![“[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 – 12/8
Assistant Head of School Greg Lawson reviews Shelter in Place procedures in preparation for the drill on Wednesday. Students and teachers are expected to react as if a cloud of lethal fumes were moving onto campus.
Assistant Head of School Greg Lawson announced a Shelter in Place drill to take place Wednesday and reviewed the procedures for the drill. Students and teachers are expected to estimate the linear amount of tape needed to seal all doorways and windows during the drill.
The track team showed a slideshow video of various track athletes competing in events, encouraging interested students to join track.
HELM announced its January 30 deadline for submissions, with this year’s theme being “revolution.” Students can submit poetry, short fiction, art, and photography by emailing [email protected].
The next seminar hosted by Head of School Christopher Nikoloff will be on beauty and take place from 11:45 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. during Wednesday long lunch in the Nichols auditorium.
The gingerbread house-making class competition will take place during Wednesday long lunch. Spirit will provide frosting and graham crackers, and each class will be responsible for buying the rest of the decorations. Jazz band will also be performing Christmas tunes at 11:45 p.m. Spirit will also put out finals stress relief activities in Manzanita this week.
Eagle Update: Girls’ basketball was 3-0 at the Pescadero Tournament Championship last week, and sophomore Jordan Thompson was named to the All-Tournament team. The team will face Oceana and James Lick on Friday and Saturday at Blackford this week. Varsity boys’ basketball placed 3rd at the James Lick Tournament with a score of 2-1 and will compete in the Lynbrook Tournament next week. Girls’ soccer tied 2-2 against Lynbrook and lost against Fremont 4-3, and they will host Redwood Christian and Terra Nova on Tuesday and Thursday. Boys’ soccer tied 2-2 against Saratoga High and will travel to Terra Nova on Wednesday and host San Mateo on Friday.
There is an alternate schedule on Thursday for long advisory and a special schedule on Friday for the Holiday Show.
Cindy Liu, Academics Editor for the TALON Yearbook, is a senior and has been on staff for four years. Her favorite part of journalism is being able to...