![“[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)
Athletes of the Month
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Anushka Das (12)
Varsity Girls’ Water Polo
Co-captain of the girls’ Varsity water polo team, Anushka Das (12), has just finished her fourth year on Varsity. Anushka was named co-MVP and awarded first-team All League this year and MVP her junior year.
Anushka has held the lead in scoring goals, with 38 total this season. Anushka’s contributions this season include five goals against Santa Clara, two against Monta Vista, two against Fremont and three against Wilcox.
Head coach Allison Lamb comments on Anushka’s successes.
“Anushka is one of our smartest players in the pool. Often she can see what is happening before it happens, which makes her [a] defensive [threat],” Lamb said. “She has put a lot of work and effort into all of her successes in and out of the water and to me she is the definition of what a student-athlete should be.”
Varsity water polo player Sarah de Vegvar (10), who has played alongside Anushka for two years, comments on Anushka’s attitude and skill.
“Anushka is the player that our couch assigns to guard the toughest girl on the other team because of her skill on both offense and defense,” Sarah said. “She’s a team leader. When we’re putting equipment away after practice, she doesn’t stand on the pool deck and try to get out of work.”
Billy Bloomquist (12)
Varsity Boys’ Water Polo
Co-captain of the boys’ Varsity Water Polo team, Billy Bloomquist (12) culminated his final Harker water polo season as co-MVP of the SCVAL El Camino league, also receiving first-team All-League honors.
Billy was a key component of the team, consistently scoring more than one goal in almost every match.
The highlight of his season came during the WBAL League Tournament in a game against Lynbrook, where Billy stepped in for an injured player and added a goal to lead Harker to a win and third place finish in league.
Teammate Jack Farnham (10) comments on Billy’s success.
“He’s very hardworking and is a team player, scores a lot of goals, and helps our team in every single aspect of the game.”
Billy has been a part of Harker’s boys’ Varsity water polo team since his freshman year, and also ended his junior year with first-team All-League honors.
Besides the value that he adds to the team’s success as a whole, Billy’s attitude does not go unnoticed by others.
“Billy is a really good teammate and works the hardest,” teammate Mohannad Khadr (12) said. “When he got kicked in the nose and almost broke it, he immediately wanted to get back in the pool even though Jaron told him not to.”
Ria Gandhi (11) is the Aquila Features Editor. This is her third year on staff after being the Assistant Sports Editor in her sophomore year and a reporter...
Tara Parimi (12) is co-Editor-in-Chief of Harker Aquila, and this is her fourth year on staff. She has been involved with the upper school's journalism...