![“[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)
On Friday September 9th, the upper school Pep Band made its first performance at the first home football game against Emery High School.
The 16-member band performed the “Star-Spangled Banner” with singer Ashima Agrawal (12) to ceremonially begin the game. The ensemble also performed brief snippets of songs like “Celebration” by Kool and the Gang after touchdowns by the Eagles.
“It’s like what you would see at a college football game. I think it’s what we really needed,” said Ashima Agrawal (12).
“I think it’s going to add a lot of spirit to a lot of school events. The kids are really excited about it and everybody’s receiving it really well. I think it’ll really help the school a lot,” said faculty snare drummer Fred Triefenbach.
An idea that was conceived during the homecoming rally of last year, “has finally come to fruition” said co-manager Charles Levine (12).
As for future plans, the Pep Band will be coordinating with the cheerleading squad, another part of school spirit.
“It’s really great having a pep band around, we worked out a schedule with them so we switch off on timeouts and quarters and we’re going to choreograph some cheers with them,” said captain Saira Ahuja (12).
Conductor Cole Manaster (12) “[hopes] to see it grow to a 250 person band.”
The Pep Band will perform again with singer Alisha Mayor (12) at the football team’s next home game against Cochrane High School from Alberta, Canada.
