![“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)
![“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)
![“[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)
![“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 wasn't 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)
Keller’s Korner – 12/6
Players dribbled down the court to victory, as last week was one of the first weeks of both the basketball and soccer season. When not watching sporting events, students had the chance to attend the first lawn in of the school year.
Boys’ soccer played the Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP) College Preparatory Charter School on Wednesday, winning 6-2. Alan Guo (11), Omar Hamade (10), Jeffrey Hanke (11) and Nikhil Kishore (11) scored goals. Girls’ soccer played two games, one against Andrew Hill and the other versus Redwood Christian beating both, 5-0 and 9-0 respectively. Top scorers were freshmen Kaillee Gifford and Joelle Anderson.
Like soccer, the basketball teams had a winning week. The girls’ team beat opponents KIPP, Point Arena High School, and Alma Heights Christian Academy. Additionally, the team placed first in a weekend tournament, with senior Nithya Vemireddy named to the all-tournament team. Similarly, the Junior Varsity and Varsity boys’ teams each had two wins.
“As far as the soccer and basketball go, whenever you start a new season, there is so much hope and energy and excitement, it can’t help but be contagious,” said Head of the Upper School Butch Keller. “I’ve seen that in the home soccer games and the home basketball games, so far.”
Students gathered in the gym to watch Monsters University for the first lawn-in of the year, Friday night. Spirit Club hosted the event and provided snacks for attendees. Another similar event is being planned for later in the year.
“I think the lawn in went pretty well,” said Spirit Club Co-President Katy Sanchez (11). Everyone seemed to enjoy Monsters University and the food. Next time we just have to advertise it more because not as many people came as we would have liked.”
“Whenever we can bring everyone together to do something that is not in the academic day, that is kind of a special thing,” Keller said.
As Finals week rolls around, students begin preparing for both semester exams and holiday themed events.
Alyssa Amick (12) is the Co- Editor in Chief of Harker Aquila. She has been part of the journalism program since her freshman year. Her favorite part of...