![“[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)
Sophomores assigned Eagle Buddies
Anuva Mittal (10) writes a message in her Eagle Buddies card. The cards are supposed to be completed during this Thursday’s advisory.
Sophomores received the names of their Lower School Eagle Buddies last Thursday during advisory.
The Eagle Buddies program pairs one or two sophomores with a third grader, and these students meet with each other a few times during the year. In addition to seeing each other, they will correspond through letters distributed to the upper schoolers by advisory and the lower schoolers by homeroom. When the current sophomores graduate in three years, their buddies will enter the Middle School after their fifth grade promotion.
Many students are excited to bond with their buddies over the next three years.
“I am really excited to meet my Eagle Buddy because I want to develop a relationship with her like siblings so that I can watch her grow in the next three years,” Anuva Mittal (10) said.
Advisors discussed with their advisees the basic information of the program during their last meeting. Sophomore advisor Donna Gilbert notices the excitement from her advisees regarding this program.
“[My advisees] are looking forward to meeting their buddies,” she said. “This program provides a great way to connect the campuses and build long term relationships.”
During this week’s advisory, sophomores will write cards talking about themselves and asking questions to get to know their buddies and to kick off the three-year program.
Sophomore May Gao already finished making her card for her buddy.
“I am definitely excited to bond over our mutual interests and hopefully create a lasting friendship beyond my years at Harker,” May said.
Other sophomores plan to include small gifts for their buddies.
“I put candy with my buddy’s card because what third grader doesn’t love a Jolly Rancher?” sophomore Kedar Gupta said.
Later this month, sophomores and the third graders will receive cards for the first time from their respective buddies.
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...