![“[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)
Keller’s Korner – 10/10
NHS inducted new members, sophomore and seniors met with Eagle Buddies, and students and faculty wore red for National Coming Out Day this week.
The 26 new NHS members inducted on Tuesday were primarily sophomores. Applicants had to submit their awards, accomplishments, extra-curriculars, service projects, and GPA. They also wrote four brief essays and requested recommendations from three adults, at least two of which were Harker teachers.
A panel of teachers reviewed each application and selected society members based on how they upheld the four pillars of NHS: scholarship, leadership, character, and service.
At the ceremony, inductees and their parents listened to speeches by NHS officers, each of whom represented a different pillar, as well as NHS advisor Mike Pistacchi.
“As officers, we were proud to celebrate Harker students’ commitment to the four pillars of NHS, which embody our school’s central values as well,” Agata Sorotokin, Vice President of NHS, said.
Agata’s speech focussed on the pillar of character. She has no doubt that the inductees will showcase the pillars of NHS throughout their lives, in and out of Harker.
At the end of the ceremony, each inductee lit a candle and was presented a certificate by Head of School Butch Keller.
Sophomores Chetana Kalidindi and Sneha Bhetanabhotla smile with their eagle buddy. The class of 2017 travelled to the Bucknall campus to visit their eagle buddies for the first time on Thursday.
On Thursday, sophomores travelled to the Lower School to meet their eagle buddies for the first time, while seniors reunited with their eagle buddies at the Upper School.
“I had two buddies–one that I’ve had all along named Gigi and a new student named Catherine,” said Helen Wu (12). “It was fun getting to know my new buddy and catching up with my old one.”
Seniors and their fifth grade buddies ate lunch together on Rosenthal field.
Sophomores, whose eagle buddies are in third grade, ate pizza and cookies with their buddies on the Lower School field.
“It was really fun,” said Matthew Cheng (10). “It was nice to be able to place a face on this little kid.”
Freshmen and Juniors attended a life session and ate lunch at the Upper School.
Students and faculty alike wore red to represent themselves as part of or an ally of the LGBTQ community on Friday.
Students wear red for national coming out day on Friday. This is the 26th annual national coming out day.
National Coming Out Day first became an event in 1988, when it was founded by Robert Eichberg. This year marks its 26th anniversary.
At the Upper School, the day was publicized during School Meeting by Department Chair of Mathematics Bradley Stoll and Performing Arts teacher Karl Kuehn.
“I was very impressed to see so many student and faculty members wearing red last Friday,” said Kuehn. “ I think it was a fantastic visual reminder as to how supportive and embracing our Harker community is. Hopefully those living in fear will see that Harker is truly a safe place to be yourself.”
Meilan Steimle (12) is co-Editor-in-Chief of the Winged Post. She was a reporter her freshman year, Winged Post Opinion Editor her sophomore year and Winged...