![“[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)
Rumeenations: Looking for lupines
As an almost high school graduate, I like to think that I have changed from my five-year-old self—and hopefully for the better. I’m starting to realize, however, that that’s not necessarily the case.
The other day, I was going through my mom’s reserve of my brother’s and my artwork and projects from when we were kids. Amidst the bent papers of abstract crayon scribbles, handmade pop-up birthday cards, and half-finished friendship bracelets, I found a tattered, yellowing book that caused my nostalgia levels to reach an all-time high: Miss Rumphius, my favorite childhood picture book.
Despite its elementary target, Barbara Cooney’s masterpiece taught me one of the most valuable lessons I have learned to date. Her book details the life of Miss Rumphius, The Lupine Lady, who strives to make the world a more beautiful place by planting lupine flowers everywhere she goes.
Every time I read those 28 pages as a little kid, Cooney’s simple yet profound words inspired me to find my own version of a lupine and share it with the world. As a naïve child, there were no limits to how each of us could make our mark on the world: I dreamed of saving lives with superpowers, going to outer space and discovering a new planet, becoming Doctor Dolittle’s star disciple, and inventing time travel.
As I reread the delicate pages of Miss Rumphius, I could not help but momentarily revel in the unwavering certitude that we had when we were younger. Now, I’m not even sure what I want to major in as I prepare to enter college, let alone what my lupine is and how I will find it.
Granted, we have more questions to answer as we grow up. Our parents ask us how we will support ourselves as independent adults. Our teachers ask us how we will apply ourselves and our education. And we ask ourselves who we are and who we aim to be.
At this point, however, I wouldn’t mind regressing to my five-year-old state of mind. Just as Cooney’s words motivated me 12 years ago, they continue to comfort me now. Miss Rumphius reminded me that one’s age isn’t a justification for lacking that childlike sense of wonderment.
There may be more to worry about now that we are older, but there is just as much to dream about. Putting limits on our aspirations is what causes us to feel like we are aging. So, despite all of my uncertainty about the future, at least I know that I can find some constancy in my goal to discover my lupine.
This piece was originally published in the pages of the Winged Post on March 12, 2014.
Meena Chetty is the co-Editor-in-Chief of The Winged Post. As a senior, she has been part of the journalism program for all four years of high school....