![Setter Emma Lee (9) sets the ball to the middle during the match against Pinewood on Sept. 12. “[I’m looking forward to] getting more skilled, learning more about my position and also becoming better friends with all of my teammates," Emma said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/DSC_4917-2-1200x795.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)
![“Animation just clicked in a way. I had been interested in art, but that felt different. [Animation] felt like it had something behind it, whereas previous things felt surface level. I wasn't making that crazy of things, but just the process of doing it was much more enjoyable," Carter Chadwick ('22) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Screen-Shot-2022-08-16-at-9.44.08-AM-900x598.png)
![“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)
![“[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)
![“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)
![“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)
Review: Star Trek: Into Darkness – 4.5/5 stars
May 31, 2013
The second installment in the new Star Trek series, Star Trek: Into Darkness, is an excellent film filled with action. Directed by J. J. Abrams, it is a fitting sequel to its predecessor, Star Trek.
The movie opens with the protagonist, James T. Kirk (Chris Pine), as the captain of the starship USS Enterprise. Pine convincingly portrays Kirk as a captain who is deeply devoted to his crew, but also extremely reckless.
Kirk’s disregard for rules leads him to disobey Starfleet regulations by rescuing his friend and First Officer, Spock (Zachary Quinto), from an erupting volcano. As a result of this violation, Kirk is demoted.
The primary antagonist of the movie is revealed to be John Harrison (Benedict Cumberbatch), a renegade Starfleet agent. Cumberbatch plays Harrison as a humanesque but ruthless villain who orchestrates a bombing on a top-secret London base run by Section 31, a weapons development branch of Starfleet.
As the film progresses, he displays extreme combat skills as well as a skill for duplicity. Although Harrison lacks the grotesque appearance of the Romulans of the previous film, his normal human appearance disguises his villainy.
Besides Kirk and Spock, other characters from the previous film also appear in this movie. Among others, Rear Admiral Christopher Pike (Bruce Greenwood) becomes the captain of the Enterprise after Kirk’s demotion. Greenwood successfully and realistically portrays his character as a father figure and mentor of Kirk who guides him. In addition, Lieutenant Nyota Uhura (Zoe Saldana) returns as a member of the Enterprise’s crew.
The storyline of this film is complex, yet understandable. An unexpected plot twist further accentuates and enriches the movie. The actors’ excellent portrayal of the characters allows viewers to accept them and watch as their story unfolds.
As in the previous film, the special effects of this movie do not disappoint. Klingons and other aliens are brought to life and portrayed believably. Massive starships are depicted onscreen and intense space battles further complement the action. Although the explosions and destruction may become a little wearisome, they allow the storyline to naturally progress.
Overall, Star Trek: Into Darkness is a must-see science fiction film and will thrill its audiences with a new villain, spectacular special effects, and a riveting plot.
