![“[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)
“This is the defining issue of your generation.” – Kate Kendell
Students listen intently as Kate Kendell speaks to the school. Kate Kendell is the executive director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR).
Kate Kendell, the Executive Director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, spoke at the Upper School last week about lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) representation in marriage equality and sports.
The Upper School’s Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) coordinated the assembly.
Kendell repeatedly called the cultural shift towards pro-LGBT rights “breathtaking.” Since she spoke at the Upper School eight years ago, 13 states have legalized gay marriage.
“I think it’s important that young people have a sense of the moment we’re in,” Kendell said in an interview with The Winged Post.
Kendell discussed LGBT representation in professional sports and the media, as well as her own story of coming out in a Mormon family and her journey to becoming a “professional lesbian.” GSA adviser and Spanish teacher Abel Olivas found resonance in her message, calling it “important” to hear LGBT allies speak.
“First of all, while there are a few LGBT kids who are out at Harker, there are others who struggle in isolation,” Olivas said. “These talks can provide them support.”
Global Perspective: Uganda
President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda signed the Anti-Homosexuality Bill into law on Feb. 24, dictating a 14-year prison sentence for LGBT members and life sentences for repeated occurrences of LGBT-related events.
According to BBC News, “The new law allows life imprisonment as the penalty for acts of ‘aggravated homosexuality’ and also criminalizes the ‘promotion of homosexuality,’ where activists encourage others to come out.”
Lesbians are included in these policies, and it is also against the law not to report marginalized gender and sexuality groups to the government. According to the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC), tabloids in Uganda have already begun publishing the names and photographs of LGBT members.
On an international scale, many, including U.S. President Barack Obama, have inveighed against the new law. Rights organizations such as Amnesty International, the aforementioned IGLHRC, Human Rights First, Human Rights Campaign, and more have also expressed great concern.
Activists in Uganda say that they intend to challenge the ruling in court.
Harker Alum voices support
Fashion designer Alexander Wang (MS ‘98) created a cashmere beanie emblazoned with “P6” along the front in support of Principle 6 of the Olympic Charter to protest anti-gay legislation in Russia, the location of the 2014 Winter Olympics.
Principle 6 says that discrimination or prejudice “with regard to a country or a person on grounds of race, religion, politics, gender or otherwise” is unwelcome at the Olympic games.
A wide range of celebrities have both posted images of themselves on social media and have been photographed wearing the beanies. These individuals include Cara Delevingne, Rihanna, Zachary Quinto, and Olivia Wilde.
Resources for LGBT Youth:
Billy DeFRank LGBT Community Center: provides individual counseling and support groups – (408) 293 2429
Trikone: promotes legal and cultural acceptance for South Asian LGBT Youth – (775) 573 8745
Gay-Straight Alliance Network: works to end harassment and discrimination in schools – (408) 552 4229
PFLAG San Jose: offers scholarships for HS seniors; a support organization for parents with LGBTQ children – (408) 270 8182
This piece was originally published in the pages of the Winged Post on March 12, 2014.
Apoorva Rangan (12) is the Editor-in-Chief of The Winged Post and a fourth-year staff member. She has previously served as the paper’s Managing Editor...
Elisabeth Siegel (12) is the editor-in-chief of the Winged Post. This is her fourth year in Journalism, and she especially loves production nights and...