![“[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)
Seniors gift orchard in memory of Jason Berry
The Harker School
SEEDS OF LOVE: Seniors Apurva Gorti and Dora Tzeng plant one of the orchard’s new saplings together. The contruction for the Class of 2014’s senior gift, an orchrd in memory of former English teacher Jason Berry, began during the week of April 21.
During the week of April 21, Construction began on the Class of 2014’s senior gift: an orchard in mem- ory of former English teacher, Jason Berry.
The orchard will include fruit trees, berry bushes, trellises, benches, and a bronze statue of a bear. The gift also includes pavement of the area be- tween Shah and Davis Field. The first trees in the orchard were planted on Earth Day, April 22.
The roots of the senior gift extend farther than those of the apples, oranges, and apricots contained in the orchard.
Senior class Co-Dean Victor Adler found the gift to be a meaningful mark on the school.
“Whereas previous gifts, such as the waterfall, were set aside, this gift will be central to the campus so that students can see it and be in it,” Adler said.
Alternative senior gifts up for vote included other tributes to Berry and sofas in Main, an option rejected due to the potential fire hazards.
Previous gifts have ranged from the flagpoles on Davis Field from the Class of ‘11 to the water coolers from the Class of ‘13.
“I think our senior gift is different because it’s dedicated to someone we know and who was part of our community.” Renu Singh (12) said. “It’s something that will beautify the school as well as carry on the memory.”
Senior Class Co-Dean Mary-Ellis Deacon reflected on the seniors’ decision process.
As the Class of ‘14 gives way to the rising seniors, members of the new senior class expressed satisfaction with the gift.
“[The gift] will give us the opportunity to remember Mr. Berry, who was a really valuable member of the school community,” Felix Wu (11) said. “It will help us celebrate his life and his commitments to the students at Harker.”
The project is projected to complete by the summer.
This piece was originally published in the pages of the Winged Post on May 16, 2014.
Vasudha Rengarajan is the Editor-in-Chief of Harker Aquila. As former Features editor and Sports editor for Aquila and a reporter for The Winged Post,...
Anokhi Saklecha (12) is the Global Editor for the Winged Post. She has been in the journalism program for the past three years. She loves the creativity,...