![“[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 students from other grades gathered for ASB election speeches and ReCreate Reading, seniors spent today’s assembly period learning about their last month of high school.
During a meeting in the Nichols auditorium, Upper School Division Head Butch Keller briefed the students on their senior trip, which includes a visit to Laguna Beach and Disneyland. He also discussed details regarding the days prior to graduation day, including graduation rehearsal, brick-laying ceremony, and Baccalaureate.
In the midst of graduation plans, Eagle Buddies coordinator Carol Zink spoke to the seniors about their final rendezvous with their fifth grade buddies. The event will be more formal than those in the past, and the seniors will give their buddies a souvenir from the college that they will attend. As the first class to become Eagle Buddies, the class of 2013 will set the precedent for the fledgling school program.
When the class meeting ended, seniors filed into the Dobbins rehearsal room to try on their caps and gowns. This process made Erik Andersen (12) reflect upon his high school experience.
“It’s weird that graduation is only a month away because I remember coming here as a scared little freshman nearly four years ago, and having it seem like it would be forever until we were graduating, and now it’s like right there,” he said.
Seniors like Shrreya Jain had mixed feelings about graduating from high school.
“It’s a bit sad, leaving behind all my good friends and my favorite teachers, but at the same time, it’s like a new chapter in your life,” she said.
The class of 2013 will graduate on Saturday, May 25 at the Mountain Winery in Saratoga, marking the end of their high school careers and the beginning of college.
