![“[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)
Class of 2018 steps in
Freshman interacted with each other during orientation and engaged in various activities on Davis Field. The freshman participated in their first Matriculation ceremony on Friday and will be starting the first day of academic classes on Monday.
Last Thursday, while the sophomores and juniors enjoyed their class trips, the new Class of 2018 members bonded with their advisories and were welcomed onto the campus by the Link Crew with several team-building activities.
The event began at 10:15 a.m. at the Upper School. Freshmen were welcomed by the loud cheers of Link Crew, a group of upperclassmen who serve as mentors to the younger students. Freshmen ran through a huddle formed by the members of Link Crew to enter the Upper School campus.
Once they had met their new advisory groups, the freshmen played a game of icebreakers with the senior Link Crew members to meet new people.
The freshmen and Link Crew members then went to Davis field, where they participated in outdoor activities. Students played five different games, including “Ping Pong Pandemonium” and “Card Sorter,” which tested their coordination, communication, and teamwork skills. After concluding activities on the field, the freshmen went to the pool for a swim.
Rajiv Movva (9) enjoyed freshman orientation because he got an opportunity to spend the day with friends.
“It was great to meet all of the new students as well as my old friends and engage in a variety of exciting activities with them,” Rajiv said.
Many freshmen are excited to join high school for the new opportunities it has to offer.
“I’m looking forward to having more choices in academic [courses, sports, and clubs] and an increase in independence,” Jessica Wang (9) answered in a survey.
Though many students are looking forward to the freedom of high school, some feel they will need some time to adapt to the new environment at the Upper School.
“Moving from my middle school to Harker high school requires a lot of adjustments,” Abha Patkar (9), who was previously at Challenger, said. “I have to get used to the fact that the high school teachers do not care if you do not finish your homework or complete your essays. Also, I have to learn to adjust to the new responsibilities and commitments that come with high school.”
The Class of 2018 Dean Victor Adler agrees that there is “more freedom, more responsibility, and higher expectations” for the freshmen, but he thinks that they will enjoy their new rights.
Economics teacher Samuel Lepler echoed Abha’s thoughts and thinks that freshmen will need some time to adjust.
“The biggest adjustment is likely social,” Lepler said. “[Freshmen] will need to open to meeting new people and expanding their network of friends.”
Pauline Paskali, Upper School English teacher and Class of 2018 Advisor, agrees that there is a large transition for the freshmen.
“Finding a system of organization to balance fun and responsibilities will enable students to better appreciate and enjoy the new experiences of high school,” she said.
When asked to give a piece of advice for the incoming freshman, she responded with helpful tips that her previous advisory, members of the recently graduated Class of 2014, suggested. Some of the tips included making new friends, meeting new faces, and talking to new people.
The Class of 2018 will be meeting this Thursday for their next advisory while the other classes will be joining their Recreate Reading groups.
Vineet Kosaraju (12) is the STEM Editor for both Harker Aquila and Winged Post. He is a senior and has been part of the journalism program for the past...
Vedant Thyagaraj is the Science & Technology Editor for Harker Aquila. He is currently a senior and has been on staff for the past three years. Vedant...