![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 hasnt been matched by anything else. The process [of] making a build complete to your desire is such a painstakingly difficult process, but Ive had to learn from [the skills needed from] soldering to proper painting. Theres so many different options for everything, if you think about it, it exists. The best part is [that] if it doesnt 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 wasnt 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 its played such a major role in who Ive 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 Im [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)
![“Im 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 theres a lot of people that are really confident in what they do, and I really admire them. Everyones 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 arent going to get those championships if you arent 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)
Memorial held in honor of Jason Berry
Students and teachers commemorate English teacher Jason Berry at his reception at the Upper School. Berry died Saturday morning due to an apparent heart failure.
A reception for English teacher Jason Berry was held for all students and faculty at the Upper School following a memorial at the WestGate Church in Saratoga. Berry, 38, died at his home last Saturday of apparent heart failure.
The reception began with a speech from Head of School Chris Nikoloff, who welcomed everyone and then provided a short anecdote from Berry’s life.
After the opening words, attendees were invited to participate in honoring Berry by writing cards to him, eating his favorite foods, viewing his memorabilia, and speaking to one another about what he meant to the community.
“He really did have a big influence in my life. To me he was kind of a mix of happy-go-lucky jokester and this really intellectual human being,” said Neelima Gadagottu (‘13), who took Berry’s Literature Into Film class as a senior. “That kind of stuck with me throughout my time at Harker, and I’m definitely never going to forget that.”
Students and faculty attended the reception dressed in Clemson University colors and had orange paw prints, to represent the school Berry both attended and loved. They also wore bear stickers in honor of the animal with which he often associated himself.
“He was really passionate and he really cared about the team. Every time we had a game, he put his heart and soul into our team and he really cared about us. I’m really grateful and honored that he was our coach, and I’m glad he stepped up to that job,” varsity soccer player Nikita Parulkar (11) said.
Berry’s wife, Director of Alumni Relations MaryEllis Deacon Berry, parents, Lance and Nancy Berry, brother, Josh Berry, parents-in-law, Upper School Division Head Butch Keller and math teacher Jane Keller, were in attendance at the ceremony.
A scholarship fund created in Berry’s name was announced to the community, giving students an opportunity to reflect upon what he meant to them. To donate, you can send the advancement office a check or complete the form at harker.org.
Darian Edvalson the Editor-in-Chief of Harker Aquila. He is a senior and has been part of the journalism program since his freshman year. His positions...
Juhi Gupta is the Multimedia Editor for Harker Aquila. She is a junior and has been part of the journalism program since her freshman year. Her position...
