![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)
On Friday, October 1, Varsity football made team history when they defeated the California School of the Deaf (CSD) 23-0 at Davis Field, remaining undefeated
at 5-0.
“It’s amazing,” said wide receiver Bradley Araki (11). “I’m so proud of the team for going somewhere no other Harker [football] team has gone.”
In total, the team made three touchdowns, two two-point conversions, and one PAT throughout the game. Chris McCallaCreary (12) made the first touchdown during the second quarter, leading to a two-point conversion by Greg Cox (12) immediately after a botched PAT attempt. Keeping the team’s high intensity, Alex Kablanian (12) intercepted a pass in the third quarter and successfully ran for the second touchdown. Captain Gautam Krishnamurthi (12) finished the game by intercepting another pass and making the final touchdown in the fourth quarter.
The team has defeated San Jose High, Marina, Soledad, and neighbor Lynbrook so far, and through their winning performances, senior captains Rishi Bhatia, Jerry Shteynberg, Greg Cox, and Gautam Krishnamurthi have been standouts for the team.
Last season, the team’s 7-5 overall record lead them to the playoffs in Middletown, and they hope to make it to the playoffs.
The team will compete against Capuchino High School on Davis Field on Friday, October 8.
“Winning all of our games shows that we are capable of so much,” Rishi Bhatia said. “[It’s] been exciting winning all five of our games, but we need to focus on our next game to reach our full potential.”
Surpassing last year’s record is not enough for the team.
“The most important thing is to go 6-0,” Alex Kablanian said. “I mean, we’re in the history books now, but we want to be in there forever.”
