One last hurrah for the Class of
With graduation looming ahead, the senior class faces the reality of a journey’s end, of their time here at Harker and high school as a whole. From stepping on campus to reunite with peers during Senior Retreat to passing the torch to the junior class in the annual Baccalaureate ceremony, the class of 2025 has come full circle and now stands at a crossroads, a pivotal moment to our path forward.
While many of us look toward the future to come, there’s also much to appreciate in reflection. Associated
Student Body president Sam Parupudi cherishes the strong sense of community among the senior class in helping and uplifting each other in difficult moments.
“If one person is struggling on an individual level, there’s always a community out there willing to rally behind them and support them wherever they go in whatever endeavor they’re going towards,” they said.
Beyond the events that we spent hours preparing for or the grades that we constantly fretted over, what stays with us are the people. We’ve built lasting relationships with the same people who
“There’s always a community out there willing to rally behind them and support them wherever they go.”
SAM PARUPUDI ASB PRESIDENT
have shared our stress and joy, hallways, classrooms and lunch tables — each
connection carrying us through thick and thin and shaping who we’ve become. Even for those that we don’t know very well, there’s still time to catch up.
“It’s your last year here, so go talk to new people you haven’t talked to before,” Sam said. “Don’t leave any regrets.”
Now, as we prepare to graduate, we carry more than just diplomas: we hold onto our memories, of laughter and tears, of funny anecdotes throughout the year, of traditions that made Harker our second home. Even as we head off on separate paths, these are the moments that stick with us for a lifetime.
victor gong & claire zhao
CLASS COMMUNITY The class of 2025 gathers for a group picture on the bleachers of the Zhang Gymnasium during the Matriculation ceremony hosted on Aug. 16, 2024. Less than 9 months later, the senior class now faces graduation as they celebrate and reflect on their final days of high school
Seniors sweep spirit two years in a row
victor gong & young min
The class of 2025 has come a long way when it comes to spirit, from finishing last trailing more than 1000 spirit points in our frosh year to triumphing in junior and senior year with over 100 spirit dance participants jamming it to “All I Do Is Win.” As our class relishes in our streak of consecutive victories, it also serves as a moment to look back and reflect on the journey that led to this success.
Coming into 9th grade, our class
where the class sizes are so much bigger, and you just can’t know everyone.”
Under the leadership of our class dean Christopher Hurshman and class council members, we executed a historical comeback in dazzling fashion, closing the gap on Class of 2024 in junior year to snag the spirit title and standing our
It’s a good way to meet new people in the grade and feel a sense of connection, which I’ll miss.”
culminated to a huge turnout in the final year.
“Spirit dance means a lot to me because for the past 4 years, me and my co-choreographers have put so much effort into it,” she said. “It’s really great to see how people have seen the dance in previous years and wanted to join it this year, and it’s also amazing to see our whole entire grade come together to show their spirit and show how much we love our class.”
As the year comes to a close, we wish future classes all the best in their spirit endeavors: make new memories, develop
TROPHY TRIUMPH (LEFT)
The spirit champion trophy and tug of war ribbon and trophy sit on display. The senior class won both tug of war and all of spirit in 2025. PICTURE PERFECT (FAR LEFT) Seniors Ethan Wang, Aaron Chen, Sahil Varma, Rumi Gupta, Aryana Bharali and math teacher Caren Furtado take a photo together behind a movie frame. Each class dressed in class colors and specific themes for dress-up days during Spirit Week. FINAL TUG (RIGHT) Seniors Leo Sobczyn and Claire Anderson stand their ground during the preliminary round of tug of war hosted on Davis Field during the Fall Spirit Rally . The Class of 2025 went on to win their third consecutive Tug of War victory. ALL I DO IS WIN (BOTTOM) The class of 2025 completes their final pose of their spirit dance, holding up a two in one hand and five in the other.
The seniors won the spirit dance with acts like Glamorous, Carnival and All I Do Is Win.
enior assassin builds friendly competition
jessica wang & victor gong
drag and stress from college decisions or final projects mounts, Senior Assassins offers a refreshing, albeit competitive, break. The tradition is widespread in high schools across the U.S., often run independently by students with faculty providing limited oversight. Despite occasional controversies around safety or fairness, it continues because it taps into a simple, universal truth: everyone loves a good game.
Though the rules may vary between schools, the core of the games remains the same: Participants are randomly assigned a target to “eliminate” — in Harker’s case, using a bandana — while avoiding being taken out themselves. Once a student eliminates their target, they inherit their target’s, and the game continues in rounds until a champion remains.
Senior Saanvi Bhargava, who set up the assassin website and was also part of the planning committee, comments on the motivations behind using bandanas over other objects.
“We ideally wanted to use water guns, but we figured out that on campus there were certain cameras and sensors that would not allow us to use any weapons shaped objects,” she said. “So then we thought about others, like those plastic sticky hands, and then realized that wouldn’t be a sustainable option. We ultimately
felt like using [bandanas] would help with spirit for future years, and it
would overall be fun and chill.”
started with 178 seniors, each with a target and a mission; within the four days of the first round, 77 had been eliminated,
SENIOR ASSASSIN KILLSHEET
assassins;” as punishment, they lost their protective bandana immunity until they redeemed themselves. Only 27 players survived into Round 3. Round 4 brought a major twist: with only 12 players left, the rules changed dramatically. Seniors who had previously been eliminated were able to opt into becoming part of “assassin squads,” assigned to take out a single target. At the end of Round 4, eight players were left standing. For Round 5, the rules shifted again: each player got a new target and only one day to make the kill, and bandanas no longer worked outdoors. Senior Andy Chung, who made it to top three, notes how he collected information on his targets every round.
“I survived so long by staying attentive to details and caring for the game when nobody else did,” Andy said. “Strategy-wise, I compiled everyone’s schedules based on their schoology profile and then used the parking lot spreadsheet to see their parking spots.”
By the end of that tense 24-hour blitz, Andy, along with seniors Emily Mitnick and Jacob Porter Smith, emerged as finalists. The class of 2025 congregated out on Davis Field for the final showdown: each contestant was given a nerf gun, two lives, and the goal of eliminating the two others in a makeshift fighting ring as their classmates watched on. Jacob emerged victorious. Though the excitement of victory is nothing to turn one’s nose up at, Senior Assassins isn’t just about who wins. It’s about creating something ridiculous and memorable before walking across the graduation stage. In a few weeks, they’ll scatter to colleges all across the nation. But for a brief time, they were assassins — and it was simply fun.
JESSICA WANG
STRIKING STANDOFF Seniors Emily Mitnick and Jacob Porter Smith pose with bandanas and a nerf gun. Jacob won first place and Emily was in second.
dISTRIBUTION OF STUDENTS PER MAJOR
*some STUDENTS counted in multiple categories; Double majors counted twice.
Numbers of committed students per state
1-5
6-10
62.6%
Class of 2025, this is not the end — our journey has just begun. We all have come so far from where we first found ourselves, and four years later, it’s finally time for the unimaginable.
As a class, we are scattered among 20 unique states and at least 4 countries outside of the U.S.
Some of us are traversing a whopping 3,000 miles
to the opposite end of this continent. Others might have the luxury of going home every week to do their laundry. We have chosen to pursue what’s most meaningful to us, and because of that, our plans and ambitions will carry us even further than we will ever be able to imagine. Each of us will find success, joy and knowledge in every corner of our lives, whether
near or far.
Where do these new chapters lie? As you peruse this comprehensive college map, we want you to see how far this class has come — in more ways than one. Connect with classmates (or incoming ones). Show your parents. Rejoice in the milestones you have reached. And, in the meantime... onto the next.
Blast from the past
Three seniors reflect on their time at Harker –thirteen, seven and four years, respectively.
arthur wu
As the days until graduation wind down, the numerous “lasts” and celebratory events mark a bittersweet moment for me. I have been with the Harker community for 13 years, spending my time across three different campuses, with over 100 teachers and — most importantly — with a group of peers that has been nothing short of supportive and who have become fundamentally family.
I’ve always believed that school isn’t just a place to learn; it is a community that builds lifelong relationships. That’s why what I remember most isn’t the tests I took or how much homework I had, but the memories I made with my classmates. I will never forget pretending to be Ninjago characters with my friends on the kindergarten playground — the place where I made my first friends — or celebrating becoming fifth-graders and thinking how grown-up we were as the oldest on campus (which doesn’t feel so old now).
All the glory tends to go to the big occasions: meeting our first eagle buddies, our fourth grade trip to Coloma, the National Parks trip and the countless orientations, matriculations, dances and rallies. But what about the small moments? The slow and dreaded walks towards the track for the mile runs with Coach Anderson; FaceTiming friends during zoom school; the hundreds of muffled “hey”s, subtle waves and casual dap ups in the halls of Main. It is the little moments — the overlooked and seemingly ordinary ones — that I love most.
When I walk across that graduation stage and carry my Harker diploma with pride, I know it’s not a goodbye. The bonds I have made and the memories I have shared — with students and faculty alike — are
I can’t believe my first period class is going to be 45 whole minutes. It’s my first day of middle school. Oh, the jitters! I’m nervous, but I practice a smile, my freshly tightened braces squeezing my mouth as I grin from ear-to-ear like the Cheshire Cat. I stand outside Period 1 Latin with Mr. Caruso, and I listen as the classroom fills with discussions of Pokémon cards and sounds of corny dad jokes. Though hesitant, I slowly cross the door frame onto the other side, scared yet excited to meet my new classmates. It’s going to be a long ride.
An hour and a half gone already? It’s my last day of high school. My face droops a little. Walking out of Period 4 Advanced Programming with Ms. Peregrino, my feet drag along the floor, not willing to leave as I step at the edge of the door frame, enveloped by the laughter of my class sharing our humorous anecdotes. But I guess the time has come.
The passing of time is odd. Two minutes can feel like an eternity when you’re doing a plank over Zoom PE, but seven years can also feel like the blink of an eye. In middle school, I wanted to become an adult, to be less awkward and dorky, and even to grow taller, but looking at me now, the only aspect that has changed is the numbers in my age. My younger self desired to grow up as fast as I could, but when the feeling of the passing of time hits at this very moment, I wonder if I truly want this. However, this time, I’m not scared; I’m content.
I’ve come to see change as something natural, something that can’t be interfered with. Over time, our rolling backpacks and Zücas have become ones we carry on our backs and the word “promotion” has now become “graduation.” In middle school, I thought I could only ever have dreams, but this community, the support that I have had over the past seven years has allowed me to live them out. From every uplifting spirit
life. I’m certain I’ll carry many lessons from my time here to not only my professional but also my personal future.
One of the first aspects of Harker that I noticed as I entered the school is the genuine passion many teachers carry for their disciplines. I distinctly remember my first English class here, watching Mr. Shuttleworth grow excited at the mere idea of reading a Shakespeare play. It was his enthusiasm that encouraged me to read actively, and I developed the very same love for the famous poet and playwright. Teachers at Harker have contributed to my development in a variety of ways, not just academically. My tenth grade English teacher (who also happens to be our Class Dean), Mr. Hurshman, taught me what productive confidence looks like. His constant support prompted my discovery of a passion for English. Both of these teachers are only two of countless adults at Harker who helped shape the person I am today, and I’ll carry their lessons of trust, empathy, and dedication well beyond high school.
Alongside my teachers and mentors, my peers have revealed to me many features of life, whether intentional or not. The students at Harker are truly some of the most driven, loving and all-around remarkable individuals I’ve ever known. I can still remember one day years ago when, as I felt particularly anxious around a large group of students, an acquaintance of mine who is actually rather extroverted brought me to a calmer space on campus and sat with me in the silence. That simple act of compassion led to the formation of a friendship that has completely changed the way I see myself and others. From strangers holding the door open for me to friends inviting me to share my most vulnerable fears, the warmth of our community is beyond admirable, and I have acquired a new understanding of seemingly simple acts of kindness. As I approach adulthood, I will
BOW WOW (TOP LEFT) A young Arthur Wu (12) performs in the kindergarten musical. STAY SPIRITED (TOP MIDDLE) Jia Jia Jiang (12) competes in a spirit competition in sixth grade. BOO! (TOP RIGHT) Senior Fern Biswas performs in “A Midsummer’s Night Dream” in frosh year.
PHOTOS BY OFFICE OF COMMUNICATION
PHOTOS BY EMMA MILNER AND KATERINA MATTA
Beneath the bright, afternoon sunlight at the Mountain Winery, the senior class sits, each student waiting for their name to be called for them to receive their diploma. Walking across the stage in a cap and gown represents a symbol of achievement, growth and new opportunities. In recent years, one part of that outfit, the graduation cap, evolved to become a personal canvas, where students showcase their individuality, creativity and pride through decoration.
“It’s such a crucial part of your experience graduating. I’ve always found decorating grad caps to be the most exciting part.”
Students use a variety of materials to bring their visions to life, with some covering their caps with rhinestones so that it sparkles and shines, while others paint their caps with fabric or acrylic paints, typically creating images of their college names, logos or mascots. Fake flowers are another popular choice, and some students opt to use felt or paper cutouts to paste onto their caps. Senior Melody Yin painted ten grad caps for her classmates this year, charging 35 dollars per cap, each of which took four or five hours for her to complete.
“It’s a really fun way to be involved with the Harker community for one last time before graduating,” Melody said. “It’s so cool that people entrust me with their grad caps, because it’s such a crucial part of your experience graduating. I’ve always found decorating grad caps to be like the most exciting part of getting
ready for grad, so it’s just really cool that so many people are willing to let me do it for them.”
While the methods for decorating caps are fun and creative, the reasons behind the cap decorations are often deeply personal: for many, the process of decorating their cap presents a way to celebrate their hard-earned accomplishments. Graduation is the culmination of years of hard work, late nights, personal challenges and perseverance. Some students use their cap to pay tribute to their family, featuring the name of a parent or grandparent who supported them along the way.
Though Harker did not allow seniors to write quotes on their caps, students still use the space on their caps to spotlight meaningful aspects of their lives, celebrating both the years spent building up to the moment and their hopes for the future: be it a reference to a meaningful piece of art that inspired them throughout their highschool careers, or a spotlight on their passions — such as a future engineer incorporating gears or 3D elements — the caps allow the students to declare themselves to everyone watching as they walk across that stage.
The process of decorating caps has also become a tradition that brings students together. Friends gather to craft, share supplies, and brainstorm ideas. These shared creations build a sense of unity and excitement, especially after a challenging school year of academics and college applications.
Decorating graduation caps may be a relatively new tradition compared to the centuries-old ceremony of commencement, but doing so allows students to be more engaged and express more excitement and pride during the lead-up to graduation.
MELODY YIN GRADUATING SENIOR
jessica wang
ILLUSTRATION BY CLAIRE ZHAO
thePassing torch
As the sound of strings fills the air, chatter comes to a quiet. Row upon row of heads turns to face the procession. Junior students stream down the center aisle as the Baccalaureate ceremony begins.
Baccaluareate, the senior brick ceremony and “Lifer Dinner” fall each year on the seniors’ final day of high school, a commeroration of their time at the school and the legacies they leave for the younger classes. The senior brick ceremony honors students whose families make a donation in the amount of their graduation year, $2025, supporting Harker’s many extracurricular and academic programs. Students place an engraved brick with their names and class in the “Graduates Grove” at the upper school campus. Baccalaureate marks the transition of responsibility between the seniors and juniors, as the seniors leave campus for the last time and the juniors look to their futures as leaders on campus. Students selected both featured speakers for the Baccalaureate ceremony. Math teacher and soon-to-be director
of alumni relations Caren Furtado was voted by seniors out of all the faculty to speak at the ceremony. Senior Shreyas Chakravarty was selected by a panel of student volunteers to speak, with a record 24 senior students auditioning for the spot. Furtado’s speech discussed her tips for reaching the “Ivy Leagues of Life.” Shreyas called on his peers to lead lives of service and remember to actively give back to the communities that shaped them. Shreyas said the topic of his speech was inspired by his time advocating for climate justice as a four-year member and president of Green Team.
“When I’ve been volunteering with the green team, the major thing that I’ve seen is the disconnect between values and actions,” Shreyas said. “In society, too, people have the right values; it’s just hard to put it into practice.”
After Baccalaureate, 51 “lifer” students — those who have attended Harker since kindergarten — attended the Lifer Dinner at the lower school campus. Students reminisced on 13 years of memories together, complete with a return to the kindergarten playground. Visit harkeraquila.com for more.
THROWBACK (TOP LEFT) Vedant Balachandran gestures to a senior photo collage with friends. PROUD PARENT (TOP RIGHT) Stefan Maxim’s (12) father films during the Baccalaureate ceremony. BACCALAUREATE BANTER (TOP MIDDLE LEFT) Junior Judi Abdelrazik laughs with friends after the ceremony. GIVING BACK (MIDDLE BOTTOM LEFT) Student baccalaureate speaker Shreyas Chakravarty gestures during his speech. LEAVING LEGACIES (MIDDLE RIGHT) Senior Yasmin Sudarsanam places her brick in the graduates grove. CAPTURE THE MOMENT (BOTTOM LEFT) Seniors Tej Aswani, Sahil Varma, Rushil Jaiswal, Rishi Lalwani and Rayan Arya form a human pyramid for a humorous photo after Baccalaureate. LOTS OF LOVE (BOTTOM RIGHT) Seniors Summer Adler, Claire Anderson and Kylie Anderson take a photo after Baccalaureate.
PHOTOS
KAIRUI SUN
katerina matta