![“[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)
Changing the PACE of autism
Allison Kiang (12) helps clean up after the event. The concert ended up raising over $600 in cash donations.
With April being Autism Awareness Month, several Upper School students performed in and organized “Light It Up Blue,” a benefit concert at Santana Row last Saturday that raised money and awareness for the Pacific Autism Center for Education (PACE).
From 12 to 4 p.m. bands and solo performers ascended the stage in front of Urban Outfitters, donating their songs and tips to the organization, which offers services to people with autism and their families.
The first of these performances, Gurutam Thockchom (11), Jonathan Yiu (11) and Satchi Thockchom (9) kicked off the event with several covers.
“Today on stage was the first time we really played together as a band,” Gurutam said. “It’s one of those things where as a performer you just really have to work as hard as you can before the show, and once you’re on the stage, you just have to let it go.”
Gurutam’s advisor, Spanish teacher Daniela Rozanes, happened to be passing by Santana Row when she saw “Goo and his crew” performing.
“[Gurutam] didn’t tell me anything,” she said. “This was a very nice coincidence and a beautiful show.”
As the president of PACE’s Youth Leadership Committee (YLC), which was responsible for organizing and running the event, Allison Kiang (12) contacted Santana Row’s management company in October. The following months were spent contacting the area’s businesses and restaurants for support, as well as recruiting performers.
At the same time as the performances, YLC members ran a booth called Operation Enable, consisting of activities meant to raise awareness of what someone on the autism spectrum might experience.
“Our goal is to have people understand how autism affects the lives [of people with autism] and the society around us so that we can be more aware and better in the ways that we deal with autism in our everyday lives,” Ayush Midha (12) said.
Ayush Midha (12) prepares for an activity as part of Operation Enable. The goal was to raise awareness for autism through interactive simulations.
Volunteers also handed out flyers for VeggieGrill and Pasta Pomodoro, who donated part of their proceeds to PACE, and provided balloons for small children at the event. At the chess area by Pinkberry, other groups like Monta Vista’s jazz band performed.
Daniela Lee (12) attended the event to support her friends.
“I learned that there are many people out there who are supporting the cause and trying to raise money for it,” she said.
The event raised over $600 through cash donations alone, with online donations and money raised through the restaurant fundraisers remaining to be tallied.
Kacey Fang (12) is the Managing Editor for The Winged Post. She has been part of the journalism program since freshman year and served as Features Editor...