![“I wasn't discouraged by some of the obstacles we faced. I learned a lot from the leadership. I found that different people need different ways of receiving feedback — you can't [just] tell them to do something and expect the best. [Some] people needed more incentive. A large part of my role was to figure out what worked for everyone and to figure out how to lead all these separate individuals as a team,” Suhana Bhandare (’26) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/SuhanaBhandare_JasmineHansra-1-1200x798.jpg)
![“This is actually from Randy Pausch Randy P. Brick: ‘Walls are there for a reason. You have to show how much you want to overcome them.’ You have to show how much you want something. That's what I've always been able to do with tennis, Link Crew and getting that internship [with Kushy Baby]. It’s important pushing through that — getting around that brick wall, climbing over it or clawing through it,” Yash Sachdeva (’26) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/YashSachdeva_RamBatchu-copy-1200x1002.jpg)
![“[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)
“Nine hours, 42 minutes, 42 seconds.” The countdown to a birthday. Another year has ended, and another is ready to begin. I sit up and wait, counting every tick of the clock–nothing but the annual routine.
Today, I turn 16. The sweet year. And yet, it’s the same. 15, 16, just one year apart. Then why the excitement to celebrate just another day? Is it the cute new outfits, the big party to follow, or the freshly baked cupcakes?
Honestly, I don’t really know. Perhaps it’s just the idea that it’s my day, and let’s be real, the presents are an added bonus. There’s no greater feeling than eagerly tearing off the wrapping paper on loads of unnecessary gifts.
Of course, it’s the thought that counts. We’ve all caught ourselves using that phrase from time to time, but with every birthday, we still expect some sort of recognition that it’s our day, even if it is just a simple hug or kind thought.
I, for one, am guilty of birthday fever. I can’t help the exhilaration, the feeling that I’m on top of the world, and the glorious countdown to midnight. Although some may disregard birthdays, I think they’re one of the most important days of the year.
Besides the fact that there’s an excess amount of food available to eat, birthdays give people a time to value their lives and for others to appreciate the birthday girl or boy. It’s like a personalized Thanksgiving basically.
My birthday. I get a day of special attention–a day dedicated to no one else but me. It’s nice to know that there are people who do their best to make my day exceptional. Though I’m not too keen to admit it, I’m flattered by the heaps of birthday cards and wall posts on my Facebook. I know it takes only a few seconds to write “Happy Birthday” and click send, but that’s a few seconds someone took out of their life for me. And that consideration to me is the greatest present I could receive.
Yet, I’ll admit, despite the perks of celebration, I’m a bit frightened to be a year older. It feels like I’ve barely even lived the past 16 years, and soon I’ll be out of high school, graduating college, looking for a job, and celebrating my 40th in no time. I’m scared to think about how quickly things have changed and will continue change.
Simply thinking about the future, I have no idea how I’m going to deal with everything to come. I don’t feel I’ll ever be ready and my birthday just reminds me of how unprepared I still am. I’m a year older, but I’m still the same person, hoping that the next year will bring me a step closer to whatever it is that I’m supposed to achieve.
All things aside, I’m glad I’ve managed to make it through another year. At least I know there’s something sweet about my 16th.
