![“[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)
While lacrosse practices technically commenced weeks ago, the end of winter sports and dance is contributing to a rise in both old and new players as the team comes together into full swing.
Because practice on Monday was canceled due to a lightning warning, Tuesday marked the first official day of practice with all winter athletes attending. It was also English teacher Jason Berry’s first day as new assistant coach and the team’s first two-hour practice in contrast to the former one hour and 15 minutes.
“[Lacrosse] has barely started. We’ve just got Davis field back from the soccer kids,” team member Jessica Son (12) said. “We have a lot of people coming out and trying out so that’s pretty good.”
Junior Julia Fink, who started lacrosse as a freshman, played her last soccer game of the year over winter break and will now be joining the lacrosse team in its practices. Going straight from soccer to lacrosse allows little time for transition.
“I think fitness-wise, [transitioning from soccer to lacrosse] is not going to be difficult, but they’re completely different sports, like you were using your feet and now you are using your hands,” she said. “The running and strategy are similar, kind of, and the field is the same size, but other than that, the actual technique of playing lacrosse versus playing soccer is like night and day.”
Currently, practices are focused on introducing the basics of the game to new players and re-familiarizing returning players. When the full team is present, practices can move on to incorporate more team-based activities and going over plays.
“[I expect] lots of team unity,” returning member Hannah Bollar (10) said. “We’ve always had that from the big road trips because the games are far away, but also our practices are going to get more intense. Once we have everybody here, we can work on actually doing team drills and plays.”
For many players, the start of the season looks immensely promising, and they hold high hopes for their success in league games.
“My expectations for the lacrosse season are based upon what the girls want,” head coach Andrew Irvine said. “As a coach, I always have my hopes that we’re going to do as well as possible, and this year in particular, we have a wonderful lineup of experienced players who I think have the potential of doing the best we’ve ever done for the lacrosse program, but at the same time, it’s up to them.”
After the Fashion Show this Friday, several lacrosse players who are involved in its production will also join the team next Monday.
