The Harker Quarterly, Spring 2012 by The Harker School

Three Basketball Teams Make Playoffs New Program Creates Career Path for Athletes s p r i n g 2 012

School Wins Bid for Third Campus Property Community Celebrates Ninth Annual Fashion Show Journalism Students Still Pushing the Envelope Volu m e 3 路 N u m b e r 3

CoverPhoto I had arrived at the upper school gym to shoot a grade 8 girls basketball game. Towards the end of

Harker QUARTERLY

s p r i n g 2 012 / V o l u m e 3 · N u m b e r 3

that game, I was pleasantly surprised to see Michelle Hopkins and her grade 5 girls basketball team arrive at the gym for their game, which was immediately to follow. So I stayed for a bit of the grade 5 game and got this photo of the girls hustling down the court for a fast-break shot. The players, Allison Cartee and Deana Kajmakovic, were both pushing the ball down the court to take advantage of the opponents’ defense napping after their failed shot. I remember thinking, “Please, let my shutter settings be fast enough for this photo not to be blurry!” Luckily, they were, and I got a great shot of the girls running the court for a transition basket. ~Kyle Cavallaro, Office of Communication Photographer

Pam Dickinson Director William Cracraft Editor Catherine Snider Sally Wing Copy Editors Kyle Cavallaro Photo Editor

Emily Chow ‘08 Debbie Cohen Igor Hiller Zach Jones Sara Kendall Devin Nguyen, grade 12 Liat Noten ‘05 Catherine Snider Terry Walsh Contributors Liat Noten ‘05 Distribution Blue Heron Design Group Rebecca McCartney Triple J Design Design Diamond Quality Printing Printing

AboutHarker From its early beginnings in 1893 — when Stanford University leaders assisted in its establishment — to its reputation today as a leading preparatory school with students attending prestigious universities worldwide, Harker’s mission has remained constant: to create an environment that promotes academic excellence, inspires intellectual curiosity, expects personal accountability and forever instills a genuine passion for learning. Whether striving for academic achievement, raising funds for global concerns, performing on stage or scoring a goal, Harker students encourage and support one another and celebrate each other’s efforts and successes, at Harker and beyond. Harker is a dynamic, supportive, fun and nurturing community where kids and their families make friends for life.

Harker Ad Wins Award At press time, Harker received word from the District

Printed on 100% recycled paper

The Harker School is a K-12 independent, coed, college-prep school. K-Grade 5: 4300 Bucknall Rd., San Jose, CA 95130 Grade 6-8: 3800 Blackford Ave., San Jose, CA 95117 Grade 9-12: 500 Saratoga Ave., San Jose, CA 95129 Published four times a year, Harker Quarterly showcases some of the top news, leading programs, inspiring people and visionary plans of the greater Harker community. Produced by the Harker Office of Communication 500 Saratoga Ave., San Jose, CA 95129 communications@harker.org · 408.345.9273

VII Council for Advancement and Support of Education’s (CASE) board of directors and CASE Awards of Excellence Committee that the school had won a Gold for their

Next Edition: June 2012

submission in the category of “Advertising – Individual Ads.” Second and third place in the category were awarded to the University of San Diego. CASE District VII includes universities, colleges and independent schools in the western region of the United States. The CASE announcement letter stated, ”We received a record number of entries this year, and your excellent achievement stood out among the best.” The winning ad, “Meet Ben,” was part of Harker’s latest advertising campaign, which features a Harker student in each ad sharing fun facts about themselves. The campaign was created by Harker’s Office of Communication, with design support from Jenny Sandrof of Blue Heron Design, a longtime freelance designer for the school.

H A R K E R Q U A R T E R LY

SPRING 2 0 1 2

Harker News Online (HNO) was launched in April 2009 and reports timely news on the activities, programs and accomplishments of The Harker School and its students, faculty and alumni. You can subscribe to HNO via RSS feeds or a daily digest email alert. Visit http://news.harker.org/.

Find, Friend & Follow Us!

Join us for tweets, videos, announcements, photosharing and more! http://www.facebook.com/harkerschool http://www.youtube.com/harkerschool http://twitter.com/harkerschool http://www.flickr.com/groups/harkerschool

inside

8 SPRING 2012

features

Accreditation Team Praises School

Summer, Summer and Still More Summer!

School Wins Bid for Third Campus Property

New Integrated Program Creates Career Path for Athletes

Journalism Program Builds Valuable Skills

Poetry, Prose and Art Win Gold Key Awards

CDC-Funded Project Relies on Harker for Influenza Research

Ninth Annual Fashion Show Celebrated by Whole Community

29 8

departments

4 Advancement 13 Eagle Sports Report 14 Global Education 26 Milestones 29 Harker Speaker and Concert Series 32 Performing Arts 38 Greater Good 42 Alumni 45

Headlines

H A R K E R Q U A R T E R LY

SPRING 2 0 1 2

Headlines

By Christopher Nikoloff Head of School

Where have all the

neighborhoods gone?

hile pushing my son on a swing the other day I noticed that he did not know how to swing himself. It is one thing when your son needs help getting on the swing – some are pretty high – but it’s another when he needs you, once he is on the swing, to get going at all. I began talking him through how to swing himself when I noticed another thing: explaining to a child how to swing himself is not easy. What do you

say? It is sort of like explaining how to tie your shoes. Where do you begin? To swing, you have to lean back, pull with your arms, project your legs into the air. By the end my son looked like a piece of dough. I then realized a third thing (it was a day full of epiphanies). I had never been taught how to swing – I had just learned on my own. I am not even sure how or when I learned. I then began thinking about all of the skills I had learned on my own through playing with kids in the neighborhood. Swimming. Throwing and hitting a ball, any kind of ball. Riding a bike, skateboarding, ice skating. Even bowling. And we didn’t just learn these skills, but we internalized the rules of the games as well. We knew enough to argue ferociously about right and wrong. As I thought about it, my friends and I learned all of these skills organically, without a single lesson, parent or adult to help. If we hadn’t learned these skills we would have been excluded from a load of play and none of us wanted that. My boys, on the other hand, will learn none of these skills without me or some structured program. In other words, they will require the direct intervention of adults to learn these skills. Most of the children I grew up with simply did not take private lessons of any sort. Today, almost all children take some kind of private lesson or are in some structured activity. I am not judging the present or recalling the good old days of the past. In fact, there was nothing special about our learning these skills ourselves. We learned these skills like we learned how to walk and talk – naturally. There was actually no way we could not learn them. However, my sons most likely will not learn them without my direct intervention. Why the change? What does it mean, if anything, that some children are growing up in a community where learning skills like these will not happen naturally, without direct

“

What do children learn in unsupervised neighborhood play? They learn socialization, to use a common buzzword today.

”

H A R K E R Q U A R T E R LY

SPRING 2 0 1 2

instruction? If this is a symptom, what is the disease? After all, learning these kinds of physical skills organically, through neighborhood play, implies a whole set of conditions that support organic learning the way that rich soil supports plant growth. As for conditions, the neighborhood needs mixed age groups among its children so that the older kids pull up the younger ones. There needs to be extended family, like cousins, aunts, uncles. The kids need to have large amounts of unbroken, unsupervised time for play. They need a common set of goals, meaning that most of them have to find playing baseball or riding bikes fun. There needs to be a loose, mutual understanding between parents, almost like unspoken

Headlines

“ radar. The children need a neighborhood structure that supports them finding each other in these informal, unstructured, but safe environments. They need, well, a neighborhood. I am not saying that neighborhoods with playing children do not

We didn’t just learn these skills, but we internalized the rules of the games as well. We knew enough to argue ferociously about right and wrong.

”

exist today. They even have a name for them – “playborhoods.” There is a website called playborhood.com that is dedicated to

promoting free, unstructured play in neighborhoods precisely because it is difficult to find. However, the facts that a website exists to promote free play and that neighborhoods with open play have a special name tell us something. As Kenneth Jackson says in “Crabgrass Frontier,” a history of American suburbs, “There are few places as desolate and lonely as a suburban street on a hot afternoon.” What do children learn in unsupervised neighborhood play? They learn socialization, to use a common buzzword today. I am pretty sure my aunts and uncles never used that word. The kids were just doing what they were supposed to do, which was play. They also learn what we now term 21st-century skills, like collaboration, communication and creativity, though none of my friends ever used or even understood those terms. We had to collaborate, communicate and create, otherwise we wouldn’t have any fun. I did teach my son to pull up and swing himself that day. I still think he prefers to have me push him, but at least he can now swing himself independently. I watch my son among the other kids, followed around by their parents who are instructing, encouraging and preparing them for an uncertain future, arming them with all of the skills they can possibly absorb during their fleeting childhoods. When I see him across the playground, pulling himself up on the swing, flanked by children he doesn’t know, looking across at me smiling with pride, I become a little wistful for the days when children learned these things on their own.

Photo by Kyle Cavallaro

H A R K E R Q U A R T E R LY

SPRING 2 0 1 2

Photos by Kyle Cavallaro

Accreditation Team Praises School for Vision, Accomplishments of

these

divisions comprises a

By Catherine Snider

chapter in the more

he Harker community breathed a collective sigh of relief on Feb. 1, the date that marked the completion of more

than a year of intense self-reflection and evaluation as part of the school’s reaccreditation process for the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS). Harker was awarded the maximum full six-year accreditation in 2006, and the present process for hopefully a further six-year nod was a schoolwide, all-hands-on-deck project.

than 300-page document that the

health and safety, and an action plan; each

H A R K E R Q U A R T E R LY

appropriate for observing Harker; all from independent California schools, the group an assistant head of school, a director, an

late November, allowing them to prepare

admissions director, a technology director,

for an intensive, three-day visit Jan. 29-

an academic dean and a director of

Feb. 1, during which they tried to delve

instructional advancement.

as deeply as possible into the life of the school by visiting all three campuses, meeting people and absorbing as much of the culture as they could. The visit culminated in an all-school meeting at the middle school campus on Feb. 1, when the committee head, Larry Dougherty, head of school at The Buckley School in Southern California, addressed the faculty and staff recommendations.

community, K-12 program, library, plant,

accreditation team was particularly

comprised four heads of school/principals,

supplies a template report which Harker is

administration, faculty, staff, students,

the maximum amount awarded. Harker’s

team. The team was provided this report in

to offer his team’s commendations and

governing body, finances, fundraising,

six years with no follow-up visit being

school prepares for a visiting accreditation

Each accreditation cycle, CAIS-WASC obliged to fill out, covering our philosophy,

appropriate tenure of accreditation, with

The dynamic group dove into their responsibilities and could be spotted in classrooms and lunch areas, chatting with students and faculty throughout their visit. Their schedule, overseen by Jennifer Gargano, assistant head of school for academic affairs, included meetings with every academic department K-12; meetings with subsets of the committees who worked on each chapter of the report; school meetings at the middle and upper schools;

On all California schools’ accreditation

and student council meetings, breakfasts and

teams, one member visits on behalf

even fire drills at all three campuses. Many

of WASC, while the others represent

students and teachers found themselves

CAIS; the team then submits a joint

being pulled aside for friendly chats, and the

recommendation to CAIS and WASC for the

final day of the visit allowed committee

SPRING 2 0 1 2

“As a committee, we’ve been Harkerized.” —Larry Dougherty, WASC committee team leader

Photos by Kyle Cavallaro

members time to ask any last questions of

Howard Nichols, Harker’s longtime leaders

and passion for learning and teaching, and

the administration or other staff.

and the founders of the upper school.

the intense care the faculty feels for their

On the final day of the visit, Dougherty addressed the entire community to officially conclude their visit. While a detailed report of the committee’s findings will be sent to Harker in the spring, Dougherty did verbally commend the faculty, staff, students, administration, board of trustees, finance, business office and support staff for their excellent work. Perhaps even more gratifying, however, was that the CAIS-WASC team’s recommendations for development and improvement supported ones that the school has already identified

students as individuals.

Diana Nichols, who was present, is currently the chair of the board of trustees. Dougherty commended them on establishing

Pointing out that “You accreditation is a really have “mutual growth set a standard Dougherty that all schools process,” concluded that he should aspire to.” and his team would

and preserving the school’s family atmosphere and for

—Larry Dougherty, WASC committee team leader

be bringing wonderful ideas home to their schools, saying, “You really have set a standard that

choosing a successor

all schools should aspire to.”

(Chris Nikoloff) with such care and success.

Chris Nikoloff sent a congratulatory

His next comment, “As a committee, we’ve

message to the Harker community when

been Harkerized,” drew a warm laugh from

the visit was concluded, thanking the

the assembled group. After joking that he

faculty and staff for their hard work in

After getting through the nitty-gritty,

gained two pounds from the excellent food,

preparing the report and meeting with

Dougherty said that he had some “warm

Dougherty said he and his team are leaving

the committee: “Places like Harker do

fuzzies” to deliver, pointing out two special

inspired. He mentioned that all the people his

not spring up overnight, and take the

people who have so much to do with

team met were “on a journey” of continual

concerted effort of talented, kind and

Harker’s success. The first was Gargano,

learning, unwilling to settle and compromise,

caring people like you to continue its

whose comprehensive plan and hospitality

but rather continually seeking personal and

journey in excellence. While the structure

for the CAIS-WASC team’s visit was truly

professional growth. The children they spoke

of an organization may take different

exceptional. The other was Diana Nichols,

to had two main reactions when asked about

shapes over time, the core values, reflected

and by extension her late husband,

their classes: they cited their teachers’ love

in the people around us, are timeless.”

for improvement, and in fact had been included in the self-study as places for growth.

H A R K E R Q U A R T E R LY

SPRING 2 0 1 2

Get Ready . . . Get Set ... Get Signed Up for

SUMMER FUN at Harker!

Photos by Terri Johnson

By Debbie Cohen t’s that time of year again, when spring fever hits and busy families begin planning ahead for the summer. And, thanks to an array of new sports camps and expanded programming, students and parents alike can rest assured knowing that when school’s out, summer fun will definitely be in! With summer fast approaching, veteran program director Kelly Espinosa briefed the Harker Quarterly about the many options to choose from. “Harker has always had tennis, soccer, swimming and sports performance camps,” said Espinosa. “But new this year are football, basketball, volleyball, water polo and aquatics discovery camps.” (See pages 10-11). Moreover, she added, many of the existing programs have been upgraded. “We have everything a camp consumer could want,” enthused Espinosa. Yet, while Harker designed its summer camp offerings with its student body in mind, they are also appreciated by the general public. In fact, said Espinosa, some campers go on to become Harker students. Long known for its academic success, Harker’s new sports programs are further building its reputation as a great place for athletics as well. Run by mature educators who are not only highly skilled coaches but role models, the program navigates the delicate balance between having fun and working hard, encouraging campers to improve skills and develop teamwork.

Something for Everyone Photo by Ashley Batz

When it comes to choosing a camp, the hardest part is often deciding

H A R K E R Q U A R T E R LY

F A LL 2 0 11 SPRING 2 012

which to select. To help navigate the process, the following pages provide a sneak peek at what this summer will have to offer. Visit the website for full information, including dates, rates and more.

summer.harker.org

Photo by Laura Yau, grade 12

Photo by Liat Noten ‘05

Photo by Laura Yau, grade 12

Photo by Ashley Batz

Photo by Laura Yau, grade 12

Summer Camp+ K-6

For children in K-6, Summer Camp+ offers a full day of morning academics and afternoon activities. Located on Harker’s lower school campus, parents choose sessions by their preferred format, with full-day, partial-day and morning-only options. This year music workshops have been expanded and are open to instrumental students entering grades 2-6, with at least one year of experience playing violin, viola, cello, bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, French horn, trombone, guitar, piano or percussion. These two-week workshops offer exposure to music theory and composition, improvisation, ear training, singing, ensembles and full orchestral playing. A concert will be performed at the end of each session, and a recording and printed score given to each student. Summer Camp+ really keeps children hopping, learning and playing together, from morning to afternoon. And parents appreciate the flexible scheduling possibilities.

Summer Institute 6-12 English Language Institute Harker’s Summer Institute gives students in grades 6-12 the chance to earn credits, learn new skills and follow their passions. Harker students aren’t the only ones with these options – students from other schools are welcome to attend most of the classes. New this year are art classes, including portfolio preparation in drawing, 2-D and 3-D.

Middle school and upper school activities programs will also be offered and will include access to the libraries, the pools and prepared lunch. The middle school activities program will feature planned group events like piñata-making, checkers tournaments and an Iron Chef competition. The wide range of choices and flexible program allow each student to design a schedule around his or her own academic needs and personal interests, giving everyone just the right mix of summer activity and fun. Participants taking a morning sports camp have the option to enroll separately in the afternoon activity program as well.

Each year, more than 100 international students, from elementary school students to high school teens, participate in Harker’s renowned English Language Institute (ELI). They come with the goal of improving their English speaking and writing skills but leave with a breathtaking exposure to cultural adventures as well. It may be an old cliché, but when it comes to educating these foreign students, the world really is their classroom. At ELI, weekly field trips provide international students exposure to local points of interest, typical of American summer adventures. The trips are then incorporated into the curriculum and students further use their travel experiences to create written and oral projects for presentation.

H A R K E R Q U A R T E R LY

SPRING 2 0 1 2

Photo by Laura Yau, grade 12

Photo by Ashley Batz

Photo by Ashley Batz Photo by Mercedes Chien, grade 10

Summer Sports Camps

Long known for its academic success, Harker’s new sports programs are further building its reputation as a great place for athletics as well. Read on for our great lineup of summer sports camps.

Dive into Fun at Aquatic Discovery Camps New!

Separate from Harker’s regular swim school, aquatics discovery is an exciting new program for boys and girls who love the water and want to explore a variety of aquatic activities – with an emphasis on fun! Coach Ron Usher will help campers improve their water skills and fitness, developing basic safety precautions. They will be introduced to a wide array of aquatic activities, including competitive swimming, splashball, lifesaving, snorkeling and daily aquatic games and activities.

Shoot for the Hoop at Basketball Camp New!

Harker’s summer basketball program is an ideal opportunity for boys in grades 5-8 and girls in grades 5-9 to develop their skills on the court in a fun, nurturing atmosphere. Students will work on fundamental defense and offense, shooting, rebounding, ball handling and more from Harker’s

H A R K E R Q U A R T E R LY

experienced coaches. Team strategy, fitness and endurance will also be incorporated for a well-rounded program that emphasizes teamwork and individual growth as well as basketball skills. Boys coach Butch Keller, who serves as Harker’s upper school head, has been coaching basketball for 25 years, winning 19 conference or league championships in addition to numerous awards and achieving an overall record of 511-137. Most recently, he led the boys to a historic break into the upper brackets of CCS playoffs. Coaching the girls will be Alfredo Alves, who last year led the Harker girls varsity team to 20 wins and the first playoff win in Harker girls basketball history.

Get in the Game at Football Camp New! Harker’s Junior Eagle coed football summer camp is a great way for students in grades 4-8 to improve as players and team members. Campers will be placed in groups based on age and skill level, and the camp will

SPRING 2 0 1 2

Photo by Jennie Xu, grade 12

comprise two sessions per day. The first session will help students improve their skills by participating in speed and agility drills as well as offensive and defensive drills. Students will have the choice of focusing on one team position or learning a variety of them. In the second session, teams of students will play a minimum of five games each day, and a championship team will be declared by the end of the week. Students must have enrolled in the first session to be eligible for the second session. Ron Forbes, Harker’s sports performance coordinator, will serve as head coach during the program. In a career spanning 15 years, which has included stints at Stanford University and the University of Florida, Forbes has coached Olympians, professional athletes and national champions in a wide variety of sports.

Fun and Learning at Water Polo Camp New! Harker’s beginners’ water polo program has all the fun of pool play while campers learn this great sport! Open to those in grades 4-8 looking to learn more

Photo by Ashley Batz

Photo by Melissa Donderro Photo by Ashley Batz

Photo by Jennie Xu, grade 12 Photo by Laura Yau, grade 12

about the sport, the coed program will teach crucial skills necessary to compete, such as water and dry land conditioning, treading water, passing and shooting. To be eligible for the program, students must be able to swim 25 yards. Ted Ujifusa, who directs the program, has been coaching water polo for nearly 40 years, and is the only coach in CCS history to lead two different public high schools to championships. He will be working with Allie Lamb, a 15-year water polo veteran, and swim coach Ron Usher, who has worked with every level from beginners to national champions.

Kickin’ It at Soccer Camp

Harker’s coed Elite Soccer Camp summer program offers students in grades 5-12 a variety of opportunities to improve their skills in a professional environment with individual instruction tailored to each student’s needs. The program will feature a challenging curriculum with daily activities such as Futsal, psychomotor training, large-goal games and full- and half-court games. Students will also receive visits and listen to talks by professional and college-level players.

The program will be held at Harker’s upper school campus on Davis Field and led by Harker varsity soccer coach Shaun Tsakiris, a veteran of four NCAA tournaments, member of the 1997 U.S. National Team and winner of UCLA’s MVP Award in 2000. He later joined the United Soccer Leagues’ Professional Division and played for the Rochester Rhinos from 2002-06.

Sports Performance Camp Sharpens Skills The Sports Conditioning program, which used to be called the Eagle Iron, invites students in grades 6-12 to learn how to improve upon all of the fundamental components of sports performance from Forbes, one of the nation’s most successful sports performance specialists. Athletes will be grouped by age, size and skill level. “Conditioning helps players perform more effectively and avoid injury. Learning to prepare and care for one’s body is a very important part of becoming a successful athlete,” said program director Espinosa, adding that the key to achieving one’s true potential as an athlete, regardless

of the sport or skill level, is becoming educated in the fundamental components of sports performance.

Learn from the Pros at Tennis Camp

Harker’s summer Tennis Camp is a great opportunity for tennis enthusiasts in grades 2-8 in fall 2012 to improve their knowledge and skills. For competitive tennis players in grades 2-12, the Harker Oakwood Tennis Training System (HOTTS) will have team practices and interclub matches, in addition to instruction on advanced techniques, strategy, footwork and sports psychology. Both programs will incorporate physical training, on-court instruction, technique and practice with both instructors and ball machines. The program will again be directed by Harker tennis coach Craig Pasqua, certified by the United States Professional Tennis Association. He also directs Standing Tall Tennis, a nonprofit organization that specializes in aiding at-risk youths on Indian reservations through tennis instruction. Harker has been offering outstanding summer programs for more than 50 years. For more information about Harker’s summer programs, visit summer.harker.org.

H A R K E R Q U A R T E R LY

SPRING 2 0 1 2

Photo by Kyle Cavallaro

Harker Wins Bid on New Campus Property

hroughout its long history The Harker School has proactively adapted to changing environments to meet the needs of its growing student population. Now, with breaking news that Harker was the top bidder on a desirable, available campus property, the school finds itself at yet another turning point.

happen every day that you find something in the exact area you are looking for, with the exact features.”

For years Harker, the largest K-12 independent school in California, has leased its middle school campus on Blackford Ave. And, while this has worked well, Harker’s forward-thinking administration has long dreamed of owning all three of its campuses. With the current bid accepted and pending final county approval, that vision of building permanency and security seems poised to become a reality.

Alice Siegel (Elisabeth, grade 8; Kathryn, grade 12), who attended the benefactor luncheon, said that she trusts the school administration to take the lead in moving forward with the bid. A parent of a Harker “lifer,” Siegel said she has watched the school, along with her children, successfully grow and change over the years.

Chris Nikoloff, head of school, reviewed the plans for acquiring the ideally suited campus property located near Union Ave. and Highway 280 at a recent benefactor’s luncheon.

The subsequent decision to put in a bid on the building was the result of an exhaustive community-wide effort to secure Harker’s future direction.

“We found an available campus structure that is exactly the right fit … so there is a strong sense that we should move on it,” Nikoloff said during the luncheon, after thanking attendees for coming out and partnering with Harker. He then introduced some Harker science students, who came to the meeting to echo his gratitude to the school’s funders. The students also shared updates on their impressive research projects, with topics ranging from autism studies and embedding enzymes, to lab work towards fighting HIV infections and cancer. “When I was in high school my biggest concern was why wouldn’t my teacher let me play Ping-Pong at recess,” joked Nikoloff, after congratulating the students on their accomplishments, which illustrate how far the upper campus has come since its creation in 1998. Nikoloff used the metaphor of “putting toothpaste back in the tube,” when comparing the option of having to move the middle school back to the upper school campus after the current Blackford lease runs out. “In other words, it is not a viable option,” he said, explaining the school has grown too much and that it would lead to serious problems of overcrowding. Speaking on behalf of the administration and board members who have been diligently working to secure a suitable property, he added, “We are bullish on the Union property. It just doesn’t 12

H A R K E R Q U A R T E R LY

S P R I N G 2 012

The subsequent decision to put in a bid on the building was the result of an exhaustive community-wide effort to secure Harker’s future direction.

Calling the new campus acquisition process part of the school’s cornerstone campaign, Joe Rosenthal, executive director of advancement, elaborated that purchasing a third campus was one of four previously set strategic financial priorities, including ongoing program excellence, building out a master site plan and increasing endowment and reserves. “Even when the bubble burst during the economic recession, givers to the advancement campaign pulled through, with continued enthusiasm for the expansion project,” said Rosenthal, noting that additional funds were raised through the capital campaign, which may enable Harker to purchase the new building outright. “While excellent programs are always at the heart of the school, those programs are enhanced by the facilities and infrastructure that support them,” said Rosenthal. If the county approves, and the bid does, indeed, move full steam ahead, the purchase and sale would likely close by the end of the summer. And that, said Nikoloff, would be a “major milestone” for Harker’s future.

By Debbie Cohen

Advancement

Golf Classic Brings Old and New Community Members Together

olfers basked in the warmth of a lovely day on the Stanford University Golf Course, sipped fine wines at a beautiful home and also walked away with the good feeling that comes from helping others.

The Harker School’s general endowment is the school’s most critical and fundamental endowment. Comprising unrestricted funds, it ensures Harker’s ability to sustain itself, evolve and grow, hire and retain outstanding faculty and staff, attract and nurture gifted students and meet unanticipated demands.

In keeping with a Harker motto, “aim high; have fun,” and thanks to those involved, the event raised more than $30,000. The money will go towards Harker’s general endowment fund, to help benefit generations of students to come.

“This was a winwin for everyone. It was a great game and a great opportunity to unite as a community in support of the school,” said Joe Rosenthal, executive director of advancement, of the day. The golf course, designed in 1930 by renowned golf course architects William Bell and George C. Thomas, is located in the foothills above the Stanford University campus and is consistently rated one of the finest in the world. In 2009 Stanford was rated the nation’s third best college course by golf coaches.

The Golf Classic offered various packages for single players, couples, foursomes and twosomes. It also included some impressive add-ons for avid golfers and wine enthusiasts, culminating with wine tasting at the hilltop home of Harker parents Scott and Susan McNealy (Scout, grade 5; Colt, grade 7; Dakota, grade 8; Maverick, grade 11).

Photos by Kyle Cavallaro

The McNealys graciously opened up their home to golfers, their guests and non-golfers who sponsored a Harker golf team member. Over delicious wine and appetizers, guests reminisced about highlights of the day, from tee-off to their last putt. More importantly, they left secure in the knowledge that they had played a key role in leaving a lasting legacy by helping to provide a perpetual stream of income to the school. In addition to the McNealys, the Golf Classic was also sponsored by Gary and Pooja Gauba, Ram and Indira Reddy and Sandeep and Priya Vij. Hole sponsors were WayIn, Cheryl Young Associates, Sarah Hansen Watercolor Artist, Beshoff Motor Cars, Delectus Winery, Jarvis Winery, Vintage Wine Estate, Martin and Dorothy Scarpace and Joe and Blanca Rosenthal. Overall winners with a score of 60 were Tony Morici (parent of Antonio Morici ’89 and Alexia Lerner ’90), Pam Costello, Steve Hallgrimson and Erik Hallgrimson.

LY HHAARRKKEERR QQUUAARRTTEERRLY

SSPPRRI INNGG 22001122

EagleReport Photos by Kyle Cavallaro

by Bill Cracraft

team’s coach. “Our soccer program continues to grow as we gain more and more interest about the sport on our campus. Our JV team had the best year in five years, and the coaching staff is really looking for our younger players to continue to develop and contribute in the years to come.

Upper School Basketball The boys varsity basketball team had an outstanding season, making the semifinal round for the first time in school history, where they lost to rival Sacred Heart Prep, ending their season at 18-9 overall. Girls varsity basketball made it nearly as far, losing in round two 53-49 to finish with a 17-9 overall record, 7-3 in league play.

and Gonzales in the 106 lb. Though both lost their first round matches, “it was a great experience for both of them because they are young they have a chance to improve next season,” said coach Karriem Stinson.

Girls Soccer

Wrestling Wrestlers Darian Edvalson, grade 10, and Corey Gonzales, grade 9, competed in the Central Coast Section championships held in late February at Independence High School, Edvalson in the 160 lb. weight class

H A R K E R Q U A R T E R LY

SPRING 2 0 1 2

“Our season was not as successful in terms of wins and losses as we would have liked. Giving up points on a few tough home matches put us out of contention for playoffs which was disappointing, but our boys continued to show great personality, attitude and desire to improve throughout the season. My goal as the head coach at Harker is to continue to develop the soccer program and I think we are on the right path!” Tsakiris concluded.

Boys Soccer “Boys soccer had a successful season in terms of what our program is trying to accomplish for the next few years,” said Shaun Tsakiris, the

Given that freshmen outnumbered the juniors and seniors combined this year, the girls’ season could have gone in any number of directions, said coach Jason Berry. “The senior leadership, however, combined with the spirit of 10 freshmen, paved the way for a rather smooth campaign.”

EagleReport

Photo provided by upper school journalism

“As we look forward to both next season and beyond, we have much to expect,” added Berry. “We will certainly build upon the almost unprecedented success in terms of wins, but we will also grow the team’s recognition of tactical play in terms of shape of play. Looking ahead in years, we hope to build a more fluid relationship with the middle school program as well as

continue the rich tradition of the Kicks Against Cancer program. In short, the girls program is on the cusp of the playoffs, and next season will prove to be quite telling.”

Lower and Middle School Soccer We had great results in lower and middle school sports this season. The grade 7 girls basketball team are champions, grade 5 girls basketball took second in championship play, and both the grade 7 and junior varsity B boys soccer teams finished first in their leagues. Congratulations to all hardworking teams, coaches and, of course, the supporting parents! H A R K E R Q U A R T E R LY

s p r i n g 2 012

Photo by Norm Espinosa

Photo by Liat Noten ‘05

The lady Eagles won a key first-round game at a tournament in Bakersfield and finished fourth, and finished the season in third place at a tournament at Skyline, securing one first-team All-League player, three second-team All-League players, and a couple of honorable mentions. They finished the league season at 10-4-2, with an overall record of 11-6-3.

Photo by Maria Gong, parent.

EagleReport

to put them in the big match. After a tough game, they lost 18-10, but grew a foot along the way! Their final record is 7-2, with second place in league and second place in the WBAL tournament. The junior varsity C girls basketball team finished with a record of 2-4. Photo provided by Jonathan Brusco

Basketball Grade 8 (varsity A) girls basketball had a bit of a rough season but they never gave up and demonstrated amazing determination and fortitude. There was a vast amount of skill development and improved knowledge of the game demonstrated over the course of the season, and their coaches are all very proud of their effort and positive attitudes. Their final record was 0-9. The Grade 7 girls basketball team (varsity B) finished the league season with a record of 7-2, good for a second place finish in WBAL regular-season play. They advanced through the playoffs to the championship

H A R K E R Q U A R T E R LY

SPRING 2 0 1 2

game and defeated Priory in the finals of the WBAL tournament in midMarch, 18-10, to take the tournament championship, finishing 10-2 overall! The Grade 6 girls basketball team (junior varsity A) finished the league season with a record of 6-3, earning them a fourth-place finish in the WBAL regular season. They lost early in the playoffs but triumphed in the consolation playoffs, taking first. Grade 5 girls basketball (junior varsity B) finished the league season with a record of 5-1, earning second place by making the championship match in March (see the cover photo)! Their 28-6 victory over Woodland put them in the semifinals; then they defeated St. Matthews 41-14

Photo provided by Jonathan Brusco

Wrestling Grade 6-8 wrestling had two matches this season. In the first they had consistent winners (6-0, 5-2, 4-1, 2-1, 2-1), but didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have enough wrestlers in any weight class to claim a victory. They participated in the New Brighton Classic on March 17 at Soquel High School, but results were unavailable at press time.

Developing Our Athletes New Integration Creates Career Path for Harker Athletes By William Cracraft

arker’s athletic department is making a concerted effort to make available the best sportspecific training possible to lower and middle school athletes. The integrated program will enhance player skills, introduce them to varsity coaches and training techniques and should result in higher caliber teams for Harker.

Solid Staff The integration has become possible with the careful expansion of the athletic staff. Dan Molin, athletic director, joined Harker in 2005 and recognized the benefit of harnessing Harker’s potential for an integrated athletic program. “We’d like our younger athletes to see themselves contributing someday to the upper school program,” he said. “They see the wonderful student and coach role models in the upper

Photo by A shle

team to a Harker league championship.

school and want to emulate them.” The integration, gradually introduced where appropriate over the last few years, provides a smooth transition for student athletes as they progress towards and enter the upper school. “The main goals are to have similar skills taught at the lower and middle school programs as are taught in the upper school programs,” Molin said. “When those students come to the upper school, there is a seamless transition regarding those skills.” Molin is a certified athletic administrator, a member of the American Volleyball Coaches Association and a lifetime member of the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. At Harker he has led numerous athletic improvement projects, helped turn the football program around and coached the first boys athletic

One of his first steps was bringing a higher level of training to the varsity teams, and to that end, in 2007 Jaron Olson joined the department. Olson is a certified athletic trainer and a National Academy of Sports Medicine performance enhancement specialist. The integration program took a long stride forward when Ron Forbes joined the athletic department in 2010. Forbes has national chops as a leader in developing winning athletic programs. He comes to Harker from Stanford University, where he was director of sports performance. “Ron has been an outstanding addition to our athletic department,” said Molin. “He continually sets the bar to a higher standard.” In the last 15-plus years, Forbes

yB atz

H A R K E R Q U A R T E R LY

SPRING 2 0 1 2 17

y Ba y Ashle

Cavallaro

to compete and reach high school.

Summer Sports Camps Three programs – swimming, tennis and soccer – have long had summer camps that put athletes of all ages together, providing a de facto integrated program for each. Swimming, a natural summer activity, benefitted from the opening of the Singh Aquatic Center at the upper school campus in 2008. This year a special competitive element, Junior Swim Team, was added for intermediate swimmers to practice competitive strokes and build endurance and fitness as part of a summer team. The summer tennis program, directed by Harker’s tennis coach, Craig Pasqua (United States Professional Tennis Association certified), has been naturally integrated with the upper school tennis team as Pasqua trains young students during the summer, then sees them as they continue 18

H A R K E R Q U A R T E R LY

Harker also has long had a strong summer soccer program, drawing players from other schools and clubs, and enhancing the upper school’s soccer team, run by varsity coach Shaun Tsakiris. “My aim every year has been to create more and more of a buzz on campus about the sport,” says Tsakiris, a member of the 1997 U.S. National Team and winner of UCLA’s MVP Award in 2000. (For more on Tsakiris, see page 11.)

The Integration Across the sports, integration has three elements. The first is a series of weekend training sessions during the season open to boys and girls in grades 4-8, run by varsity coaches. The middle school’s varsity A teams also practice with upper school teams. “I felt that it was extremely important for our lower and

SPRING 2 0 1 2

avallaro Kyle C o by Phot

has trained more than 60 athletes later drafted by the National Football League. He helped the University of Florida Gators to seven consecutive bowl games and helped Stanford secure its spot as one of the top teams in the NCAA’s PAC 10 division. His organizational ability and deep knowledge of sports programming give the athletic department the administrative depth to coordinate the additional program elements effectively.

Competitive tennis players ages 6-18 train in the summer at Pasqua’s Harker Oakwood Tennis Training System (HOTTS), with team practices and interclub matches, in addition to instruction on advanced techniques, strategy, footwork and sports psychology. When students reach the upper school, they are fully acquainted with Pasqua’s methods and he with their strengths and weaknesses.

Photo b

Photos by Kyle

middle school athletes to see how we do things at the varsity level, see where we train and who we are as a coaching staff,” Tsakiris said. The soccer teams held an inaugural combined practice session in January, while girls basketball weekend training sessions for lower and middle school students started in early February. In addition, upper school track coaches will help with middle school track meets, and Molin, as boys varsity volleyball coach, plans to run training sessions with the grade 8 boys volleyball team. The training sessions have enjoyed great attendance, with the basketball sessions attracting as many as 28 lower school and middle school athletes, said Molin. Alfredo Alves, girls varsity basketball coach, noted the age groups mesh well. “At the workouts we have all four high school coaches and some varsity girls each week,” he said. “The varsity girls know everything we do and how we run things, so the coaches have full trust in the high school kids to teach

“I felt that it was extremely important for our lower and middle school athletes to see how we do things at the varsity level, see where we train and who we are as a coaching staff.” —Shaun Tsakiris

Photos by Kyle

the younger kids, and I feel like that is a key component to the workouts.” “We were able to get the girls basketball clinics and boys soccer training sessions up and running for the third sports season of our lower and middle school calendar,” said Theresa “Smitty” Smith, the athletic director for grades 4-8. “Last season coach Butch Keller invited members of the lower and middle school boys basketball teams to sit on the bench at his upper school varsity basketball games.” In addition, Smith said, “Wrestling coach Karriem Stinson runs middle school wrestling prior to upper school wrestling practice with a slight overlap so middle schoolers are integrated with upper schoolers. In the fall, we ran a grade 7 and 8 flag football tournament at the Saratoga campus, and the upper school football players helped out with everything from chain gang to scoring to clean up.” There are other overlaps being added as schedules and personnel sync up. “In the fall,” Smith said, “upper school softball coach Raul Rios also coached the middle school softball team, and this spring we will have members of the upper school girls volleyball coaching staff, Alisa Vinkour and Diana Melendez, coach our middle school girls volleyball teams.”

Cavallaro

Also this spring upper school water polo coaches Ted Ujifusa (boys) and Amelia Lamb (girls) will be coaching the middle school water polo teams.

New Programs One of the jewels of the program is the new Harker Football School, taking place on Davis Field, March through May. The coed school is open to students from any school, grades 6-8, looking to improve their skills. Forbes, who directs the football school, noted that the school has made the commitment to develop stronger players. “Success in producing football players who can compete on the highest level is the direct result of a consistent commitment to developing athletes who are sound in the fundamental skills of their respective positions,” he said. The athletic department is applying that maxim to as many sports as it can by presenting advanced techniques to younger players. The second integration element is the plethora of sports camps Harker is running this summer. Along with tennis, swimming and soccer are now volleyball, football, basketball and water polo camps all run by Harker varsity coaches (see page 8 for details or visit www.harker.org). In addition, Harker’s Summer Sports Conditioning (formerly Eagle Iron), a drop-

in program that lasts most of the summer, meets daily and is managed by Olsen, Forbes and Smith. The third element is the outreach upper school athletes do to the middle and lower school campuses, visiting to read or to help deliver core value messages along with school administrators. In addition, at the end of November, about 40 upper school athletes joined middle school students for lunch to get them excited about high school sports. The advantages of the system are straightforward, said Molin. First, athletes will grow into their sports faster, gaining confidence and the ability to become better players – all good for the students’ personal growth. Second, the system will help Harker sports programs as coaches are better able to build on strengths and eliminate weaknesses of athletes, as well as better plan team play as skills build and are refined. “We want there to be familiarity with the upper school program when students enter,” said Molin. “And naturally this will make our teams more competitive.” Zach Jones contributed to this article.

H A R K E R Q U A R T E R LY

SPRING 2 0 1 2 1 9

Award Winning

Journalism Program Builds

uy en ,

gra

Valuable

Ph oto

De vin

Skills

By Igor Hiller

arker’s journalism program began as a club, grew quickly and steadily, and for the past eight years has been a fullfledged period 7 option course putting yearbook and newspaper production, design and editing in the hands of students. The program, led by Chris Daren, has gained national recognition, sent its students across the globe and helped at least one alumna find her niche – she has just been hired by one of the most prestigious newspapers in the country. The newspaper, The Winged Post, and the online presence, TalonWP.com, and the students who run them have enjoyed some well-deserved recognition in the past several years. In 2009, participating in the Columbia Scholastic Press Association’s (CSPA) summer journalism camp in New York, several students won awards, including Mahum Jamal, then grade 12, who won Top All-Around Journalist. In 2010 The Winged Post won a Silver Crown and TalonWP.com won a Gold Crown from the CSPA for excellence in writing, coverage and content. The Gold Crown is the highest recognition given annually by the CSPA, which recognizes student print or online media for overall excellence. In 2011, TalonWP.com took home the Silver Crown. The journalism program also features some amazing working retreats. During the summers of 2008 and 2010, Daren took students to Maui, Hawaii, for a training camp and retreat. The budding journalists 20

H A R K E R Q U A R T E R LY

interviewed locals and posted trip articles online; they also, of course, managed to fit in some surfing and snorkeling. In summer 2011, the group, assisted by English teacher Pauline Paskali, traveled to Europe, where they learned and wrote about the continent’s rich culture and history. The group began their journey in Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital, where they interviewed the country’s minister of tourism, energy and industry, and took in breathtaking sights like Skógafoss Falls and the Sólheimajökull glacier. Next up was England, where veteran New York Daily News and Associated Press photographer Harry Hamburg regaled the group with anecdotes and journalistic knowhow. Hamburg later visited Harker to give a lunch-time lecture to the student body, and he was also the keynote speaker for the Quill and Scroll induction ceremony in early March.

S P R I N G 2 012

While in London, the students interviewed Member of Parliament Yasmin Qureshi of the Labor Party and saw the House of Commons and House of Lords in session. Also on the itinerary were Venice and Paris, each explored, photographed and written about by the avid news seekers. The journalism program is open to all upper school students by an application process. Students Photos by Devin Nguyen, grade 12 come away with

JOURNALISM AT HARKER

an understanding of basic journalism law, and practices and skills used by journalists. Emphasis is placed on styles of writing, photojournalism and design.

events that happen at Harker,” says Jin. “There’s always so much going on, and there’s definitely some organization required in making sure we not only get everything covered, but that the content is timely and relevant.” To keep Students the gears turning, Jin choose whether says TalonWP “started to pursue a system that has two the yearbook journalists, one from Talon -Emily Chow ’08 or newspaper and one from Winged Post, concentration or covering every weekday. This both; the classes combine ensures that major news events get theory with real-time application to better covered, and also gives both programs equal understand the dynamic journalistic representation on the site.” environment of the outside world. Within the program, students in the newspaper Students in the yearbook concentration concentration are responsible for writing, are responsible for the writing, editing photographing, editing, designing, posting and photography of the pages for Harker’s and laying out the The Winged Post. yearbook, The Talon, which means yearround photography and story gathering and The online news site, TalonWP.com, is editing. In addition to learning a variety of a joint venture by the entire journalism writing styles and current design trends, program, with all students and editors students learn how to use the latest in contributing to the website. The site was desktop publishing software. completely designed with code by Devin Nguyen, grade 12, and has recently been Jennie Xu, grade 12, is the current editornominated for a Gold Crown from CSPA in-chief of the Talon yearbook. “Journalism and a Pacemaker Award from the National Scholastic Press Association.

“I’ve held several editor positions in my four years at Northwestern, and each experience has built on top of the Harker experience.”

has developed not only my writing and photography abilities but also my interpersonal skills. In the journalism room, we share a sense of camaraderie, and we call ourselves the journalism family. Outside the classroom, being part of yearbook has encouraged me to attend sporting and performing arts events of all kinds, ones I probably wouldn’t have experienced if it weren’t for the pages I worked on.” Another part of the journalism experience is a chance to interview world-renowned luminaries. In the past, students have interviewed politicians like Senator Dianne Feinstein, Gavin Newsom and Kofi Annan; entertainers such as JJ Abrams, Harrison Ford and Diane Lane; and sports figures such as Billie Jean King, Kristi Yamaguchi and members of the San Jose Sharks hockey team. There is also an advanced course within both the newspaper and the yearbook concentrations, which is designed for editors. All courses are year-long, and because they are extra period option courses, students may take them in addition to their full academic loads. “I got my first taste of what it’s like to be an editor from Harker’s yearbook program,”

Jackie Jin, grade 12, editorin-chief of TalonWP.com, admits there are challenges to keeping the news website fresh. “The hardest part of keeping TalonWP up to date is probably just keeping up with all the Photo by Kyle Cavallaro

Photo by Devin Nguyen, grade 12

H A R K E R Q U A R T E R LY

S P R I N G 2 012

JOURNALISM AT HARKER

Photo by Kyle Cavallaro

for the print Winged Post, for Talon, for the TalonWP website and, now, for our video feed.”

Photo by Devin Nguyen, grade 12

said Emily Chow ’08, who just graduated from the acclaimed Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. “It was the first time I had to make tough decisions, step into some big shoes and really learn how to edit critically and how to manage a group. I’ve held several editor positions in my four years at Northwestern, and each experience has built on top of the Harker experience.”

With 84 students currently in the journalism program, Daren aims to make sure they leave his classes knowing that

“I’ve watched this program expand over my four years in high school and watched it come together as a cohesive program with so many publications. Being in newspaper has been a defining part of my high school career.” –Priyanka Mody, Winged Post editor-in-chief

The journalism program evolves each year. New this year is a dedicated videographer/editor who shoots, edits and posts video to TalonWP in a matter of hours. The staff even evolved a whimsical magazine publication to enhance their skills, called Hatched! Daren was first asked to take over the upper school newspaper program in 2003. “One of the most important things people don’t see is how much pride the journalism students put into their jobs; they take their position as the student voice of the community very seriously,” he said. When the upper school opened, Daren started the Talon yearbook program with nine students. It has since grown from a club to an option course, complete with homework, quizzes, a textbook and tests. “They put in countless hours,” says Daren. “No one understands how many hours they put into producing the news and photos, editing, laying out the information 22

H A R K E R Q U A R T E R LY

teamwork is important and that all the skills they learn are transferable to any career they choose. At Harker, said Chow, “I learned how to interview, how to write, how to take photographs, and I learned to enjoy them all. I think my strongest ‘journalism’ memories come from the summer workshops we would do at Columbia or on our own. “On my very first Talon trip, our peers taught us how to use InDesign. Chris took us out to the beach by our house in Hawaii to shoot photographs. In Europe and New York, he sent us out on assignments to interview strangers and we spent hours doing photo critiques.

S P R I N G 2 012

“I remember attending Kofi Annan’s MacArthur Award ceremony with Kaytee Comée ’09 only because Chris encouraged us to tell the event coordinators we were student journalists and ask if we could attend last minute. These sorts of events meant that I stepped into my first collegiate journalism class with previous photography, design and reporting experience,” Chow said. For students looking to pursue journalism in college or professionally, Harker’s journalism program is a demanding, but rewarding (and award-winning) choice. “The best part for me was learning to navigate these waters – from having an advisor I could speak candidly with to learning how to create a fun atmosphere in a high stress environment,” Photo by Tommy Giglio said Chow. “At the end of it all, it was the people I met that made yearbook and newspaper such an integral part of my high school experience.” Chow, following her introduction to journalism at Harker and four tough years at Medill, got the payoff. She has been hired as a graphics editor (her college concentration) at the Washington Post.

Five Learn and Grow on Creative Journeys

A By Igor Hiller

Cindy Tay, Grade 12

mong 200,000 paintings, short stories, writing portfolios, poems, digital art pieces and other works submitted to the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, only the top seven to 10 percent of

submitted works make it to the national level, where the pieces Photos by Kyle Cavallaro

are juried by luminaries in the visual and literary arts. Five Harker students were awarded Gold Keys, which will move them on to the national judging level, which takes place this month.

e Lost Hour h t o t y u q lo li So by Cindy Tay

d? t I’ve never ha fore the Can I miss wha ecter of a wish fled long be sp e th e iev gr Can I rising sun? illborn era? e ashes of a st Can I bury th nger, weep for a stra r knew, ve No more can I ne I ve ing of a lo sserby mourn the pass e death of some faceless pa th . at ies ir or ha em tear my otten m y abyss of forg consigned to m is murder, been spilt in th it. No blood has ith w ot sh es are yet still my ey I shed, ve ha s ar te No red elids are rimmed sun. ey y m yet still g in dy bers of the as the last em funeral black aped neither in dr is om ro e Th hite, nor memorial w ld figuratively shaded wor e th d fin I t Ye r TV. es of pre-colo in the drab hu not at first, And I knew it ad pretending to re yet here I sit, calculus textbook, a my hymnody of ing off dd no , ct fa in le whi her— ead: math teac —r on rs As the pa e ak w e th at gy drones the eulo RIP 2 a.m. 3/13/11 ur. of the lost ho

Cindy Tay, grade 12, won the Gold Key for her creative writing portfolio. After keeping most of her work to herself and close friends and teachers, Tay decided to submit her portfolio to the Scholastic Art and Writing contest. “It was time for me to put myself out there and get some new eyes on my work,” said Tay. The pieces Tay chose were a reflection of her personality and experiences: “Meditations on Frozen Vegetables,” a story about Tay’s inability to remain calm under all circumstances; “Rice Paper and Red Eyes,” written about the struggles of a first-semester senior; “Needlework,” a piece about the afterlife; and her favorite, “Soliloquy to the Lost Hour,” a tale of teenage sleep deficiency. To Tay, writing is how she best expresses herself. “I can be a little shy and sometimes lost for words. On writing assignments, however, my pen becomes the sassy, sharp tongue I wish I could deploy physically.” To future students, Tay says to actively pursue feedback, even from those who may not have a creative writing background. She also has a bit of college application advice: “Keep all your pieces for senior year .… Many of my college essays were derived from personal memoirs I had written previously.” H A R K E R Q U A R T E R LY

SPRING 2 0 1 2

Carissa Chen, Grade 7

Photos by Kyle Cavallaro

Meilan Steimle, Grade 7

Meilan Steimle, grade 7, submitted nine of her works to the competition. Three won Silver Keys, one an Honorable Mention, but it was her short story, “Yosemite Grasslands,” that won the Gold Key. The story is about a trip to Yosemite and “a girl who is as kooky as her parents, but fails to recognize it until she is forced to room with ‘normal’ people.” Originally an English assignment in grade 6, Steimle revised it heavily and submitted it to Enlight’ning, the middle school’s literary magazine. After revising the piece again this year, Steimle submitted the piece to Scholastic. “A lot of my other stories are pretty dark, and most of my family prefer ‘Yosemite Excerpt Grasslands’ because it is lighter and funnier,” said Steimle. “It Halfway t stiffened hrough the line f wasn’t my personal favorite, but o on hyster . “Lia?” she bega r food, Niota I guess it’s all subjective.” n, her ical. “

Yosemite

Grassland

v Where’s y our retai oice edging ner case? “Oops. Da ” Echoing the feelings of many backpack, rn. I left it in writers before her, Steimle in my nap ” I said. “I’ll w the cabin in my Remind me kin so I don’t gr rap the retainer recognized the most challenging at school not to throw it oss you guys out. part of creating her piece was away like .” last year returning to it and revising it. “I just “That is n o t the conce felt like I had already been there Niota. “Y rn r retainer, our retainer case ight now,” whimper and done that.” After all revisions attract b which has touche has touched your ed were complete, however, the story d your mo ears!” uth. It’l l had been changed for the better. For I rolled aspiring writers, Steimle says not to her face. my eyes. “Ha, ha. serious, Genuine panic. “ ” Then I looked at worry if a favorite piece receives no wishing I are you?” She was Wait, you’re not recognition, as writing is subjective. . h I a exhal roommate. d chosen a dif ferent, n ed loudly, This was Ultimately, says Steimle, “Write because onjust like the shoes paranoid you want to. If you read something you .

wrote and it makes you laugh or cry or even smile, you’ve won, even if you didn’t get recognition. In the end, your most important audience is yourself.”

Carissa Chen, grade 7, won a Gold Key for her selfportrait, shown at left. She entered the competition to receive feedback and improve, as well as for the opportunity to share her art with others. “One of the necessities in drawing is to understand what you are drawing and what you are trying to ‘say,’” says Chen. She chose her self-portrait because it felt like a journey; exploring every crevice and detail of her face was meticulous, but rewarding. “It helped me understand my physical image as well as incorporate little hints of my own personality into a drawing.” Drawing is Chen’s preferred form of expression. “I’m actually a shy person and I tend to plaster and veil my own thoughts. Drawing helps me show my own ideas.” Though she loves to draw, Chen was worried about facing the possibility of rejection when entering the contest. “Because I put hours of work and my own ideas into my drawing, the idea of it being rejected would not only hurt my pride as an artist, but also what I believe in.” To future students, Chen advises hard work, dedication and rejecting limiting beliefs like “you have to be born with it.” To Chen, being a good artist is about much more than having technical ability: “Artistic talent isn’t the ability to draw a perfect circle naturally or place the colors in the right order or way. Rather, it’s the ability to become vulnerable in each drawing and the desire to work hard.”

“In the end, your most important audience is yourself.” - Meilan Steimle, grade 7

H A R K E R Q U A R T E R LY

SPRING 2 0 1 2

Cherry Xie, Grade 12

Photos by Kyle Cavallaro

Max Maynard, Grade 12

Max Maynard, grade 12, won the Gold Key for his digital art piece, “Depression,” first created in his AP Studio Art class. Maynard enjoys creating digital art because of its ease of manipulation and the endless creative possibilities engendered by working on a computer. He likes that he needs nothing more than his computer to do the work, as well as the creative options available to him through digital art. “It is possible to perhaps create something by the combination of elements that aren’t always able to combine in other media,” says Maynard. The greatest challenge for Maynard while producing his piece was making sure he followed the proper creative commons licenses when using others’ photos, an important consideration for any digital artist. For those interested in creating digital art, Maynard counsels, “Technical skill in art comes with experience, so don’t worry too much about that. Focus more on your vision for the work as an artist.”

Xinyi “Cherry” Xie, grade 12, won the Gold Key for her painting, “Balcony,” which also received the first place painting award in the upper school’s juried art exhibit in May. Of everything she has done in the past few years, it’s the piece with which she is most satisfied. What she likes most about the piece are the colors. “I love the greens and contrasting red-orange, the shades of brown and blue and the caramel-like tone on the side.” The way in which the colors were mixed played into Xie’s technical skills as a painter. “I think I’ve always been super-sensitive to colors and somewhat obsessed with balancing palettes.”

“No matter how you feel about your works, that should not prevent you from just taking a leap of faith and showing it to others or submitting it in contests, because you never know how special it might be for someone (or everyone) else. Believe in yourself.” —Xinyi “Cherry” Xie, grade 12

To future AP Studio Art students, Xie has some sage advice: “Listen to [your teacher] and submit your pieces! It’s worth the extra effort!” Xie says as the creator of a piece of art, it is difficult to judge it objectively, and hard to realize that what was created was in fact very special. “No matter how you feel about your works,” says Xie, “that should not prevent you from just taking a leap of faith and showing it to others or submitting it in contests, because you never know how special it might be for someone (or everyone) else. Believe in yourself.” Sage advice, indeed! For more information on the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, visit www. artandwriting.org.

H A R K E R Q U A R T E R LY

SPRING 2 0 1 2

GlobalEducation

Photos by Kyle Cavallaro

On the final day of their visit, the students were treated to a farewell breakfast, where students from both Harker and WFLMS gave special performances.

Chinese Exchange Students Visit Harker By Zach Jones Nineteen students from the World Foreign Language Middle School (WFLMS) in Shanghai, China, visited Harker in mid-January for this year’s exchange between the two schools. The visitors stayed with grade 8 families who kept them busy with activities, including visits to the many beautiful and historic sites in the area. While at Harker, the students spent their days observing and participating in classes, such as Monica Colletti’s drama class and Elizabeth Saltos’ art class. They also made Native American dream catchers with middle school history teacher Keith Hirota and embarked on a scavenger hunt on the middle school campus. Another highlight of their visit was a trip to Stanford University, where they toured the large campus and got to peruse its bookstore. Later that day, back at Harker, they enjoyed a dance class taught by Gail Palmer. On the final day of their visit, the students were treated to a farewell breakfast, where students from both Harker and WFLMS gave special performances. The Harker students will visit their WFLMS friends in China in late March.

H A R K E R Q U A R T E R LY

S P R I N G 2 012

GlobalEducation Alumna Partners Kazakh School with Harker Dozens of Harker middle school students participated in an email pen pal exchange with the Nazarbayev Intellectual School in Astana, Kazakhstan, with whom they recently shared a video conference. The exchange was initiated by Lauren Gutstein ’06, currently teaching English at the Kazakh school. “Lauren was home for a visit, came to meet with our students and gave them cards that her kids made,” said Jennifer Walrod, director of global education. “Our kids, in turn, sent back many cards with her for their buddies. Email exchanges followed. “We use ePals (a secure emailing site), and I have found that some kids are emailing each other [at least once a week],” Walrod said.

Photo provided by Lauren Gutstein ’06

Students noted they don’t really know a lot about this region and commented that Kazakh kids look very similar to Harker kids. As Kazakhstan is sandwiched between Asia, the Middle East, Russia and Europe, Kazakh kids have a variety of ethnic makeups. Gutstein also noted parallels between the two schools. “These schools are for high-achieving students and they are somewhat experimental,” she said. Nazarbayev is

By Igor Hiller

working with many international groups, the University of Pennsylvania, Johns Hopkins University, University College London and others, to bring new ideas to what is still a very Soviet system of education. “Math and science competitions and olympiads are a big deal,” said Gutstein, “and most students have extra classes after school and on Saturdays. National dance and music (like the dombra, a national instrument) are also common extracurriculars. My fellow foreign teachers and I are trying to add to this with activities like creative writing, choir, book club and various drama clubs.” Walrod hopes the exchange will continue in subsequent years, and was pleased with an inaugural video conference in Photo provided by upper school journalism early February, when the students were able to interact face to face for the first time. It was initiated by the Kazakh students as part of their English Week activities. The students participated in a question and answer session, as well as a fun show-and-tell about current trends, fashions, games and talents, and the conference concluded with an exchange of Russian and Kazakh idioms and slang.

Tamagawa Students Make New Upper School Friends By Zach Jones Rina Sakuraba and Maki Shibata, two upper school students from Harker’s sister school in Tokyo, Tamagawa Gakuen, spent a month at the upper school experiencing the life of Harker students firsthand. The students had a schedule of classes and activities for each week of their stay. Shibata enjoyed psychology class and listening to the Harker orchestra during rehearsal, while Sakuraba had fun participating in Masako Onakado’s Contemporary Japanese class and sitting in on Cantilena’s class sessions to listen to the talented singers. The students also had a great time at the Winter Ball and went on a trip to Santa Cruz on a day off, where they had fun on the rides at the famous beach boardwalk. Middle

school Japanese students were also paid a visit by the two students, who gave presentations on Japanese cultural topics such as origami, kabuki Photo by Kyle Cavallaro and Japanese hot springs (known as onsen). Prior to heading back to Japan, Sakuraba and Shibata said they found Harker students to be very friendly and hoped to strengthen their newfound friendships in the future. H A R K E R Q U A R T E R LY

S P R I N G 2 012

GlobalEducation Middle School Students Trek to Japan By Zach Jones A group of 27 grade 7 students and four chaperones traveled to Japan in December to see the country’s many cultural wonders and visit their friends at Tamagawa Gakuen in Tokyo. The contingent spent the first stage of their trip traveling through Kyoto, Japan’s former capital city, viewing the famous Golden Pavilion, as well as visiting the Gion district, well-known as a center of geisha culture in Japan. There, they also painted fans using their own unique designs.

Photos provided by Jennifer Walrod

Next, they boarded a bullet train bound for Hiroshima, where they visited Miyajima

Island and its famous Itsukushima Shrine. “Although it was low tide, it was too muddy for the kids to walk up to the torii gate, but they were able to take many photos of this UNESCO World Heritage site,” said Jennifer Walrod, global education director. The students then revisited Kyoto to tour Nijo castle, the stronghold of the shogun during the Tokugawa era. Upon arriving in Tokyo, the students were greeted by a teacher from Tamagawa and escorted to their hotel. The next morning, they were greeted with excitement by their friends at Tamagawa, who treated them to a special welcome ceremony. Over the next few days, the students attended classes with their Tamagawa buddies and visited various sites around Tokyo, sampling the many different foods and treats. 28

H A R K E R Q U A R T E R LY

S P R I N G 2 012

Tamagawa Music Teacher Spends Two Weeks at Harker Kouya Asahi, music teacher at Tamagawa Gakuen, spent two weeks in January teaching students at all three Harker campuses. Middle school music teacher Dave Hart visited Tamagawa in October to teach their students and came away excited at the prospect of having Asahi bring his unique vision to Harker’s orchestras. In addition to teaching Harker’s students Asahi was also treated to a performance of the musical “West Side Story” at the San Jose Center for Performing Arts. Photo by Kyle Cavallaro

Milestones

Photos by Kyle Cavallaro

Photo provided by Alexandra Rosenboom

By Igor Hiller

RewindRevise.com, a prominent national blog on poetry and writing, interviewed

Alexandra Mattraw Rosenboom, upper school English teacher, on poetry, art and the joy of teaching at Harker.

Debra Nott, director of nursing, hosted a meeting of the Nurses Association of

Santa Clara County in the Nichols Hall rotunda on Feb. 8. Nott is president of the group, which meets thrice yearly to discuss issues relevant to school nurses and to provide continuing education. Before the meeting, the visiting nurses were treated to a campus tour. “Since all the other nurses are from public schools, you can imagine how impressed they were with our campus,” said Nott. “They kept asking me if I planned to retire any time soon!” After the tour everyone did some networking, then sat down to enjoy a delicious buffet dinner catered by the Harker kitchen staff. “The rotunda was a beautiful venue and the catering staff did a spectacular job of setting out food that was not only delicious, but beautifully presented as well,” said Nott. During dinner, the Nurses Association heard two speakers on Autism Spectrum Disorders, a growing issue for schools. The first speaker was a young man with autism who spoke of his experience attending school and the challenges he faced. The second speaker was Dr. Pilar Bernal, whose practice deals exclusively with children and adults with autism.

In the interview, Rosenboom said, “Poetry is everything,” adding, “Writing is that innate and inherent in my perception and the way that I live …. It is so inherent in what I have to do to be happy.” Rosenboom, who holds a B.A. in creative writing from UCLA, an M.A. in humanities from the University of Chicago and an MFA in poetry from the University of San Francisco, advised aspiring writers: “Of course, write every day.” Rosenboom also spoke of her experience teaching at Harker. She said she loved being a teacher and felt lucky to spend her time with “brilliant and inspiring students while swimming in readings and discussions of James Joyce, Toni Morrison, Camus, Shakespeare and Dostoevsky.” She added that without Harker’s support of her passion, completing her MFA would have been much more difficult. Rosenboom published her first chapbook, “Projection,” through Achiote Press, and is working on a new book titled “Inside the Mind’s Hotel.”

HHAARRKKEERR QQUUAARRTTEERRLY LY

SSPPRRIINNGG 22001122

CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL

INFLUENZA PROJECT DEPENDS ON

STUDENT RESEARCHERS AND CAMPUS POPULATION By Zach Jones

arker’s upper school was recently selected to be the site of a study, funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), on how influenza and other diseases are transmitted from one person to another. Headed by Dr. Marcel Salathé, who leads a group of researchers based at Penn State, the Harker Influenza Project was kicked off in January and is being helped by several teams of Harker students, each working on a project that will further the goal of discovering how disease spreads. On Jan. 24, March 2 and March 13, those taking part in the project wore motes (small electronic tracking devices worn around the neck) that recorded data on where they went and who they interacted with during the day. Whenever one mote wearer came within close enough proximity with another, the motes would record one another’s number, as well as that of the stationary motes that were placed in every room on campus.

Photo by Kyle Cavallaro

Salathé previously conducted research on the upper school campus during the 2009-10 school year. His findings were published in the prestigious “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,” and he received a $1.4 million grant from the CDC to continue his research. Because the previous project enjoyed a 95 percent participation rate, Salathé again opted to conduct research at Harker. This time, he and his team have help from several specially selected Harker juniors, who are leading the project groups. One of the student projects, led by Michael Cheng, is the development of an application for smart phones that collects data on a person’s movements using a phone’s GPS capabilities. “Once started, the app will get a GPS reading every time the user moves a certain distance, which it will store along with a time stamp,” Cheng said. The goal of the application is to build upon the information recorded by the motes. “When the user has an Internet connection, the app will send the phone ID, name and location to the student server,” he said. The students have been helped during this project by Harker parent Somnath Banerjee (Nila, grade 10), who provided advice when the app was being planned and will be available for assistance when the students encounter a problem in testing. Suchita Nety is heading up two teams responsible for finding out how environmental factors contribute to the spread of disease. One team, led by Ilsa Zhang, is researching how airflow can affect influenza outbreaks by examining carbon dioxide levels in rooms on campus. 30

H A R K E R Q U A R T E R LY

S P R I N G 2 012

“The CO2 team is gathering data using sensors which store data on CO2 levels, humidity and temperature, as well as examining air samples for microbes,” Nety said. “This data will reveal how the ventilation in a room, along with humidity and temperature, affects the number of airborne particles suspended in the air, as well as the likelihood of airborne transmission.” Another team is examining surfaces on the upper school campuses for bacteria to gain insight on how disease can spread via contact with tables and countertops. “I really looked forward to the hands-on laboratory experience of actually swabbing the tables and visually seeing the bacteria that will be collected,” said chief researcher Andrew Luo. The team is swabbing surfaces and using Petri dishes to view the bacteria found on the various surfaces around campus. Indulaxmi Seeni’s team is comparing data recorded by motes to the information received through surveys done by the mote wearers. “Our goal is to determine by how much the two differ and to find a way to interpret the data most accurately,” Seeni said. Her team will be looking at the data from several different angles, such as whether or not longer interactions are remembered more accurately and whether participants better remember people they see more often. The team will be collecting data from surveys during March and comparing it with the data sets received from the motes. The final student research team will confirm the findings of Salathé’s previous project, “namely, to support the map of flu transmission he’d created using motes with actual evidence,” said lead investigator Victoria Lin. Participants have the option of volunteering to have their nasal areas and throats swabbed if they report a temperature of 100 or higher. These samples are sent to researchers at Stanford and the University of Pittsburgh for genome sequencing. This will confirm if the same flu virus is spreading or if a new one has been introduced. “We’re also assessing the accuracy of tests known as rapid diagnostics tests, which can give a positive or negative for presence of the flu within 10 minutes, often less,” Lin said. Dr. Vicki Barclay, one of the Penn State researchers, was glad to see so many students wearing motes. “It’s good to see that we have so many people participating again,” she said. Lin, meanwhile, was glad her team was able to gather enough interest in being swabbed. “People have been more receptive than I’d anticipated, given that there’s something of a gross factor with the swabbing,” she said. “We have more than 100 volunteers, which is definitely more than I’d expected, and [student council] and the project team have been great about helping pique interest in the project.”

Photos by Kyle Cavallaro

“Because the previous project enjoyed a 95 percent participation rate, Salathé again opted to conduct research at Harker.”

H A R K E R Q U A R T E R LY

S P R I N G 2 012

........

Concert and Speaker Series

..........

. ..

.....

...

oto

...

by D

...

......

g ra de 12 gu ye n, ev in N

Gerald Clayton Trio a Hit

The Gerald Clayton Trio played to one of the largest Harker Concert Series audiences to date on Jan. 20, a fine night for an indoor show, given the rainy weather. Middle school music teacher Dave Hart introduced Clayton, 27, a three-time Grammy award nominee who has worked with greats such as Roy Hargrove, Lewis Nash and Clark Terry. Joining him on drums was Justin Brown, a graduate of the Dave Brubeck Institute and Juilliard, attending both on full scholarships. On bass was Matt Brewer, a professional performer since the age of 12 and a highly indemand sideman, according to Clayton.

Appearing the very portrait of concentration, Clayton put hand to keys, performing a dissonant improvisation before segueing nicely into a slow and soft rendition of the standard “It Could Happen to You.” Brown used his brushes to great effect, adding an ethereal touch to his steady, nuanced technique. Both he and Brewer contributed the first of many tasteful solos that evening, while Clayton’s increasingly dexterous playing brought the song to an exciting finish. Clayton followed up with “Major Hope,” an original composition that began with rapid staccato chords in shifting times, gradually swelling into an upbeat display of musicianship, featuring Clayton’s fluid improvisational skills and Brown’s exacting touch.

... Trio. . . . .

. ...

...

. ...

.. .. ..

...

....

..........

.....

By Zach Jones

Roger Kim ’07, who studied music at the University of California, Berkeley, was also impressed with the show. “I see a lot of jazz, and this definitely was a unique experience,” he said, mentioning that the Clayton concert was among the best he’d seen.

la C

ld a

r e G

. . Th

......

Photos by John Ho

.. ...

... ........

...

SPRING 2 012

H A R K E R Q U A R T E R LY

...

. ..

“It was beyond my expectations,” Bill Fraser, a longtime jazz listener, said of the show. “Particularly the couple of ballads they played .... It’s just rare when a jazz trio settles down in that mood and gets it.”

. ADA M

OL K

.. Photos by Devin Nguyen, grade 12

By Catherine Snider The Harker Concert Series is in its second year, yet has already established itself as a must-see event for lovers of classical and jazz repertoire. Pianist Adam Golka sold out Nichols Hall auditorium on Feb. 4 as the third installment of this year’s series, following Opera San Jose and the Gerald Clayton Trio. Texan Golka is only 24 years old and has had a grueling concertizing schedule for some time. Winner of several major international piano competitions, including the Shanghai International Piano Competition in 2003 and the Gilmore Young Artist Award in 2008, Golka added Harker to his list of impressive collaborations, which include Carnegie Hall with the New York Youth Symphony and the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. The second star of the show was the piano, a seven-foot-eight-inch Bechstein, generously leant for the evening by Piedmont Piano Company. Golka’s program showed off not only his own technical mastery, but the warmth of this wonderful instrument. Fittingly for the Bechstein’s rich and dramatic sonority, Golka played a program of Romantic music, with a Beethoven sonata, three intermezzi by Brahms and Liszt’s famous “Mephisto Waltz” in the first half of the concert. After intermission, Golka was a tour de force, playing what is generally considered by pianists to be Beethoven’s most difficult piece, the “Hammerklavier” sonata. Each movement of this 45-minute piece showcased a different strength of both

Golka met with audience members in the atrium after the performance.

partially attributed to those companies’ marketing tactics. Fortunately, in recent years key laws have been passed that make it easier for consumers to know the risks in using prescribed pharmaceuticals. One law passed just this year requires pharmaceutical companies to disclose any payments they have made to doctors greater than $10, so that patients can find out if a doctor’s prescription of a certain drug is suspect. “Being a good parent today requires more, as if it isn’t enough, than making good choices as individual parents,” he said. “I think we also have to work to change the conditions under which we and other parents are making those choices, and we also have to become active in demanding public measures that protect children from harm.”

Joel Bakan Speaks on the Trend of Marketing to Children By Zach Jones Lawyer and author Joel Bakan appeared at Harker’s upper school campus on Jan. 22 to discuss the topic of his latest book, “Childhood Under Siege: How Big Business Targets Children.” The book details the many increasingly insidious ways in which children are targeted by marketers, especially with the advent of the Internet and social media.

J OEL B A K AN .

..........................

Concerned about the “increasingly brazen” tactics marketers use to target children, Bakan interviewed several leading marketers for the book and found them to be candid about their goals, proclaiming that their mission is “to uncover and then manipulate kids’ emotional hot buttons and desires” in order to sell their products. Bakan also talked about how pharmaceutical companies have marketed more and more toward children in the last 30 years. “What I do think is happening is that there is a trend of overmedication,” which he

Photo by Kyle Cavallaro

Adam Golka Fills the House in Last Concert of the Season

Golka and the Bechstein, with furious staccato passages, flowing, almost post-Romantic interludes and Bach-inspired fugal passages.

H A R K E R Q U A R T E R LY

SPRING 2 0 1 2

By Debbie Cohen

Fashions may trend, but celebrating special moments with friends, family and as a community will never go out of style.

Photo by Megan Prakash, grade 10

w o h S h s i l y t S , y t i n u m m o Unites C s d n u F s e s Rai

H A R K E R Q U A R T E R LY

SPRING 2 0 1 2

More than 1,000 guests who attended The Harker School’s recent fashion show had the rare opportunity both to unite for a good cause and catch a glimpse of the latest in runway fashion trends. The hottest looks by top designers were seen walking a catwalk not in Paris, Milan or even New York – but on a stage much closer to home. Held at the bustling downtown San Jose Convention Center, the fashion show wowed its audience, living up to its nine-year-old reputation as a fun, profitable fundraiser. Appreciative guests filled both lunch and dinner gatherings, which were open to the public. The theme of the event, which raised funds and awareness for the school, was Celebrate! ... K through Life! Money raised will go a long way towards aiding Harker’s scholarship and other funds.

a Kyle C by Photo

Also on hand to provide ambience and drum up pre-show excitement were student chamber ensembles, playing in the outside hall. Some attendees spilled out to the adjoining patio to catch up with friends from the Harker community and enjoy the glorious weather. Others had their pictures taken with various props at a photo booth, run by volunteer students Crystal Chen and Mark Taboada, called “Celebrate Your Inner Fashionista.”

laro val

“We are first-time volunteers,” said the duo, both seniors, noting that they have the ambitious goal of wanting to attend every school event at least once before graduating. Standing nearby was Rohan Arora, grade 4,

Photo by Michelle Lo, grade 12.

Photo by Mercedes Chien, grade 10 Photo by Michelle Douglas, grade 11

Even before the doors officially opened, guests were entertained by perusing the variety of auction items on display outside the main ballroom. This year’s live auction included temptations such as a one-week stay at a luxury Costa Rican estate, a private dinner with the head of school, and a food and wine pairing party for 12 people.

As guests were taking their seats, the Harker Jazz Band, directed by Chris Florio, played. Then Varsity Dance Troupe took to the stage in a choreographed, energetic opener to formally open the show, performing in black pants, gold tops and black sequined jackets, their hair held up in sophisticated twists.

Photo by Megan Prakash, grade 10

The theme was carried through in celebrations of inner and outer beauty, illustrated with moving videos and breathtaking runway fashions. The videos shared the stories of the students themselves and the bonds they had formed with their close-knit community of teachers and peers. Fashions representing a range of top designers were expertly modeled by both students, teachers and parents alike.

Photo by Devin Nguyen, grade 12

Photo by Kyle Cavallaro

who came out in support of his sister Riya, grade 2 and one of the fashion show’s models. Clad in a smart suit and tie to show his support of both the school and his sister, he said it is his first year attending, but now he wants to come every year. Once invited inside, guests couldn’t help but admire the beautifully decorated ballroom, complete with floral centerpieces held in place by a bow-tied box designed to look like a present. In further keeping with the theme of celebrating special occasions was a box of toy noisemakers so the audience could cheer on the models.

Chris Nikoloff, head of school, welcomed guests, noting that he had just enjoyed a personal celebration of his own – the birth of his third child. He later introduced Revanth Kosaraju, grade 12, the upper school’s student body president. Nikoloff joked that he might as well “hand over my keys to the office to Revanth,” calling Kosaraju an all-around amazing school representative. Taking the microphone, Kosaraju then thanked the fashion show donors, reading a moving quote from a student who wouldn’t otherwise have been able to attend Harker, had he not benefited from a financial aid scholarship. The music and visuals which accompanied the models were all the brainchild of Laura Lang-Ree, the show’s director and chair of the performing arts department. The music was a mix of top-pop hits matching

H A R K E R Q U A R T E R LY

SPRING 2 0 1 2 3 5

Photo by Devin Nguyen, grade 12

Photo by Kyle Cavallaro

Photo by Michelle Douglas, grade 11

Net proceeds from Celebrate!, which are still being totaled at press time, go to provide financial assistance to students who would otherwise be unable to benefit from a Harker education, fund the construction of the new gym and performing arts center, and support the mission to purchase a third campus.

For the grand finale, festive, multicolored confetti was shot high above the stage and everyone walked down the catwalk one last time, driving home the fact that this year’s fashion show – while honoring celebrations – was truly a grand celebration in and of itself. 36

H A R K E R Q U A R T E R LY

SPRING 2 0 1 2

Photo by Megan Prakash, grade 10

Photo by Megan Prakash, grade 10 Photo by Kyle Cavallaro

The modeling sessions moved effortlessly from young children who would have looked adorable even without the added benefit of gorgeous clothes, to adults who ruled the runway for the segment “A Job Well Done.” Props this year for the students were fun and playful, including skateboards, scooters and jump ropes. Adult props included briefcases, cell phones and Starbucks coffee cups. As if that weren’t enough excitement, Dance Fusion and Downbeat provided memorable musical numbers in between modeling segments.

In closing, Sue Prutton, fashion show liaison and upper school volunteer director, urged attendees to cherish memories of both their personal, family and communal school celebrations.

Photo by Megan Prakash, grade 10

each themed model session. Clothes were graciously provided by designers Ken Chen, Eli Thomas for Men, Tommy Bahama, Old Navy, Oakley, Spazio and more. The Chen segment was especially exciting, as the couture designer dressed Harker’s models in some of the clothes he had just shown in New York at the premiere of his fall 2012 collection.

Photo by Devin Nguyen, grade 12

“I’m a journalism student, helping out at the fashion show by conducting roaming interviews and live tweeting. It’s been a great hands-on experience.” —Nisha Bhikha, grade 11

Thanks from Show Liaison Sue Prutton “Celebrate! … K through life!” was such a huge success because of the 66 parent committee members who worked tirelessly for nine months and many more volunteers who worked on the event day to make sure this party was a blast. Event day workers included countless students from the upper and middle schools, who served as hosts, volunteers, greeters and backstage crew. This year we even had ASB president Revanth Kosaraju presenting on stage with Mr. Nikoloff. Without the tireless volunteer hours, support and commitment from parents, staff and students, this event would not have been possible. The success of this fundraiser also depends on the many sponsors and advertisers who support it and the fashion partners we rely upon every year (see sponsor list below). This year we had an all-time high of 12 different fashion partners including several couture designers, who wowed on stage! Please be sure to let them know you’re a Harker parent and thank them for their support whenever you use their services. One-of-a-kind and brand name stores alike need to know that they are benefitting from their developing relationship with us. Thanks, everyone, for another great year.

Sue Prutton

“This is my first year working (as a hostess) at the fashion show. It’s really exciting. I’m happy to do it, to help fund financial aid and Harker’s future.” —Priyanka Sharma, grade 12 “This is a wonderful opportunity for both parents and kids. It’s also good exposure for Harker and demonstrates how the school manages the balance between academics and social events.” —Priya Venkatesh, parent of Anagha Ram, grade 3 “Working the coat check has been a great way to see the fashion show up close and behind the scenes … I’m amazed by all the impressive work that goes into it. I’m graduating next year and really going to miss Harker. It’s a very special place.” —Patrick Yang, grade 12 “I don’t have any more kids at Harker, but I have many friends here and decided to attend the fashion show because I still feel very much a part of the community.” —Lori Saxon, parent of Kevin, Class of 2010

Photo by Kyle Cavallaro

Thank you so much to all our wonderful sponsors, and special thanks to those who have sponsored the fashion show for six or more years – they are marked with an *. Fashion Partners

Hair & Makeup by The Studio SPONSORS

Rajat Bahri and Kavita Tankha · The Keller Family Huican Zhu & Hong Wei · Marcia & Chris Riedel - Hunter Labs* · Michel Susai & Sudha Michel · Krish & Nina Panu* · Rector Motor Car Company* Cybil & Mike Armstrong, TICO Construction • Ajay Chopra & Shyamoli Banerjee • The Davis Family* • The Gurleroglu Family & MG Insurance Agency • Heritage Bank of Commerce* KangLi International, Inc. • The Liu Family • The Madala Family • The Sutardja & Dai Family

Media & In-Kind Sponsors Blue Heron Design Group* • Diamond Quality Printing* • JP Digital • Williams Party Rentals *Our six-year and above sponsors.

H A R K E R Q U A R T E R LY

SPRING 2 0 1 2

PerformingArts

Winter Performances Showcase

Photos by Devin Nguyen, grade 12

Student Talent and Passion Compiled from Harker News Online by Sara Kendall

Dancing Through Life On two nights in late January, the Harker Conservatory presented Dancing Through Life: Celebrating the Past and Looking to the Future. This year’s upper school dance production honored the past and present, showcasing classic hits and contemporary favorites while participants look towards futures as dancers and performing artists. Both performances were held at the Blackford Theater. The 86 cast members worked very hard to produce a beautiful, lively show. The evening, like the event’s name suggests, was split into two parts, with “Celebrating the Past” performances before intermission and “Looking to the Future” performances after it.

3 8 H A R K E R Q U A R T E R LY

S P R I N G 2 012

The directors, Karl Kuehn and Amalia De La Rosa, wrote in their program notes that the inspiration for the show’s name was Harker’s motto, “K through Life,” which “plays an integral role in our dance community, [which produces] lifelong learners and dancers who will carry this experience beyond the walls of the dance room and with them as they journey through life.”

PerformingArts

Photos by Jacqueline Orrell

Photos by Kyle Cavallaro

Lower School Winter Concert In early December, The Harker School’s lower school music students gathered for their annual concert. The concert featured five groups total: the choir, orchestra, jazz band and two preparatory ensembles. Technically, practice for the concert began on the first day of class. Class and practice are one and the same, and the concert allows students to showcase the broad range of styles they’ve learned by singing and playing various pieces. Closer to the concert date, students selected what they wanted to play. The wonderfully varied program was capped off by a unique, energetic song choice. As the finale for the event, the students chose the theme song to the popular game Angry Birds. The students wore Angry Birds hats, and the piece was conducted with a slingshot.

For the full performing arts stories search online at news.harker.org.

Middle and Upper School Winter Concert In mid-January, The Harker School had its 2012 Winter Concert at the Mexican Heritage Theater in San Jose. The show featured the middle school orchestras and jazz band for the first part of the evening, with the upper school orchestra and jazz band following right after. Middle school wind and string ensembles started the evening. The Grade 6 Orchestra took the stage next, and they were followed by the chamber ensemble performances. Then it was grades 7 and 8 students’ turn to shine, which they certainly did through various jazz band pieces as well as through the orchestra’s three selections. The upper school started off their portion of the evening with their jazz band, and after a short intermission, the upper school orchestra took the stage. They closed out an enjoyable evening with four pieces.

H A R K E R Q U A R T E R LY

S P R I N G 2 012

PerformingArts WinterSong Delights

Photos by Kyle Cavallaro

At the end of January, the upper school Conservatory had its annual WinterSong concert. This performance features Bel Canto, a group known for the many musical genres it explores. Several of these were featured at the show, including musical theater, pop and classical, the last of which was particularly rich this year due to two special guests: Cantilena, Harker’s “all-classical-all-the-time” women’s ensemble and Camerata, a mixed classical, choral chamber ensemble, who perform essential works in various languages. Each group performed one piece at WinterSong this year. In addition to collaborating with soloists, Bel Canto also joined forces with a few talented instrumentalists. This year’s event, which was overseen by Jennifer Cowgill, Bel Canto’s director, included students from every upper school grade level.

Downbeat’s Annual Holiday Tour

Grade 5 Takes On the Rockin’ Musical “School Daze” At the end of January, the entire grade 5 class at The Harker School presented “School Daze: Scenes and Songs from a Rockin’ School Day.” The musical starts in an “Average Family Kitchen” and takes the audience through the beginning of the day (a scene featuring a song called “I’m in a Daze”) and then through a variety of classes, such as history, English, math, P.E. and choir. Each of the song and dance performances accompanying the scenes had its own unique spin on an aspect of a school day, with song titles such as “I Love My Locker” and “Cafeteria Confusion.” One of the big highlights of the play – which proved to be a delight throughout – was that the students portrayed Harker teachers in any scene a teacher was called for. There were three showings of the musical, including a special performance for the rest of the lower school. 40

H A R K E R Q U A R T E R LY

S P R I N G 2 012

Downbeat, the upper school’s show choir, brought holiday cheer to the Bay Area in December. They were featured performers at the holiday boutique at Filoli Gardens and gathered an impressive crowd beneath the giant Christmas tree at Pier 39. They also caroled through the halls of the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital children’s oncology ward and sang for both independent seniors and those in assisted living at The Forum in Los Altos. The group closed the evening with a show in the lounge of the San Jose Fairmont Hotel, with family, friends, teachers and administrators cheering them on.

Conservatory Classic Harker Conservatory alumni reunited in late December for the fourth Alumni Conservatory Classic, held in the Nichols Hall auditorium, featuring alumni from as far back as 2004. Instrumental talent on display included several violinists, a cellist and a guitarist. Among the many vocal performers onstage during the evening was a duet from a pair of 2011 graduates, followed by many other soloists, including more of the recent ’11 grads as well as graduates from 2007. One solo performance featured dance accompaniment while others were performed in foreign languages, including a stunning piece in French. Soloists weren’t the only ones to get in on the act, though. A large group of former Cantilena singers from many different graduating classes took the stage that evening, and Guys’ Gig alumni closed the show with arranged versions of popular songs.

Student-Directed Showcase In January, three seniors made their directorial debuts at this year’s Student-Directed Showcase. Each chose a play to direct and produce, learning a great deal in the process.

Photo by Mercedes Chien, Grade 10

From auditioning actors to arranging sets to technical planning, directors gained a wealth of hands-on experience during the class, which many apply for but few get to take. This year’s productions were “Rosencranz and Guildenstern are Dead,” “Voices in Conflict” and “How to Succeed in High School Without Really Trying.”

PerformingArts London New Year’s Eve Performance by The Harker Orchestra The Harker Orchestra, the upper school’s largest musical ensemble, directed by Chris Florio, performed in London during the city’s New Year celebration. The 76 musicians performed at the famous Cadogan Hall and received a very enthusiastic response. “The audience’s spontaneous reaction was one of the highlights of my musical life because it was so genuine,” said Florio. “They had to stand up right away. I’ve never experienced that as a conductor.” The students also had the opportunity to march in the London New Year’s Day parade, carrying the flags of the countries participating in this year’s summer Olympic games, which will take place in London.

Photos provided by Chris Daren

Baby Wants Candy Brings Tons of Energy to Unique Improv Sessions Laughter rang through Saratoga and Blackford campuses in early February when Harker was visited by Baby Wants Candy, a musical comedy improvisational troupe who led workshops and performed at a sold-out event. Baby Wants Candy has permanent troupes in New York and Chicago; at any given time they may have 40-50 performers in groups that tour, including to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where their relationship with Harker began. The troupe performed at an upper school assembly on Feb. 3 and spent both lunchtimes answering questions from Conservatory students at a “Life in the Arts” workshop. On Friday and Saturday afternoons, Harker students

were put through their improv paces in five hours of workshops. They spent Friday breaking down the elements of improv and listening to a fabulous primer on this difficult art form. Saturday they were joined by more of the cast, and the lessons continued, eventually preparing the students for participation in the BWC show on Saturday night. The first half of the show allowed the Harker workshop students to spread their improv wings and test out all they had learned in the past days. BWC cast members led the students through all manner of improv games, all based on suggestions from the audience.

Then the BWC cast performed. An audience member suggested the title “Presidents on Jeopardy,” and a fully choreographed, plotted and staged musical unfolded, replete with topical political references, hilarious rhymes, and the Jeopardy theme song woven throughout several of the musical numbers.

H A R K E R Q U A R T E R LY Photos by Jennie Xu, grade 12

S P R I N G 2 012

GreaterGood

By Emily Chow ’08

Generous Donations and Outreach Show Our Community Spirit

Lower School Before the lower school went on winter break to celebrate the holiday season, grade 4 students organized their annual toy drive, collecting, counting and loading 809 toys. Student council members helped deliver the items to San Jose-based Sacred Heart Community Services (SHCS) and received a tour of the facilities that serve more than 18,000 families a month. “The volunteers at SHCS were thrilled with the donation,” Joe Connolly, K-5 dean of students, wrote in an email. “Your donations went a long way towards helping them reach their goal of making sure that every child has a toy to enjoy.” Before Christmas weekend, Sacred Heart put 16,000 gifts on display, where 5,000 parents with children in need picked out toys to bring home for Christmas.

H A R K E R Q U A R T E R LY

S P R I N G 2 012

At the end of January, the lower school held a special assembly in celebration of this year’s successful pajama collection and book drive. Dressed in pajamas for the occasion, upper school sophomores visited their grade 3 counterparts as part of the Eagle Buddies program and spent the duration of the assembly catching up, reading and celebrating the 425 pairs of pajamas and 475 books that were donated to families in need. Pallie Zambrano, co-president of the Northern California chapter of the Pajama Program, picked up the donations and congratulated the students, informing them that Harker has donated more than 1,800 pairs of pajamas in the last five years.

Photos by Kyle Cavallaro

The lower school also continued to work with the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital (LPCH) at Stanford University to brighten the walls and corridors of the hospital. This collaboration stemmed from a discussion between students and Eric Hoffman, lower school art department chair. Freshman Matthew Ho, then grade 5, suggested LPCH as a potential partner and, in spring 2009, about 50 pieces of student art marked the beginning of a long-term relationship. In December, an art curation and interior design team visited the lower school campus to select a new collection for rotation. The students showcased their work in the conference

room and the team selected grade 4’s spread of ceramic desserts and about 45 pieces of flatwork to display in LPCH’s clinic.

Photo by John Ho

Photo by Kyle Cavallaro

On Dec. 27, grade 3 families helped organize clothing donations, sort bread and prepare food items for SHCS. Organized by Heather Wardenburg (Amy, grade 11; Ricky, grade 3) and Stephanie Woolsey, grade 3 teacher and alumni mother, this holiday volunteer opportunity aligned with Woolsey’s desire to build community within the school while giving back to the larger community. Woolsey had volunteered with SHCS previously and found that it was “one of the few organizations that can use younger kids.” Kristin Tong, grade 3, spent her day bagging pears, apples and potatoes and enjoyed spending time with her friends outside, where “we got to help people.”

GreaterGood The upper school also helped with gift giving this past holiday season, donating toys and items to Family Supportive Housing, Scott Lane Elementary and Sacred Heart Community Service. Kerry Enzensperger, community service coordinator, recognized seniors Farrah Gulzar, Asia Howard, Dylan Qian and Michael Wu; juniors Michael Chen, Ashley Del Alto, Andre Tran and Daniel Wang; and freshman Katy Sanchez for their help in delivering the gifts to the three organizations.

Photo by Logan Drazovich, grade 8

Upper School

The middle school’s Service Club held its annual used coat drive, which was once again a great success, according to club advisor Steven Hewitt. The club collected more than 200 coats for InnVision, an organization dedicated to keeping the Bay Area’s homeless warm during the winter months. “The middle school Service Club’s annual donation of coats to InnVision has been a tradition for nearly 10 years now, and in that time we have donated close to, if not more than, 2,000 winter coats,”

Hewitt said. “I’m exceedingly proud of the students in the club who gave their time and effort to the drive.”

Photo by Devin Nguyen, grade 12

Seven grade 6 advisories joined together in February to send 110 Valentine’s Day cards to deployed military personnel around the world. These cards, filled with heartfelt messages, comments, jokes and words of encouragement, were shipped in care packages through the nonprofit A Million Thanks. Some advisories continued their efforts through March, making thank you cards to be delivered later this year.

On Jan. 28, upper school students joined Save the Bay in their restoration efforts, “Planting for Penguins.” More than 20 students spent the day at the Faber Tract in East Palo Alto weeding invasive mustard plants and planting different species of native plants in an effort to revitalize the marsh area. The students were pleasantly surprised to find that the lower school had also organized an outing for the same day and both worked alongside each other on the stretch by the levee. Interested in saving endangered species, Justin Gerard, grade 10, spent a portion of the day planting gum plants, which will eventually grow large enough for birds to use as shelter from predators. “I really liked this work because the progress was evident as we looked at the hundreds of plants that our group managed to root into the soil,” Gerard said. The upper school also continued efforts on-site, hosting a Kicks Against Cancer pizza party for families and

organizing an “Ai Support Japan” week (“ai” means “love” in Japanese). Japan Club reached out to Japanese National Honor Society (JNHS) advisor Masako Onakado about hosting a fundraiser this year and Onakado found a fitting cause and organization in Japan. Worried that people were forgetting about the devastation and difficulties

Photo by Devin Nguyen, grade 12

Middle School

Japan continues to face, Onakado made contact with a nonprofit organization helping coordinate efforts to fundraise for the Onagawa Kogakkan School and others. The school, in Onogawa, Miyagi, where the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami struck, helps provide classes and self-study areas to elementary and middle school students, many of whom are still living in temporary housing. “There are many students who were really concerned about Japan and have wanted to do something for the country,” Onakado said, recalling the 2,700 paper cranes students folded after the earthquake hit Japan, “so I wanted us to take action and communicate with the Harker community that Japan needs long-term support.” During the week, the JNHS and Japan Club sold tote bags with buttons designed by students, wristbands, candy, hot chocolate and Japanese tea, raising more than $1,500 for Onagawa Kougakkan students. To learn more about Harker’s community service efforts, visit news.harker.org and search “service.”

H A R K E R Q U A R T E R LY

S P R I N G 2 012

PASSAGES

Hundreds Gather to Celebrate the Life of

Sharron Mittelstet

In Memoriam

By Lauri Vaughan

ore than 500 students, teachers, parents, alumni and family members gathered in the Nichols Hall atrium March 10, to celebrate the life of Sharron Mittelstet. The much loved teacher, a 20-year veteran of Harker’s English department, succumbed to the debilitating effects of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease Feb. 2.

Steven Mittelstet, Mittelstet’s brother-in-law, introduced family, friends, colleagues and students who shared several reminiscences of her grace, wit, charm and perpetual enthusiasm. Steven Mittelstet read the words of Sharron’s daughter, Clare: “She was wildly, smartly funny … (and) her heart was immense.” The event featured a performance by teacher Laura Lang-Ree who sang “Let it Be,” accompanied by colleague Catherine Snider and seniors Govi Dasu, Alex Najibi, Lauren Pinzás and Noel Witcosky. Seniors Jun Hee Lee and Devin Nguyen created a photo montage for the event, and Cantilena, directed by Susan Nace, contributed a recording of “This Little Light of Mine,” which was played at the end of the service.

Head of School Chris Nikoloff fondly recalled speaking to Mittelstet about Huck Finn. “She talked about Huck as if she knew him, as if he were one of her students,” said Nikoloff, who added Mittelstet “saw a uniqueness worth celebrating” in Huck much as she did the hundreds of students she wrote letters of recommendations for over the years.

Photos supplied by Diana Moss and the Archives

H A R K E R Q U A R T E R LY

S P R I N G 2 012

Photo by Devin Nguyen, grade 12

Sharron Mittelstet made a tremendous, positive impact on the lives of many children during her distinguished teaching career at The Harker School. In return, initiated by her husband, John Mittelstet, we are proud to provide scholarship assistance in honor of Sharron Mittelstet to motivated and talented children who would otherwise not be able to attend Harker. Families wishing to contribute to this endowed scholarship fund can make their checks payable to The Harker School in memory of Sharron Mittelstet. Contact the executive director of advancement, Joe Rosenthal, at joer@harker.org with questions. Your contribution will be invested in the associated endowed scholarship fund. Through this fund, Sharron Mittelstet will continue to positively impact Harker students in perpetuity. Those wishing to send condolences can send them to Lori Villarreal at loriv@ harker.org and they will be passed on to the family.

Faculty members who also spoke included Butch Keller, upper school head, English teachers Stacie Newman, Steven Hewitt and Pauline Paskali and Spanish teacher Diana Moss. Surbhi Sarna ’03, Colby Rapson ’10 and Prag Batra, grade 12, also spoke to the large crowd. The event featured an extensive exhibit of photographs, classroom posters and letters from students. The exhibit was created by Paskali, Moss, administrative assistant Linda Brearley, teachers Chris Daren and Pilar Agüero-Esparza. Among the elements on display were the words of senior Neda Ghaffarian: “You have touched the hearts of many, and you will definitely live in mine forever.”

AlumniNews Compiled by William Cracraft, Igor Hiller and Zach Jones

Medical Students Drop By with Advice

Photos by Kyle Cavallaro

The Harker School had two medical students – who also happen to be Harker graduates – stop by upper school science chair Anita Chetty’s classroom in late November. They spoke to three different classes about what being in med school is really like, giving soon-to-be college students an insider’s look into both the course of study and the career it leads to. Alfred See and Geetanjali Vajapey, both Class of 2004, were home for Thanksgiving break when they decided to drop in and surprise Chetty,

“It’s a nice reminder that Harker is truly a family, even after graduation, whose students are always willing to share their time and expertise.” –Anita Chetty, upper school science chair

their former teacher. See, Chetty says, was also in the area interviewing for a residency. Chetty was pleased to see them both, especially considering they were only home for a few days. “It’s a nice reminder that Harker is truly a family, even after graduation, whose students are

always willing to share their time and expertise,” she said.

Harker Academy Grad Publishes Timely Book on Muslim Americans Ayesha Mattu ’86 was featured on the Sunday front page of the San Jose Mercury News Living section on Feb. 26. She co-edited a book titled “Love, InshAllah: The Secret Love Lives of American Muslim Women.” In the book, 25 Muslim women share their search for love and speak openly for the first time about love, relationships, sexuality, gender, identity, homophobia and racism. Mattu, who attended Harker Academy for grades 3-7, received Harker’s 2008 Alumni Community Service award. After graduating from Clark University, Mattu’s first job was as a public relations manager for Sahil, a Pakistani non-governmental organization addressing child abuse. Working on such a controversial and taboo subject in a conservative Islamic society proved challenging and rewarding.

H A R K E R Q U A R T E R LY

S P R I N G 2 012

AlumniNews In addition to her book editing work, Mattu is currently self-employed as a philanthropy consultant, helping organizations and individuals formulate strategies and practices to foster a social-change grant-making model. After Sahil, Mattu worked for Hagler-Bailly, where she researched community initiatives connected to the Himalayan Brown Bear Conservation Project. She then moved to Boston, where she was the coordinator for institutional giving at Grassroots International, a human rights organization that works with social movements and progressive organizations to build a global movement for social justice. Mattu met her husband at Grassroots International, and the pair moved to San Francisco, where she worked as a development officer for the Global Fund for Women. In addition to her book editing work, Mattu is currently self-employed as a philanthropy consultant, helping organizations and individuals formulate strategies and practices to foster a social-change grant-making model. Congratulations to Mattu on the publication of her book!

While at Tufts, Huda worked a semester as a verbal coach at LGR and three semesters as the director of the Tufts LGR program. After graduating

“I discovered major benefits of the model that mirrored tenets of the Harker experience.” –Shawn Huda ’06

from Tufts in 2010, Huda went on to work as a program associate in LGR’s Boston office, overseeing multiple programs. “I discovered major benefits of the model that mirrored tenets of the Harker experience,” said Huda. “Classes were kept small (five students, on average) to

ensure individualized attention and guidance; students both at the high school and college levels were empowered to take greater responsibility and ownership inside the classroom and out; and rather than focusing solely on one aspect, the SAT, the program took a holistic approach to preparing students for the college application process,” Huda said. He was given the unique role of managing LGR’s campaign for the 2011 American Giving Awards Competition and, in December, under Huda’s management, LGR took second place, a ranking determined via the campaign’s Facebook voting drive, and won the group $500,000. Read the story on LGR’s website: http://bit. ly/ok6bc5.

Alumna Wong ‘05 Founds Theater Company Kimberley Wong ’05 has co-founded a groundbreaking theater company in New York. Her group, called The Accidental Shakespeare Company, mixes theater with improvisation, with casting decisions made by the audience moments before curtain and random props thrown into the mix.

Tufts Grad Manages Campaign to Raise $500,000 for Nonprofit Shawn Huda ’06 said he first discovered Let’s Get Ready (LGR) during his sophomore year at Tufts University. “As a product of a minority, single parent household, I was immediately drawn to the nonprofit’s mission: to help break the cycle of poverty by empowering students to attend college,” said Huda.

H A R K E R Q U A R T E R LY

S P R I N G 2 012

Photo provided by Kimberley Wong ‘05

AlumniNews The theater company is dedicated to the idea of play. Wong says she realized the little moments of terror during a performance – when an actor forgets his line, or a set piece malfunctions, or a prop is missing – often spur the most exciting, interesting and real moments on stage. “Lately, I have become really tired of the kind of theater where they say: Stand here. Do this. Move your arm like that,” said Wong. “You start to feel like a set piece.” Wong believes accidents are part of the joy of live theater, which is why her company purposefully incorporates elements of change into their productions. Harker’s performing arts program played a significant role in Wong’s education. As a kindergartner, she was

“... I see how the work ethic, the professionalism and the passion that I learned at Harker set me apart from so many other actors.” –Kimberley Wong ’05 cast as a fairy princess in “Cinderella.” Every year thereafter Wong performed in Harker’s dance production. In grade 8, she performed in Harker Harmonics and played the lead role in “42nd Street” as a senior. She was also a musical theater certificate graduate in the Harker Conservatory. Said Wong, “I see how the work ethic, the professionalism and the passion that I learned at Harker set me apart from so many other actors. It is the reason ... why I can develop and run my company!” After graduation, Wong attended New York University, where she earned a BFA in drama. Her most recent theater credits include playing Juliet at the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, and Wong is currently in an apprenticeship at the Pearl Theater in New York, understudying Julia in George Bernard Shaw’s “The Philanderer.”

Maggie Woods ’10 was recently accepted to a visiting student program at Oxford University. Currently a history major at Santa Clara University, Woods plans to study medieval and early modern British history as well as Latin and Greek during her stay at Oxford. “Oxford has been the dream since sophomore year of high school, pretty much as soon as I decided that I wanted to continue studying history,” Woods said. She visited Oxford while on a trip to London the summer after her junior year at Harker. “The atmosphere is magical, and not just because it reminds me of Harry Potter,” she joked. “I felt an urge to study while I was there.”

Photo provided by Kate Shanahan

Natalie and Naomi So, ‘08 and ‘11, respectively, met Kate Shanahan, lower school English teacher, for coffee over winter break and caught up on each others’ lives. “Nat is finishing up at Harvard and Naomi has just finished her first semester at UCLA,” said Shanahan. “Both are wonderful! Smart, gorgeous, intelligent, mature young women.”

Photos provided by Kimberley Wong ‘05

Alumna Accepted to Oxford Visiting Student Program

H A R K E R Q U A R T E R LY

S P R I N G 2 012

LookingAhead K-12 Spring Concert The Drowsy Chaperone Senior Showcase Kindergarten Show

April 13 April 19-21

April 26-27 May 3

Songs into Summer

May 4

Bucknall Music Concert

May 8

The Boyfriend

May 11-12

Bucknall Dance Concert

May 25

www.harker.org

H A R K E R Q U A R T E R LY

WHERE

Open to all grade 6-8 football players

(beginners to advanced)

The Harker School Upper School - Davis Field 500 Saratoga Ave., San Jose

WHEN

March 13–May 17, 2012 Tues. & Thurs. 6 -7:30 p.m.

2012

online at www.harker.org/ footballschool

Coach Ron Forbes, in his first year as Harker’s head football coach, brings with him more than 15 years of coaching experience at the Collegiate Division 1 level at schools that include the University of Florida and Stanford. Coach Forbes has had more than 60 of his athletes drafted into the NFL over a 15-year span. During his stint at Stanford, Coach Forbes was second only to USC in the PAC 10, and ranked 17th among all BCS schools for the number of players drafted by the NFL.

The Harker School • 500 Saratoga Ave., San Jose, 95129 • www.harker.org Questions? Contact communications@harker.org or call 408.249.2510

2nd Annual Harker Alumni Families Easter Egg Hunt

June 1-2

See the rotating banner on Harker’s homepage for more information and tickets for each event.

WHO

April 27

US Spring Choral Concert

Spring Sing

JUMP START YOUR GAME BEFORE FALL - SIGN UP TODAY!

SPRING

Coming Attractions

hARKER FOOTBALL SCHOOL

SPRING 2012

Sat., March 24, 2012 at 9 a.m. Bucknall Campus RSVP: 408.345.9264 or alumni@harker.org Questions: MaryEllis Deacon, Director of Alumni Relations

LookingAhead AL

mps Sports Ca s • Aquatic ry Discove all • Basketb • Football • Soccer

• Sports ance Perform • Tennis all • Volleyb olo P r • Wate

r Socce

ches tailor enced coa s Our experi per’s need m ca fit your y lit a u q training to , d ell-structure re held at in a fun, w a . All camps re e h pper atmosp iddle and u m l u tif u a e Harker’s b s. letic facilitie school ath

tails!

ite for de

webs Visit our

summer.harker.org

Fo o t

ball

campinfo@harker.org | 408.553.0537 N IO

W O

K-12 LEARNING AND FUN

MORNING ACADEMICS

•

AFTERNOON ACTIVITIES

MATH • LANGUAGE ARTS • SCIENCE • ART • AND MORE!

Grades K-6

Summer Camp +

Grades 6-12

Summer Institute

OTHER PROGRAMS

Class of 2012

Sat., May 26 | 9 a.m. The Mountain Winery Senior Families Only by Reservation

· Sports Camps · Swim School

· English Language Institute for International Students

summer.harker.org Held on our beautiful lower and upper school campuses campinfo@harker.org | 408.553.0537

Harker Quarterly (USPS 023-761) is published four times per year (September, December, March and June) by The Harker School, Office of Communication, 500 Saratoga Ave., San Jose, CA 95129. Periodicals Postage Paid at San Jose, CA and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Harker Quarterly, 500 Saratoga Avenue, San Jose, CA 95129.

H A R K E R Q U A R T E R LY

SPRING 2012

1974

Harker Maypole

It is hard not to dance with the joy of life when the weather changes for the better, and Harker has long channeled that seasonable excitement into spring activities. The maypole dance is an old European custom to celebrate the earth’s renewal, and the description of the day from a 1975 of the Harker Academy grades did! Other groups exhibited skills learned in physical education and rode decorated bicycles in drill patterns. It was of course, the Annual Family Festival! Over eight hundred people enjoyed the entertainment which was climaxed by a parade of the Cadet Corps and the traditional dancing around the maypole.” Our archivist, Terry Walsh, added, “The last May Festival was held in 1981 but the historic winding of the maypole took place once again at the 1993 Family & Alumni Picnic as part of Harker’s 100th birthday celebration.”

4 0 8 . 2 4 9 . 2 510 H A R K E R Q U A R T E R LY

•

w w w. h a r k e r. o r g

S P R I N G 2 012

S a n

J o s e ,

C a l i f o r n i a O of C: 3/12 (BHDG/JJJ/RM/DQP) 5,824

Photo courtesy of Harker Archives

newsletter says, “May 10th was a perfect day for dancing and singing, and that is just what many