![“[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)
SPIRIT WEEK: Powderpuff
Spirit Club hosts annual Powderpuff
Students and faculty gathered on Davis Field for the annual Powderpuff football game and cheerleading halftime routine today during long lunch.
The freshman and senior girls’ football team won 6-0 against the sophomore and junior team following a six-point touchdown from Kailee Gifford (9) in the third quarter.
Freshman player Lyndsey Mitchell remarked on her first powderpuff experience.
Sophomore and junior football players, coached by mathematics instructor Jane Keller, made unsuccessful plays and finished with zero points on the scoreboard. According to Mishi Vachev (11), the team had not practiced together prior to the game. Yet, she expressed satisfaction with the team’s unity and warm spirit.
Adarsh Battu (12), one of the team coaches for the senior and freshman team, commended the girls’ hard work that led to their six-point victory.
Chemistry teacher Andrew Irvine, debate advisor Carol Green, Spanish teacher Diana Moss, and athletic trainer Jaron Olson commentated throughout the game.
Though Irvine had an overall positive perception of the game, he lamented the lack of spirit among the student body.
During halftime, cheerleading boys of each team performed a one to two minute routine choreographed by student council members and other student volunteers. Both teams began working on the routines later than in previous years due to the timing of spirit week this year.
Twenty-one sophomore and junior boys signed up to cheer at the game. The team practiced Monday after school as well as throughout the school day today. The cheerleaders’ work led them to a first place for their routine.
The opposing team performed after the sophomores and juniors. Despite the initial lack of seniors in the routine, a few boys from the 2014 class joined last minute to support their peers.
The kitchen staff served lunch on the field in hopes that more students would watch and support their peers in the game. Student Avni Barman (11) expressed delight at this change, stating that she “enjoy[s] having lunch on the field with [her] friends.”
Although a majority of the school attended the Powderpuff event until half time, most left at the start of the third quarter. Still, Gaurav Kumar (12) and other crowd members appreciated the concept of Powderpuff and the reversal of traditional gender roles in football and cheerleading.
The Noodle Boat Regatta will precede lunch tomorrow during time allotted by a special schedule, and the Spirit Club will host the Spring Rally on Friday, concluding the weeklong festivities.
Mariam Sulakian is the Features Editor of Harker Aquila. She has been a member of the journalism program for four years and appreciates the opportunities...