![Setter Emma Lee (9) sets the ball to the middle during the match against Pinewood on Sept. 12. “[I’m looking forward to] getting more skilled, learning more about my position and also becoming better friends with all of my teammates, Emma said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/DSC_4917-2-1200x795.jpg)
![“[Building nerf blasters] became this outlet of creativity for me that hasnt been matched by anything else. The process [of] making a build complete to your desire is such a painstakingly difficult process, but Ive had to learn from [the skills needed from] soldering to proper painting. Theres so many different options for everything, if you think about it, it exists. The best part is [that] if it doesnt exist, you can build it yourself, Ishaan Parate said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/DSC_8149-900x604.jpg)
![“Animation just clicked in a way. I had been interested in art, but that felt different. [Animation] felt like it had something behind it, whereas previous things felt surface level. I wasnt making that crazy of things, but just the process of doing it was much more enjoyable, Carter Chadwick (22) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Screen-Shot-2022-08-16-at-9.44.08-AM-900x598.png)
![“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 its played such a major role in who Ive 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 Im [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)
![“[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)
![“Im 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 theres a lot of people that are really confident in what they do, and I really admire them. Everyones 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)
![“My slogan is ‘slow feet, don’t eat, and I’m hungry.’ You need to run fast to get where you are–you arent going to get those championships if you arent 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)
![“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)
Senator Yee arrested for alleged crimes
Yee steps down from position, faces weapons-smuggling charges
State Senator Leland Yee was recently arrested after an FBI investigation allegedly implicated him in political corruption and gun-trafficking charges.
The charges accuse Yee of smuggling weapons illegally in exchange for campaign money for his shot at Secretary of State. Since his arrest, however, he has dropped out of the running. On March 28, he stepped down from his job as State Senator from District 8, which includes San Francisco.
“I think it’s a real shame that a politician that was so respected before was corrupted by personal interests,” said Felix Wu (11). “He’s fought so hard for a number of progressive issues and for the East Asian community, so it’s just shocking to see that he’s been exploiting his role as an elected official.”
Many people are now discussing the hypocrisy of Lee’s actions as he was both a supporter of tighter gun control laws as well as limiting the influence of money on a political campaign.
“I am proud to stand with the California Clean Money Campaign,” Yee said in a 2012 press release. “It is imperative that we update our laws to limit the influence of money in our political system.”
Some of the evidence against Yee consists of audio clippings from undercover FBI agents who set up meetings with Yee to discuss various illegal activity including arms deals and marijuana distribution.
According to the Sacramento Bee, Yee acted in order to gain more money for his campaign Secretary of State, especially after he lost the race for Mayor in 2011, which put him into debt.
“It’s awful that he broke the law and actively supported criminals,” said junior Ayush Midha. “But more importantly, as an elected official, he failed to meet his responsibility to his constituents and has set a terrible example for the community.”
This piece was originally published in the pages of the Winged Post on April 4, 2014
Alyssa Amick (12) is the Co- Editor in Chief of Harker Aquila. She has been part of the journalism program since her freshman year. Her favorite part of...
