![“[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)
Looking forward to March Madness
The highlight of collegiate basketball season, the March Madness games are set tomorrow.
March Madness is the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Men’s Division I Basketball Championship single-elimination tournament played mostly in March of every spring.
The tournament, now organized by the NCAA, was founded in 1939 by the National Association of Basketball Coaches. The idea for such a tournament was pushed for by Harold Olsen, head coach of basketball at Ohio State University from 1922 to 1946.
The tournament has grown from its start. Only eight teams played in the first tournament, while the games have featured 68 teams since 2011. University of California Los Angeles holds the most championship titles of any team, winning 11 tournaments.
Junior Varsity Basketball player Dhanush Madabusi (10) looks forward to the tournament to see his favorite sport played on a larger scale.
“March Madness is one of the most exciting periods in sports. The NCAA tournament is so exciting to watch and follow, because the best teams in the nation are put together in one tournament for the national championship,” Dhanush said. “There is no best of five or seven. It’s win or go home. This prospect makes watching so exciting, because you don’t know who is going to move on. Playing basketball only makes this more exciting, because my love for game is only heightened.”
Making their own brackets to predict the results of the tournament is a fun way many students get involved in the games. AP US History and Government teacher Julie Wheeler has her class make brackets every year.
“With basketball being an American sport, creation of America, what better celebration of American history than an APUSH bracket. The NCAA basketball tournament is a cultural experience that they need to know about and participate it,” Wheeler said. “It is super fun to see people who have no idea about basketball get really excited in the different games so it’s also a bonding experience.”
Many students, however, are not making brackets or watching the game.
“Although I’m extremely interested in basketball, I don’t follow march madness because it takes up too much time to continuously follow it,” Lekha Chirala (11) said.
This year’s tournament will run from March 16th to April 7th. The games are broadcasted nationwide on ESPN, CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV.
Roshni Pankhaniya is the Sports Editor of the Winged Post. She is a senior and has been previously been a reporter and the Sports Editor for Harker Aquila....