![“[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)
Looking into homecoming court nominations
Courtesy of Lindsey Trinh
Davis Howard (11) and Lindsey Trinh (11) wave to the crowd during the 2014 Homecoming game. Davis and Lindsey were the class of 2017’s prince and princess in 2014.
The annual selection of the homecoming court, a longstanding Harker tradition, is well underway, with voting now open to students from all grades.
Each grade will select one boy and one girl to represent their class as prince and princess respectively. The senior class chooses three boys and three girls, with one student of each gender being crowned Homecoming King and Queen.
“Everyone gets really excited for Homecoming, and nominating people in your class who you think is a good representative is a fun way for the school to start the year off,” Alisa Wakita (12) said. “The people who get nominated are unpredictable and it’s fun to see who [does].”
Harker Spirit President Layla Walker (12) and Vice President Arben Gutierrez (11) explain the significance of homecoming court for those who are selected to represent their class.
Freshman Matthew Hajjar reflected on his first experience with homecoming court elections.
“I’m so excited. I can’t wait to see how it turns out,” Matthew Hajjar (9) said. “I think [homecoming court] means that the school knows who you are.”
Other students who are well-versed with the nominations expressed their opinion on the message that homecoming court sends to the student body.
“I think homecoming court is people who represent your grade that you’re proud to show off in front of all the other classes,” Melinda Wisdom (11) said. “[They’re] people who are always putting a good foot forward.”
Students can currently nominate others in their grade through an online ballot, and results will be announced next week.
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