenge myself academically Favorite TV show? Sherlock What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? Thank you for being an amazing support system! :)
Shekar Ramaswamy Brown University Paran Advisory
MELISSA KWAN
Aditi Maheswari
Intended major: Human Biology Favorite class t-shirt? Senior What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? BYE :) Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag: #nice
UC San Diego
ALEX YOUN
Gilbert Advisory
Favorite Harker lunch item? Ribssss Favorite year of high school? Senior Plans for next year? Have fun and do good things Favorite spirit event? Powderpuff/”Harker Spirit Bowl” Describe a memorable high school moment: Jumping out of a window Plans for next year? Have fun and do good things What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? I’ll miss ya’ll
Annabella Armstrong
Ziwen (Woody) Ye
Mills College
Carnegie Mellon University
MAHIKA HALEPETE
Martinez Advisory
Favorite year of high school? Sophomore Favorite Harker lunch item? Any time theres mashed or scalloped potatoes Favorite TV show? Steven Universe or either the sixties or the eighties Favorite spirit event? Regatta because cause its not hot out like with the rally Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag: #constantlytired Plans for next year? Go to college + be functional enough to use the bus & trains
Green Advisory MELISSA KWAN
Intended major: Material Science Engineering Favorite Harker lunch item? Chocolate Soymilk Favorite academic assignment? Physics Lab Report Plans for next year? Get Some Sleep Favorite spirit event? Spirit Dance Describe a memorable high school moment:
My most memorable moment is when we got up at 5:00 am in the morning and hiked for 10 hours one day during the Costa Rica trip. Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag: #STEM What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? My first name is Ziwen in case you don’t know
Venkat Sankar
Tiffany Zhu
MIT
Austin Advisory
Stanford University Roumbanis Advisory MELISSA KWAN
ly unrelated subjects, including but not limited to economics, Russian language, computer science, statistics, and (fingers crossed) the entire Western literary, philosophical, and political canon! What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? Don’t do anything you’ll regret doing, and don’t skimp on anything you’ll regret not doing. Whatever you do or don’t do: no regrets.
SHARON YAN
Describe a memorable high school moment: Going to see the Doctor Who Christmas special at the movies with my dad, who also loves the show. Personal best moment of high school? Finishing my first (pretty terrible) novel, which, alongside my Mitra paper, was like a senior capstone experience for me. Plans for next year? Taking a zillion courses in complete-
Intended Major: CS and Molecular Bio (Computational Bio) What was one thing you checked off your bucket list this year? Watch hunting Orcas Describe a memorable high school moment: Carrying a 50 foot pulley down the Nichols stairs in Physics C Plans for next year? Backpacking in High Sierra, Mammal watching in Brazil, Get better at physics, Take interesting modern molecular biology and machine learning courses What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? Always remember to spend some time in nature.
SENIORS
B10
Angela Kim
Brendan Tobin
Harvard University
SAHANA SRINIVASEN
Gilbert Advisory
Indtended major: Molecular & Cellular Biology (may change) Personal best moment of high school? For a brief, glorious two weeks in freshman year, I understood physics. Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag: #DiamondsAreMadeUnderPressure What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? I’m so honored to have been the classmate of so many kind and talented people, and I’m very excited for our futures because I know that all of you will do great things. :)
University of Arizona Wicklund/Gathy Advisory
MAYA KUMAR
Intended Major: Biomedical Engineering Favorite year of high school? Senior Favorite class t-shirt? Junior Favorite Harker lunch item? Crab cakes Favorite TV show? Dr. Who Most memorable book/movie of
high school career? Arrival Plans for next year? Not die Favorite spirit event? Regatta What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? Don’t forget to
Amrita Singh
Saketh Gurram
University of Southern California
University of Miami
Lieberman Advisory
Jahshan Advisory
MELISSA KWAN
Not playing basketball Personal best moment of high school? Winning homecoming junior year Plans for next year? Walk on to the team Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag: #madeit What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? I’ll miss you guys
KATHERINE ZHANG
Intended major: Biology What’s one thing you checked off your bucket list this year? Getting into college Most memorable book/movie of high school career? The Bluest Eye Favorite Harker lunch item? Burger Favorite year of high school? Junior What is one thing you regret about your high school experience?
Intended major: Astronautical Engineering Favorite Harker lunch item? Naan pizza Favorite spirit event? 2016 Spirit Rally Describe a memorable high school moment: Sitting in the sun laughing with friends Plans for next year? Be unapologetically myself Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag: #alwayssleepy What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? Thank you
Karan Walia
Noa Sasson
UC Santa Barbara
MELISSA KWAN
Austin Advisory
Intended major: Biology What’s one thing you checked off your bucket list this year? Jumping into the pool during regatta this year Plans for next year? Pursue biology and other subjects like computer science and economics at UCSB; study on the beach; practice silks and circus in general; visit my family often; attend college sports games; join clubs like pre-med, outdoor excursion, and Hillel. What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? Thank you for being friendly, welcoming classmates, and each of you contributed to an overall awesome high school experience :)
Lavinia Ding
University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign Gilbert Advisory Intended major: Business What’s one thing you checked off your bucket list this year? I went to Japan and saw the Tokyo bridge. Favorite academic assignment? Lepler’s Game Theory Homework What is something you regret about your high school experience? Not talking with everybody in the grade. Describe a memorable high school moment:
VIJAY BHARADWAJ
Seeing Arnav’s look on his face after he made a meme about me that got 100 likes. Plans for next year? After going to business school, I plan on securing internships and working my way up the corporate ladder. Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag: #clutch What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? Never lose faith.
Medha Shah
Northeastern University Jahshan Advisory
New York University Garcia Advisory
KEVIN HUANG
Preprom 2017!!! Personal best moment of high school? Winning the spirit dance in 2016!!!! Plans for next year? EXPLORE NYC, make new friends, try out hip-hop dancing, CONTINUE PIANO, and maybe study sometimes What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? Have fun, but not too much fun, and keep in touch!!!
MELISSA KWAN
Intended major: Economics/English What’s one thing you checked off your bucket list this year? Jumped into the pool during Spirit Rally/Regatta! High school anthem? “To Be Number One”, Giorgio Moroder Project Favorite Harker lunch item? Hamburgers!!! Describe a memorable high school moment:
VOLUME 18 • ISSUE 7 MAY 11, 2017
Favorite year of high school? Senior Favorite spirit event? Spirit Dance Describe a memorable high school moment: Cantilena Favorite Harker lunch item? Guacamole Plans for next year? Go to college! Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag: #UHIS What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? Don’t have any regrets
SENIORS
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Kavya Duvedi
Tamlyn Doll
Chapman University
VARUN BALDWA
Roumbanis Advisory
Indtended major: Creative Producing Favorite spirit event? Class Dance Describe a memorable high school moment: Picnicking in the park with my best friends Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag: #UHIS What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? I love you ALL and I want to get to know each and every one of you even better ( I really mean everyone)
University of Texis Austin Brada Advisory
Favorite year of high school? Senior Favorite class t-shirt? Senior Favorite Harker lunch item? Fries Describe a memorable high school moment: Spontaneous food adventures with my friends were pretty great. Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag:
ZACH HOFFMANx
#over Favorite high school go-to outfit? Hoodie & leggings Plans for next year? The usual (college lol) & other than that, I hope to be able to travel more Favorite spirit event? Regatta What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? Just relax friends it will be okay!
Anika Jain
Riya Chandra
Rice University Green Advisory
Northeastern University Enzensperger Advisory TRISHA DWIVEDI
early on in my high school career. Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag: #memorable Plans for next year? I will be studying in Thessaloniki, Greece for my first semester through a program called N.U.in. What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? It has bee a great 7 years at Harker. Thank you all for being part of it.
KSHITHIJA MULAM
Intended major: Computer Science & Business - combined major Describe a memorable high school moment: I loved getting to perform a jive routine in the dance show this past year. Favorite Harker lunch item? Gluten free cookies What is one thing you regret about your high school experience? Wish I had talked to more people
Intended major: Economics/Policy Studies Favorite year of high school? Senior Favorite class t-shirt? Senior Favorite Harker lunch item? Naan Pizza Favorite spirit event? Rally Describe a memorable high school moment: Cheering my class on at the regatta Plans for next year? Meet new people and thrive academically/socially. What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? It’ll all work out.
Varun Haltore
Lyndsey Mitchell
New York University
Intended major: Business What was one thing you checked off your bucket list this year? Performing in Carnegie Hall Favorite academic assignment? Research paper for Literature into Film High school anthem? Dreams - Fleetwood Mac Plans for next year? Have fun, figure out what I want to do with my degree What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? Thank you for being such amazing individuals, and I hope we can keep in touch.
Uma Rao
Duke University Rees Advisory
KEVIN HUANG
What was one thing you checked off your bucket list this year? Doing something out of my comfort zone. Favorite spirit event? Spirit Rally Senior Year Describe a memorable high school moment: Being a part of the fall play senior year!
Plans for next year? College experience and exploring the East Coast Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag: #transformative What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? Thank you for the wonderful memories!
California Polytechnic State University Austin Advisory JULIA AMICK
Intended major: Wine and Viticulture Describe a memorable high school moment: It always felt great to win the scream off because we were united as a class Personal best moment of high school? Air Guitaring in front of the school What is one thing you regret about your high school experience?
Plans for next year? Not doing homework freshman year To stay on top of my school work and join as many clubs as I want Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag: #family What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? Even though we sucked at planning stuff, we were amazing at supporting each other in the last minute.
Shivani Awasthi UC Santa Barbara Rees Advisory
Intended Major: Economics What was one thing you checked off your bucket list this year? Got my license!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Describe a memorable high school moment: One would be the picnics I had with my friends, and the second would be playing milky white (the cow) in Into The Woods and going to Scotland! Favorite Harker lunch item? Curly fries w/ sriracha and ketchup! Plans for next year? Idk man idek what I’m eating for breakfast tomorrow. What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? Bye ily, it’s been L17!!!!!!!
DEVANSHI MEHTA
JULIA AMICK
Roumbanis Advisory
SENIORS
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Era Iyer
Payal Patel
New York University
PROVIDED BY PAYAL PATEL
Gilbert Advisory
Indtended major: Dual Major in Global Public Health and Applied Psychology Describe a memorable high school moment: The day I finished all of my college applications and submitted them. Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag: #seniorits Plans for next year? I will be traveling to Ghana, Africa to do research in health and nutrition. What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? See you in the class of 2017 reunion in 10 years!
Tufts University Radice Advisory
RAVEENA KAPATKAR
Favorite year of high school? Senior Favorite class t-shirt? Senior Favorite spirit event? Last year’s dodgeball event! Favorite TV show? Chuck
Plans for next year? I really want to find a balance between academics and social life. I think that’s something I struggled with a lot in high school, and it would suck if college was like that too.
Antony Sagayaraj
Bill Liang
Washington University in St. Louis
UC Santa Cruz
Lieberman Advisory
Gilbert Advisory MELISSA KWAN
Freshman Matriculation Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag: #Senioritis Doesn’t Exist What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? Good Luck!
MELISSA KWAN
Favorite class t-shirt? Junior Favorite Harker lunch item? Pasta Favorite spirit event? Spirit Rally Describe a memorable high school moment:
Intended major: Molecular BIology/Biochemistry Describe a memorable high school moment: Finishing my research paper Plans for next year? Do everything more (research, music, capoeira) Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag: #timepassed What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? I can’t wait to see where we will be a decade from now
Haley Tran
Nina Levy UC Davis
JENNA SADHU
Rees Advisory
Intended major: Biomedical Engineering Describe a memorable high school moment: Last year’s water polo senior night where we went into triple overtime Favorite spirit event? Senior year homecoming rally Favorite high school go-to outfit? sweatshirt and jeans Most memorable book/movie of high school career? Mission Impossible Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag: #mytail’salwayswagging What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? Good luck and have fun in college!
Stanford University Green Advisory HEIDI ZHANG
Intended major: Management Science What’s one thing you checked off your bucket list this year? Go to every bathroom in the school... the art bathroom did not disappoint :) Favorite high school go-to outfit? College sweatshirt (out of the 60 I have ..) and RIPPED jeans What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? You are not here to be perfect…
You’re here to be brave. You’re here to step outside that bubble and find what you’re passionate about, figure out the places you want to go, and meet the people that really matter to you. High school is about growing up and getting one step closer to becoming that version of yourself you strive to be. No matter how hard and difficult that path may be for you, keep on pushing...you’ll make it there eventually.
Jordan Murtiff
Kayvon Solaimanpour
Santa Clara University Jahshan Advisory
University of Southern California Wicklund/Gathy Advisory
Favorite year of high school? Junior Favorite class t-shirt? Senior Favorite Harker lunch item? Chicken Nuggets Favorite TV show? Scrubs Favorite spirit event? Homecoming Rally
Describe a memorable high school moment: Performing at the Fringe Festival Join clubs Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag: #MusicByKX What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? Thank you
SAHANA SRINIVASEN
ELEANOR XIAO
Intended major: Computer Science & Engineering What’s one thing you checked off your bucket list this year? Participated in a Hackathon Describe a memorable high school moment: The day our World Religions class sat out on the field while we did a meditation. Personal best moment of high school? The day I got my Eagle Medal and finished 7 years of hard work. Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag: #longbutworth Plans for next year? Try to make as many friends in college and have a purpose in all my actions.
SENIORS
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Taylor Iantosca
Cueboem Choi Carnegie Mellon University
UC San Diego
DARREN GU
Green Advisory
Favorite year of high school? Senior Favorite class t-shirt? Junior Indtended major: Electrical & Computer Engineering Favorite Harker lunch item? Mexican food Describe a memorable high school moment: Jimmy Lin became a member of the volleyball team What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? Good luck
Pistacchi Advisory
Intended major: Engineering Physics Favorite year of high school? Junior Favorite spirit event? Regatta Favorite Harker lunch item? Chicken parmesan Describe a memorable high school moment: Winning the Scream Off Plans for next year?
MEGAN CARDOSI
Going to the Caribbean for a month and getting my instructors license for Scuba Diving, Starting my career as a collegiate rower Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag: #AlwaysOnTheGrind What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? Stay true to who you are
Ashwin Rao
Irene Bashar
UC San Diego Manning Advisory
UC Santa Cruz
Wicklund/Gathy Advisory VARUN BALDWA
Plans for next year? I hope I can figure out what I really want to study in college, in case comp sci doesn’t work out, and I’d love to explore Santa Cruz in my free time. Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag: #hotmess What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? When in doubt, nap it out.
MELISSA KWAN
Intended major: Computer Science Favorite Harker lunch item? French fries Describe a memorable high school moment: My history class in sophomore year tried to throw a surprise birthday party for Mrs. Pianko, which totally backfired. The next year, however, we threw another surprise party, which actually stayed a surprise this time.
Intended major: Computer Engineering Favorite TV show? gilmore girls? powerpuff girls? white collar? psych? the flash? Describe a memorable high school moment: meeting corbin bleu???? What is something you regret about your high school experience? not going out with friends more Plans for next year? get through freshman year, get a job/internship, not do freshman 15, visit my frands at other colleges Personal best moment of high school? TOO MANY i loved it all
Divya Rajasekharan
Tina Li Rees Advisory
Columbia University
SHARON YAN
Gilbert Advisory
What is something you regret about your high school experience? Being scared all the time, of everything. I didn’t need to be. Describe a memorable high school moment: Having Dr. Nelson ask, “Are you Divya?” before handing me a pin with Maxwell’s equations written on it (a physics thing) and feeling, for once, that I was good at what I loved. What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? Congratulations, and good luck.
Sarah Tien
Cornell University
KEVIN HUANG
Intended major: Computer Science Describe a memorable high school moment: On the first day of junior year when I first came to Harker, I met so many friendly and amazing people and knew this is the right place to be What is something you regret about your high school experience? Quitting from sports commitment Favorite spirit event? Spirit Dance
Favorite Harker lunch item? Meatballs Plans for next year? Don’t fall into freshman 15! Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag: #yolo What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? Let’s say hi to each other when we meet on the street one day!
Sneha Bhetanabhotla UC Santa Barbara Glass Advisory
Green Advisory
Intended Major: Architecture Describe a memorable high school moment: Late night food runs with my best friends What is something you regret about your high school experience? Not trying everything I wanted to Plans for next year? Get through college, learn to be in-
dependent, travel to at least 5 countries, and be a positive influence Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag: #justdoit What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? Be happy, and a reason will come along :)
MELISSA KWAN
JUSTIN SU
Intended Major: Applied Physics What was one thing you checked off your bucket list this year? Learn how to drive Describe a memorable high school moment: Winning first in the junior class spirit dance! Favorite academic assignment? APUSH final paper Most memorable book/movie of high school career? The Invisible Man - Ralph Ellison Plans for next year? Join a dance team in college Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag: #L17
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Misha Tseitliani
Nikhil Manglik University of Chicago
MELISSA KWAN
Green Advisory
Plans for next year? Dive deeper into my chosen area of study while maintaining a semblance of a work/life balance. What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? Don’t spend so much time worrying about what’s going to “look good” to college admissions officers. Just focus on doing what you want to do, both in academics (take APs because you’re *interested*, not because it “looks good”) and in extracurriculars (join that club that isn’t going to make you number 1 in the nation but will make you feel good inside).
Princeton University
Jahshan Advisory
Intended major: Woodrow Wilson School What was one thing you checked off your bucket list this year? Graduate (hopefully) Most memorable book/movie of high school career? Campbell Bio 10th Ed What is something you regret about your high school experience? No Manan statue Personal best moment of high
MELISSA KWAN
school? Hardy Harker Memes for Hardworking Teens Describe a memorable high school moment: Signing the steel beam shoutout new gym What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? Follow your dreams...even you can be a class officer!
Chris Hailey
Manan Shah
University of Southern California
Stanford University
Enzensperger Advisory
Gilbert Advisory MELISSA KWAN
I’m definitely interested in taking more classes in my areas of interest while maintaining a level of diversity in the fields of art, history, and other non-STEM activities. I’m also planning to learn to drive and finally get my driver’s license this summer ;) What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? I’m incredibly lucky to have known all of you, and I can’t wait to see where our paths intersect in the future!
VARUN BALDWA
Describe a memorable high school moment: Hosting the Harker Programming Invitational this year was an incredible experience; it was wonderful to engage others interested in programming with intriguing problemsets in a contest format. Favorite spirit event? The Spirit Rally at the end of Spirit Week is always really fun to be a part of :) Plans for next year?
Favorite Harker lunch item? Fancy looking salads Favorite spirit event? Senior Skit Describe a memorable high school moment: Bringing the Harker community together at Hoscars Plans for next year? go to college Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag: #growth What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? Good luck in life.
Raymond Xu
Arjun Subramaniam
Princeton University
Princeton University
DARREN GU
Rees Advisory
Intended major: Computer Science Favorite high school go-to outfit? Plaid on plaid Describe a memorable high school moment: The joy of finishing AP Physics C Personal best moment of high school? Getting my paper published in a research journal, after more than a year of work Plans for next year? Stay in school. Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag: #itwasthebestoftimesitwastheworstoftimes
Jahshan Advisory
MELISSA KWAN
Intended major: Economics Mitra Paper Favorite year of high school? Junior Favorite Harker lunch item? breadsticks Most memorable book/movie of high school career? The Great Gatsby Favorite spirit event? Junior year spirit rally Describe a memorable high school moment:
Meatless Monday Personal best moment of high school? graduation Plans for next year? survive grade deflation Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag: #biglysad What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? It’s been real, Class of 2017. Can’t wait to see you all again soon!
Winnie Li
Alexander Lam
Rice University Pistacchi Advisory
Stanford University
Lieberman Advisory
I say it was truly the start of something new. Plans for next year? Explore, enrich the mind and spirit. What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? “We’re soaring, flying. There’s not a star in heaven that we can’t reach, if we’re trying, so we’re breaking free.”
GLORIA ZHANG
MELISSA KWAN
Describe a memorable high school moment: Our cast’s last performance of High School Musical this year concluded an unforgettable two-month journey. I will never forget working with these kindhearted, welcoming, spontaneous people: I’ve never felt like part of a family in such a short time. Even as a senior, it is with sincerity that
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Favorite year of high school? Senior Favorite class t-shirt? Sophomore Favorite Harker lunch item? Kale salad Favorite TV show? Desperate Housewives Favorite high school go-to outfit? casual dress Plans for next year? not die Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag: #awkward What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? Never doubt yourself
SENIORS
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Soham Khan
Joelle Anderson Pepperdine University
MELISSA KWAN
Lieberman Advisory
Favorite year of high school? Senior Favorite TV show? Revenge Favorite Harker lunch item? French fries Describe a memorable high school moment: playing my last ever high school soccer game with my wonderful teammates Plans for next year? Travel hopefully What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? I’m going to miss the class of 2017, but I can’t wait to see what the future holds for all of you.
Pomona College
Rees Advisory
VARUN BALDWA
Describe a memorable high school moment: I really enjoyed performing a distinctive solo during my last Evening of Jazz concert this spring. It was wonderful (and bittersweet!) playing with all my peers at our last public concert of the year. I also recall the night I finished my Near-Mitra paper; it was immensely gratifying to finally finish a paper that I had conducted research and worked on for about a year.
Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag: #MusicComposesMe What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? I just want to express my appreciation toward all my peers: everyone is so supportive and dedicated to whatever they’re passionate about! I really enjoy our inclusive community, and I love that my classmates strive to empathize with others, even when they’re reconciling six AP courses, national tournaments and the like.
Kendall Ka
Sanjana Marce Columbia University
Pepperdine University
Austin Advisory
Enzensperger Advisory MEGAN CARDOSI
Plans for next year? Go to college, kick [butt], make films, meet new people, continue my plans to become the first Asian-American woman to win the Oscar for best original or adapted screenplay, director, or picture. What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? Good luck wherever you go and remember the name, “Kendall Ka,” when I win the Oscar.
KATHY DUAN
Intended major: Film and Television Production/Screenwriting What was one thing you checked off your bucket list this year? Make short films Describe a memorable high school moment: Any day of senior year that I decided to cut a snake out from my life Personal best moment of high school? Realizing who my real friends are
What was one thing you checked off your bucket list this year? Marching in a protest Favorite spirit event? 2016 Spring Rally in the rain Most memorable book/movie of high school career? The One World Schoolhouse Describe a memorable high school moment: Playground picnics with my friends Personal best moment of high school? I have most liked comment on HHMFHT Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag: #UHIS
Vienna Wang
Connie Miao
Rice University
HEIDI ZHANG
Paterson Advisory
Intended major: Economics and Linguistics Favorite year of high school? Junior Favorite Harker lunch item? Pasta Favorite spirit event? Spirit Rally Favorite TV show? Friends Favorite high school go-to outfit? Sweatshirt and leggings Describe a memorable high school moment: Graduation was good. Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag: #bye
Princeton University
Jahshan Advisory
KEVIN HUANG
Intended major: Physics Favorite academic assignment? Modern Physics presentation on fringe topics High school anthem? Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2 Describe a memorable high school moment: Going to a cat café and a SF Symphony concert in San Francisco with my friends. Personal best moment of high
school? Becoming a Siemens Semifinalist Plans for next year? Hoping to study abroad and not fail Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag: #exoplanets What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? Appreciate every moment you have with your friends!
Meilan Steimle
Surabhi Rao
Stanford University Docherty Advisory
University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign
Docherty Advisory
Intended Major: Biology Favorite year of high school? Sophomore Describe a memorable high school moment: Bonding with my team at dance camp over the summer Plans for next year? Focus on doing well in my classes and hopefully find time to do things I
love like dancing, singing, and traveling Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag: #UHIS What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? Thank you for making the past four years of my life so memorable. I hope we cross paths again.
VARUN BALDWA
ELEANOR XIAO
Intended Major: English / Symbolic Systems What was one thing you checked off your bucket list this year? got under a minute on the NYT mini crossword What is something you regret about your high school experience? inadvisable freshman-year lipstick choices Plans for next year? I want to take a lot of theoretical math even though it’s not related to my intended majors or personal strengths. I feel like if I’m not pushing myself mentally, I’m wasting an opportunity and a part of my brain. What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? Be kind to yourself.
SENIORS
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Aditya Dhar
Grace Park
MELISSA KWAN
Brada Advisory
Intended major: Art (illustration) Favorite year of high school? Senior Favorite class t-shirt? Senior Favorite Harker lunch item? nachos Favorite spirit event? spirit rally Describe a memorable high school moment: beat a softball team for the first time in (recent) school history on senior night Plans for next year? survive being out of state Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag: #schleep
Harvard University
Austin Advisory
Intended major: Economics & Applied Math or Biology What was one thing you checked off your bucket list this year? I bingewatched a whole season of a Netflix show in one night Favorite TV show? Avatar: The Last Airbender Describe a memorable high school moment: I think one of my most memorable
KAITLIN HSU
high school moments was the freshman orientation, where my advisory really wasn’t great at any of the activities, but, even though we won literally nothing, we had so much fun while doing all of the activities that we’re still laughing about it years later Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag: #YesWeCan
Arthi Iyer
Sara Pachauri
Purdue University Manning Advisory
New York University
Roumbanis Advisory MELISSA KWAN
and I lifted from the bottom but we literally almost dropped the entire thing and everyone was like laughing at us. My teacher was like “You almost cost us $10,000!! Haha!” I was scared of her so after that I cried for 10 minutes. Plans for next year? I want to travel a lot!! And just make some new friends What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? this was fun
RAVEENA KAPATKAR
Intended major: Theatre but possible double major with Accounting Favorite year of high school? Senior High school anthem? The Harker School Song Describe a memorable high school moment: I was teching for a show -- Senior Showcase in my freshmen year -- and I had to take a harp off the stage. My friend and I came on center stage and she lifted from the top
Intended major: Chemistry Favorite Harker lunch item? fresh mex rice and sriracha Favorite spirit event? scream off Describe a memorable high school moment: Having annual picnics with friends Most memorable book/movie of high school career? The Help Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag: #UHIS What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? Thank you for being class of 2017
Priyanka Chilukuri
Brandon Stoll
Wicklund/Gathy Advisory
Wicklund/Gathy Advisory
Occidental University
MELISSA KWAN
Washington University in St. Louis Describe a memorable high school moment: I really enjoyed traveling to Scotland and performing at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival two summers ago. I ran around The Mile publicizing our show with my friends. Personal best moment of high school? My favorite moment was being Sharpay in High School Musical and performing in a musical that basically defined my childhood.
MELISSA KWAN
Intended major: Diplomacy/World Affairs and Theater Favorite Harker lunch item? I don’t have just one we get pretty good food here High school anthem? The Harker School Song??? Favorite high school go-to outfit? Henley + Jeans What is something you regret about your high school experience? Not exploring more class options
Describe a memorable high school moment: Dislocating my shoulder while playing volleyball with a soccer ball Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag: #weout What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? School wouldn’t be have been such a good experience without you guys
Jonathan Liu
Chetana Kalidindi
University of Southern California
Dartmouth College
Rees Advisory
Radice Advisory
ence in one hashtag: #YesWeDid What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? Aww this is super sad, guys :( Thanks for being the most amazing group of people to grow up with and spend 13 years of my life with! GO CLASS OF 2017!!!!!!
MELISSA KWAN
MELISSA KWAN
Favorite spirit event? Scream-off What is something you regret about your high school experience? I know it’s cliché, but not getting more involved in spirit Plans for next year? college !! and maybe going to Italy over summer with family Summarize your high school experi-
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Intended major: Business Administration Favorite academic assignment? Mr. Docherty’s Great Gatsby song project Describe a memorable high school moment: Basketball Senior Night Plans for next year? Make as many friends as possible and do well academically in college Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag: #loveforlearning What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? I will miss all of you and wish everyone the best of luck in college
SENIORS
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Davis Dunaway
Andrew Tierno Stanford University
MEILAN STEIMLE
Manning Advisory
Intended major: Computer Science What is something you regret about your high school experience? Never auditioning for Fall Play or Spring Musical What was one thing you checked off your bucket list this year? Dancing in a supermarket Describe a memorable high school moment: Stumbling to my car in a satisfied stupor at 9 PM after a long day at robotics What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? My life has been made all the better for us having met.
Carnegie Mellon University Rees Advisory DARREN GU
Intended major: Product Design Favorite Harker lunch item? Still the blackened salmon I had the first time I shadowed at Harker. It was just so memorable. Describe a memorable high school moment: Playing bass at Hoscars with Maile, Jack, and Andrew Plans for next year? Continue to build my design portfolio and learn new skills and ways of thinking from my peers in school.
What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? Don’t let high school be your peak. Keep pursuing your passion and don’t get burned out on the stuff that won’t matter in the long run. As long as you do those two things, you will make a difference in the world whether it be big or small, and to me (and hopefully all of you), making a difference is infinitely more important than getting the grade.
Isabel Lai
Pooja Kini UC Davis
Roumbanis Advisory
New York University
Glass Advisory
KATHY DUAN
The moment I got into college. Plans for next year? Start a new everything. Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag: #playhardworkharder What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? Good luck in life! :)
LAVINIA DING
Favorite year of high school? Senior Favorite Harker lunch item? Literally everything. Bless Harker food. Favorite spirit event? Freshman Advisory Team-building Describe a memorable high school moment:
Intended major: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Favorite academic assignment? I wrote a really good short story in my junior year English class. Although it was on a really personal topic, Mr. Docherty was so supportive and made me feel comfortable enough to open up and share my deepest thoughts in this assignment. What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? You guys are a community of brilliant-minded, extremely talented people. I know this isn’t truly goodbye; I look forward to hearing about all of your amazing accomplishments in the future.
Rachel Cheng
Ezra Bekele
Washington University in St. Louis
University of Michigan
HEIDI ZHANG
Docherty Advisory
Favorite year of high school? Senior What is one thing you checked off your bucket list this year? Sunrise at Mt. Tam Favorite Harker lunch item? Chicky chicky parm parm Favorite high school go-to outfit? t-shirt and leggings Favorite spirit event? Scream-off What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? High school was fun but we’re moving on.
Austin Advisory
MELISSA KWAN
Intended major: Computer Science Favorite academic assignment? Making the World War II music video for U.S History High school anthem? Who Do You Love? - YG, Drake Describe a memorable high school moment: Winterball 2017. just dancing with friends. Personal best moment of high school?
Hiking with bio class at Rancho Plans for next year? Really work on my computer science classes and outside of class computer science projects and stuff. play sports. What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? Y’all are honestly some of the most amazing people and have really made Harker’s community special
Ryan Chen
Srivatsav Pyda
Cornell University Austin Advisory
Columbia University
Wicklund/Gathy Advisory
MELISSA KWAN
debate round ever. What is something you regret about your high school experience? If I had to do high school all over again, the only change I make is getting to know more of you sooner. What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? Each and every person in this class is special, and I look forward to seeing the great things we accomplish.
NEIL BAI
Intended Major: Computer Science or Math (I like to break stereotypes) Plans for next year? I want to explore New York. I’ve started to amass a bucket list of things to do in New York and hopefully I can get at least a couple of them done next year. Personal best moment of high school? Crying with my brother after my last
Intended Major: Biochemistry Favorite academic assignment? Project for Japanese Favorite TV show? Game of Thrones Most memorable book/movie of high school career? The Great Gatsby Describe a memorable high school moment: When I went to senior night for the volleyball team this year. Plans for next year? Travel around Asia, then plan for a internship What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? I hope everyone has fun in college and don’t get into trouble.
SENIORS
B18
Priyanka Taneja
Joseph Krackeler
UC Berkeley
DARREN GU
Boston College Intended major: Finance Favorite year of high school? Senior Favorite Harker lunch item? Korean BBQ ribs Favorite spirit event? Regatta Describe a memorable high school moment: When the boys Varsity team went undefeated in the second half of the season Plans for next year? Going to Taiwan, going to France, going to college
Wicklund/ Gathy Advisory
Intended major: Computer Science What was one thing you checked off your bucket list this year? went to Mt. Tam! High school anthem? Telegraph Ave -Childish Gambino Once we spent 20 minutes of English scraping gum off the bottom of desks
KSHITHIJA MULAM
What is something you regret about your high school experience? Wish I got into some more antics second semester, talked to people besides my three friends Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag: #ballingonabudget
Melinda Wisdom
Maya Vallaru UC Berkeley Paterson Advisory
Oberlin College and Conservatory
Lieberman Advisory GLORIA ZHANG
are competitive but I look forward to being in a very high achieving musical environment. What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? Reach out whenever you can! I love this class and I’m proud to be a part of this amazing group of people.
MELISSA KWAN
Intended major: Trombone Performance and Psychology Personal best moment of high school? Performing in Carnegie Hall with Orchestra Plans for next year? I’m hoping to audition into symphony orchestra at Oberlin! Ensembles
Favorite year of high school? Senior Favorite Harker lunch item? chocolate chip cookies Most memorable book/movie of high school career? Catcher in the Rye Describe a memorable high school moment: Joining journalism in junior year What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? Stay positive!
Sarah de Vegvar
Alayna Richmond
University of Chicago
Northwestern University
MEILAN STEIMLE
Paran Advisory
Describe a memorable high school moment: Meeting Aditi Maheshwari. Favorite spirit event? Studying Favorite academic assignment? What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? Attending Harker was the best decision I ever made because of you guys.
VOLUME 18 • ISSUE 7 MAY 11, 2017
Lieberman Advisory
Favorite Harker lunch item? Chickpea Curry Describe a memorable high school moment: During the ropes course sophomore year, I finally conquered my fear of heights. Plans for next year?
LAVINIA DING
I want to figure out how to give myself a french braid. Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag: #WhydoIbringsomuchstufftoschool What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? Farewell
Abhay Varmaraja
Ryan Vaughan
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
UC San Diego Chetty Advisory
Wicklund/Gathy Advisory
MELISSA KWAN
LAURA WU
Describe a memorable high school moment: Playing in the state championship Plans for next year? Go to college and play for the golf team Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag: #lifer
Alex Youn
Karthik Sundaram
Harvard University
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
DARREN GU
Martinez Advisory
Green Advisory
VARUN BALDWA
Intended major: Cognitive Science Favorite year of high school? Senior Favorite class t-shirt? Senior Favorite TV show? The Office Favorite spirit event? Spirit Rally
Intended major: Computer Systems & Engineering Favorite TV show? The Daily Show Favorite Harker lunch item? Naan Paneer Pizza Describe a memorable high school moment: Making it to semi-finals in our first robotics competition of the year
Intended major: Computer Science Favorite Harker lunch item? Fresh Mex Beans and Rice Favorite academic assignment? Information Theory Paper on List Decoding Describe a memorable high school moment: Basketball Senior Night was one of the greatest days of my life, the energy in the gym was ridiculous.
Intended major: Cognitive Neurobiology & Evolutionary Psychology Describe a memorable high school moment: On New Year’s Eve, I hiked with Aashish and Priyanka at Castle Rock. We went off the trail to reach this vista that overlooked a blanket of endless trees and watch the last sun of 2016 fall below the horizon. Overwhelm-
ing tranquility, pure bliss, unchained freedom... if only I could live every moment of each day with that kind of captivating emotion. Now, that would be a life well lived. Simply, though, I just had an unforgettable time with even more memorable people. As my friend Shekar always says... what a time to be alive.
SENIORS
B19
VOLUME 18 • ISSUE 7 MAY 11, 2017
Alexander Mo
Eddie Shiang UC Los Angeles
LAVINIA DING
Paterson Advisory
Favorite academic assignment? Econ Music Video! What is something you regret about your high school experience? Being a library hermit Plans for next year? Dance more! Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag: #cantholdus What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? I love y’all
Emory University
Glass Advisory
Intended major: Strategy, Management, Visual Arts What was one thing you checked off your bucket list this year? Take a trip alone Favorite high school go-to outfit? Raw Denim, Plain T-Shirt, Nike Air Force 1 What is something you regret about
ALEX YOUN
your high school experience? I didn’t work hard enough in my classes Personal best moment of high school? to be graduation Plans for next year? Publish my own photography book
Zahra Budhwani
Ray Song
Claremont McKenna College
New York University
King Advisory
What was one thing you checked off your bucket list this year? Went to watch a rated-R movie without my ID and they didn’t ask to check. Favorite high school go-to outfit? Oxford Shirt + Chino Pants Describe a memorable high school moment: My first time climbing over the fence from my apartment to Harker Campus
Chetty Advisory
Intended major: Theatre Describe a memorable high school moment: I remember singing Amazing Grace with the cast of The Laramie Project and Mr. Draper right before opening night. Definitely a moment that will remain with me :) Plans for next year?
I’m going to be at the Tisch School of the Arts pursuing a BFA in Theatre and I hope to be working with directing, playwrighting, and acting! Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag: #sleepy
VARUN BALDWA
VIJAY BHARADWAJ
Edward Oh
Steven Cao
Vanderbilt University
PROVIDED BY EDWARD OH
Chetty Advisory
Intended major: Music Favorite Harker lunch item? I like chicken Favorite spirit event? The one where we won Describe a memorable high school moment: I graduate Plans for next year? Make Money Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag: #noragrats What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? Goodbye
UC Berkeley Blickenstaff Advisory
ZACH HOFFMAN
Intended major: EECS Favorite year of high school? Sophomore Favorite class t-shirt? Junior Favorite Harker lunch item? Bacon kale salad What was one thing you checked off your bucket list this year? Learning the ukulele
Colt McNealy
Jonathan Schwartz
Stanford University King Advisory
Michigan State University King Advisory
MEGAN CARDOSI
MAYA KUMAR
Spirit Rally Plans for next year? meet plenty of new people What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? Be safe
Intended major: Computer Science What was one thing you checked off your bucket list this year? Getting a 1/11 on a quiz. Describe a memorable high school moment: Getting detention from Sr. Olivas for forgetting a textbook Plans for next year? Go to Stanford, walk onto the golf team Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag: #Lucky
Michael Auld
Anahita Far
UC Irvine
Aguero-Esparza Advisory
LAURA WU
Intended major: Computer Science Favorite TV show? Rick and Morty Most memorable book/movie of high school career? Maus Favorite spirit event?
Describe a memorable high school moment: Talking with Andrew Rule after my last cross country race What is something you regret about your high school experience? Not doing as much self-exploration Plans for next year? I want to become really good at computer science
Intended major: Computer Engineering Favorite year of high school? Junior Describe a memorable high school moment: Sleeping in Shah, Sleeping in Nichols, Sleeping in Dobbins, Sleeping on the benches outside dobbins, Sleeping in main... Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag: #iswimtoomuchhelp What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? Locate your ideal nap spot early in the year. Defend it with your life.
Pitzer College
Radice Advisory
HEIDI ZHANG
Favorite academic assignment? Where does my food come from (we made fruit salad and guac) in APES Plans for next year? To figure out what I want to do with my life and learn more about myself along the way :) Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag:
#bublife What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? Thank you for helping me grow. I can’t wait to see where our paths lead us as we go our separate ways, and I hope we always stay connected as the Class of 2017.
SENIORS
B20
Edward Tischler
Aashish Jain
University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign
University of Pennsylvania
ERIC FANG
Martinez Advisory
Intended major: Chemistry Describe a memorable high school moment: Going kayaking for the junior class field trip Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag: #unpredictable What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? We will find our passion. The question is whether we pursue it.
Blickenstaff Advisory
Intended major: Computer Science and Management or Computer Science and Cognitive Sciences What was one thing you checked off your bucket list this year? Went to every bathroom in the school Favorite spirit event?
Northeastern University
Cornell University
Paran Advisory
Roumbanis Advisory
Intended major: Computer Science Describe a memorable high school moment: Going to LA with my friends. Plans for next year? I’m studying my first semester abroad at Greece. Favorite high school go-to outfit? leggings, jean jacket, shirt, stan smiths Favorite spirit event? Powderpuff
JULIA AMICK
Plans for next year? Travel all five continents Summarize your high school experience in one hashtag: #whathomework What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? Explore the planet, it’s big
ALEX YOUN
I played in Jazz Band for every spirit rally... What is one thing you want to tell your classmates before you leave? Don’t feel the need to be friends with people who you don’t want to be friends with
Ankita Uppugunduri
Matthew Hu
Favorite Harker lunch item? KBBQ across the street What was one thing you checked off your bucket list this year? Live a life Describe a memorable high school moment: Making birdies on golf senior night
VOLUME 18 • ISSUE 7 MAY 11, 2017
MELISSA KWAN
Albert Pun
Elena BronderChang
Justin Jia
Rishab Gargeya
Albert Xu
Emaad Raghib
Kavya Seth
Shasvat Jawahar
Andrew Gu
Emmiee Malugina
Mahlet Demissachew
Sravya Cherukuri
Anthony DeVincenzi
Jack Farnham
Marina Newman
Tara Parimi
Justin Culpepper
Jordan Thompson
Parth Pendurkar
Varun Baldwa
Diego Figueroa
Joyce Huang
Preethi Kandappan
Will Park
Not every senior who participated in the Humans of Harker initiative elected to share their college information in the senior survey. We’ve listed their portraits and names here to honor them regardless. 16 seniors opted out of the Humans of Harker initiative overall.