![“[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)
A collaboration between Butch Keller, Upper School Division Head, and TALONWP.com, Keller’s Korner is a new addition to the national award winning journalism website. Varying from content that is normally featured in the Upper School publications, this column serves as a means for conversation and levity between parents and students about the “lighter side of Harker student life,” rather than more serious issues that often take the spotlight. In search of “something to have fun with,” Keller was inspired with the idea of this new aspect of talonwp.com. Published weekly every Friday and written by online Managing Editor Meena Chetty, Keller’s Korner will highlight three student events that occur throughout the week.
This year’s varsity football captains are seniors Zachary Ellenberg, David Fang, Jason Kuan, and Daanish Jamal. Practicing rigorously every day after school, the team has been preparing for the new season and competition. The first home game is on Friday, September 9.
The Upper School’s annual Conservatory Kickoff took place on Wednesday, August 21. From instrumentalists to vocalists to actors, the Blackford theater was filled with students interested in partaking in performing arts and potentially becoming a certificate student. Additionally, this year’s Spring musical was announced: The Drowsy Chaperone.
In order to meet and get to know students that he normally would not on a daily basis, Keller hosts “Waffle Wednesdays”. Every week, a different group of students is invited to join the Head of the Upper School for breakfast; to begin the year, several journalism students that worked on the first issue of The Winged Post, as well as some new faces, met and discussed with Keller the process of compiling the paper.
More events to look forward to next week include the BJ’s senior class fundraiser on Labor Day, the Club Fair during Wednesday long lunch, and a Water Polo match.
