Winged Post Volume 27, Senior Issue

WINGED

POST

Hats

to the Class of 2026

Class of 2026 — we’ve come so far together.

Four years ago, we walked through the halls of Main wide-eyed yet uncertain, and now we leave them with a new confidence and belief, stepping across the stage at Mountain Winery. Seeing our collective successes, from sports senior nights to final performing arts

shows, has truly been a full circle moment from our frosh year.

Our last day of school brought a mix of emotions, from the anticipation of our near futures to the nostalgia of leaving the friends we’ve made and the community we’ve been a part of.

“I’m feeling quite excited to end the school year, but it’s a very bittersweet feeling,” senior Alan Gao said. “I made a lot of good memories at Harker, but I’m excited for the next chapter.”

That bittersweet sentiment is one that many seniors share, a testament to how much the communities we’ve formed at Harker mean to us. As we spend our last moments as a class, hold on to the friendships we’ve forged. We stand alongside people who have experienced the highest of highs and lowest of lows together.

As we pass the torch to the rising seniors, take this time to reflect on the impact we’ve

made on the Harker community. The Class of 2026’s tenacity and curiosity will continue to make an impact on the school even as we leave the upper school campus. We were more than students. We were leaders, artists, athletes, researchers and advocates who pushed each other to reach new heights and traverse untraveled paths. Class of 2026, this is not the end, but rather the beginning of a new path.

on our high school journey

As the year comes to an end, seniors can reflect on the journey

of four years and look back on our time in high school. From that first moment reading the matriculation oath on the Davis Field to stepping into

Frosh FLASHBACK

leadership roles that shaped the next generation of students, our growth has been undeniable. Come relive these moments that made us who we are today.

JUMP to junior year

Senior SEASON

SCROLL BACK to sophomore year

FROSH FLASHBACK Simon Kirjner (12) reads the matriculation oath during the ceremony. Sophia Ou (12) and Natalie Barth (12) cheer for their during the homecoming relay race. Linda Zeng (12) stands on the wooden A-frame during frosh orientation. SCROLL BACK TO SOPHOMORE YEAR Nat Tan (12) and Sophie Pellet (12) anticipate the results of the regatta race. Seniors Pavith Khara, Audrey Dagum, Minal Jalil and Eden Kelly don matching outfits for a Twin Day dress-up theme. Ruhi Banerjee (12) smiles while being lifted by fellow spirit dancers. JUMP TO JUNIOR YEAR Seniors Veeraz Thakkar and Mikhil Kiran paddle in a kayak during the trip to Angel Island. Sofia Vasquez-Perez (12) performs a Spanish folk dance. Rishaan Thoppay (12) braces for a ride on the mechanical bull. Seniors David Li, Caden Ruan, Stanley Chen and Kairui Sun sing at a karaoke booth. SENIOR SEASON Seniors MacEnzie Blue and Eva Cheng smile at the end of the lacrosse senior night game. Daniel Miao (12) answers a question during the panel session of Step Up Day. Seniors Serena Peng, Ananya Gurushankar, Stella Yang, Hannah Lin, Ella Guo and Connie Xu pose at the tail-end of the senior retreat. Seniors Sophia Bagley and Judi Abdelrazik pose for a photo.

FROM BOTTOM TO TOP

Seniors soar as hard-earned spirit champions

ashley mo & emma li

Class of 2026 closed out senior year with a long-awaited first-place victory, finally taking home the spirit trophy as seniors after three consecutive years of placing third.

Student Activities Board (SAB) representative senior Brady Tse remained confident throughout the year that the senior class would emerge victorious in its final chance at winning spirit.

“I remember saying I knew we could win spirit this year,” Brady said. “Our class was more willing to participate. The biggest change was when we reached out to students to participate in spirit, they were lining up, willing to come help.”

Although the year started off rocky for the senior class, with the Class of 2026 falling short of the juniors during homecoming week activities, the class gradually built momentum as the school year progressed. By the end of the first semester, the seniors secured victories in Tug of War, Pumpkin Carving and Deck the Halls, signaling a shift in energy and participation across the grade.

“The focus for us was to make a comeback in Spring Spirit,” SAB representative senior Claire Yu said. “Everyone was definitely ready to go all in because it’s our last year, and so after college applications were over, we all just put everything into it and locked in. Our class really was able to come together because now that we have more time, we’re more willing and able to do a lot more things.”

Compared to the previous three years with around 30 to 40

participants in the spring spirit dance, this year’s dance drew 135 participants from the Class of 2026. This turnout marks the largest number of spirit dance participants, surpassing the previous record held by the Class of 2025 of around 100 students the year before.

“Our class has come together and done something that we can all be proud of and remember for the rest of our lives.

CLAIRE YU (12)

STUDENT ACTIVITIES BOARD REPRESENTATIVE

Spirit dance choreographer senior Lily Shi believed that the large turnout for spirit dance reflects how the senior class grew closer this year.

“Our grade actually does have spirit and camaraderie, and it just takes a little more free time for us to be able to come together and have a good time together,” Lily said. “It was very gratifying to finally win because it felt like not only our work this year but also a build-up of everything that we’ve learned in previous years, and also a reflection of how our entire grade came together for this single dance.”

Many people viewed the Class of 2026 as less spirited, but the senior win reflected a shift in the class dynamic, making the victory feel even more meaningful. Claire stated that this year’s spirit win reflects how the Class of 2026 has evolved and persevered throughout high school.

“Considering our past run with spirit, how we considered ourselves to be not so spirited — some people would say we’re the least spirited class — it’s cool how everyone just decided to join in senior year,”

Claire said. “All our hard work for the past four years have paid off and that we’ve done justice to our

together and done something that we can all be proud of and we’ll remember for the rest of our lives.”

Adventure awaits! Mapping

Amherst College: 2

Barnard College: 1

Boston University: 2

Bowdoin College: 2

Brown University: 3

California Institute of Technology: 6

Carnegie Mellon University: 11

Case Western Reserve University: 4

Columbia University: 3

CCornell University: 4

Dartmouth College: 2

Duke University: 1

Emory University: 2

Fordham University: 1

Georgia Institute of Technology: 3

Harvard University: 2

Haverford College: 1

Indiana University Bloomington: 3

Johns Hopkins University: 2

Mount Holyoke College: 1

New York University: 18

Northeastern University: 2

Northwestern University: 1

Occidental College: 1

Loyola Marymount University: 1

Oregon State University: 1

Number of students attending college in state or country

United States

Rice University: 8

Santa Clara University: 2

Scripps College: 1

Siena University: 1

University of California, Irvine: 3

Macalester College: 1

Massachusetts Institute of Technology: 2

Pomona College: 1

Purdue University: 4

Rhode Island School of Design: 1

ongratulations to the Class of 2026! We always knew this day would come. We are so excited to celebrate the journeys that each one of our seniors will soon embark on. From coast to coast, or even across the world, the Class of 2026 will be continuing their academic careers at different colleges across states, Canada and England and ashley mo

Smith College: 1

Stanford University: 9

University of California, Berkeley: 6

University of California, Los Angeles: 3

University of California, San Diego: 3

University of California, Santa Cruz: 6

Mapping our next chapters

our on. even Class continuing 62 23 and

Scotland in the United Kingdom. The diversity of our interests is reflected in what we plan to study. Around 20% of seniors are pursuing double majors and taking on multiple fields of study. From engineering and design to biochemistry and economics, we are entering college with curiosity and anticipation for our futures.

While this map does, in a sense, represent the end of our high school journeys, it also marks the beginning of so many new experiences. We are incredibly proud of everything this class has and will accomplish in the years to come. SOURCE: 193 responses to a student survey via Schoology on May 1

University of Connecticut: 1

University of Oregon: 1

United Kingdom

University of Edinburgh: 1

University of Pennsylvania: 4

University of Cambridge: 1

University of Chicago: 3

University of Colorado Boulder: 3

University of Illinois UrbanaChampaign: 7

University of Maryland: 1

University of Michigan: 5

University of Southern California: 9

University of Texas at Austin: 5

University of Toronto: 1

University of Washington: 4

Wellesley College: 2

Vanderbilt University: 3

Washington University in St. Louis: 2

Wesleyan University: 1

Yale University: 5

Looking back, moving forward

Three seniors reflect on high school memories

The week I’ll

joy hu

The summer before senior year, I spent a week in Des Moines with four other members of the speech and debate team for Nationals. While the tournament itself was unforgettable, what stayed with me most were the moments filled with conversations, laughter and unexpected memories that brought us closer together.

My favorite memory was the night before our first day of competition. After finishing a long practice session, we gathered in the hotel lobby, buzzing with nerves and excitement for

never forget

the rounds ahead. Robert, then a senior on the team, was offered a caffeine mint, which he confidently swallowed whole like a pill before realizing he was actually supposed to chew it — a mistake that immediately became everyone’s favorite joke for the rest of the trip.

That night, we stayed up playing games like Unstable Unicorns, Chameleon, Scattergories and endless rounds of 20 Questions. Somehow, the games gradually turned into deeper conversations about the future, the meaning of success, our aspirations and what kind

of lives we hoped to build after high school.

In that unfamiliar hotel room hundreds of miles from home, surrounded by people I already considered close friends, I felt like I was seeing entirely new sides of them.

Nationals gave us a rare moment of connection across grade levels and personalities. Even now, when I think of Des Moines, I can vividly recall the incomparable feeling of being completely present in the experience with incredible individuals. That week created the most special memories and bonds that I will forever cherish.

My time in the conservatory

Letter to my frosh self

Hi past Tanvi, we aren’t pre-med anymore! You ended up in business instead, and joining DECA on a whim was the best thing you ever did for your personal growth.

The DECA officer team you once admired, always huddled together and laughing over boba and Chipotle during DECA launch, eventually became your own team to lead as CEO.

You made some of the best memories you could have asked for, and being part of this family made you more open and more willing to figure things out as you go.

You’ve also come to see that life is bigger than just work and responsibilities. You’ve managed to stay close to your friends and family while still keeping up with school, and you didn’t let go of the things that make you feel like yourself, like baking, painting, embroidering and french beading. You even got a sourdough starter! Also, the baking TikTok channel didn’t go viral and we did indeed forget the password to that.

I’m also very proud that you’ve grown into someone with a clearer sense of what matters to you. The same people are still by

Throughout my four years of high school, I have been part of the Conservatory.

The opportunities in this program have taken me from LA to New York to Chicago, and even to international destinations like London and Scotland.

I owe a lot of who I am today to the Harker Conservatory as a whole.

In the Conservatory, I do everything from singing and acting to instrumental music and beatboxing, and have even pick up a few new skills, like tap dancing.

The Conservatory has an emphasis on growth,

your side, and I hope you never lose that part of your life.

I still miss freshman year more than I expected to. The Photo Booth vlogs from class still make me laugh when I watch them again; there are some clips of you crying about Calc BC and others where you are playing poker in class. I hope you always hold onto the drive you’ve built, because it’s taken you further than you thought it would.

as clearly seen in the certificate program, which I also found myself part of in a unique way.

Coming into high school, I had been playing the violin my whole life but had just found my love for musical theater the year prior, so I was torn between the musical theater and the instrumental music certificates.

Each day, I would change my mind about what I wanted to spend four years doing at the Conservatory. However, that indecisiveness soon ended after a meeting with Ms. Lang-Ree, who told me I had the chance to test a new idea: hybridizing two certificate tracks.

I was elated to have the chance to grow in both. Though I am majoring in musical theater, I am still grateful for the time I had to continue my instrumental music journey, as I found that my skills as a violinist support key aspects of my musical theater training.

The educators in the Conservatory are true experts, and with facilities such as the Patil theater, which is better than some Broadway stages, we can deliver toptier performances across all performing arts.

Overall, my time here at the Conservatory has been filled with performance, but most importantly, growth as a performer and a person.

BIG SMILES (LEFT) Senior Charlotte Ludlow smiles with her family and Head of School Brian Yager while holding her senior brick. GROUNDED NAMES (MIDDLE) A long line of bricks, each etched with the name of a senior, await their new home in Graduates’ Grove. SET IN STONE (RIGHT)

Senior Roshan Amurthur takes a seat and poses for a photo with his brick. ONE CLASS TO THE NEXT (LEFT MIDDLE)

Senior S Wang and junior Varun Kaushik take a picture at Baccalaureate, where the seniors pass on “the torch” to the juniors. NEW BEGINNINGS (RIGHT MIDDLE) Juniors Phoebe Lee and Nisha Padhi walk through the Quad during Baccalaureate, welcomed by applause from the senior class.

Classes of 2026 and 2027, their families and faculty attended the annual Baccalaureate event in the Quad on Friday.

Senior Kallie Wang delivered the Student

said. “But now, it’s time to jump out of the nest and into the air, not knowing what lies ahead, but ready to brave it.”

Prior to the Baccalaureate ceremony, the Class of 2026 and their families convened for the annual Brick Ceremony memories. Each of the attendees received a shirt with all the Lifers’ names, which classmates signed throughout the entire night. Students had full access to explore the campus, from the gymnasium to the blacktops and the playgrounds.

: Farewell from

Winged Post leadership

“It was quite nostalgic seeing all my old teachers and the campus one final time as a student of the school,” senior Benjamin Xia said.

winged post strategic

Welcome to the Senior Issue, our last time designing as the Winged Post strategic team. From reporting on Matriculation at the start of the year to Baccalaureate on our last day of school, the Winged Post has been a constant force in our senior years.

Reflecting on the goals we set when we first stepped into strategic positions, we hoped to bring both creativity and cohesion to the Winged Post, and we can confidently say that our staff have championed both values. We couldn’t be prouder of our hardworking, dedicated reporters, who help our Winged Post come to life with unique, localized pieces and colorful, representative photos and infographics.

But more than what’s simply on the page, we wanted to thank our beloved advisers and journalism staff for the memories we’ve made throughout this year — watching Broadway shows in New York, quizbowl-ing in Minneapolis and running around during volleyball homecoming live coverage on our very own Davis Field. These moments will stick with us for years to come, and the J-Fam in Manz 70 will forever be in our hearts.

And to our readers: Thank you for continuing to believe in the magic of reading something tangible. The stories in our issues are a reflection of the community around us, and of the moments we were lucky enough to document along the way. Choosing to sit down with a newspaper is an act of intention, and we truly hope our pages have brought you insight and inspiration.

SENIOR SUNSET

sends off Class of 2026

commemorate the end of senior year in a really special way.”

Around 80 students from the Class of 2026 gathered informally at Blacks Beach in Santa Cruz for a Senior Sunset potluck at 6 p.m. on May 10, marking one of the final milestones before the close of their high school careers.

Senior Sunset was entirely student-organized, with many carpooling and arriving with snacks, towels and games.

Some seniors played football or spike ball, and others trekked to a nearby net for a game of volleyball. Many students set up their blankets and towels next to their peers, socializing with others on the beach.

Senior Sofia Shah led coordination of the event, helping plan logistics in the days leading up to Sunday.

“I wanted the entire grade to get together because this was one of the traditions that was really important to us,” Sofia said. “We started the year with Senior Sunrise, so we wanted to

The informal setting of Senior Sunset allowed many students to chat with classmates they were not as familiar with, bringing the class closer together.

“We started the year with Senior Sunrise, so we wanted to commemorate the end of senior year in a really special way.

SOFIA SHAH (12)

SENIOR SUNSET COORDINATOR

”

“I really appreciated how we all sat together on the beach instead of in smaller groups because it made everyone feel more connected to each other,”

senior Brooke Kubose said.

“It definitely helped me bond more with my friends and get

the chance to interact with other people in our class who I’ve never had classes with or never had the chance to meet.”

Students were encouraged to bring food, with plates ranging from pizza to Cheeto puffs and mochi donuts. Senior Albert Yao brought his DJ set and played a selection of songs that seniors recommended earlier in the week.

As the day dwindled down, students watched the sun disappear behind the waves with friends as the sky turned hues of orange and pink.

“There was a pretty large turnout, and there were definitely a lot of friend groups mingling and people you’d never expect to see came to show up,” Sofia said. “That was really the most important and meaningful thing that I was the happiest about.”