![“[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)
Varsity girls water polo loses to Santa Clara on senior night
Senior and co-captain Yasemin Narin embraces coach Allie Lamb after the senior night proceedings that preceded the game.
Varsity girls water polo lost 11-12 to the Santa Clara High School Bruins in their last league home game yesterday evening, after their senior night ceremonies at 6:30.
Each team had scored four points at halftime and ten points by the end of the fourth quarter, leading to two three-minute periods of overtime. At the end of the first overtime period the Eagles were leading 11-10 but the Bruins scored another goal in the second overtime period, so a third period of sudden death overtime was added.
“The fact that we were able to come back is really amazing,” player Meghana Karinthi (10) said, referencing the Eagles’ 12-4 loss to Santa Clara on Oct. 1. “I think we played the best we’ve ever played all season. We’ve never had a game that was this close before.”
Before the game, the team honored seniors Helena Dworak and Yasemin Narin with bouquets of roses and plaques signed by their teammates.
Helena is co-team captain and has been the starting goalie since her sophomore year, with 147 blocks this season before the game and 162 after, while Yasemin, the other captain, has scored 14 goals, 18 assists and 11 steals this season.
Yasemin spoke about the team’s game-time performance.
“I don’t feel [the] least bit sad that we lost at all. I’m actually really glad that we did this well,” she said. “We were tied with them pretty much throughout the whole game and we went into double overtime, so I’m just really proud of the whole entire team.”
Head girls water polo coach Allie Lamb expressed pride in how the team played as well as disappointment about the seniors’ departure at the end of the year.
“We’re losing a lot next year even though it’s only two girls, and it’s exciting to go watch them get to play their last few games,” Lamb said. “It was a good senior night overall; I think winning would have been better but [the team] should definitely be proud of what they have accomplished.”
Santa Clara girls’ water polo coach Aja Bumbaca also voiced her opinions on the game.
“It was high intensity from the get. I knew Harker was going to come out ready to go,” she said. “Everyone played well on both sides, so I’m happy about it.”
At 4:30, the varsity boys’ team celebrated three seniors, Zeyad El-Arabaty, Edward Sheu and Johnny Trinh, and proceeded to defeat Santa Clara 15-4.
The loss brings the girls to 1-10 in the league and the Bruins to 5-3.
The team made colorful posters celebrating co-captains Helena Dworak, the team’s starting goalie, and Yasemin Narin, a field player.
Rose Guan (10) is a copy editor for the Winged Post in her second year on staff. She was a reporter in her freshman year, and her favorite aspect of journalism...