![“[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)
JCL hosts Sadies
Winged Post
The Junior Classical League (JCL) will be hosting an “Up, Up, and Away!” themed Sadies dance in the gym on March 15.
Sadies is an annual event planned by JCL, modeled after the Sadie Hawkins dance in which the girl traditionally asks the boy.
“With Sadies, it gives the girls an opportunity to ask a guy without the pressure of social norms,” Raghav Jain (10) said.
Many students are particularly excited by the theme JCL picked for Sadies this year.
“Hopefully there will be a bigger turnout at Sadies, especially because the theme is super cute,” Lekha Chirala (11) said.
Members of JCL spent much time deciding on the theme after last year’s Wild West dance.
“We came up with the theme through lots and lots of deliberation,” said senior Tiffany Chu. “I think it will be a lot better because it’s not just cowboys.”
Junior Maya Nandakumar, First Vice President of California JCL, particularly looks forward to decorating the gym for Sadies.
“I think our theme allows for the decorations to be a little more innovative,” she said.
JCL hopes to fill the gym with lights, lasers, balloons, and a bubble machine. The dance will additionally feature “Sharoncake” – cupcakes that senior Sharon Babu bakes and sells for charity.
Many students, such as junior Arjun Ashok, consider Sadies a couple’s dance.
“Well, a lot of times going without a date is a pain. I mean, if a lot of my friends end up going, then I’ll probably go as well,” he said.
Although in the past JCL has typically collaborated with other clubs, such as Global Empowerment and Outreach Club (GEO) and Harker Business Club (HBC), to organize the event, the dance will be solely planned by JCL this year.
“With the timing of the DECA conferences, we need to focus on the competitions rather than fundraising,” said Savi Joshi (11), HBC Membership Officer.
Varsity Girls Basketball Assistant Coach Jonah Alves’ experiences with Sadies were “awesome,” and she attended the dance all four years of high school.
“Take initiative to be the leader of what you want to wear,” Alves said. “Don’t let the guy tell you what to wear because this is your day, so if you girls want to wear hot pink, do that.”
JCL will be selling tickets to Sadies during both lunches for $15 per person. For a limited time, a $10 discount was offered for couples.
Proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to the International Rescue Committee, a charity dedicated to assisting refugees. Last year, JCL and HBC decided to donate the funds from approximately 200 ticket sales to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
This post was originally published in the pages of The Winged Post on March 12, 2014