![“I wasn't discouraged by some of the obstacles we faced. I learned a lot from the leadership. I found that different people need different ways of receiving feedback — you can't [just] tell them to do something and expect the best. [Some] people needed more incentive. A large part of my role was to figure out what worked for everyone and to figure out how to lead all these separate individuals as a team,” Suhana Bhandare (’26) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/SuhanaBhandare_JasmineHansra-1-1200x798.jpg)
![“This is actually from Randy Pausch Randy P. Brick: ‘Walls are there for a reason. You have to show how much you want to overcome them.’ You have to show how much you want something. That's what I've always been able to do with tennis, Link Crew and getting that internship [with Kushy Baby]. It’s important pushing through that — getting around that brick wall, climbing over it or clawing through it,” Yash Sachdeva (’26) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/YashSachdeva_RamBatchu-copy-1200x1002.jpg)
![“[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)
Seniors take on LIFE
Seniors participate in the LIFE assembly held today in Nichols. The event aimed to help students better visualize the perceptions that are placed upon them and those that they impose upon others.
In honor of the LIFE assembly held today for the seniors, here are a few thoughts from the Class of 2015 on their experiences throughout high school.
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What to you is the purpose of LIFE?
Nikhil Reddy
I think that LIFE assembles make us more aware of social circumstances that we go through and will experience later in life, and they serve as a good outlet to perhaps answer some concerns in a comfortable setting that we are too embarrassed to ask ourselves or answer in a group setting.
Sahiti Avula
It helps relieve stress and it helps us learn more about ourselves, especially out of Harker.
How is LIFE useful to you?
Suraya Shivji
I think life events are the only thing that get me through the school year. Because, quite frankly, I don’t know how I would manage to make it through school every day. LIFE is life.
Dylan Patel
LIFE is useful because it gives us a perspective from people who have actually experienced what they’re talking about.
How would you like LIFE to change?
Anni Ankola
It could be more stuff we need to learn, like how to file our taxes, and something useful other than just conceptual things we won’t use. LIFE sessions should be optional because a lot of that time could be used for more constructive things.
Zoe Woehrmann
The assemblies could focus on topics that are more applicable to us and more interesting because right now I think they’re trying to teach us about different social norms that maybe we already know about. The events are also mostly listening to speeches versus actually working interactively.
How has your perspective of LIFE altered since freshmen year?
Srivinay Irrinki
Since freshmen year, I think LIFE events have become more valuable by teaching us how to deal with challenging situations. With help from these ideas, I have learned to control my emotions and prioritize my decisions.
Sabrina Sidhu
I feel like since freshman year the assemblies have become more useful to us in the sense that the topics are more relevant to our lives today.
Mariam Sulakian is the Features Editor of Harker Aquila. She has been a member of the journalism program for four years and appreciates the opportunities...