![“[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)
Focusing on the positives of teamwork
The varsity volleyball girls come together in a huddle before their senior night game, holding each other to show their team support.
There has been a lot of talk lately about bullying in sports ever since professional football player Jonathan Martin left the Miami Dolphins due to alleged bullying from his teammate, Richie Incognito. The National Football League has had a number of issues including concussions, crimes, and murders. Now, it must determine where the line is drawn between traditional hazing and genuine harassment.
I am not here to justify Incognito’s actions the way some Dolphins’ players have, to belittle Martin the way much of the media has, or to even discuss the wrongs of locker-room bullying. It is easy to focus on the negatives, but what about the reasons we still appreciate sports, like team support and friendship?
During my sophomore year, Coach Jason Berry pulled the freshmen and sophomore soccer girls into his classroom and reproved us for disrespecting each other. Two years later, we’ve grown into a family, and I am sad I only have one more season left with these girls.
It is unfortunate that many golden memories athletes experience with their teams, has been drowned out by the unwonted news of ugly team disunity. This genuine moment of human kindness and friendship exemplifies what it means to be on a team.
The students on the Harker Varsity football team have undoubtedly had a tough season. Forfeiting all league games, having players plagued by injuries, and cutting the season short could not have been easy. But through it all, every single player has demonstrated poise and, more significantly, support of one another. We’ve all seen the Eagles play hard for each other on the field and goof off together around campus.
It is not just football, though. The amity is evident in all branches of Harker sports, from volleyball girls’ synchronized cheers after well-executed plays to the boys basketball team’s choreographed dances at the Hoscars.
Aside from the rush, I play soccer because of the powerful camaraderie. In August, the girls who didn’t get along two years ago sat in a circle on Davis Field holding each other, laughing, and remembering a beloved coach who taught them to believe in themselves and trust each other. I know Coach Bear would have been proud of how far we’ve come since that conversation in his classroom.
There will be team bullies out there, but I have strong reason to believe that they are rare. The beauty of a team is that there will always be people who have your back. It should be that way not only in Pop Warner, but all the way to the NFL. Maybe professional athletes can learn something from us kids.
Apurva Gorti is a Sports Editor for The Winged Post. She is a senior and has been in journalism since her sophomore year. Her favorite part of journalism...