![“[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)
Upcoming album releases
Special to Harker Aquila
Iggy Azalea – Reclassified Nov. 24
Not finished promoting her latest album “The New Classic,” Australian rapper Iggy Azalea has unveiled the tracklist to “Reclassified,” a re-release of her debut album plus five new songs. Among the five new tracks on the project are “Beg for Me” featuring Danish singer-songwriter Mø, which debuted on “Saturday Night Live” in October. Also included are the Ellie Goulding collaboration entitled “Heavy Crown” and the single “Trouble” featuring Jennifer Hudson. The 12-track collection will also include her chart-topping hits “Fancy” featuring Charli XCX and “Black Widow” featuring Rita Ora. Azalea will release “Reclassified” on Nov. 24.
Eminem – Shady XV Nov. 28
Shady XV, an upcoming hip-hop compilation album featuring various artists of Shady Records, is due for release by Shady Records and Interscope Records. The double-disk album is the label’s 15th project, will be released in honor of the label’s 15th anniversary. The compilation will feature two discs, with the first containing 12 new tracks from Shady Records artists. The second disc will include several of the label’s greatest hits, including Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” and 50 Cent’s “In da Club.”
Sucker – Charli XCX Dec. 16
Charli XCX has been working with Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo and Rostam Batmanglij of Vampire Weekend for her sophomore album. In an interview with DIY Magazine, she stated that she wrote the record for girls and wants them to feel “a sense of empowerment.” The record’s genre is still pop, though XCX has listed Weezer, The Hives, and The Ramones as inspirations for the album. Though initially expected to have an earlier release date, the album’s release date was pushed back due to the unexpected success of “Boom Clap” and the need for additional time to promote the album well. “There’s definitely a punk energy that runs throughout the record. Some people will hate it, but I’m really excited about it because I know some people will absolutely love it as well. I feel like that’s what a good album is,” XCX said in an interview with Entertainment Weekly.
Nicki Minaj – The Pinkprint Dec. 15
“The Pinkprint,” the upcoming studio album by rapper Nicki Minaj, is scheduled for release on Dec. 15. The album’s title references Jay-Z’s 2001 album “The Blue Print” and will be Minaj’s third album. Looking to depart from the dance-pop elements from her previous studio album “Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded,” released in 2012, Minaj’s follow-up record reflects her traditional hip hop beginnings. The album has since been supported by the singles “Pills n Potions”, “Anaconda” and “Only”. “Anaconda” peaked at number two on the US Billboard Hot 100, and has become Minaj’s highest-charting single to date in the United States.
This piece was originally published in the pages of The Winged Post on November 21.
Kavya Ramakrishnan (12) is the managing editor of the Winged Post. This is her fourth year on staff, having previously held the positions of reporter and...