![“I wasn't discouraged by some of the obstacles we faced. I learned a lot from the leadership. I found that different people need different ways of receiving feedback — you can't [just] tell them to do something and expect the best. [Some] people needed more incentive. A large part of my role was to figure out what worked for everyone and to figure out how to lead all these separate individuals as a team,” Suhana Bhandare (’26) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/SuhanaBhandare_JasmineHansra-1-1200x798.jpg)
![“This is actually from Randy Pausch Randy P. Brick: ‘Walls are there for a reason. You have to show how much you want to overcome them.’ You have to show how much you want something. That's what I've always been able to do with tennis, Link Crew and getting that internship [with Kushy Baby]. It’s important pushing through that — getting around that brick wall, climbing over it or clawing through it,” Yash Sachdeva (’26) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/YashSachdeva_RamBatchu-copy-1200x1002.jpg)
![“[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)
Members of the CNS discuss nuclear disarmament with Upper School students
Ashi Gautum
Dr. Cohen describes his historical outlook on the current nuclear situation. Members of the CNS institute talked to Upper School students about their work regarding nuclear non-proliferation.
Members of the Monterey Institute of International Studies spoke to Upper School students about the future of nuclear disarmament and the Upper School’s relationship with this institute.
At the beginning of the assembly, Diana Nichols, Mr. Nichols’ wife, introduced the speakers and announced that the Upper School will be collaborating with the James Martin Center for Non-Proliferation Studies (CNS), at the MIIS, on a research project. The CNS focuses on training the next generation of professionals to change the circumstances involving nuclear weapons.
The MIIS is a graduate school of Middlebury College that offers internships to undergraduate students and programs for high school students at the CNS. The CNS hosts guest speakers such as Ban Ki Moon, the current Secretary General of the UN, and focuses on the global circumstances regarding nuclear weapon proliferation and disarmament.
Masako Toki, the director of the CIF program and an MIIS alumni, talked to Upper School students about the CNS institution’s goals to educate the younger generation about nuclear non-proliferation activity. Toki also described the functions of the Critical Issues Forum, a program designed to allow high school students to learn about nuclear weapons and the problems regarding non-proliferation.
“Usually, high school students do not have the opportunity to study such topics so this unique program was designed to empower high school students to understand matters of mass destruction,” Toki said.
After Toki described the CIF program, Tom Greg, a researcher at the CNS, shared his journey as a student involved in non-proliferation efforts. After graduating from high school, Greg joined the submarine force in the United States Navy. His training caused him to become more aware of his responsibility as a leader of the submarine force in making decisions regarding the use of nuclear weapons.
“What were you like 10 years ago?” Greg asked the students as he described his emotional transition from being a part of the navy to researching about nuclear weapons.
Greg, like Toki, encouraged the Upper School students to consider careers in the field of international relations. Following Greg, Dr. Cohen explained his philosophical approach to nuclear disarmament by showing a video describing the origins of nuclear weapons.
Some students such as Eddie Shiang (10) responded positively to the assembly’s speakers and topic.
“I found the meeting today about nuclear disarmament really meaningful,” Eddie said. “To hear a man quit his job administering nuclear submarines after seeing the reality of the weapon’s destruction was the highlight for me.”
The speakers from the MIIS and CNS were available to answer any questions after the assembly and gave Upper School students their contact information as well.
To learn more about this program or nuclear non-proliferation efforts, visit http://sites.miis.edu/criticalissuesforum/.
Ayushi Gautam (12) is the Managing Editor of Harker Aquila. She has been a part of the journalism program since her freshman year. She was the Social Media...