![“[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)
LA Clippers owner’s remarks spark protests in NBA
The Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers battle against each other in Game 6 of the first round of NBA playoffs. In spite of the circumstances regarding their team owner, the Clippers managed to maintain a close game, losing 99-100 to the Warriors.
The National Basketball Association’s Los Angeles Clippers protested against the team’s owner Donald Sterling due to his alleged racist comments in a conversation with his half African American girlfriend, Vanessa Stiviano, that was publicized by TMZ on Saturday, Apr. 26.
In response to Stiviano’s Instagram picture with former NBA star Magic Johnson, Sterling, according to the LA Times, said, “It bothers me a lot that you want to broadcast that you’re associating with black people … And don’t bring him [Magic Johnson] to my games.”
Hall of Famer Johnson was upset with the owner’s remarks that were directed at him. African American and former Lakers point guard and champion spoke to Sports Illustrated.
“He shouldn’t own a team anymore,” Johnson said. Though he played and won championships in Staples Center, he shared his reaction through @MagicJohnson on Twitter.
“I will never go to a Clippers game again as long as Donald Sterling is the owner. I feel sorry for my friends Coach Doc Rivers and Chris Paul that they have to work for a man that feels that way about African Americans. LA Clippers owner Donald Sterling’s comments about African Americans are a black eye for the NBA.”
“I find it immature of Mr. Sterling to use such racist comments, especially since he is the owner of such a prestigious team, the Clippers. The NBA is 80% African American right now. They can’t be making comments like that, especially in this time and age,” Lucas Wang (9) said.
The entire NBA is protesting against Sterling’s comments as well, and the decision of this case lies in the hands of recently elected NBA commissioner Adam Silver.
In the beginning of their fourth game in the first round of the playoffs against the Golden State Warriors, the Los Angeles Clippers team members threw their shooting shirts down in the middle of the court and warmed up with their regular practice shirts inside out to hide the team name. Even the current head coach Doc Rivers is reconsidering his coaching the team next season.
Not only California’s teams have spoken on the subject. Two-time NBA champion Lebron James told the Huffington Post that “there is no room for Donald Sterling in our league” and that if he was a part of the Clippers team, he would refuse to play.
Outside of the NBA players’ and analysts’ concerns, President Obama, although not in the country right now, also mentioned his disapproval towards these “incredibly offensive racist comments” in a press conference held in Malaysia.
“I don’t think I have to interpret those statements for you,” he said. “They kind of speak for themselves. When ignorant folks want to advertise their ignorance, you don’t really have to do anything; you just let them talk.”
Just as the Upper School community seeks to increase opportunity and make their missions known to the school through clubs like LGBT and WISTEM, Clippers teammate and point guard Chris Paul told ESPN that he will support his team during its lowest.
“We’re going to be one, everything we do, we do it together,” he said.
Arjun Ashok (11) sympathizes with Chris Paul and the Los Angeles team.
“I honestly feel really bad for Doc Rivers. I was listening to one of his interviews and he truly seemed heartbroken and it was really sad. Plus I can’t begin to comprehend what the Clippers players are going through at this point in time,” he said.
After holding an investigation on the case and confirming Sterling’s voice on the recording, commissioner Adam Silver spoke about his decision on Apr. 29.
“Effective immediately, I am banning Mr. Sterling for life from any association with the Clippers organization or the NBA … I am also fining Mr. Sterling $2.5 million, the maximum amount allowed under the NBA Constitution,” Silver said.
Teams and people associated with the NBA have all spoken in unanimity with the commissioner’s decision.
“I agree 100% with Commissioner Silvers findings and the actions taken against Donald Sterling,” Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban shared on Twitter
“I applaud NBA Commissioner Adam Silver’s swift and decisive response today. He sent a powerful message that there can be zero tolerance for racism and hatred in the NBA,” Michael Jordan, former NBA champion and current Charlotte Bobcats chairman, said.
In spite of this situation, the Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Golden State Warriors 4-3 in round one of the NBA playoffs on Saturday at Staples Center in LA.
Visit NBA.com for more information on the Donald Sterling case, and what commissioner Adam Silver decides for the Clippers’ team future.
Trisha Dwivedi (12) is the Managing Editor of Harker Aquila. She was a reporter her freshman year, Business Manager of the Winged Post her sophomore year...