![“[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)
English teacher and coach Jason Berry died in his house of apparent heart failure Saturday.
Students, teachers, and parents were informed of the news through an email sent out by Head of School Chris Nikoloff Saturday night.
“Mr. Berry was a beloved member of the Harker community,” Nikoloff wrote. “He challenged and stretched his students and athletes, and endeared himself to all with his warmth and whip smart humor.”
Berry, 38, has been an English teacher at the Upper School for the past five years.
Berry, who grew up in Concord, New Hampshire, earned his Master of Arts in English Literature and Cinema Studies from Clemson University and his Bachelor of the Arts in English and Philosophy from Furman University. After spending time teaching at Steward School in Richmond, Virginia, he moved to the Upper School, where he has been since.
In June, Berry married Director of Alumni Relations MaryEllis Deacon Berry.
Students, teachers, and athletes who knew and worked with Berry emphasized that his personality made a profound impact on them.
“He made me want to listen to what he had to say and to engage in learning much more diligently than I ever had before. He told me I was smarter than what I was presenting him with,” Lori Berenberg (’13) said. “It was just a matter of applying myself. After a year of his lessons, I went from being a mediocre writer to someone who’s confident in her ability to express herself.”
The school is bringing in outside counselors every day this week for students who would like to talk to them. Upper School counselors will be visiting classes at the beginning of the week to talk to students and help grieving students and faculty.
On Thursday, there will be a memorial service for Berry at the WestGate Church on 1735 Saratoga Avenue, followed by a gathering in the Upper School quad to celebrate his life.
Berry is survived by his wife, MaryEllis Deacon Berry, father and mother, Lance and Nancy Berry, brother and sister-in-law, Josh and Jessica Berry, and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Upper School Division Head Butch Keller and math teacher Jane Keller.
For questions or concerns, contact Lori Villarreal at [email protected].
