![“[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)
Sign-ups for 2015 Switzerland exchange program begin
Special to Aquila
The Upper School Switzerland Exchange Program is currently accepting applications for the 2015 trip to Collège de Gambach.
Students from our sister school, Collège de Gambach, in Fribourg, Switzerland, will visit the United States in February over President’s week break. In June, Upper School students will reunite with their “buddies” in Fribourg, where they will live with their buddy’s family, attend classes at Collège de Gambach and sightsee around Switzerland.
Sign-ups are open to all students, regardless of language taken, though priority is given to those taking French.
Once accepted, Upper School students will be paired with a Swiss student with similar interests.
The trip chaperones will be Jennifer Walrod, Director of Global Education, Nicolas Manjoine and MaryEllis Deacon. The tentative dates of travel are June 5 to June 14.
For Walrod, being able to bond with her students makes the trip a memorable experience.
“[I get] to spend time with the US kids and [get] to know them better. Sometimes the U.S. students [had] participated in the exchanges at the middle school and I got to know them as middle school kids,” Walrod said. “On the Swiss trip, I get to know them as upper school kids.”
Excited for the opportunity, Sarisha Kurup (10), a prospective applicant, hopes to be selected.
“It sounds like a wonderful opportunity to broaden my horizons, so I’m definitely going to apply,” Sarisha said.
Ankita Uppugunduri (10), a homestay student on the 2011 Tamagawa trip, believes that Harker Global Education has a strong program, and reflects upon her time in Japan with happiness.
“I really like the way it function[s]…Japan was such a blast for me, and I was able to become friends with my buddy and I am still friends with her,” she said.
Those interested must attend a mandatory trip orientation on Oct. 6 at 5:30 p.m. in the auditorium with Walrod. For further information, contact Walrod at [email protected].
Tara Parimi (12) is co-Editor-in-Chief of Harker Aquila, and this is her fourth year on staff. She has been involved with the upper school's journalism...