This is an excerpt from a story printed in the Fall/Winter 2024 issue of Harker Magazine. Read the full story in the digital version of the magazine on Harker’s issuu page, and watch for the print version to arrive during the winter break.

Nidhi Gandhi ’11 found many avenues for her creativity when she was in high school, including performing in the varsity dance troupe, playing classical guitar in the senior showcase and taking Advanced Art and AP Studio Art.

“These [art] classes were so special because Pilar Agüero-Esparza made an effort to incorporate exposure to art institutions and events around the area. I think most curators take an interest in the arts after seeing the historical significance of great works of art,” said Gandhi, who is now curatorial and programs associate for the San José Museum of Art. “But for me, the way these spaces served our community was what really sparked my creative interest and were a reminder of art’s capacity for community empowerment.”

In high school, she also found community through the Gender and Sexuality Alliance. She got involved in GSA during her grade 9 year when Proposition 8, which sought to ban same-sex marriage, was on the ballot.

“I was adamantly against Prop 8 and I wanted to be a voice for many of my queer classmates,” she said with conviction. “The fear that drives people to hate has always made me want to fight and I felt like I needed to be part of the solution.”

She fought hard to defeat the initiative, through phone banking, many conversations and lots of hard work. She went to Abel Olivas, adviser to GSA, for advice on conducting respectful and fruitful conversations with her loved ones, which ultimately led them to vote against the proposition. Although Proposition 8 ultimately passed, it was later overturned in court.