![“[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 Club hosts annual Gym Jam
Students at Saturday’s Gym Jam play musical chairs to break the ice.
Spirit Club hosted its annual Gym Jam last Saturday in the Upper School gym to rally students for the upcoming year.
“It’s really a chance for the student body and community to come in, have fun before school starts, gear up for school, and decide what they want for the year,” Spirit Club co-President Julia Wang (12) said.
The event lasted from 4 p.m. until approximately 8:30 p.m. Upon arrival, students received a black Gym Jam t-shirt with a sticker assigning them to a group. Then the club officers presented a series of “ice breaker” games, including musical chairs.
After introductions, students broke into their respective classes and followed their class dean to separate rooms. The seniors, who met with Class Dean Diana Moss, discussed various aspects of the upcoming year. Topics of conversation included class spirit, fundraising, community, and meetings. For instance, the class arranged to create slideshows and a class-wide Spotify playlist for weekly class meetings this year.
“I definitely think we were able to come up with some good ideas for next year, and it was nice to see everyone chip in and give input,” Spirit Coordinator Arjun Ashok (12) said.
As usual, Spirit Club and Gym Jam participants then headed towards the pool, where they were greeted with pool games and barbeque dinner. School faculty members Kevin Williamson, Butch Keller, Jaron Olson, and Carol Green assisted with food preparations for the students, who were also joined by the football team following their practice.
“Gym Jam was especially fun because everyone got together to do something outside of an academic sphere,” Spirit member Alisa Wakita (11) said.
After retreating back to the gym, students separated into their assigned groups and rotated around the gym to various stations, such as “Homecoming” and “Spirit Competitions,” to come up with ideas for the coming year’s activities. A following vote determined a “Mystical Lands” and “007 / Black & White” theme for Homecoming and Winter Ball, respectively.
Towards the end of the night, the Gym Jam-ers had the opportunity to paint themselves prior to the glow-in-the-dark dodgeball game, which lasted until the Candle Light ceremony, during which students, back in their groups, shared excitements and fears for the new year.
Ice cream sundaes ended the four-and-a-half hour event. Spirit will also host the back-to-school get together, “First Friday,” on August 29.
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...