![“[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)
Varsity football and cheer honor seniors in last home game of the season
Students and parents alike came together on Friday to celebrate the senior night of the football and cheer team. Despite the chilly November weather, bleachers were full of friends and family who came to support their fellow seniors and join them for one last game.
Football players Sidhart Krishnamurthi, Allen Huang, Christian Williams, Keanu Forbes, Alyssa Amick, and cheerleaders Riya Godbole, Daniela Lee, Mariam Sulakian, Christina Andrus, Erika Olsen were honored in a ceremony before the game.
Harker advances to the end zone on a first down. The team beat St. Francis-Watsonville 48-15 last night on their senior night.
The Eagles won against the Saint Francis-Watsonville High School with a final score of 48-15. All the seniors scored points, which was one of the objectives of the night, according to Karriem Stinton, the middle and high school wrestling coach, who often comes out to help the football team.
“They’ve been playing excellent,” Stinton said. “This game is the most important game of the season because it’s for the seniors, and we’re really proud.”
Senior Keanu was pleased with the way the team performed.
“We played exceptionally well, executed to perfection and won,” Keanu said. “We came out, played with heart and they played for us and we played for them, so it was a great team win.”
According to Stinton, the seniors will not only have a lasting impression on the coaches, but also their younger teammates.
“I think we really pulled through today thanks to the seniors, they pushed us,” William Park (10) said. “I’ve learned a lot from them, and I think I can reflect on that and use that to go into the next season.”
During halftime, the Cheerleading Squad performed along with the Campbell Bears Pop Warner Junior Pee Wee and Midget Cheer Teams.
“It was fun having the Campbell girls with us,” cheerleader Naomi Molin (11) said. “Last week and this week we had practice with them for half an hour or so. We learned it separately, they learned at their practice, we learned it at our practice, and we just put it together.”
The senior cheerleaders were also honored alongside the football players.
“Tonight was really special. There were so many people out in the crowd; it made us feel very loved and supported,” Senior cheerleader Erika said. “It was really nice having everyone out.”
The energy from the crowd was not only felt by the cheerleaders, but also felt by the spectators themselves.
“I really enjoyed the energy in the stand tonight. I feel like a lot of people came out; a lot of people brought posters for their friends,” Sarah Bean (12) said. “It’s really great to know that we have such a supportive community that really understands the hard work it takes to get to the point that these seniors are at right now.”
All of the seniors’ friends put up posters for them on the sidelines, which were given to the players at the end of the game.
“It always brings about a certain level of excitement, bittersweet and farewell,” Athletics Director Dan Molin said. “It’s the last game, farewell to the seniors, and let them enjoy their final game.”
Justin Su (11) is the Aquila sports columnist. He has been a part of the journalism program since his freshman year. He hopes to bring his passion for...
Darren Gu is a junior and the Photo Editor for TALON Yearbook. This is his third year on staff. In his free time, Darren enjoys exploring the city at night,...
Megy Appalaraju (12) is the Sports Editor of Harker Aquila. This is her second year in the Harker journalism program. Her favorite part about journalism...