![“[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)
Community dedicates statue in Jason Berry’s honor
Class of 2014 gifts orchard to late English teacher
Chemistry teacher Andrew Irvine addresses the crowd at the dedication ceremony, reflecting on his time coaching Girls’ Lacrosse with Berry.
Head of School Christopher Nikoloff led the dedication ceremony of an orchard and a bronze statue, a memorial to the late English teacher Jason Berry on Wednesday.
Nikoloff began the ceremony by stating the purpose of the 2014 senior class’ gift in remembering Berry, nicknamed “Bear,” who “represented for Harker everything we would want in a great teacher”.
“Bear represents our best standards with humor, warmth and connection,” Nikoloff said.
Alumna Sonya Chalaka (‘12) followed, remembering Berry’s impact on Harker and his humor and wisdom. Berry “left a deep and permanent mark on this community,” she said.
English teacher Brigid Miller spoke next, describing her and Berry’s shared passion for literature, reading the last paragraph of James Joyce’s short story “The Dead.”
Head Varsity girls’ lacrosse coach and chemistry teacher Andrew Irvine described his relationship with Berry, the assistant coach, as the “Harker odd couple.” He stated that Berry’s halftime speeches often could “double as presidential inaugurations.”
Head of Upper School Butch Keller, former Director of Alumni Relations MaryEllis Deacon, and math teacher Jane Keller unveiled the bronze statue of a bear, which was designed by art teacher Jaap Bongers, Deacon, and Jane Keller.
Nikoloff concluded the ceremony by urging members of the community to appreciate one another every day.
“The Berry Orchard,” donated by the Class of 2014 as its senior gift, consists of three citrus trees, two apple trees, two apricot trees, two benches and a bronze statue of a teddy bear with a tie.
Berry’s good friend, class of 2014 dean and Upper School mathematics teacher Dr. Victor Adler, remembered Berry’s impact on the Harker community.
“For me, he was a great resource to the students, he was a great advisor, and a great teacher, and a great coach,” Adler said. “The students really loved him dearly, and he loved the students, so that is what we remember him by.”
This piece was originally published in the pages of The Winged Post on November 21, 2014.
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...
Jonathan Dai (12) is the editor-in-chief of TALON. This is his fourth year in journalism, and he was previously the photo editor. In his free time, he...