This story originally appeared in the spring 2014 Harker Quarterly.
The week after Thanksgiving break, the lower school’s student council sponsored a hot chocolate sale to help raise money to aid relief efforts in the Philippines in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan. Along with the hot chocolate sales, there were some exceptional gifts made to the fund.
“The fundraiser was a huge success. We were able to raise $726 from the hot chocolate sales. In addition, we had some special donations, which brought our grand total to $6,996,” reported Kristin Giammona, elementary division head.
Proceeds from the sale were then combined with funds previously collected by the middle school for donation to Habitat for Humanity to help typhoon victims rebuild their homes and provide clean-up kits. The boost from the middle school drive brought the grand total up to $8,096.12 raised on behalf of the people of the Philippines.
Last week, Bryan Zhang, now in grade 7, joined up with seniors Luke Wu, Kevin Kim and Jason Lee and junior Cuebeom Choi recognized for a special performance at a benefit event for the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at the Palo Alto Country Club. The Palo Alto Daily News gave the young musicians a special “Thumbs Up” in its Dec. 4 edition.
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This story originally appeared in the spring 2014 Harker Quarterly. Bryan Zhang, grade 5, recently received a certificate from the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital in recognition of his philanthropic efforts. Four years ago, when the Los Altos resident was admitted to the hospital with pneumonia, his nurses brought him a stuffed teddy bear, which he found very comforting. Zhang began thinking about all the other sick children at the hospital and wondering whether they also received such gifts to help ease their hospital stays. He donated some of his own souvenirs, then, with his parents’ help, formed the World Toys for Children Foundation to support the hospital with donations that “educate, inspire imagination and comfort sick children.”
This story originally appeared in the spring 2014 Harker Quarterly.
by Ellen DiBiase
The Vashist Family
Rajesh and Rohini Vashist (Mallika, grade 6) embody both the philosophy and mission of Harker to develop not only lifelong learners but also well-rounded, caring citizens. “Like many parents, we want our child to do well and go to a top school. More than that, however, we want her to be a lovely and confident, good human being,” said the couple.
Several years ago, when considering schools for their daughter, the Vashists noticed that many of their friends’ children attended Harker, and they found Harker students to be exceptional in both their intellectual curiosity and character. The Vashists appreciated that at Harker they would be surrounded by a mix of parents who are serious about education.
Upon joining the Harker community, the Vashists began to contribute their time and resources in a number of meaningful ways. Each year, they have supported the annual Harker Family & Alumni Picnic as well as the Harker Fashion Show (now called Night on the Town), and Rohini has volunteered in her daughter’s homeroom and with various performing arts programs.
On top of their annual giving contribution, the Vashists also have made a very generous commitment via a planned gift of privately held stock to the school. In doing so, they became members of the Entrepreneurs’ Circle within The Nichols Family Planned Giving Society at Harker. “We want to do everything we can to support the quality of teachers, programs and classrooms in order to perpetuate the Harker experience for as many children as possible,” said Rohini, who especially values the great learning opportunities Harker students have beyond the classroom.
Formerly in international hotel management with the Sheraton Group and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, she appreciates the trips and excursions that supplement the students’ education. Her husband, a fellow avid traveler, has spent the majority of his career in the semiconductor industry and since 2007 has served as the CEO of SiTime Corp., the fastest-growing semiconductor company.
Daughter Mallika currently participates in the Spirit Club, dance and basketball at Harker. “We see the phenomenal product of Harker, and we feel blessed and lucky to live close enough to be a part of this community,” said Rohini.
Margaret Peterson
As the founder of Harker’s visual arts program, Margaret Peterson introduced a variety of techniques and art forms to the school’s students over the course of 22 years, both as a teacher and a volunteer.
Introducing art to the Harker community was a gradual process, as appropriate spaces had to be identified to house an art studio, display student pieces and store large equipment, such as a kiln. Through the years, student artwork gained prominent displays around campus in an effort to showcase the diverse talents of Harker students. “Display of our art at school and out in the community was important because it gave students pride in their work and because it would be a visible addition to Harker’s strong academic program,” said Peterson, who began teaching at Harker in 1982.
Peterson first taught art after school and to grades 6-8 and later added K-5 art classes. Her classes featured lessons in clay, block prints, sculpture and water- color, and her students were known for using repurposed wire frames each year to build large papier-mâché models including a dinosaur and a Volkswagen car, which were then featured in Harker’s annual Halloween parade.
Peterson retired from Harker in 2002 but continued to volunteer in the after-school program for two more years. Upon her retirement, she pledged to make a planned gift to Harker’s general endowment fund with the intention that, as the administration sees fit, the proceeds could be used toward scholarships and, in particular, scholarships to visual arts students who might not otherwise be able to attend or continue to attend Harker.
This story originally appeared in the spring 2014 Harker Quarterly.
During its annual luncheon in November, the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ Silicon Valley chapter recognized Harker Board of Trustees member Dr. Jeffery Lee and his wife, Susan Lew Lee, for their fundraising efforts and service to the local community. The Lees are parents of Jeffrey ’92 and Kathryn ’04.
Lee is an Honorary Council member for Asian Americans for Community Involvement (AACI). He and his wife have worked tirelessly collecting much-needed toiletries and other daily necessities for abused women and children staying at AACI’s shelter.
Michele Lew, AACI president and CEO, was quoted in her organization’s recent newsletter as saying, “I’m honored to know Jeff and Susan and thrilled that they were given this recognition. They are a model couple when it comes to giving back to the community.”
This story originally appeared in the spring 2014 Harker Quarterly.
There is not a single student on any of Harker’s four campuses who doesn’t benefit directly from the school’s annual giving campaign. These charitable contributions fund Harker’s Margin of Excellence – programs not completely covered by tuition and fees.
“These are items such as athletics and clubs, performing arts, visual arts, technology, library, teacher training and day field trips,” explained Melinda Gonzales, Harker’s managing director of advancement.
Annual campaign funds aid the entire Harker community, including students of all ages, as well as their families and teachers. Even everyday activities such as enjoying a class party or simply checking out a book from the library are made possible by the annual campaign.
“The Margin of Excellence is what makes the Harker experience so exceptional,” said Gonzales.
At the new Harker Preschool, for example, annual campaign funding will enable the purchase of a chicken coop and bunny hutch for the farm, as well as light tables, outdoor play kitchens, library stations, xylophones and color printers.
At the lower, middle and upper schools, annual giving has funded many unique items during the past couple of years, including a tuba, trombone and harp for the upper school orchestra; a 3-D printer for STEM students; child-sized art tables for the lower school; equipment for middle school biology and physical education classes; and professional-grade DSLR cameras and lenses, GoPro video cameras and a drone for upper school journalism students.
“This equipment is transforming our potential and capacities for telling our stories, as well as giving journalism students experience with and training on high-end photojournalism gear,” said Ellen Austin, upper school journalism teacher.
Austin added that her students have started winning individual awards from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association for the writing, videos and design work they’ve done using the new equipment bought with funds from the annual campaign.
Meanwhile, Chrissy Chang, P.E. department chair for K-8, said, “Thanks to the monies from annual giving, we have been able to purchase new fitness equipment. Some of the items are kettle bells, body bars and battle ropes. Also, we have been able to restock balls and hockey equipment. This has allowed the P.E. staff to create new fun fitness lessons. We, the P.E. department, are very appreciative of all the funds received from annual giving.”
At the lower school, art teacher Gerry-louise Robinson said that the new tables have been an amazing addition to the her classroom. “Having the tables has not only opened up the art room’s space but also changed the way that the students are able to work.”
As an independent private school, Harker does not receive funds from government, religious or other organizations and must cover all operations and capital improvements through tuition and fees, and charitable and capital contributions.
Having a high percentage of participation is important, as it puts Harker in the best possible position to receive foundation and corporate grants.
“We are grateful to our many families who have already participated in annual giving this year. Their contributions benefit every student and teacher here at Harker!” said Gonzales.
Harker enjoyed another successful year at the Synopsys Championship in March, as dozens of middle and upper school students garnered awards.
Five upper school students were named Grand Prize winners, granting them spots at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). Two additional students were named Grand Prize alternates.
Sriram Somasundaram, grade 11, won Grand Prize – Best of Championship in Biological Sciences. He was awarded $1,000 and a finalist letter from the Synopsys Outreach Foundation. He also received a First Award in the Biochemistry/Microbiology category.
Junior Andrew Jin also won Grand Prize – Best of Championship in Biological Sciences. He received $1,000 and a finalist letter from the Synopsys Outreach Foundation. He also was awarded a $100 First Prize from Morgan Lewis, a $100 second place prize from the UCSF Center for Systems and Synthetic Biology, and $75 from Varian Medical Systems. In addition, he received a First Award in the Bioinformatics category.
Another Grand Prize – Best of Championship winner in Biological Sciences was Steven Wang, grade 11. He received $1,000 and a finalist letter from the Synopsys Outreach Foundation, as well as a $100 First Prize from Morgan Lewis, a $100 second place prize from the UCSF Center for Systems and Synthetic Biology, and $75 from Varian Medical Systems. He also received a First Award in Bioinformatics.
Junior Vivek Sriram was named Grand Prize Alternate in Biological Sciences. He also received a First Award in Bioinformatics.
In Physical Sciences, Nitya Mani, grade 11, won a Grand Prize – Best of Championship, as well as a First Award in the Computers/Mathematics category. She also received a Certificate of Achievement from Mu Alpha Theta.
Senior Varun Mohan also won Grand Prize – Best of Championship in Physical Sciences, as well as a First Award in Computers/Mathematics and a Certificate of Achievement and medallion from the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.
Senior Vikas Bhetanabhotla was named a Grand Prize Alternate in Physical Sciences. He also won a First Award in Physics.
In all, 30 upper school students were winners in various categories.
In Botany, Joyce Huang and Neymika Jain, both grade 9, won First Awards.
In Environmental Sciences, grade 9 students Anika Jain, Anuva Mittal and Steven Cao won First Awards. Cao also received a Schonert Award, which came with $100 and a Certificate of Achievement. Tiara Bhatacharya, grade 11, also had success in Environmental Sciences, winning a Second Award.
In Biochemistry/Microbiology, First Awards went to Kshithija Mulam and Alayna Richmond, both grade 9. Anika Gupta, grade 12, received an Honorable Mention.
In Chemistry, Rohith Kuditipudi, grade 11, won a First Award and finalist letter, as well as $50 from San Jose State Student Affiliates of the American Chemical Society. Efrey Noten, grade 12, won a Second Award.
Harker had a total of five winners in Computers/Mathematics. In addition to Mani and Mohan, junior Ankita Pannu received a Fourth Place Student Award from the San Francisco Bay Area professional chapter of the Association for Computing Machinery, which included a certificate and $120. Rishabh Jain, grade 11, and Vineet Kosaraju, grade 10, each received an Honorable Mention from the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.
In Medicine/Health/Gerontology, junior Neil Movva received a First Award and $100 from the Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering, while freshman Venkat Sankar received a Second Award.
In Earth/Space Sciences, Manan Shah, grade 9, won a First Award and $100 from Trimble Navigation, as well as a certificate of achievement from the American Meteorological Society. In the same category, Zareen Choudhury won a Second Award.
Harker had two winners in the Engineering category. Junior Vamsi Gadiraju received a $100 First Prize from Morgan Lewis, a finalist letter from the Synopsys Outreach Foundation, a $100 First Place Award and certificate from the American Vacuum Society, a $75 Second Place Award from A Society for Materials, a certificate of achievement and medallion from the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, and a $100 First Place Award from the Society of Vacuum Coaters. Meanwhile, Kailas Vodrahalli, grade 11, won Outstanding Sustainability Project in the Synopsys Championship’s I-SWEEEP contest, as well as an Honorable Mention in the Engineering Category and a certificate and medallion from the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.
In Bioinformatics, junior David Lin earned an Honorable Mention, as well as an iPad Mini and Certificate of Achievement from MedImmune. Vedant Thyagaraj, grade 11, won a Second Award.
Finally, in Physics, junior Leo Yu earned a Second Award.
Harker middle school students also had considerable success. First Awards in Zoology went to Praveen Batra and Michael Kwan, both grade 8, with Sumati Wadhwa, also grade 8, receiving an Honorable Mention. Sohenee Banerjee and Meghana Karinthi, both grade 8, received First Awards in Medicine/Health/Gerontology, with Jerry Chen and Jimmy Lin, both grade 8, receiving Second Awards.
Rajiv Movva, grade 8, was one of two winners in Biochemistry/Microbiology, winning a First Award. The other, eighth grader Anooshree Sengupta, won a Second Award and an Honorable Mention from the Society of Vacuum Coaters.
Harker picked up a pair of wins in Botany, with First Awards going to Anastasiya Grebin and Stephanie Swanson, both grade 8. In Environmental Sciences, eighth graders Aadi Ghildiyal and Sohini Kar received Honorable Mentions.
In Physics, Sushant Thyagaraj, grade 8, took home a Second Award. Fellow eighth grader Shaya Zarkesh won a First Award in Engineering, along with $50 and an Award for Electro-Technology from the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers.
This story originally appeared in the spring 2014 Harker Quarterly.
Middle school English teacher Mark Gelineau recently made his debut as a fiction author in “High Adventure History,” a collection of historical fiction stories told with classic pulp aplomb. Gelineau’s story, “The Hanged Man: The 13 Coils,” takes readers to medieval Wales, weaving a thrilling tale of murder and revenge that fuses historical detail with supernatural fantasy. It is available in paperback and on mobile devices via Amazon.com.
This story originally appeared in the spring 2014 Harker Quarterly.
Congratulations to upper school biology teacher Mike Pistacchi, who recently received National Board Certification in teaching young adolescents and young adult science. This advanced teaching credential is awarded to teachers who demonstrate their ability and dedication to advancing the learning goals of their students. National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) are widely recognized for their ability to improve student learning and achievement. To receive this accreditation, Pistacchi spent nearly two years extensively documenting his teaching methods, which were then measured against the high standards of the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards. This process included closely examining student needs, recording videos of teaching sessions and submitting examples of student work that showed their growth in understanding the material and principles being taught in the classroom.
Heather Russell, lower school English teacher, was recently named a finalist in the Next Vista for Learning Super Thoughts video contest. Next Vista For Learning is an online library of useful videos produced by teachers and students. Russell’s video, made after her visit to Japan for this year’s teacher exchange with Tamagawa Academy (K-12) & University, briefly covers some of the things she learned about the similarities and differences between the cultures of Japanese and American students. For example, though Japanese students learn how to read and write English, gather for story time and use computers, they also exercise as a group every day, practice Japanese calligraphy and keep Legos in their desks. “I received a $50 gift certificate and am now going to help my students submit some videos they are making for the next contest,” Russell said.
This story originally appeared in the spring 2014 Harker Quarterly.
In late December, Harker Quarterly received word that Jason Berry, the highly regarded English teacher who died suddenly in August 2013, had received an outstanding educator award from the University of Chicago in 2012. First-year University of Chicago students nominate candidates by submitting letters detailing how teachers have changed their lives by inspiring and challenging them to make the most of their educational experiences. The prestigious award has been given for three decades. Berry was nominated by Rachelle Koch ’12, who wrote in her letter that Berry taught her the value of writing. “Before I met Mr. Berry, English was just another class. I read when I had to. I wrote when I had to. I analyzed (if it could be called that) when I had to,” she wrote. “Once Mr. Berry became my teacher, I began to recognize and appreciate the beauty of literature and writing.” More about Berry’s life and teachings can be found in the Milestones section of the fall 2013 issue of Harker Quarterly.