![“[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)
Seniors win annual dodgeball tournament
Senior Samir Chaudhry leans back after landing a hit during today’s dodgeball game. The seniors defeated the juniors in two straight games, winning the tournament for the second year in a row.
The volume in the gym grew to a dull roar before the final game of the annual dodgeball tournament as the seniors and juniors prepared to battle for first place today.
After the sophomores beat the freshmen 2-1, the senior-junior match began with the Class of 2014’s entrance from the darkened stage. Last year’s reigning dodgeball champions, the senior class surveyed the juniors from their edge of the gym.
With a shout of the whistle, the forty players sprung forward from their positions, each step bringing them closer to the gatorskin balls down the center line of the court. Skidding to a halt, the senior class quickly scooped up as many projectiles as possible, causing the backtracking juniors to warily assume a defensive position.
Four minutes later, it was over. The seniors maintained their offensive lead and took first place, with the juniors, sophomores, and freshmen taking second, third, and fourth place respectively.
“We had all the spirit and enthusiasm that we needed to win,” said Sahithya Prakash (12). “We creamed the juniors.”
Leeza Kuo (11), the last junior player standing, faced over six players at the end of the game, calling the opposition “intimidating.”
“The last thing going through my head was ‘We’re gonna lose, we’re gonna lose,’” she said. “I thought I could do it, but time ran out. I don’t think we played as well as we could have.”
As in past years, some audience members and players found the regulation inconsistent, though six referees monitored this year’s game.
“Some people would get caught when they were hit and others wouldn’t,” said crowd member and Class of 2015 treasurer David Lin. “The seniors were watching the juniors, so maybe next time we could get the juniors to watch the seniors too.”
As the gym emptied after the tournament, though, most students were less concerned with rules and regulations than in their class’s new bonds.
“It’s a good bonding experience,” said Mehul Khetrapal (10). “We feel confident in ourselves.”
Activities Coordinator Kerry Enzensperger agreed.
“In the end, it’s not about winning,” Enzensperger said. “The whole point of the game is all just about having some fun and forgetting about stress.”
The seniors will face the faculty next Wednesday during long lunch in the gym.
Apoorva Rangan (12) is the Editor-in-Chief of The Winged Post and a fourth-year staff member. She has previously served as the paper’s Managing Editor...