Harker seventh graders recently took an eye-opening journey through several national parks. Middle school dean of students Alana Butler accompanied the students and sent periodic updates during the trip, which we have included below.
Day Three: Goulding’s Lodge, Mystery Valley and Skull Rock
Students and chaperones started our day with a breakfast at Goulding’s Lodge. After breakfast, chaperone groups were split into different Monument Valley Groups; that is, everyone was placed into different groups to experience this magnificent day with other people. Each group received colored bandanas, made group names and boarded open-air trucks to begin our adventure.
Our adventure started with a tour of Mystery Valley. When we entered this area, we entered a place both historical and mystical. While driving through Mystery Valley, guides from Goulding’s pointed out buttes that looked similar to specific objects or fictional characters. Upon arriving to Skull Rock, students and chaperones climbed it very slowly and carefully using three points of contact (both feet and one hand). Darrell spoke to the students about Navajo culture and the mysterious Anasazi people who disappeared many years ago. After coming down Skull Rock, Wally Brown (a famous Navajo historian) gave a brief presentation to students and chaperones about Navajo tribes. He also talked about the circle of continuous growth. Navajo people follow the same direction because they were told the universe rotated in this particular direction. Mr. Brown also encouraged students to learn multiple languages. In fact, his grandfather was a code talker in World War II.
Once we left Skull Rock, we drove to Honeymoon Arch to climb some more. Darrell and the Academic Expeditions guides provided some listening activities to reflect on the day and the surroundings.
We ate lunch at the BBQ cookout to re-energize for the second half of the day at Moonlight Springs Ranch owned by the Holiday family. While at Moonlight Springs Ranch, groups rotated through different stations to learn about the Navajo way. The Holiday family members traveled from three states to set up and run these stations in order to enhance our learning of their beloved culture. Students and chaperones learned to make a customary dwelling known as a hogan. They made fry bread, which is the bread for the Navajo taco and great tasting with honey. Students and chaperones also learned to clean wool and weave a blanket. We are the only visitors and school to experience these activities.
At the end of the experience, students and chaperones returned to Goulding’s Lodge for dinner.
Words truly cannot describe the magnificent day we had on the Navajo Reservation. It was simply AMAZING.
Tomorrow, we will drive to the Coral Pink Sand Dunes before going to Bryce Canyon. We are halfway through our trip, but have so much more to see and do!
Day Two: Northern Arizona University and the Grand Canyon
We started out day two of the national parks trip by returning to Northern Arizona University for a delicious breakfast. With a variety of food, we ate well and packed our lunches for a day at the Grand Canyon.
After driving 45 minutes or so, students and some chaperones participated in a blindfolded trust walk led by the Harker and Academic Expeditions chaperones. With so many people visiting the Grand Canyon, they were very curious about our activity. In fact, some stayed to watch as students held one hand on a rope and the other on the backpack in front of them while listening to directions on where to step. Once they arrived at the rim, they took off their blindfolds as a group and were amazed greatness of the Grand Canyon.
At the Grand Canyon, bus groups rotated into different activities. Some groups started the day by hiking around 2 miles. Others started the day with step-on guide Darrell (a naturalist, survivalist and professor in Utah) who demonstrated how the Navajo people lived on earth many years ago. The remaining groups started the day with a geology program. The bus groups rotated so that they could participate in all of these activities either before or after lunch.
After leaving the Grand Canyon, we drove to Cameron’s Trading Post. At Cameron’s some students were brave enough to try the traditional Navajo taco (vegetarian or non-vegetarian). The Navajo taco’s base is a fry bread with beans, cheese and veggies on top. For non-vegetarians, ground beef was added.
We will stay at Goulding’s Lodge for the next two nights. You may not know this, but Goulding’s has been the background for many films such as Stagecoach, Forrest Gump and Cars.
We had a great day! Even though weather reports stated there would be scattered thunderstorms today, the weather held out long enough for us to enjoy our day at the Grand Canyon. We were very lucky!
Harker sixth graders spent the week of Oct. 24-28 exploring the North Bay and the many sights and thrills it has to offer. Middle school division head Cindy Ellis sent updates during the week, and we added them to this story as they came in.
Day Three:
The sun yesterday was a glorious break from the rain we have encountered this week. Rain returned today, but so far it is very light. The promise of heavy rain tonight led us to have our campfire last night.
Award-winning skits were performed by each group followed by roasting marshmallows for s’mores! Hard to beat that combo!
Tuesday we celebrated Rahul Mulpuri’s birthday, and yesterday, Sarah Mohammed’s birthday. Today we will celebrate our last trip birthday with Sukrit Kalsi. One a day worked out nicely.
Today, I’ve attached some pics of the kids and a shot of the Bay Model – a part of the kayak day in Sausalito that has been very interesting and exciting for the students. The Bay Model is overseen by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, so the kids have been greeted by a docent who assertively states the expectations for a “military” level of focus and respect then she leads them on a fascinating tour through time in the Bay Area. The kayak groups for today are Caruso, Chang, Gao and Masoni.
We have received rave reviews from the staff here who have offered to just keep the kids since they have been so polite (lots of “pleases” and “thank yous”) and the dining hall is now looking as good when we leave as it did when we came in. All those lessons on clearing the table and wiping it down are paying off!
Day Two:
The rains took a break yesterday afternoon and it looks like today will be dry. The kids enjoyed a smooth day on the water yesterday and were very fascinated by and impressed with the Bay Model.
The zip line, climbing wall and ropes course engage everyone and challenge each to try something new. The naturalists are great at bringing the groups together to work on various activities and projects.
Lasagna for dinner last night and it was so cheesy good, the line for seconds was extensive. Freshly baked chocolate chip cookies put big smiles on many faces.
Another big breakfast, lunches packed (we’re getting the hang of making lunch and cleaning up) and the kids set off in their groups. Kayaking today will be the Huntley, Anderson, Morrissey and Morgensen groups.
I am so proud of this group! They exhibit both stamina and resilience! They also show signs of having a lot of fun; their laughter and screams of joy echo through the hills here. I’ve attached several pics of the different activities and will try now to focus on some of those happy faces.
Day One:
We started our first full day here in Santa Rosa. Group B (Schmidt, Chow, Pazirandeh and Peng) are off to Sausalito for some kayaking (weather permitting) and the Bay Model.
Last night we had a great dinner of roasted chicken or a delicious ragu of eggplant and tofu over rice or pasta along with a green salad and green beans. The crowning glory was the freshly baked (still warm) chocolate brownies!
We celebrated Saahil Thoppay’s birthday and he enjoyed the acknowledgment along with the birthday hat he wore through dinner! The kids are real troopers as they get accustomed to staying dry or drying out. We are promised dry skies this afternoon and all day tomorrow. Yesterday they all went through the training needed to stay safe on the ropes course.
This morning we were greeted with a light rain and an amazing breakfast off scrambled eggs, French toast, hot oatmeal, yogurt, cottage cheese, fresh fruit, cold cereals and juice.
The kids all packed their lunches for the day’s activities, filled their water bottles and headed out for the day.
Despite a valiant effort, faculty and staff members, ultimately, did not have what it took to beat the grade 8 varsity boys and girls volleyball teams during this year’s staff versus student game, held in early April. The students emerged victorious with a score of 48-33.
Amid a cheering crowd of spectators, the grade 8 girls then grade 8 boys played spectacularly – crushing all hope of a faculty free-dress day. Thanks to their win, the entire middle school student body enjoyed a free-dress day on May 1, while faculty and staff wore the required middle school uniform.
“It was a sad day in Mudville for the teachers and staff, but a happy day in the middle school for students!” said Cindy Ellis, middle school division head. “Congratulations to the Harker varsity volleyball teams. And thanks to great half-time entertainment from High Voltage and Show Stoppers.”
This article was originally published in the summer 2013 Harker Quarterly.
Lower, middle and upper school instrumentalists displayed their talents for an evening audience at the Spring Concert, held April 12 at the Mexican Heritage Theater in San Jose. Several groups performed orchestral music from a wide selection of styles and time periods.
The Lower School String Ensemble kicked off the evening with a medley of American songs, and the Lower School Orchestra followed with Beethoven’s famous “Ode to Joy” and “Aragonaise” by Georges Bizet.
The Middle School Orchestra then introduced themselves to the show by teaming up with the Lower School Orchestra for a performance of a segment of Mozart’s Symphony No. 25. Harker Winds, the grade 6 wind ensemble, performed “You Are My Sunshine.”
After a brief intermission the Harker Orchestra took the stage, performing, among other pieces, “The Moldau” from Bedrich Smetana’s “Ma Vlast,” Max Bruch’s “Romanze for Viola and Orchestra,” featuring Nayeon Kim, grade 12, and the final piece of the night, “Huapango” by Jose Pablo Moncayo.
This article was originally published in the fall 2012 Harker Quarterly.
Harker’s middle school speech and debate team capped another strong season on June 18, earning one of only three all-around school of excellence awards at the National Junior Forensic League (NJFL) National Championships in Indianapolis. This honor recognizes the combined accomplishment of the 26 students who competed. The team also extended their streak as one of the five recipients of the school of excellence in debate award to three consecutive years.
Aditya Dhar, now grade 8, earned an individual national championship – Harker’s third straight. He was joined in the final round of congress by teammate Alexander Lam, grade 8, who earned second place.
Harker also enjoyed its best performance to date at nationals in policy debate by advancing all three teams it entered. Numerous public forum debate teams advanced to elimination competition as well.
The all-around school of excellence award was made possible by a breakthrough for Harker’s forensics program, as the school entered a significant number of students in the speech events for the first time. Though the middle school speech program is new, several students excelled at the tournament.
Harker’s growing accomplishments at NJFL Nationals have occurred under the leadership of Karina Momary, the director of middle school forensics. This year the school also welcomed new assistant coach Marjorie Hazeltine, who has ably coached the fledgling group of speech competitors. The returning middle school students look forward to continuing their tradition of success next season in preparation for the 2013 NJFL Nationals in Birmingham, Ala.
Harker Future Problem Solving (FPS) teams, middle and upper school, took home multiple championships at the international finals (11 countries, 40 states) held in Indiana in June. Chris Nikoloff, head of school, said it all in a word: “Outstanding.” A complete listing of awards is at the end of the article, but Cyrus Merrill, FPS coach, tells the story below.
By Cyrus Merrill
Our amazing success is a direct result of the legacy of so many talented FPSers who have been part of our program, which is now a little more than a decade old and which has now earned over 10 world championships.
The topic at the international finals was pharmaceuticals and the scenario this year involved challenges and complications surrounding international regulatory acceptance of a new personalized (to your own DNA) medical pill being produced in Brazil.
Harker is now one of the single most successful programs around the world. For the first time ever Harker finished in first place in more than one age division and category. Harker was in the prestigious top 10 in the written booklet competition – in boththe middle and senior divisions.
We finished fourth in the middle team division and we were the overall champions in the incredibly tough and competitive senior/high school team booklet division. We also returned to our strong, proud tradition of being the presentation of action plan (skit) international champion (middle division) for the sixth time in the past seven years.
There is a link below to watch these amazing eighth and ninth graders in their final skit, which they were asked to reprise in front of thousands of people at the awards ceremony. Multiple coaches from several countries all came up to me and asked, “When is California (implying Harker) presenting its action plan skit?” because we have become so well known for our success in that area.
It is a big deal to be in the top 10 in any portion of the competition and we finished with six teams or individuals in the top five and two overall team championships – not bad, especially when you consider that this was out of six categories total.
Finally, I am also especially proud that two of the international finalists in the junior division were from other California schools where our own Harker students had helped to mentor and train those very student competitors and their coach this year.
We are now the only school (and state or foreign country for that matter) to have been awarded a first place in more than one age group and in all of the categories of problem solving: 2012 – team and Plan of Action (several years); 2011 – Alternates (also in 2008 as part of an international group of students from different countries); 2009 – Individual.
The only problem solving category we have not had an overall champion in remains the adult and coaches division, however, I joked with the kids that I promise to eventually pull my own weight, having finished third this year and second several years ago.
I could not be more proud of our wonderful young students than I am at this moment. I want to thank all of them for their amazing efforts and late nights spent reviewing and brainstorming about the topics this year. I want to thank all of the parents for their support of the program as well.
I look forward to next year, when Harker will host the state bowl in April, and to continuing our remarkable success in an amazing program where kids have to work to research topics and analyze future crises all on their own. I love the FPS process and its motto, “Teaching kids how to think, not what to think,” but I would personally add “and then getting out of the way to let them do it on their own.”
RESULTS:
First Places:
International champions, beating out powerhouse teams from New Zealand, Great Britain (actually coached by a former coach at the Nueva School in California ) and Singapore! Remember, Kentucky teams go to FPS camp in the summer for several weeks and meet daily to prepare for the competition, and FPS is a statewide program in Texas and in several other states. Some schools spend more than 10 hours a week working on just FPS! Harker students, on the other hand, completed their school finals and then hopped on a plane the very next day so we were certainly at an apparent “disadvantage” with regard to our ability to prepare for or focus on the international finals topic.
Senior division – booklet competition: rising seniors Ria Desai, Sonia Gupta, Pooja Shah; rising junior Nikhil Dilip.
Middle division – presentation of action plan: rising sophomores Tiara Bhatacharya, Juhi Muthal, Madhu Nori, Sindhu Ravuri, Ankita Pannu, and rising freshman Michael Zhao. An amazing video of this group’s skit/action plan presentation is available. Go to 28:54 to listen to their action plan and 30:40-35:37 to watch their amazing skit being performed in front of nearly 3,000 people in the theater and a live Web audience as well. They wrote this skit and designed it in a mere couple of hours.
Second Place:
Senior division – alternate competition joining competitors from other countries to form a team – Andy Wang, rising junior
Third Place:
Adult division – booklet competition (Cyrus Merrill)
Fifth Place:
Senior division – scenario writing (first ever top five placement by someone from California). Shelby Rorabaugh, rising senior. Because of her finish she is now a published writer as the top five are published and sold.
We also had a second middle division team of rising eighth graders Evani Radiya-Dixit, Sneha Bhetanabhotla, Angela Kim, Priyanka Taneja, Swetha Tummala and Neymika Jain, who finished tied for second place in the preliminary round (and the top two teams out of 11 from each preliminary round advance). They lost out in essentially a coin flip/tie breaker or they would have been finalists as seventh graders in a division ranging from grades 7-9, so the future of our program looks good, too! Our one other international competitor was rising senior Joy Li who missed out on a top three position this year, but was “merely” the first place alternate champion last year as a sophomore.
Two teams of Gr. 8 students were recently declared winners in the Southwest Pacific Region for this year’s eCybermission contest.
Dubbed the Dust Busters, Sharon Babu, Allen Cheng, Albert Chu and Daniel Pak won first place and each received a $3,000 savings bond. They will also travel to Baltimore in June for the National Judging Event to compete against three other teams at the same grade level. In the past five years that Harker has participated in the eCybermission competition, five teams have advanced to this level.
Vikas Bhetanabhotla, Divyahans Gupta and Brian Tuan, collectively known as Analytic Trio, won the criteria award for Application of Science, Math and Technology. The award included a $2,000 savings bond for each member of the team.
Every year, schools from across the country compete in the web-based eCybermission competition, which has students solve problems in their community by utilizing their skills with science, math and technology.