![“[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)
The incoming class of 2017 was treated to a day of fun, games, and team-building on Davis field during the freshmen orientation.
Following a brief introduction by Freshman dean Jeffrey Draper in the gym, the advisories were given time to interact and get to know each other before moving to Davis field for a day of activities.
“I’m pretty much nervous because I’m going to meet some new people, [but] it’s going to be awesome,” Edward Tischler (9) said. Advisories filled out social Bingo questionnaires and played games such as the Human Knot.
On Davis Field, advisors, advisees, and Link Crew members played a variety of games under the direction of Shaw Dunton, director of Apex Adventures, and the Apex Adventures team. The various activities included the Triangle Walk, Centipede Walk, Number Stomp, Water Tube, and Card Sort events. Additionally, advisories could visit Singh Aquatic Center to swim or relax on the bleachers. Several freshmen were excited about making new friends on the Upper School Campus.
“It feels interesting to be new,” Raveena Kapatka (9) said. “I’m going to meet a lot of new people, so it’s going to be different,”.
Throughout the day, advisories were accompanied by members of the Link Crew, who participated in the games with the students.
“[My responsibilities are] to ensure that it’s a really safe environment for the freshmen and that it’s a lot of fun,” Link Crew member Darby Millard (11) said.
The activities were interrupted in the middle of the day for a lunch break, during which freshmen sat with their advisors and Link crew members. After lunch, the entire class participated in a “Rock, Paper, Scissors” tournament before resuming the regular activities. The advisories rotated through the activities in 20 minute intervals so that each advisory had the opportunity to play each game throughout the afternoon.
“The centipede [walk] was pretty fun. The sprinklers went on while we were playing, but otherwise it was pretty good,” Jordan Murtifm (9) said.
At the end of the orientation, Draper practiced a fire drill with the freshmen before dismissing them for popsicles. The newly formed advisories will continue to strengthen their team-building and spirit when they meet again on Matriculation Day.
