![“[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)
School meeting recap – 11/3
Director of Community Service Kerry Enzensperger introduces this month’s Community Service Spotlight recipient. Mariam Sulakian (12) discussed her experiences working to help others in the Armenian community.
English teacher Mark Hufnagl will perform three new songs that are not on his album to students tomorrow during long lunch from 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Nichols auditorium. CDs will be available to purchase for students interested.
Head of School Christopher Nikoloff will present on the topic of goodness from his lecture series called “The DNA of Thought” from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. tomorrow in the Main conference room.
Mariam Sulakian (12) received this month’s Community Service Spotlight from Director of Community Service Kerry Enzensperger.
Upper School Forensics is ranked in the top 0.01 percent of all high school speech and debate organizations nationally. Many students were recognized for their individual accomplishments on a national level.
DECA will be hosting an ice cream social this Friday after school and will be present at the Purple Stride 5K run this Saturday at 10 a.m. DECA will also be hosting a students vs. faculty basketball game during long lunch on Nov. 12.
Results from the pumpkin carving contest are as follows:
- Seniors
- Sophomores
- Juniors
- Freshmen
Eagle Update: Katherine Zhu (9) won the WBAL league golf championships last week, and the team placed third. Girls’ volleyball is currently 7-1 in league, and will have their senior night this Thursday. Girls’ tennis ends their regular season at 14-6 and will find out their CCS fate this weekend. Football lost to Immanuel High School last Friday and will face St. Francis-Watsonville on Nov. 14, their senior night. Cross country will compete in their league championships this Friday at Crystal Springs.
Workouts for lacrosse begin this week. They take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school. They are mandatory for all students not currently participating in sports. Contact captains Hannah Bollar (12), Sabrina Sidhu (12), Allison Kiang (12) or coach Andrew Irvine for more information.
There is an alternate schedule this Friday for an assembly about anxiety and stress.
Maya Jeyendran (11) is the Lifestyle Editor of Harker Aquila. She been a part of Harker's journalism program since her freshman year, and has previously...