![“[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)
Soccer makes history
Nikita Parulkar (11) and Kailee Gifford (9) dribble down the field during the game against Hill High School. The team went on to win the game 5-0.
The Varsity Girls’ soccer team placed first at league championship, the highest accomplishment that the team has ever earned in Harker history.
Despite difficulties from the loss of their beloved mentor, Coach Jason Berry, and the graduation of five seniors, the team came together for the most successful season the girls’ soccer team has ever seen. Currently, the team is coached by English teacher John Docherty.
“I was thrilled with the girls’ performance this season. Coming in as a new coach is always challenging, but add to that the fact that I was bringing in a new philosophy and style of play, doubly so,” Docherty said. “But the girls rose to the challenges I set for them and played an attractive and sophisticated passing game by the end of the season. I couldn’t be happier.”
To remember the impact Berry had on them, the team decided to dedicate the season in his honor.
“Coach Berry meant a lot to our team obviously. His leadership throughout the past two years is what has made soccer such a close-knit family, and its because of that, that we never forget the impact that Jason Berry had on the girls soccer team,” forward and captain Apurva Gorti (12) said. “That’s why we want to thank him for everything he did for us. That is why we dedicated the season to him. It felt right, and it felt appropriate; this league championship was for him.”
This year, the team also introduced a new award created in Berry’s honor because of what he meant to the team as a whole. As Berry helped encourage the importance of teamwork, the award was given to the team member who was the most coachable and worked best with the rest of the team, right back Gabriella Gupta (11).
The girls credit their success to the teamwork portrayed both on and off the field, as well as the talent shown by the freshmen class.
“This season was absolutely incredible. I couldn’t be prouder of the team,” Apurva said. “We came in with a lot of difficulties […], but we had incredible talent in the freshmen class, and everyone came together to make the most successful season Harker soccer has seen.”
This piece was originally published in the pages of the Winged Post on March 12, 2014.
Vineet Kosaraju (12) is the STEM Editor for both Harker Aquila and Winged Post. He is a senior and has been part of the journalism program for the past...
Alexis Gauba is a reporter for The Winged Post. She is a freshman, and it is her first year on the staff. Alexis is on the varsity girls golf team and...