In late June, a team of Harker rising juniors took second place overall in the 9/10 level at the national TEAMS (Tests of Engineering Aptitude, Mathematics and Science) competition in Grapevine, Texas. The team of Kai-Siang Ang, Neymika Jain, Evani Radiya-Dixit, Venkat Sankar, Manan Shah, Arjun Subramaniam, Peter Wu and team captain David Zhu also finished second in the problem solving competition and were among the top 10 teams in the prepared presentation portion of the event. “The team had the best showing yet of any Harker team who has competed in this event,” said Harker math teacher Anthony Silk, who coached the team.
The TEAMS competition begins every year at the state level, in which students answer multiple-choice math and science questions, as well as essay questions related to the year’s chosen topic. The top three teams from each state are then invited to the national competition, which has categories for written problems, prepared presentation and problem solving.
This article originally appeared in the summer 2011 Harker Quarterly.
Reading is like getting all the vitamins you need from a chocolate sundae – it feels good going down and it’s good for you, too.
According to the National Endowment for the Arts, high frequency adult readers are more than twice as likely to participate in charity work, three times as likely to attend performing arts events, one-and-a-half times more likely to attend or participate in a sporting event. (NEA 2002)
Reading, specifically reading for pleasure – a habit that includes the freedom to choose what to read – needs to be encouraged in childhood to flourish in adulthood. Not surprisingly, it’s a focus of a myriad of programs at Harker targeted at all ages, from the youngest kindergartners through senior faculty.
At the lower school, such programs include an annual book fair, the Halloween Haunted House Reading Contest and weekly library visits for K-4 students where librarians Kathy Clark and Enid Davis introduce lifelong fictional friends. Library clerk Moureen Lennon perpetuates the enthusiasm with book talks and checkout time in grade 5 English classes.
“Reading is like any skill: it has to be practiced to reach mastery. Being a master reader brings a lifetime of joy and knowledge,” says lower school librarian, former library director and folklorist Davis. Davis has made good on her promise for the last 15 years through the annual Ogre Awards – a yearlong revel in folklore study for second graders that culminates in an Academy Award-like celebration of witches, tricksters and giants. Nostalgic seniors are oft heard recalling their roles in the Ogre Awards a decade earlier.
Once bitten, students tend to experience long-lasting effects from the book-bug. “I like to read because it gives me a chance to escape reality,” says Nikhil Manglik, grade 6. “I can cast a spell with Harry Potter, solve a crime with the Hardy Boys, jump into Greek mythology with Percy Jackson, or anything else!”
Little wonder then, that a habit that fosters such good feelings also precipitates good grades. According to a 2004 study, students “who read more than just assigned materials show increased vocabulary skills, improved test performance (and) higher levels of general knowledge.” (Hatfield) A decade earlier, researchers determined that “leisure reading … has been positively related to psychological absorption and tolerance of complexity.” (Mill & Kuiken)
Such evidence is strong support for middle school librarian Bernie Morrissey’s take on reading. “Pleasure reading helps young people become better students by increasing their verbal abilities. Instead of spending school breaks with SAT vocabulary books, students should check out lots of library books to read for fun.”
To encourage leisure reading, Morrissey sponsors a self-directed book club for students in grades 6-8. Participants collectively decide on a novel, read it and enjoy a discussion over snacks.
Demanding schedules and homework loads foiled a similar design at the upper school. In response, upper school librarians created the Non Required Reading Reading Club (NRRRC). Twice a month students gather to chat about whatever book they’ve read recently or to get a list of suggestions. Nerk, as it’s fondly called, “celebrates reading without adding an extra obligation to already busy students,” reports upper school librarian Meredith Cranston. “We enjoy enthusiastic conversation about books, author readings and upcoming publications over lunch. It’s fabulous!”
Three Nerk members have spun their love of reading into national publication. Denzil Sikka ’09, Nikita Agrawal ’10 and Christina Li, grade 12, have had multiple reviews
of young adult fiction printed in “Voice of Youth Advocates,” a leading review source for librarians serving teens. On a college acceptance letter, a handwritten note encouraged Sikka to “come write book reviews at Cal Tech!”
Summer provides a spot on the calendar to which all three Harker libraries anchor their leisure reading programs. The lower school publishes an annual summer reading list of age-appropriate authors. Students in K-5 who read five or more titles earn a library pin to wear on their dress uniforms.
The middle school summer reading program, Reading Roundtable, features small group book discussions based on collectively chosen titles and takes place in student advisories the first week of school.
Itching to talk about summer reads, upper school students get a chance to chat books the first week of school, too. Every spring teachers and administrators sponsor a title or genre, and students select from among all offerings. This year’s list features 53 unique choices ranging from Steve Berry’s “The Last Emperor” (sponsored by history teacher Ramsay Westgate) to “Slow Death by Rubber Duck: How the Toxic Chemistry of Everyday Life Affects Our Health” by Rick Smith and Bruce Lourie (sponsored by chemistry teacher Robbie Korin) to the very popular mystery genre groups.
As in past years, ReCreate Reading 2011 will host an author as well. Pulitzer prize-winning journalist and author of “Acceptance,” David L. Marcus will engage a large group of students via Skype and recount the experience of seven Long Island teens’ quest for college. Previous years’ ReCreate Reading programs have featured Dave Cullen, author of “Columbine,” and Matt Richtel, author of “Hooked.”
The success of such programs depends upon allowing students freedom of choice. “When you’re doing something you like, it always makes things so much easier,” says Mercedes Chien, grade 9, who points out, “A great book is one that makes me want to keep reading.”
Teachers – just like students – step up to summer reading every year. Facilitated by Jennifer Gargano, assistant head of school for academic affairs, the popular faculty reading program allows Harker teachers to opt in to a discussion over an intriguing professional title. This summer’s read: “The Edutainer: Connecting the Art and Science of Teaching” by Brad Johnson and Tammy Maxson.
Not to be left out of the frenzy, members of the class of 2011 shared their all-time favorites by creating a Senior Book Legacy. This year’s Legacies – annotated book recommendations – are featured on a wall-size, Facebook-like display of titles in Manzanita Hall.
Like readers everywhere, Harker bibliophiles tend to get a little evangelistic about reading. Consequently several programs feature Harker students providing books for children who would not otherwise enjoy them. The Pajama Project, an annual grade 3 service event, brings in donations of pajamas and bedtime books. The drive culminates in a schoolwide pajama day in which a Harker administrator reads – wearing jammies, of course – to the student body.
At the upper school, members of the Global Outreach and Empowerment (GEO) club collected funds to build two libraries in Africa through the Reach Out and Read program.
“Reading,” says Sue Smith, library director, “is a win-win. It’s fun and it makes us better.” And it goes well with ice cream.
On June 30 Harker golfer Katherine Zhu, a rising sophomore, qualified for the U.S. Golf Association’s Girls’ Junior Championship with a 72! The USGA tournament will be held at the Tulsa Country Club in Oklahoma July 20-25. This week, Zhu is competing in the American Junior Golf Association Bishops Gate Golf Academy Junior Open at Butte Creek Country Club in Chico, where she stands at 15th, though live results have her up to 12th as of noon today. https://www.ajga.org/ajgalive/fjls/index.asp?tn=2015065&sex=F
At the CTE Innovation Fair, Glass shared the accomplishments of Harker’s business and entrepreneurship (B.E.) program and discussed the advantages it gives students in the present and future. “Having Neil and Rajiv there allowed attendees to see firsthand how the students are benefitting from the resources the school is able to provide them in their technology and research endeavors,” Glass said. “Having Mr. Keller attend also showed the great support that our administration has for all that we are doing.”
Glass noted that being surrounded by other teachers and students was a source of inspiration: “Connecting with and hearing from students from all over the country no matter their organization showed that we can come together as one within CTE as a whole to improve education and ensure a stronger future for our country.”
June 30, 2015
Harker graduate Neil Movva, rising sophomore Rajiv Movva, business and entrepreneurship teacher Juston Glass and upper school head Butch Keller are in Washington, D.C., attending an event titled “Celebrating Innovations in Career and Technical Education,” held at the White House. As part of a select group of educators, business leaders and outstanding students, the Harker contingent will meet with administration officials and learn about the latest advancements in career and technical education (CTE).
The event aims to highlight programs developed by educators and students in the CTE field, which prepares students for success by integrating technical and career-based learning into academic programs. At the event’s CTE Innovation Fair, Neil Movva is slated to give a presentation on Project Pathfinder, a piece of wearable technology he has worked on that assists the visually impaired by using ultrasonic sensors to let its users know the proximity of nearby objects. Neil’s brother Rajiv will present his own research, which found that flavonoids found in common fruits and vegetables could provide a remedy for diabetes patients who eat meals rich in carbohydrates.
Meanwhile, Glass will speak about Harker’s B.E. program, discussing key aspects including Harker’s DECA chapter, TEDxHarker and BECon, as well as the ways in which Harker’s B.E. students are contributing to the field of CTE.
This story will be updated as details from the trip emerge. Stay tuned!
In May, five Harker students were honored by the Santa Clara County Alliance of Black Educators’ 26th Annual Student Recognition Program. Held at the Morris Dailey Auditorium at San Jose State University, the awards recognition ceremony was called “Emphasizing Education, Affirming Our Future.”
In total, 336 talented and achieving students in grades 5, 6, 8 and 12 were recognized during the program. The Harker students cited for awards were Kai Due, grade 5, for student athlete; Brooklyn Cicero, grade 5, for fine arts/talent; Wynter Chaverst, grade 8 for academics/improved GPA; Jackson Williams, grade 8, for student athlete; and Christian Williams, grade 12, for academics/improved GPA.
The annual event is dedicated to the pursuit of cultural and educational excellence. It aims to encourage student achievement, affirm pride among African-American students, and recognize the support of family and community in their lives.
Three Harker softball players were selected for All-League softball teams as chosen by each league independently! In the Peninsula/Lake Division, Alisa Wakita (SS/2B/P), rising grade 12, was named to the second team, and Vivian Isenberg ’15 (1B/P/OF) and Kristin LeBlanc (2B/P/SS), rising grade 10, both received honorable mentions. Go Eagles!
Six Harker baseball players were selected for All-League baseball teams as chosen by each league independently! In the Peninsula/Lake Division, Miles DeWitt (infield), rising grade 12, and Nate Kelly (infield), rising grade 10, were both selected for first team; Dominic Cea (catcher), rising grade 10, was selected for the second team; and Keanu Forbes ’15 (OF/INF/P); Matt Kennedy (OF/P), rising grade 10; and Varun Haltore (3B/1B/P), rising grade 10, received honorable mentions. Go Diamond Eagles!
Each year, a highlight of the grade 4 curriculum is the annual spring sojourn to the Coloma Outdoor Discovery School (CODS) to learn about the California Gold Rush. This year, the fourth graders spent several adventurous days experiencing what it was like to be a gold miner.
Located on the northern fork of the American River, Coloma is where gold was first discovered in 1848, leading to the California Gold Rush. Today, Coloma is a designated national historic landmark district and tourist attraction best known for its ghost town and Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park.
“Harker has been sending fourth graders to CODS for over 20 years,” said Kristin Giammona, elementary school head.
Highlights of the trip included an opportunity to view the site where James Marshall first discovered gold at Sutter’s Mill. “The students were in groups of 15 and had a naturalist assigned to each group. The naturalist taught them about the Gold Rush and its environmental impact,” recalled Giammona.
While on the trip, students took a 3-mile round-trip hike up to Monroe Ridge; along the walk, students studied native animals and plants, and sang songs. The students ate their meals outdoors and took turns doing kitchen cleanup. They slept in cabins and enjoyed evening entertainment, including a lively hoedown (a campfire with songs and skits).
One evening, a Native American guest speaker educated students about Native American culture. Among the many things they learned is that the name Coloma comes from the natives’ name for the surrounding valley, Cullumah, meaning “beautiful.”
This article originally appeared in the summer 2015 Harker Quarterly.
Middle and Upper School Students Orchestrate Pitch Perfect Concert
By Jared Scott Tesler
The Grade 6 Orchestra and Grades 7-8 Orchestra, conducted by David Hart, and The Harker School Orchestra, conducted by Christopher Florio, joined forces once again for their annual spring concert, held at San Jose’s Mexican Heritage Plaza Theater. Amid a symphony of classical arrangements composed by Brahms, Stravinsky, Tchaikovsky and others, more easily recognizable numbers included the theme songs from “James Bond” and “Pirates of the Caribbean.” Senior violinist Helen Wu, who recently earned a spot on the National Youth Orchestra for the second year in a row, performed the Allegro from Samuel Barber’s “Concerto for Violin and Orchestra.”
The event featured numerous members of the Class of 2015, in the final ensemble performance of their Harker performing arts careers: violinists Thyne Boonmark, Eugene Gil (assistant concertmaster), Vivian Jou, Leeza Kuo, Briana Liang, Sahana Rangarajan (co-principal), Sophia Shatas and Helen Wu (concertmaster); violists Lekha Chirala (co-assistant principal), Austin Lai (principal) and Patrick Lin; cellists Matthew Huang (principal), Julia Wang and Madelyn Wang; bassists Jackelyn Shen and Kelly Wang (assistant principal); oboists Jason Jeong (co-principal) and Allison Kiang (assistant principal); clarinetists Harry Xu and Eric Yu (principal second); clarinetist and percussionist Angeline Pan; bassoonists Rahul Balakrishnan (assistant principal) and Kailas Vodrahalli (principal); horn player Vishal Vaidya (principal); and tubist Madhavan Nair (principal). Congratulations on a job well done!
Kindergartners Take Aesop’s ‘The Tortoise and the Hare’ to the Stage
By Jared Scott Tesler
This spring, the Bucknall Gym was alive with the sound of music – and laughter. In their stage acting debut, Harker kindergartners from each homeroom unleashed their inner animals during six performances of “A Race to the Finish,” a witty and whimsical mini-musical based on Aesop’s most popular fable, “The Tortoise and the Hare,” proving once and for all that “slow and steady wins the race.” Some multitalented actors also did a bit of dancing!
Along with the slow-moving tortoise and foolishly overconfident hare, the all-animal cast of characters ran the gamut of individual strengths and sizes: bear, beaver, blue jay, bobcat, bunny, cardinal, chipmunk, coyote, deer, duck, elk, fox, mare, moose, mountain lion, owl (portrayed by kindergarten teacher Michelle Anderson), porcupine, raccoon, squirrel, turkey and woodchuck. K-3 music teacher Carena Montany served as director, with stage crew duties carried out by members of technical director Danny Dunn’s grade 5 Technical Theater class.
Harker Celebrates 10th Anniversary of Dance Jamz
By Jared Scott Tesler
Inspired choreography, dazzling costumes, dynamic dance styles and eclectic music took center stage at Dance Jamz 2015, now in its 10th year. The annual middle school dance show, held in mid-March at the Blackford Theater and directed by lower school performing arts lead teacher Gail Palmer, featured 150 boys and girls in grades 6, 7 and 8, who danced their way into the hearts of family, friends and Harker community members.
Set to music from yesterday’s and today’s top talent, including Paula Abdul, Earth, Wind & Fire, Michael Jackson, Maroon 5, Britney Spears and Stevie Ray Vaughan, 18 action-packed dance routines provided something for everyone, captivating the audience of children, teens, adults and seniors. Capping off the show, the entire cast performed to house and dance-pop group Deee-Lite’s best-known single, “Groove Is in the Heart,” which opens with a fitting lyric: “We’re going to dance and have some fun.” Mission accomplished!
Evening of Jazz Gets Toes Tapping
By Jared Scott Tesler
Middle and upper school jazz musicians specializing in a wide array of brass, percussion, string and woodwind instruments, conducted by David Hart and Christopher Florio, congregated in late March at the Blackford Theater for “An Evening of Jazz.” Rounding out the production staff were production manager Brian Larsen and technical director Paul Vallerga.
The students’ love of all things jazz was heard loud and clear as they paid tribute to many late, great composers, musicians and pianists – Jimmy Forrest (“Night Train”), George Gershwin (“Cuban Overture”), Antônio Carlos Jobim (“Chega de Saudade”/“No More Blues”), Charles Mingus (“Better Get It in Your Soul”), Ástor Piazzolla (“Libertango”), Horace Silver (various) and Fred Sturm (various). A good time was had by all at this year’s toe-tapping, finger-snapping concert, which spotlighted the following graduating seniors: saxophonists Alan Guo, Rishabh Jain and Daniela Lee; trombonists Juhi Gupta, Nikhil Singh and Kevin Zhang; drummer Gillian Wallin; and cellist and vocalist Julia Wang.
Cellists Thrive at Harker
By Jared Scott Tesler
Brava to cellist Angeline Kiang, grade 5, on her first-place finish in this year’s United States International Music Competition! Kiang’s talent, diligence and appreciation of cross-cultural music earned her a cash prize, a trophy, a certificate of recognition and a possible radio show interview.
As a cellist in the lower school orchestra, Kiang has received guidance and support from Louis Hoffman, who oversees the after-school instrumental program. “She has been a wonderful student, inspired her fellow musicians, been an active part of our program and a true example of a student who both loves to play and is willing to put in the hard work and time it takes to achieve excellence on a musical instrument,” Hoffman said. “I’m incredibly honored and blessed to have been one of her teachers.”
The middle school boasts its own star cellist, Rachel Broweleit, grade 7. Broweleit’s interest in orchestral music began to surface at The Harker School at the age of 6. Broweleit joined the Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra (PACO), an award-winning youth orchestra for regional string musicians of high school age and younger. Now in her second year as co-principal cellist in PACO’s Sinfonia ensemble, she is also part of California Music Preparatory Academy’s chamber music program.
At just 13 years of age, Broweleit already has won several major international competitions, including first place at both the American Fine Arts Festival and the American Protégé International Piano and Strings Competition, and was named the grand-prize winner at this year’s United States Open Music Competition.
Broweleit says her early success is due in large part to her educational experience and the dedicated, caring faculty. “Dr. [David] Hart [middle school orchestra director] has been a great encouragement, providing a really exciting atmosphere and creating opportunities for me and my classmates to explore our interests in music,” she said.
Read full stories on both these talented cellists at news.harker.org. Just search for their last names or use these shortlinks: http://news.harker. org/?p=26002 (Kiang) and https://staging.news.harker.org/?p=25890 (Broweleit).
Musical Adaptation of ‘The Ugly Duckling’ Entertains, Teaches Acceptance
By Jared Scott Tesler
Ugly duckling or majestic swan? Come to find out, beauty – and ugliness – is in the eye of the beholder.
Danish poet and author Hans Christian Andersen’s literary fairy tale “The Ugly Duckling” recently underwent a book-to-musical makeover at the Blackford Theater. Under the direction of performing arts teacher Monica Colletti, Harker’s seventh and eighth graders presented composer George Stiles and lyricist Anthony Drewe’s “Honk! Jr.,” a musical adaptation of the classic children’s story created for younger audiences.
The plot and musical numbers served as more than just entertainment – they imparted many important life lessons such as self-discovery, tolerance and acceptance. Perfect timing, as our middle school students begin to unlock their full potential and form friendships that will last a lifetime.
Conservatory Class of 2015 Gives Stunning Final Performance at Certificate Program Graduation
By Catherine Snider
For a small group of students in the Class of 2015, Harker’s commencement exercises were their second graduation in as many days. Twenty-nine Harker Conservatory certificate students changed their status from candidates to graduates at the 14th annual Senior Showcase on May 22, held at the beautiful Mexican Heritage Plaza Theater in San Jose.
These artists completed a four-year guided course through the upper school performing arts department – the Conservatory – mentored by teachers in all the disciplines, with particular emphasis in one: vocal music, instrumental music, dance, theater, musical theater or technical theater. Senior Showcase is a culmination of those years of study, with the seniors providing guests in the packed theater with snapshots from their accumulated portfolios.
The evening ended with the formal presentation of their certificates by the performing arts faculty and a final group bow, greeted with a well-deserved standing ovation by the many friends, family members, teachers and administrators who supported them on their journey through the program.
Eclectic Lower School Spring Concert Delights Audiences of All Ages
By Jared Scott Tesler
This year’s lower school spring concert featured a jam-packed program of performances by the Bucknall Choir, Lower School Orchestra, Chamber Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, First Year Violin Group, First Year Cello Group, Preparatory String Ensemble, Guitar Group and String Ensemble. Audience members were doubly entertained by grade 5 soloists Samuel Boucher (alto saxophone) and United States International Music Competition first-place winner Angeline Kiang (cello). See page 21 for more on Harker cellists.
Time-honored tunes, ranging from popular nursery rhymes and lullabies to classical pieces by Bach, Liszt, Pachelbel and Sibelius, filled the theater. Even the Grammy Award- and Academy Award-nominated song “Everything Is Awesome” from “The Lego Movie” was tossed in for good measure. With so many genres of music, the concert offered something for everyone to enjoy!
Classic Fairy Tale Characters Venture ‘Into the Woods’ in Spring Musical
By Zach Jones
A who’s-who of iconic fairy tale characters got much more than they wished for at this year’s Harker Conservatory spring musical, a raucous production of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s “Into the Woods,” which played at the Blackford Theater April 16-17 and will travel to Scotland in August to play at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Noted for its thematic and musical depth, “Into the Woods” intertwines the stories of Cinderella, Jack, Little Red Riding Hood and other popular fairy tale characters who all have wishes they want fulfilled. At the center of the story are a baker and his wife, who wish to have a child but are stymied by a curse put upon the baker’s house by a witch. The through-sung musical, directed by Laura Lang-Ree, featured inspired performances from its cast, who brought out the surprising complexity of characters known mostly for their simple and moralistic stories.
‘Into the Woods’ Honored with Nominations
The Rita Moreno California High School Musical Honors results are in and although we didn’t win, the finalists in all categories were awesome and had a great adjudication experience and final performance on stage. “The entire cast really killed it during their performance,” noted show director Laura Lang-Ree. “Rita Moreno, for whom the competition is named, gave out the awards and took pictures with leading actor and actress finalists – including our kids, Jeton [Gutierrez-Bujari ’15] and Madi [Lang-Ree ’15].”
Harker had finalists in the following categories:
Best Show
Outstanding Lead Actor: Jeton Gutierrez-Bujari, grade 12 (Baker)
Outstanding Lead Actress: Madi Lang-Ree, grade 12 (Baker’s Wife)
Outstanding Supporting Actress: Helen Woodruff, grade 11 (Rapunzel)
Kudos were given by organizers for the number of schools that were adjudicated from San Luis Obispo to Marin and they also noted how just being there as a finalist was a victory. “Very fun and a great learning experience,” Lang-Ree added. “Our students got to see a lot performing at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts, met tons of people and collaborated like crazy!”
Diversity Takes the Lead at Annual Upper School Chorus Concert
By Jared Scott Tesler
In late April, Harker’s upper school performing arts department presented “In Concert: Pastiche,” featuring the vocal stylings of introductory choir Bel Canto, intermediate chamber ensemble Camerata, women’s chamber ensemble Cantilena, show choir Downbeat and men’s contemporary a cappella ensemble Guys’ Gig. Well-known songs like “Bridge Over Troubled Water” by Simon & Garfunkel, “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” by Queen, “Imagine” by John Lennon and “Lullaby (Goodnight, My Angel)” by Billy Joel wove their way between songs in other languages, including German, Hindi, Latin and Spanish.
Student conductors, a trio of sopranos, a trumpeter, pianists and many members of the Class of 2015 accompanied the vocal groups. It all came together beautifully (the name of the concert, Pastiche, is defined as eclecticism in art) thanks to the vision, hard work, determination and dedication of each and every performer and seasoned directors Laura Lang-Ree, Susan Nace and Jennifer Sandusky.
Lower School’s ‘Dancing at Disneyland’ Delights the Young and Young at Heart
By Jared Scott Tesler
Gail Palmer, lower school performing arts lead teacher, dubbed this year’s lower school dance concert “The Happiest Dance Show on Earth” – and anyone in attendance at “Dancing at Disneyland” would be hard-pressed to disagree! For some audience members, the enchanted evening in late May provided a monumental trip down memory lane; for others, it was every bit as magical as a visit to their all-time favorite theme park.
Under the direction of Palmer, with assistance provided by Kimberly Teodoro and Jessalyn Espiritu, the concert featured 250 students in grades 1-5 dancing around a wonderland of fanciful props, sets and slides. Each performance was cleverly assigned the name of a popular Disneyland attraction, parade, ride, shop or show, with 11 of 29 lively numbers choreographed by Palmer herself, including the opening and closing routines set to the Academy Award-winning song “When You Wish Upon a Star” from the animated musical fantasy film “Pinocchio” and “Happy” by singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer and fashion designer Pharrell Williams.
Four Harker students were recently honored for their stellar performance on the National Latin Exam, sponsored by the American Classical League and Junior Classical League. Recent graduate Richard Gu, rising seniors Allison Wang and Elisabeth Siegel and rising junior Venkat Sankar each received a special book award for earning gold medals on at least four Latin National Exams in the last five years.
The National Latin Exam, administered since 1978, is a 40-question, 45-minute test with seven different proficiency levels, containing questions on topics such as grammar, reading comprehension, mythology and history. Nearly 141,000 students took the exam between February and March of this year.