![Setter Emma Lee (9) sets the ball to the middle during the match against Pinewood on Sept. 12. “[I’m looking forward to] getting more skilled, learning more about my position and also becoming better friends with all of my teammates, Emma said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/DSC_4917-2-1200x795.jpg)
![“[Building nerf blasters] became this outlet of creativity for me that hasnt been matched by anything else. The process [of] making a build complete to your desire is such a painstakingly difficult process, but Ive had to learn from [the skills needed from] soldering to proper painting. Theres so many different options for everything, if you think about it, it exists. The best part is [that] if it doesnt exist, you can build it yourself, Ishaan Parate said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/DSC_8149-900x604.jpg)
![“Animation just clicked in a way. I had been interested in art, but that felt different. [Animation] felt like it had something behind it, whereas previous things felt surface level. I wasnt making that crazy of things, but just the process of doing it was much more enjoyable, Carter Chadwick (22) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Screen-Shot-2022-08-16-at-9.44.08-AM-900x598.png)
![“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 its played such a major role in who Ive 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 Im [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)
![“[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)
![“Im 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 theres a lot of people that are really confident in what they do, and I really admire them. Everyones 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)
![“My slogan is ‘slow feet, don’t eat, and I’m hungry.’ You need to run fast to get where you are–you arent going to get those championships if you arent 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)
![“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)
Green ceiling: World’s largest green roof soon to cover newly renovated Vallco Shopping Center in Cupertino
Courtesy of Holly Langbein
Sandy Hill Property Company will add the world’s largest green roof above the future town center for Cupertino. The plan is shown in the featured image.
With a $3 billion plan, Vallco Shopping Center’s new owners will renovate the old mall and build the “largest green roof in the world” on top of it.
Called “The Hills at Vallco,” the project, initiated by Sandy Hill Property Company, incorporates the community’s opinions and matches with Cupertino’s General Plan. The new center will also act as a town center for the community and downtown Cupertino.
“I definitely feel like we are certainly on the cutting edge of sustainability and technology,” Harker Green Team adviser Diana Moss said. “Companies all around the area and our school, as an example of that, are trying to be more conscientious of what we are doing to create a livable society. I think I’m very energized and excited about seeing that kind of thing happen.”
The 30 acre green roof will include 3.8 miles of walking and jogging trails with a variety of gardens and orchards for visitors’ pleasure.
California’s drought proves as another factor to consider while building the green roof.
“The Hills at Vallco, which is designed with a goal of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum Certification, will use recycled water for irrigation, heating, cooling systems and recapture of rainwater to reduce water consumption,” said Sandy Hill Property Company’s managing director Reed Moulds. “Additionally, the sustainable park will feature native, drought tolerant and climate responsive landscaping that thrives on little to no water.”
The project also includes a contribution of $400 million to local schools.
This piece was originally published in the pages of The Winged Post on October 16, 2015.
Jackie Gao (10) is in her second year on staff is a reporter of the Winged Post. Her favorite part of journalism is the ability to interact with various...
Kaitlin Hsu (11) is the Editor-in-Chief of Wingspan Magazine. In her freshmen year, she was a reporter, and in her sophomore year, she was the Features...
