![“[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)
As one of multiple destinations on their visit to Silicon Valley, the Upper School welcomed students from the Canberra Boys Grammar School to participate in computer science classes on Monday, January 28.
Arriving in the morning at 7:30 a.m., the Australian students met with Assistant Director of Instructional Technology Diane Main, Computer Science Department Chair Eric Nelson, and Global Education Director Jennifer Walrod while served breakfast in the faculty dining room.
Before attending a second period computer science class and third period Digital World course, the Australian students sat among Upper School students during school meeting, in which Walrod announced their visit. In Digital World, they explained their plans to tour the Silicon Valley; after stopping by the Upper School, they will visit Google and Cisco, attend MacIT to present on iOS development, and join Macworld/iWorld 2013, an event celebrating Apple products.
“I think it was really cool that they had the opportunity to come from Australia to the U.S. to learn about and see what we learn about computer science. Overall, they were extremely friendly and a pleasure to meet,” said Sonali Netke (10), who was in the third period Digital World class.
A group of boys interested in technology from grade seven to 12, the students, visiting Silicon Valley for its computer and technology-based community, call themselves the Code Cadets.
“I’ve always had a computer ready and on hand, so I’ve always been very interested in using that in making games and powerpoints. It’s fun,” grade 10 student Andrew Hall said.
Prior to their visit to the Upper School, the Code Cadets have attended computer science conferences in California and Australia, including Australia’s Swipe Conference.
“I didn’t get to meet them, but I think it is a really great idea for us to interact with lots of other schools and meet people from all over the world who have similar interests and goals,” Nikhil Agarwal (12) said.
During sixth period lunch, the Australian students showed their iOS applications, which they created for their major app development projects throughout last semester, to Upper School computer science students.
“After polling the boys, they are very interested in speaking with [the] students about their IT and computer science courses-particularly the work which they complete within the courses, such as projects-together with how [the Upper School] generates interest in these courses,” said Walrod regarding the Code Cadet’s anticipation of their time at the Upper School.
After having lunch with Upper School computer science students, the Code Cadets left the campus to continue their tour in the Bay Area.
