Lauri Vaughan, upper school campus librarian, was awarded the Margaret A. Edwards (MAE) Award for the for Best Literature Program for Teens for Harker’s ReCreate Reading program. The award was presented by the Young Adult Library Services Association, a division of the American Library Association.
The MAE Award provides $500 to the recipient and $500 to the recipient’s library, and is sponsored by the Margaret A. Edwards Trust.
Vaughan noted the ReCreate Reading program “brings the joy and excitement of reading that the faculty, administration, staff, and coaches at the Harker School’s upper school campus have to students who perhaps are not as excited about reading. While not compulsory, most all the students participate by selecting one of the year’s books through a competitive process to read over the summer. Then after returning to school, students gather with the school staff during the first week of classes to discuss what they read.”
ReCreate Reading is “amplifying a celebration of thrilling narrative, nail-biting adventure and thought-provoking prose that organically infects the large majority of our student body with a genuine interest in reading,” stated Vaughan in her application. “The success of the program has been evidenced … most convincingly by our English department faculty who decreased and eventually eliminated required summer reading assignments. ReCreate Reading has reliably kept kids’ noses in books.”
This program, which began several years ago, continues to inspire school personnel and students to read for pleasure. Upon hearing she received this award, Vaughan said, “A program like ReCreate Reading could not happen without annual full-on participation from our faculty and staff. The commitment by the adults in our community sends a powerful, genuinely enthusiastic message about the infectious thrill of reading. On behalf of Harker’s voracious readers, I am honored to accept this award.”
Every year in October, fresh cookies are served at all four Harker campuses to celebrate and preserve the legacy of longtime Harker president Howard Nichols. Cookie Day, which occurs on or near Nichols’ birthday, is a nod to his practice of keeping a jar of cookies in his office, signaling to all who passed by that his door was open to anyone who felt like dropping in for a chat.
Nichols, who became head of school in 1973, served the Harker community with his wife, Diana (who now chairs Harker’s Board of Trustees) for more than 30 years. As president, Nichols helped shape Harker into a school that prized character as much as academics. His vision for the school lives on in many key areas, including the Honor Code, the expansive performing arts department and the broad array of programs.
In 1992, when Harker Academy was renamed The Harker School, Howard Nichols was named president while Diana Nichols assumed duties as head of school. Together, they spearheaded the addition of an upper school, which opened in 1998.
Howard and Diana Nichols retired in 2005, and just three short years later, Howard passed away from cancer. Harker is proud to keep the tradition of Cookie Day to teach students about their beloved onetime leader.
From conserving water to winning science competitions to journalistic accolades, Harker made the news several times last month. Find out more below!
Los Altos Online – Nov. 30, 2016: Senior Manan Shah is featured in a story about his success in this year’s Siemens Competition, as well as his upcoming trip to Washington, D.C., for the final stage of the competition.
DyeStat Cal – Nov. 23, 2016: Harker track phenom Niki Iyer, grade 12, is mentioned in a preview of the CIF State Championships.
Science News for Students – Nov. 22, 2016: Cynthia Chen, grade 9 is featured in a story that details her Broadcom MASTERS project, a method of saving water by storing seeds in pods.
The Indian Panorama – Nov. 18, 2016: Manan Shah, grade 12, is hailed for his regional win in the 2016 Siemens Competition, which granted him entry to the finals.
San Jose Mercury News – Nov. 11, 2016: Journalism teacher Ellen Austin and upper school head Butch Keller are featured in a story about the awards they received from the Journalism Education Association.
India West – Nov. 10, 2016: Manan Shah, grade 12, is the subject of a story about his regional win in this year’s Siemens Competition.
San Jose Mercury News – Nov. 10, 2016: Elizabeth Schick, grade 11, and Gina Partridge, grade 9, are mentioned in a Mercury News community sports roundup.
SiliconValley.com – Nov. 5, 2016: Cynthia Chen, grade 9, is mentioned in a story about Silicon Valley students in the Broadcom MASTERS science competition.
Last week, Harker received a visit from the Emerald Brass Quintet. Formed in 2006 at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y., this group of performers and educators has given master classes at universities across the country and has performed overseas in countries including Thailand and Germany.
Their first stop at Harker was music teacher Dave Hart’s classroom, where the quintet – in which Hart’s wife, Leslie, plays French horn – accompanied students in their renditions of “Amazing Grace” and “Can Can,” while offering advice on how to improve their performance techniques. At lunchtime, the quintet performed for middle school students and faculty.
Later, the musicians visited to the upper school, where they performed a series of works and took questions from students. Two grade 12 brass players, Jack Farnham and Melinda Wisdom, had the pleasure of performing pieces for the quintet, who offered the students advice on preparing for college auditions.
Last week, Harker received a visit from the Emerald Brass Quintet. Formed in 2006 at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y., this group of performers and educators has given master classes at universities across the country and has performed overseas in countries including Thailand and Germany.
Their first stop at Harker was music teacher Dave Hart’s classroom, where the quintet – in which Hart’s wife, Leslie, plays French horn – accompanied students in their renditions of “Amazing Grace” and “Can Can,” while offering advice on how to improve their performance techniques. At lunchtime, the quintet performed for middle school students and faculty.
Later, the musicians visited to the upper school, where they performed a series of works and took questions from students. Two grade 12 brass players, Jack Farnham and Melinda Wisdom, had the pleasure of performing pieces for the quintet, who offered the students advice on preparing for college auditions.
Last week, Harker received a visit from the Emerald Brass Quintet. Formed in 2006 at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y., this group of performers and educators has given master classes at universities across the country and has performed overseas in countries including Thailand and Germany.
Their first stop at Harker was music teacher Dave Hart’s classroom, where the quintet – in which Hart’s wife, Leslie, plays French horn – accompanied students in their renditions of “Amazing Grace” and “Can Can,” while offering advice on how to improve their performance techniques. At lunchtime, the quintet performed for middle school students and faculty.
Later, the musicians visited to the upper school, where they performed a series of works and took questions from students. Two grade 12 brass players, Jack Farnham and Melinda Wisdom, had the pleasure of performing pieces for the quintet, who offered the students advice on preparing for college auditions.
This article originally appeared in the summer 2016 Harker Quarterly.
The inaugural Harker Alumni Networking Luncheon attracted some 100 graduates from various class years. The event was held on April 9 during the 11th annual Harker Research Symposium at the upper school campus.
This article originally appeared in the summer 2016 Harker Quarterly.
Students of all ages displayed works in a colorful array of art exhibits held across all four campuses. The entire Harker community was invited to enjoy the annual shows, which featured the talents of both budding and seasoned student artists. Enjoy this special Harker Quarterly art show retrospective!
Preschool Year-Round Exhibits
Throughout the year, Harker Preschool holds various art exhibits. The third annual Year-End Art Showcase featured works from every student on campus. The captivating exhibit, which ran during the last month of the school year, was also a highlight of Grandparents’ Day at the preschool, held in May.
“Every other month at the preschool, we displayed new studio artwork in the art gallery. Our Grandparents’ Day showcase was a culminating event that highlighted the variety of processes experienced by the artists throughout the year,” said Alexandria Kerekez, Harker Preschool’s art specialist.
When asked about their favorite art project of the year, many of the 4- and 5-year-olds responded that it was “The Canvas Project.” That project, which was included in the art showcase, comprised a collection of canvas paintings crafted by the eldest preschoolers.
The representational work consisted of drafting an image of “a wish” and then translating it into an acrylic painting. Meanwhile, transitional kindergartners started a new art studio project known as “The Shell Shop,” in which they created shells not for exhibit, but to be sold on-site in a store, complete with name tags for employees and a cash register.
Lower School: Art On and Off Campus
The Lower School Art Show opened on the morning of April 25 at the Bucknall campus, with grade 5 docents on hand to help guide parents through the show and serve refreshments afterward.
Sponsored by the lower school art department and afterschool art program, the show featured a wide array of creative works, including drawings, paintings and ceramics. The display, which ran until May 20, was arranged by themes and grade levels, with all classes represented.
Adding to the excitement this year was the fact that, for the first time, a dozen lower school students also had their work represented at the 59th annual Saratoga Rotary Art Show, held the weekend of April 30. The Rotary show displays the best works of up-and-coming artists, ages 5-13, from local schools as part of its larger, daylong event held at West Valley College in Saratoga.
“This was the first time we have done this, and I was so excited! I hope to enter our wonderfully creative students annually in the years to come. I was so proud of each one that it was very difficult to select so few,” recalled lower school art teacher Gerry-louise Robinson.
Middle School: Winter Preview Exhibit and Spring Exhibition
It wasn’t business as usual for the middle school art show this year. For the first time, an art exhibit was held at the conclusion of each semester, instead of one show at the end of the school year.
The Middle School Preview Exhibit, held Jan. 5-29 in the Blackford campus’ multipurpose room, showcased the works of Art I students. The Spring Exhibition featured the works of Art II students. It opened on April 8 at the upper school’s main lobby gallery and then moved to the middle school campus on May 9 where it remained for the year.
A special morning art reception with tea and coffee was held on May 12 for parents. Splitting the shows not only allowed each semester’s students to enjoy a show devoted to their work, but it allowed more physical space for each piece, giving attendees room to more fully enjoy the art.
“The result [of having two shows] was breath around the pieces!” recalled Elizabeth Saltos, middle school visual arts teacher. Both shows included colorful paintings, sketches, ceramics, figurines and wire sculptures. For the second year in a row, there was also a campuswide cake party held in the multipurpose room during the lunch periods on May 18. Attendees had a blast eating cake and checking out the art on display.
Upper School: Winter AP Studio Art Exhibition and Spring Artstravaganza
In late April, upper school artists, writers and musicians showcased their work at the annual Artstravaganza, held in the Nichols Hall atrium.
Students, faculty and parents perused artwork and writing (including several winners of Scholastic Art & Writing Awards) while music poured in through the rotunda, courtesy of The Harker School Jazz Band in its final performance of the year. The event afforded students the opportunity to share their work with the Harker community in a relaxed setting.
“It’s something that students and faculty look forward to quite a bit, because it’s always a fun thing and they’re always amazed,” said Jaap Bongers, visual arts department chair. “It boosts [the artists’] self-confidence; it makes them proud. That’s really the main benefit – and it’s a party at the end of the year!”
Back in February, students in AP Studio Art showcased their Advanced Placement exam portfolios. A throng of visitors took in a wide variety of paintings, sculptures, drawings and prints in many different styles and media.
One of the featured artists, Kaylan Huang, grade 12, used ink and colored pencil to create small-scale drawings of cities including Tokyo, San Francisco and Amsterdam. Fellow senior Ankur Karwal used clever graphic design to examine the symbolism of famous brand names including Louis Vuitton, Apple and Nike.
This article originally appeared in the summer 2016 Harker Quarterly.
This past spring, two of Harker’s popular outreach efforts, the middle school’s annual Cancer Walk and the upper school’s Kicks Against Cancer event, raised money for the same cause: Camp Okizu. The 10th annual Harker Cancer Walk raised about $14,000, while Kicks Against Cancer raised $1,500, for a total of $15,500.
The funds from both events benefited Camp Oziku, a nonprofit organization that allows children with cancer to “just be a kid for a week.” Located in the Berry Creek area of the Sierra foothills, Camp Okizu offers a free weeklong summer camp that gives cancer patients and their families a sense of normalcy and stability.
Students, parents, family members, faculty and staff from all four campuses gathered at the middle school field on March 22 for the Cancer Walk. “This time was a bit more special as it was our 10th anniversary celebration walk!” said Michael Schmidt, middle school computer science teacher and department chair.
Schmidt had the idea for the walk following the passing of his own mother due to cancer. “This is an event that Harker was kind enough to let me start in 2007 in honor of loved ones afflicted with cancer,” he continued. “Since then, it has been used as a moment for our entire community to come together and celebrate the lives of those we love and those we’ve lost. It is a symbolic walk that is measured not by the miles covered, but by the love and understanding between us all.”
Prior to the walk, students engaged in various activities to learn about different forms of cancer and cancer prevention strategies. In a further show of support, many teachers displayed door decorations with themes designed to promote cancer awareness.
And during the walk, honor flags – honoring someone who is fighting or has fought cancer – were placed in the ground along the inner edge of the field’s walking path.
Meanwhile, although the upper school’s soccer teams lost this year’s Kicks Against Cancer games to Menlo High School, Harker students were still excited over the real winner of the event – Camp Okizu. The seventh-annual soccer match took place on Feb. 5, with the junior varsity boys, varsity girls and varsity boys playing against their respective Menlo High School teams. The JV boys lost 0-2, the varsity girls lost 0-3 and the varsity boys lost 1-4.
Sparsh Chauhan, grade 10, scored the only goal for Harker during the last game of the night. After the JV boys finished their game, the varsity girls team presented a check for funds raised to four visiting Camp Okizu families. To help raise money for the camp, Kicks Against Cancer onlookers had the opportunity to buy T-shirts and wristbands, make monetary donations and purchase yummy treats at a bake sale.
During halftime of the last game, spectators were given a chance to play “Butts Up” with some faculty members lined up on the goal line. Cheerleaders, meanwhile, performed a special routine. Be sure to check the Harker News website at http://news.harker. org/tag/outreach for more Greater Good stories.