![“[Building nerf blasters] became this outlet of creativity for me that hasn't been matched by anything else. The process [of] making a build complete to your desire is such a painstakingly difficult process, but I've had to learn from [the skills needed from] soldering to proper painting. There's so many different options for everything, if you think about it, it exists. The best part is [that] if it doesn't exist, you can build it yourself," Ishaan Parate said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/DSC_8149-900x604.jpg)
![“When I came into high school, I was ready to be a follower. But DECA was a game changer for me. It helped me overcome my fear of public speaking, and it's played such a major role in who I've become today. To be able to successfully lead a chapter of 150 students, an officer team and be one of the upperclassmen I once really admired is something I'm [really] proud of,” Anvitha Tummala ('21) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-25-at-9.50.05-AM-900x594.png)
![“I think getting up in the morning and having a sense of purpose [is exciting]. I think without a certain amount of drive, life is kind of obsolete and mundane, and I think having that every single day is what makes each day unique and kind of makes life exciting,” Neymika Jain (12) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Screen-Shot-2017-06-03-at-4.54.16-PM.png)
![“My slogan is ‘slow feet, don’t eat, and I’m hungry.’ You need to run fast to get where you are–you aren't going to get those championships if you aren't fast,” Angel Cervantes (12) said. “I want to do well in school on my tests and in track and win championships for my team. I live by that, [and] I can do that anywhere: in the classroom or on the field.”](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/DSC5146-900x601.jpg)
![“[Volleyball has] taught me how to fall correctly, and another thing it taught is that you don’t have to be the best at something to be good at it. If you just hit the ball in a smart way, then it still scores points and you’re good at it. You could be a background player and still make a much bigger impact on the team than you would think,” Anya Gert (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AnnaGert_JinTuan_HoHPhotoEdited-600x900.jpeg)
![“I'm not nearly there yet, but [my confidence has] definitely been getting better since I was pretty shy and timid coming into Harker my freshman year. I know that there's a lot of people that are really confident in what they do, and I really admire them. Everyone's so driven and that has really pushed me to kind of try to find my own place in high school and be more confident,” Alyssa Huang (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AlyssaHuang_EmilyChen_HoHPhoto-900x749.jpeg)
In its third game of the season, the Varsity boys soccer team defeated KIPP San Jose Collegiate at home 3-1 to improve to 2-1 in the season.
Senior Kiran Arimilli and Jeremiah Anderson (10) scored in the first half, assisted by Oisin Coveney (9) and Jeffrey Hanke (11), respectively. Junior Kevin Moss’s score on a header, assisted by Jeremiah, sealed the victory in the second half.
Assistant coach Iman Siadat pointed to the players’ energy and focus as the main reasons the team won the game.
“We had many scoring opportunities; they were both direct, one versus one, but also indirect, crosses and through the middle,” he said. “Our group is a great mix of players. We have a few guys who play club soccer at De Anza Force, and they really help strengthen the team. Others are great role models and leaders, people who have great desire and passion for the game. We have very high expectations for this season.”
Siadat lists Oisin, Jeremiah, Jeffrey, Kevin, as well as seniors Deniz Celik and Simar Mangat as this season’s top performers.
This victory boosted the team’s morale following a 1 to 2 loss to Saratoga High School, its first defeat of the season.
“We played together in the middle, and it showed through, leading to our success,” Varsity player Sravan Rajathilak (11) said. “I thought we could have converted on more opportunities, but the important thing is that we created enough of them and converted on most of them to get the win.”
This win ends the team’s preseason, and league play will start at home next Wednesday against Eastside College Prep.
