This article originally appeared in the summer 2010 Harker Quarterly.
Good morning to all our esteemed guests: members of the board of trustees, administration, faculty and staff, alumni, families, friends, and to our true guests of honor, the graduating class of 2010. I currently hold the privilege of making a few remarks of farewell at graduation. This address is the last requirement standing between you and your diploma. Knowing this, and aware of the fact that you outnumber me, I will continue the tradition of confining my remarks to one page of single-spaced, size twelve font. I will continue to refrain, however, from making any promises about the size of the margins.
In this address, I typically try to give one final piece of advice, such as, “Dare to be wrong” or, “Be like Curious George.” Today I want to take advantage of the fact that we are wholly focused on one thing, your graduation. That focus is nice, isn’t it? Together we can feel the wind, see this commanding view, contemplate the future, and maybe even listen to our own thoughts. Today we are one consciousness delicately caught in that timeless space between past and future. Sounds deep, doesn’t it?
Today and in the future, you will have more and more claims made on your attention, and I am sure you will be asked to multitask. We all have unquestioning faith in this wonderful skill, multitasking, and we are often told that we need to multitask to succeed in the workplace. But I want to counter that the world does not need more multitaskers. We need more singletaskers, people who think deeply and slowly about one thing. The world needs, I believe, people who can, like Einstein, devote three-and-a-half years to a single problem, such as why light behaves like both a particle and a wave. So my advice to you today is, “Dare to singletask.”
Now I know that “Dare to singletask” isn’t very catchy. Multitasking sounds much cooler. Who wants to singletask? According to Microsoft Word, it’s not even a word. (Multitask is, by the way.) I considered using the word “monotask,” which at least has the benefit of beginning with an “m,” like its counterpart “multitask.” But I like “singletask” because of its conjuring of “singlemindedness.” Besides, monotask sounds like something you do when you have mononucleosis, or runs the risk of sounding monotonous. Singletask sounds like you are doing it on purpose.
And purpose is the purpose. Pascal said, “All of man’s trouble stems from his inability to sit quietly in a room alone.” I am asking you to do just that. Sit in a room alone. Since most of you will have college roommates whom you cannot eject, find any place that will do. A library corner, or the woods. Just be alone with your thoughts. Do one thing deeply and well. Struggle with a very difficult book for months. Stare at a flower. Think about the purpose of life.
This is not an anti-technology rant. I love technology as much as the next person. I have an iPhone and a Kindle. I don’t Twitter, but I think I know what it means. If my wife allows me, I might even get an iPad. Rather, I am just calling for more horsepower where we need it – deep, analytical thinking about one important topic. The inscription at the entrance of the Oracle at Delphi was “Know thyself.” Greeks visited Delphi to find answers, but the answer they received was to look within.
Besides, you may not be as good at multitasking as you believe. Research by Clifford Nass at Stanford University shows that chronic multitaskers who think they are good at doing many things at the same time actually perform poorly at multitasking. He says that most of what we know about psychology suggests that the brain is not very good at multitasking, yet we are called to do it more and more.
So when your future boss or professor asks you to do two or three things by next Wednesday, do them well by next Tuesday. Do not say, “Excuse me, but my head of school advised me not to multitask at graduation.”
This article originally appeared in the summer 2010 Harker Quarterly.
Alix Natalia Briggs ’08 attended Harker for Gr. 5-9 before transferring to Interlochen Arts Academy, a private boarding school in Michigan, to pursue theater in her final three years of high school. In 2009 she was chosen out of thousands of entrants as one of three winners of a youngARTS award in the play and script writing for film or video category; 141 young artists were named winners in several disciplines. Because of this exposure, she was selected by famed choreographer Bill T. Jones for the HBO documentary-series “Masterclass.” A New York Times article about the show, in which Briggs is mentioned, can be found on the NY Times website. Currently she is a sophomore at the University of Michigan and continues to pursue her dream career as an actress and aspiring playwright.
Editor’s note: Harker has had two previous winners of youngARTS awards. For information about their program, please visit http://nfaa.org/Programs/.
Q: When you were at Harker, did you dream of doing what you do now?
A: Definitely. My interest in theater began at Harker, where I participated in Harmonics and later, the upper school Conservatory. The arts program at Harker is incredibly encouraging and community-centric. I wanted to maintain that sense of community for the rest of my life, which is why I chose to further pursue theater. I think my Spanish teachers would be pretty surprised to find out that I’m double-majoring in Spanish, though!
Q: What do you find most exciting about your career or current project?
A: Through the youngARTS program, which led to my project with HBO, I was able to meet a host of inspiring, uber-talented peers. Being able to collaborate with other artists my age has definitely been most exciting.
Q: What personal traits make you successful at what you’re doing?
A: I’d say my brashness, my outspokenness. Nothing is off limits for me. I think a large part of that is a result of growing up in the Bay Area; the Bay Area is definitely the poster child of ‘freedom of speech.’ I was fortunate enough to grow up in a place where I was exposed to all sorts of different opinions, cultures and issues.
Q: What in your life took you the longest time to learn?
A: In order to be happy, you have to be flexible. If you invest all of your potential for happiness into one goal, you are setting yourself up for disappointment. It’s better to put energy into your everyday pursuits, and then see where it takes you.
Q: What’s on the top of your personal and professional “lists” right now?
A: I want to travel the world and expose myself to as much as possible. I’d love a job that would pay me to travel – my own show on the Travel Channel, maybe? I’m a huge fan of the Ling sisters and their investigative-journalism-fueled-by-new-media approach. I think that’d be a great way to combine my interest in international studies with my background in theater.
Q: What advice do you have for current Harker students?
A: Don’t take your education for granted; most of your peers, when you leave Harker, will not have had the same opportunities as you – be respectful and mindful. Always remember that there is a world outside of Harker; it’s easy to be consumed by the ‘bubble.’ Put your effort into learning the material as opposed to just trying for stellar grades. And apply for youngARTS – it is a tremendous opportunity (for high school seniors and college freshmen under 18)!
Reprinted from the Harker Quarterly June 2010 issue
The Head of School’s Circle Celebration took place in late April for Harker’s most generous donors and Parent Development Council (PDC) members. Guests were treated to performances by a woodwind quintet from The Harker School Orchestra, Downbeat, High Voltage and Showstoppers. Head of School Chris Nikoloff welcomed guests, thanked them for their wonderful support and introduced two of the PDC cochairs, Tamra Amick (Michael, Gr. 9; Alyssa, Gr. 7; Julia, Gr. 3) and Brian Richardson (Ian, Gr. 8; Shannon, Gr. 6). Third co-chair Sangeeta Mehrotra (Malika, Gr. 11) was unable to attend.
After a review of progress on the new upper school library including a walk through the nearly-completed building, seniors in Downbeat related how donations have helped them by reminiscing on their involvement in the arts at Harker and sharing their college plans. Diana Nichols, former head of school and lifetime trustee, who is heading up the effort to fund the next phase of campus development, presented an overview of the master site plan and encouraged attendance at her more detailed presentations of the performing arts and athletic facilities plans, held in May (see story page 47.) The light repast was prepared by the Harker food service team under the eyes of Chef Steve Martin, Harker’s executive chef.
For more information on the master site plan and the performing arts center and athletic facility planning, contact Joe Rosenthal, executive director of advancement, at JoeR@harker.org.
Reprinted from the Harker Quarterly June 2010 issue
Student artists of all disciplines and their families had three opportunities in May to celebrate the unveiling of the conceptual design of their new space, a performing and visual arts center (PVAC) planned for the center of the Saratoga campus as part of phase 4 of Harker’s master site plan.
Diana Nichols, former head of school and lifetime trustee, hosted the events in the Nichols Hall auditorium. The programs included talks by visual arts chair Jaap Bongers, performing arts chair Laura Lang-Ree, and an impassioned speech by Nichols herself, who charmed, cajoled and nudged the audience into understanding the importance of completing this new venue for Harker.
Bongers outlined the difficulties his students have trying to make art pieces in the same space they are stored, and the need to work outside in all weather, because there are no rooms with proper ventilation or floor space. Lang-Ree’s speech included a dramatic visual punch – a video made by a local school that shows a time-lapse sequence of their new space, and testimonials by their faculty detailing how competitive and attractive their school can now be because of their arts center. Lang-Ree pointed out that while audiences may only see the “glitz and glamour of our productions,” what they don’t see is much more revealing; the students then gave a laundry-list of challenges they face as performers in their limited and unequipped spaces.
Student performers gave the potential donors a look at their future beneficiaries, performing dances, songs or dramatic scenes at each of the gatherings. Nichols then opened the floor to questions and comments.
The highlight of each show, though, was the presentation of the site plans. Built around the theme of a crystal – which is constantly changing, growing and reflecting light, the way students are – the new gym, student center and PVAC have glass entries. Waterfalls, a suspension bridge, a roof vegetable garden and green space will make the center a stunning addition to the campus.
A special “gift club” called The Director’s Circle has been established to recognize the many teachers, staff members and others who have made early gifts to this campaign.
The excitement at these gatherings was palpable, and momentum is growing. The time to get on board is now!
Reprinted from the Harker Quarterly June 2010 issue
The senior class attended a lunch in late May to induct them into the Harker Alumni Association and acquaint them with the next portion of their Harker “K to Life” experience. In return, the class of 2010 already had something special to give back to the Harker community.
For their senior class gift, the class of 2010 organized and raised over $7,500 for the John Near Resource Center, located in Shah Hall (see page 49 for more.) The Jamal family doubled the amount raised through a unique and generous Annual Giving challenge match that matched dollar for dollar funds raised by the seniors. For the first time from any class, Class of 2010 senior class leaders reported they had 100 percent participation to their class gift.
At press time, alumni had raised over $11,500 for the Annual Giving Campaign. With the $7,500 raised by the class of 2010, the final total of over $19,000 raised by the two groups is a new record for both alumni and the senior class gift. The funds will be directed specifically to developing the John Near Resource Center. Located on the second floor of Shah Hall, the Center will house academic resources to encourage the pursuit of excellence in the field of history. In addition to the physical location, the Center will include a virtual presence, with resources online. The combined generosity of alumni and the senior class allows for the John Near Resource Center to open in time for the 2010-11 school year.
Near passed away last September after 31 years teaching at Harker. Daughter Casey Near ’06 was present at the seniors’ alumni induction lunch to thank them for their generous gift, and to speak about the benefits of being part of the Harker network. “I just graduated from college, but the Harker community is the one I’ll always come back to!” she said.
Reprinted from the Harker Quarterly June 2010 issue
Two days after the school year ended the Saratoga campus hummed with activity as Harker alumni attended the fifth annual All Alumni Day. New graduates and alumni decades past graduation converged to see old friends, teachers and administrators, and to get up to speed on the latest developments at the school and in each others’ lives.
Modeled after a student’s day at Harker, the event consisted of different periods. During first period, alumni could attend “classes” of their choice taught by current Harker faculty. The classes included athletics, dance, debate, journalism, Junior Classical League, Junior States of America, orchestra, performing arts and robotics. “I mingled with people. [Chris] Daren was my advisor, so I came back to say ‘hi’ to him,” said Julia Havard ‘07. Some alumni elected to catch up and reminisce over old photos, newsletters, uniforms and various other memorabilia from the Harker Archives on display in the Nichols Hall atrium.
A common theme among alumni attendees was the many changes that the campus has seen over the past five years.
“I always hear about new things being done here so I just wanted to come check it out,” said Tyrone Easter ‘82. “First thing I noticed was, ‘Where’s the pool?’ I haven’t been here in four, five years. I guess right after I left [Harker] pulled it out, and I haven’t been back since,” he added, referring to the pool’s move from what is now Rosenthal Field to its current incarnation as the Singh Aquatic Center.
Jamie Trinh ‘05 was quick to point out the many changes since her graduation, noting, “There’s a bigger parking lot, there’s a football field, there’s a [new] swimming pool, there’s a swinging pendulum in the middle of the campus!”
Second period brought everyone together for an “all school meeting” and an awards ceremony in the Nichols Hall auditorium. First, Head of School Chris Nikoloff presented Maheen Kaleem ’03 with the Community Service Award for her numerous and ongoing endeavors in her fight against human trafficking and the sexual exploitation of children.
Wajahat Ali ‘94 received the Distinguished Alumni Award for his accomplishments as an essayist, humorist, attorney at law, and for the success of his play, “The Domestic Crusaders,” a story of the post-9/11 Muslim- American experience. Upon accepting his award, Ali recounted his Gr. 5 year at Harker during which severe allergies kept him home for 38 days. He explained that the school intended to dismiss him because he had missed too much school, but ultimately, aided by the timely discovery of an effective allergy medicine, Harker allowed Ali the chance to take on a tutor for a month after school to catch up. Later, with the encouragement of his peers and teachers at Harker, Ali said he would discover his talent for writing.
The third and final award of the afternoon, the Phyllis Carley Award, went to late history teacher John Near. This award recognizes alumni or other Harker friends who have unselfishly devoted their time and energies and made significant contributions towards advancing the programs of The Harker School. Near’s wife, Pam Dickinson, director of the Office of Communication, and his daughter, Casey Near ’06, accepted on his behalf. Near actually had been presented with the award in person in early September 2009, only weeks before he passed away from cancer.
The third and last period of the day involved ten-minute tours around campus by Joe Rosenthal, executive director of advancement; Casey Near, 2006 Class Agent; Dan Molin, upper school athletic director; and Sue Prutton, director of upper school parent volunteer programs.
Even Amaresh Shukla ‘09, only a year removed from Harker and mostly familiar with its facelift, thought it was “great to see how everybody’s doing and how the school is doing. It’s great to come back from college and see familiar faces.”
A special dinner was held May 20 at the house of Chris Nikoloff, head of school, to honor the “Lifers” in the Class of 2010 – graduating seniors who have been students at Harker for their entire educational careers.
The seven members of the Class of 2010 who have been with Harker since junior kindergarten are: Rohan Chopra, Carina Fernandes, Yash Khandwala, Miriam Lee, Kevin Liu, Alexander Ringold and Amy Rorabaugh.
Graduates who started in kindergarten are: Matthew Azebu, Arjun Bhargava, Danielle Buis, Ryan Cali, Kelsey Chung, Michael Clifford, Cole Davis, Erica Hansen, Jackie Ho, Eugene Huang, Vishesh Jain, Kacie Kaneyuki, Tamara Kawadri, Nicole Lindars, Arjun Mody, Scott Mohanram, Kendra Moss, Sarah Newton, Ketul Patel, Shanna Polzin, Rohan Prakash, Colby Rapson, Rohan Shah, Stephen Wang, Sarah Wang, Adrienne Wong and Lung-Ying Yu.
The annual brick ceremony took place in May to honor several graduating seniors by having bricks engraved with their names and graduation years set in the sidewalk leading to the Graduates’ Grove. This year, 43 families honored their graduates by having bricks placed. The honorees are: Namrata Anand, Brandon Araki, Alison Axelrad, Esther Belogolovsky, Natasha Chitkara, Rohan Chopra, Brittany Chu, Alexander Creasman, Brandon Dai, Cole Davis, Monisha Dilip, Stefan Eckhardt, Thomas Enzminger, Kevin Fu, Akum Gill, Chad Gordon, Erica Hansen, Tara Hansen, Kelsey Hilbrich, Jackie Ho, Sonya Huang, Nalini Jain, Mahum Jamal, Jonathan Lau, Nicole Lindars, Kevin Liu, Connie Lu, Sachin Mitra, Sarah Newton, Ketul Patel, Shanna Polzin, Alexander Ringold, Amy Rorabaugh, Priya Sathaye, Kevin Saxon, Rohan Shah, Elaine Song, Shizuka Tiernan, Christine Trinh, Jeremy Whang, Margaret Woods, Kelly Yu and Kevin Zhang.
Following the ceremony, the patio outside the new library was dedicated as the senior parent appreciation gift from the more than 80 families who contributed to fund its landscaping.
Adding to the long list of recent speech and debate accomplishments, the Harker middle school debate team claimed the 2010 National Junior Forensic League championship in Public Forum Debate in late June in Des Moines, Iowa. Based on the school’s cumulative accomplishment across all debate events, coach Steve Clemmons took the stage to collect one of only five School of Excellence in Debate awards bestowed at the tournament. Students will be entering Gr. 9 in the fall unless otherwise noted.
In public forum, debaters evaluated whether current trends in political dialogue compromise meaningful democratic discourse. All three Harker teams advanced to competition in the elimination round bracket. While Stephanie Lu and Maneesha Panja fell in the Octafinal round on a 2-1 decision, Harker’s two other teams, Adarsh Battu and partner Arjun Kumar, along with Claudia Tischler and partner Shilpa Yarlagadda, reached the final round and were thus named co-champions. Tischler and Yarlagadda were also undefeated in preliminary competition.
In Lincoln-Douglas, debaters considered whether inclusion of non-felons in DNA databases is unjust. Travis Chen, advanced to semifinals before falling on a 2-1 decision to the eventual champion. Srikar Pyda and Brian Tuan also both made elimination round competition, falling in Octafinals. Rohith Bhethanabotla and Azhar Huda, Gr. 8 (in the fall) competed valiantly in Lincoln-Douglas debate as well, falling just short of reaching the elimination rounds.
Pulling double-duty at the tournament, Kumar complemented his Public Forum championship by reaching finals in Congressional Debate.
Congratulations also go to Mr. Steve Clemmons, Director of Middle School Forensics. Mr. Jonathan Peele, Director of Upper School Congressional Debate and Individual Events, traveled with the team and served as an assistant coach. Ms. Carol Green, Communication Studies Department Chair and Director of Upper School Public Forum, assisted by working with students to organize practices and enlisting the enthusiastic help of many upper school debaters to lend peer-coaching. The success of our middle school debaters at NJFL Nationals truly demonstrates the power of the unified Harker Forensics Team!
Ashvin Swaminathan, Gr. 9, recently earned a spot in the violin section of the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra, one of the top groups of its kind in the country. The young musicians will have the privilege of training with members of the symphony, and will perform four concerts with the orchestra.
Harker students who have been members of the SFSYO include violinist Catherine Chiu, ’08, cellist Tiffany Yu, ’08, and cellist Julia Shim, ’10.