![“[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)
Locker distribution delay results in mixed responses
Jacqui Villareal
In absence of senior advisor Andrew Irvine, senior Dean Diana Moss distributes the locker cards for his advisory. All seniors were assigned the same lockers as the previous year.
During the first school meeting of the year, students received their locker assignments. This year, juniors are in Dobbins Hall, freshman and sophomores are sharing Main, and seniors are in Shah Hall for the second year in a row.
The delay in receiving lockers was caused by the changes involving class trips and Matriculation that took place last week as well as uncertainty in enrollment numbers.
“The number of students we have enrolling at the last minute or not enrolling impacts numbers in advisory. We try and put lockers by advisory because there is a constant reformulating of where students are going to go with their lockers right up to the last minute,” Dean of Students Kevin Williamson said.
“The fact that we added orientation, all the class trips, and everything we did this year different from previous years, we just got behind and caught off guard…Hopefully everybody has their locker now and it worked out,” Williamson said.
Freshman Vivian Wang thought the process went well with the help of her advisor, Meredith Cranston.
“It was very smooth. Our advisor told us we were all together and that if we had any questions we could go ask her,” Vivian said.
Although it was “quick and hectic,” junior advisor Karl Kuehn believed the process was “a pleasant experience,” and the stigma from the situation was caused by the fact that the process was different from last year.
“I was able to check out all of my students efficiently,” Kuehn said. “I think because it happened differently, maybe there’s some disdain for it, but overall I think it was fine,” Kuehn added.
Despite the fact that many people thought the change was fine, others disagreed objecting that the process was troublesome.
“It was really inconvenient because I wanted to bring a lot of my books to school today, and also none of my classes are near Shah [Hall], and it was a long walk over, and I couldn’t even put anything in my locker when we got it because I didn’t have any books with me,” Angeline Pan (12) said.
Kristen Park (11) agreed saying that the change was inconvenient because of previous locker assignments.
“I think because normally people put their stuff in their lockers right after they get their lockers, it was kind of not as good as before because people aren’t as ready” she said.
Although the locker process was different from last year, all students who desired a locker received one.
Jacqui Villarreal (12) is the Editor-in-Chief of TALON. She is in her fourth year of staff, and has previously been Photo Editor and People Editor. Jacqui’s...