Recently, upper school Japanese students had a visit from a professional calligrapher from Kamakura, Japan. Shoko Kazama visited Harker once before, three years ago. After introducing the students to the three brushes and three styles of calligraphy, she introduced the theme of this year’s lesson, “heart.” The finished works will be posted in the Main Hall soon.
One summer camp class this past summer was out of this world—the NASA Science, Technology and Exploration Program, facilitated by Miriam Allersma, physical science teacher. The program, called NASA STEP, was a two-week class focused on activities in science research and space technology using astrobiology as a theme. Rachelle Koch, Gr.10, attended, along with Harker students Sarika Asthana, also Gr. 10 and juniors Meghna Chatterjee, Christine Chien, Nikhil Parthasarathy and 19 students from other schools. “Since I’m interested in science, I figured it would be a fun and educational experience,” Koch said.
“The basis of the camp was creating our own ‘Mission to Mars,’ so most of what they taught us was related to Mars in some way,” Koch said. The class broke into groups of four and “we had to make sure we covered every aspect of traveling to Mars, conducting research there and somehow transmitting the research back to Earth. It was challenging because we had to take all of the things we learned over the two weeks and somehow apply it to this project,” Koch said.
One of the high points was a light-pollution-free, three-day camping trip to Lassen National Park. “We went hiking, made campfires, went to caves, walked through the forest at night, and watched satellites and shooting stars in the sky — the list goes on and on,” noted Koch. “It was really fun because I have never really gone on an outdoor camping trip, so this was quite the experience.”
For Koch, the camp helped see our world as it sits in space. “The most surprising thing I learned was that there is a large amount of space debris floating around Earth,” she said, “mostly defunct satellites. Yet, when we look up in the night sky, all we see are stars. I guess that puts Earth’s size in perspective, despite the masses of junk in the atmosphere.”
Attending the camp has helped Koch refine her career thoughts. “I think a job in space exploration, or something related to it, would be very interesting!” she noted. “I learned that people can be anything and still work for NASA, you don’t necessarily have to be a scientist, although I would definitely pick something medical or scientific involved with space exploration for a career.”
Seventh graders have been learning about the basics of electricity and kinetics in science class. Raji Swaminathan, Gr. 7 science teacher, says the section on electricity is particularly appealing to students because “every day [they] have a hands-on activity that demonstrates the concept learned.” Recently the students studied Ohm’s Law, which relates to resistance and current. In the experiment, students examined current readings while changing resistance through an Ammeter, which measures current, and by watching a light bulb connected to the circuit change in brightness.
Science classes also use fun and exciting ways to learn physics. After covering topics such as potential energy, kinetic energy and the Law of Conservation of Energy, students were tasked with building a roller coaster to demonstrate their knowledge. These coasters were constructed using PVC pipes, foam insulation tracks and tape with a marble acting as the coaster. Each coaster had to meet a specific list of requirements regarding size and features. These were a initial hill tall enough to provide the coaster with enough potential energy to complete the course, a loop-the-loop and an exit hill.
In the experiment, not only did the marble have to make it through the entire track without stopping, it had to do so without flying off at any point. After this was accomplished the real work began. Students calculated the potential energy values at the top of the first hill, top of the loop and top of the exit hill. Knowing that total mechanical energy (sum of potential and kinetic energies) stays a constant, students calculated the kinetic energies at the three above-mentioned points and hence figured out the velocity of the coaster at these three points. Through hands-on experiments like these, the lessons students learn are remembered for a lifetime!
Harker junior Allika Walvekar recently assembled a youth commission of local high school students with the help of the Los Altos Hills city council. Walvekar has served as the lone youth commissioner since February and is now joined by a full commission that will eventually consist of 12 students. After applying and interviewing with Walvekar and the community relations committee, nine young Los Altos Hills residents join Walvekar and assume responsibilities as liaisons between the city council and youth residents. There are two remaining vacancies. As detailed by the charter, the new commission will support community service and foster unity and friendship through events and social activities.
Tags: OutreachOn Saturday, Dec. 19 on KTVU, Harker was featured on “Eco Company,” a national TV program covering teens who are taking an active role in creating greener communities. The segment on Harker featured the upper school campus’ greenhouse and organic garden, the LEED gold-certified Nichols Hall, the lower school’s energy monitoring systems and more. Those who were unable to tune in can watch the segment on Eco Company’s Web site.
This article originally appeared in winter 2009 Harker Quarterly.
William Jarvis ’97 graduated from Santa Clara University in molecular biology in 2006, and in 2011 will receive an M.B.A. from Stanford, where he currently lives. A science experiment Jarvis began as an eighth grade boarding student at Harker has recently been released by his family’s winery as “Will Jarvis’ Science Project,” and was given 93 points by the Beverage Testing Institute and 92 points by Wine Spectator.
Bruce Jones, PAMA ‘71, attended Culver Military Academy, Trinity University, St. Mary’s University and the University of Washington. He makes his home in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, where he is the CEO of U.S. Submarines, Inc., Poseidon Undersea Resorts LLC and Triton Submarines LLC.
Q: When you were at Harker, did you dream of doing what you do now?
A: William Jarvis: I always knew, even at an early age, that I wanted to attend a graduate business program and eventually run my own business. After finishing my undergraduate education I worked for three years doing research and development at a biotech company called Codexis. My work experience helped me gain admittance to the Stanford Graduate School of Business, where I am currently enrolled as a first-year M.B.A. student.
A: L. Bruce Jones: I learned to dive the summer of my sixth grade year at PAMA [Palo Alto Military Academy], and that was the start of a lifelong fascination with being underwater.
Q: What do you find most exciting about your career or current project?
A: WJ: An M.B.A. is exciting because it opens lots of doors and presents you with educational and career opportunities you would not have access to otherwise.
A: LBJ: We’re currently building the world’s first sea floor resort and the very first permanent, one- atmosphere undersea residence. It’s the culmination of a dream for me.
Q: What personal traits make you successful at what you’re doing?
A: WJ: I have a good sense of what my priorities are and I focus my time and energy accordingly. I do not let myself get sidetracked by the non-essential.
A: LBJ: Hard work and perseverance.
Q: What in your life so far took you the longest time to learn?
A: WJ: Developing effective leadership skills is a lifelong process and this is an area where I continually seek improvement.
A: LBJ: Balancing work with family and leisure.
Q: What’s on the top of your personal and professional “lists” right now?
A: WJ: I am in the middle of the “on campus recruiting” process at Stanford, looking for an appropriate summer internship. I believe that work experience outside of the family business will allow me to contribute in a more meaningful way to the winery.
A: LBJ: Teaching my wife and teenage boys to fly in preparation for an around the world journey in a small plane in two years. Continuing to grow the submarine and the undersea resort companies.
Q: Tell us something surprising about yourself.
A: WJ: I bought a Japanese sports bike (motorcycle) when I was 20 years old and I have been riding ever since.
A: LBJ: I won the 1977 Collegiate National Skydiving Championships when in college.
Q: What advice do you have for current Harker students?
A: WJ: Focus on your academics and take advantage of all the opportunities that are available through Harker, but also put some time aside for your personal development. It is important to develop a sense of perspective and see yourself and your aspirations in a broader context than what you are accustomed to. If you have the opportunity, traveling can be a great way to expand your horizons.
A: LBJ: Do what you love and don’t give up when it’s difficult. When the time comes, find a mate that supports you and your career choice.
Tags: Alumni, Flash Forward, PAMAThis article originally appeared in the winter 2009 Harker Quarterly.
In a culture of philanthropy, constituents support an organization’s mission and recognize the need for charitable contributions to help achieve that mission. In recent years we have seen Harker’s culture of philanthropy take root and flourish within our school community.
This past fall we have been the fortunate recipients of three types of charitable gifts that are new to the school.
1. Endowed Gifts
The John Near Excellence in History Education Endowment Fund
Harker received its first endowment in memory of a 31-year veteran of Harker’s teaching staff, John Near, who passed away in late September. Near’s parents, James and Patricia Near, are funding the $300,000 endowment by taking advantage of the IRA Charitable Rollover Extension, which they learned about in the November 2008 issue of the Harker News. This rollover extension allows them to contribute funds from their IRA without having to pay the tax on the appreciation. The proceeds will be used to “help develop the history department, both through the acquisition of resources and providing growth opportunities for both faculty and students,” as John Near articulated in August of this year as he and his parents planned this gift.
To create an endowed fund at Harker, a donor makes a gift or series of gifts, which make up a principal amount. That principal is permanently restricted and will only be used to generate interest income. A pre-set amount of the annual interest is used each year to support the purpose for which the endowed fund was established or the general fund, depending on the donor’s wishes. Endowed funds can continue to grow over time if the interest earned on the principal exceeds the set amount used for the annual payout, and the excess is added the principal. The pre-set interest on endowed funds will support the purpose for which they are created year after year in perpetuity.
2. Privately Held Stock Gifts
Harker parents Selvaraj Venugopal and Sumathi Selvaraj (Raghav, Gr. 9; Anu, Gr. 2), Raj and Shailaja Velagapudi (Anish, Gr. 6; Anmol, Gr. 1) and Michel and Sudha Susai (Kevin, Gr. 9; Jessica, Gr. 4) are transferring shares of privately-held stock in their companies to the school.
Given Harker’s location in the Silicon Valley, it is not surprising that a large number of our constituents are entrepreneurs. Making a gift of privately-held stock is a way for some of our parents who have funds tied up in their start-up companies to share their entrepreneurial successes with the school.
3. Private Equity Fund Gifts
Current Harker parents Srini and Durga Madala (Samantha, Gr. 7; Ajay, Gr. 1) became Visionary Benefactors during Phase 3 of the school’s capital campaign two years ago, and they are leading the way again by introducing a new type of charitable gift. The Madalas are contributing an Endowment Management Account, the funds of which are invested primarily in private equity.
Returns from private equity investments usually pay out over several years. With the gift structured to ensure that the school has no liability for capital calls, and assuming the fund continues to grow, the school will eventually receive not only the current value of the fund, but any growth the fund achieves as well.
Those wishing to contribute to the John Near endowment fund or to discuss these or other gift types should contact Joe Rosenthal, executive director of advancement, at joer@harker.org.
Tags: advancement, endowments, Harker GivingThis article originally appeared in the winter 2009 Harker Quarterly.
Homecoming 2009 blended old and new traditions on a crisp fall evening Nov. 13. Held for the first time on campus, but incorporating many old traditions, homecoming at Davis Field provided a home field advantage for both players and fans.
Early in the evening, K-Gr. 12 students, alumni, staff, parents and friends enjoyed the junior varsity game despite the 18-9 loss; tailgate parties and the traditional pre-game and half-time entertainment got the crowd excited and ready to watch the big game. Fan favorites – the class tug-of-wars, the Eaglets’ performance and the homecoming court – were accompanied by the addition of a Bounce Zone with slide and bounce house, on adjacent, well-lit Rosenthal Field.
Although Davis Field has been open for three years, the logistics of holding homecoming on campus have been daunting. Previous homecoming events were held at PAL stadium and at Foothill College. This year, through the tireless efforts of staff and administration, parking, seating and entertainment were all organized to fit the smaller venue. Upper school students vacated their parking spaces in good order to make room for grade-level and alumni tailgates, as well as the traditional team tailgate at Christine and John Davis’ (Cole, Gr. 12) motor home. The arrangement created a safe zone where parents and students could come and go freely throughout the game.
One of the more obvious advantages to having the event on campus was having executive chef Steve Martin’s tasty food right to hand. To accommodate the crowd of over 1,200, additional bleacher seating was brought in, shuttles ran to the Blackford parking lot, and the homecoming court traveled green, arriving via pedicabs instead of the traditional convertibles. Chris Daren, upper school activities and yearbook/newspaper advisor, organized an entertaining week of spirit events for the Saratoga students as well as the homecoming court event.
One of the refinements of the home field location was the above-mentioned Bounce Zone, supervised by ever-vigilant BEST staff, heavily used by an enthusiastic crowd of younger Eagles until close to the end of the game.
This year, with a real “home coming,” the crowd was energized. Before the varsity game, attendees were treated to an impressive routine by the varsity Dance Troupe, directed by Laura Rae, and an enthusiastic performance by the lower school’s junior cheerleaders, instructed by Melinda Beason. Prior to kickoff, vocal groups from all three campuses sang both the Harker anthem and “The Star-Spangled Banner,” directed by upper school music teacher Catherine Snider.
The first half was a hard-fought struggle, with coach Karriem Stinson’s Eagles behind 12-7 when the halftime whistle blew. Throughout the first half of the game, the junior cheerleaders from Bucknall, with the upper school cheerleaders, coached by Chris King, led the crowd in rousing cheers in support of the gridiron gladiators on the emerald field below.
During halftime, the finals of the upper school tug-of-war contest took place, with seniors maintaining the status quo by taking first over the juniors. More halftime entertainment was provided by the cheerleaders, who put on an acrobatic display of school spirit.
Irresistibly cute, the Gr. 1-2 Eaglets, instructed by lower school dance teacher Gail Palmer, performed their annual dance, this year held in the home grandstand, and, shortly afterward, the 2009 homecoming court arrived on the field via carriages pedaled by class deans. Seniors Kevin Fu (playing running back and defensive end, thus in his football uniform) and Mahum Jamal were crowned Homecoming King and Queen. Other members of the court included freshmen Rahul Nalamasu and Maya Sathaye, sophomores Aaron Bisla and Laura Yau, juniors Nirjhar Mundkur and Brianna Tran, as well as seniors Thomas Enzminger, Valerie Hwa, Arjun Mody and Jackie Ho. In another long-established tradition, faculty cheerleaders rallied the crowd prior to the start of the second half.
As in previous years, the crowd was entertained throughout the game by the sounds of the upper school’s Jazz Band, led by Chris Florio. In the stands and on the field, students and players reveled in the first on-campus homecoming. “It just felt right being on Davis Field: it’s where we have all of our spirit events and football games and class meetings and such,” said Danielle Buis, Gr. 12. “So much activity happens on Davis Field, so it’s just always going to bring back those good memories of high school and all the things we did together. We have a lot of spirit and pride in what we do at the high school and homecoming is just our way to show it off to the other campuses.”
Football player Gautam Krishnamurthi, Gr. 11, playing wide receiver and cornerback, concurred: “The fact that it was ‘home’-coming was really defined by the atmosphere that was there at this last game because of the proximity of the fans as well as because it was where we practice and play every day.” Krishnamurthi also liked the fact that the game was held after the regular season and that the opponent, Berean Christian, provided a challenge, which made the game exciting to watch.
Even the younger students enjoyed the home field event. Jithin Vellian, Gr. 8, has attended homecoming games since he was in the lower school. Although he played football with his friends during the game, which is what he says he has done every year, he felt that having the game at the Saratoga campus made it special. “I like how homecoming was at the school itself, instead of some random place. It was nice to have it somewhere I’ve been before.” Victor Shin, Gr. 4, liked the game being at home. Shin explained, “I really liked the food and being with my friends, but I didn’t like that we lost.”
The crowd was thoroughly fired up for the second half and both teams showed great competitive spirit. The game was announced throughout by our own Greg Lawson, assistant head of school for student affairs. Although Harker eventually lost the grueling contest 25-13, Homecoming 2009 allowed our ever-growing athletic department to show off one of the many upper school sports, as well as our impressive facilities.
Since its inception, the athletic department has been steadily growing, adding sports and facilities and training increasingly talented athletes. In 2005-06, approximately 50 percent of the upper school student body played after- school sports; now, 65-70 percent compete in at least one sport.
Currently, 14 former Harker students are playing athletics at the college level, in swimming, gymnastics, tennis, football, baseball, basketball, soccer, volleyball and diving. Schools include Penn State, Northeastern, Cornell and Villanova as well as West Coast schools University of Puget Sound, UC Berkeley, Santa Clara University, Pepperdine and San Jose State University. Current seniors Cole Davis, Arthi Padmanabhan, Michael Clifford and Greg Plauck all are planning to play college athletics as well. Davis has already been accepted to swim at Stanford, and Plauck will be playing baseball at Santa Clara next year.
Harker teams have won an impressive list of titles and championships, including 14 league titles, one Nor-Cal championship, over 35 section scholastic championships, and three state scholastic titles since Dan Molin took over as athletic director in 2005. Already this year, Harker has had two more firsts: the football team qualified for playoffs for the first time in school history, and the girls tennis team made it to the CCS quarterfinals.
“I’m continually amazed at and inspired by what Harker student-athletes accomplish,” said Molin. “They always rise to the occasion and go beyond our expectations on the court, field or pool.”
Joe Rosenthal, executive director of advancment, added, “Looking to the future, there have been and continue to be meetings to rally support for a new gym building to be built at the same time as the planned performing arts center.”
Homecoming at Davis Field this year was just another step in bringing our athletic department to a higher level, and we look forward to the continued growth of Harker sports.
Tags: Harker Athletics, homecoming, Sports12/10/09
The second annual Conservatory Classic, “An Evening with Past, Present and Future Harker Stars,” will be on Saturday evening, Jan. 2. Last year’s Classic helped raise money for the Orchestra’s trip to the National Orchestra Cup at Lincoln Center in New York where the group won the Forte Award. This year, the program will include vocalists and musical theater alumni, said Chris Florio, orchestra director. “The concert will feature alumni, current students and even some middle school musicians. That’s why we themed it past, present and future,” he said.
Audrey Kwong ’07, who is doing much of the work to make the event happen, added, “There will be a Guys Gig number from alumni and current students, a string octet, an alumni jazz combo and solos from current students.”
The event will be held in Nichols Hall at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 and will benefit Harker’s performing arts program, but “more importantly we want to raise awareness about the arts and our plans for the Phase IV campaign,” that will bring a new performing arts center to Harker, he said. E-mail chrisf@harker.org for more information.
Tags: Featured Story, Performing ArtsA robotics team made up of Harker lower school students had a major success in their most recent competition. Fifth graders Sneha Bhetanabhotla, Aditya Dhar, Rishab Gargeya and Austin Tuan competed in the First Lego League (FLL) qualifying tournament on Nov. 28 at NASA Ames Research Center. Their task was to choose a transportation-related problem, research it and present a solution. They took first place for their presentation on Bay Area traffic congestion and advanced to the next round of competition which will be Dec. 19 in San Jose. The team is coached by two of the students’ fathers, Murthy Bhetanabhotla and Srini Gargeya.
Tags: topscience