![“[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)
Juniors head to Bucknall to spend time with Eagle Buddies
Isabel Lai (11) runs after her buddy on the blacktop at the Lower School. Juniors met with their Eagle Buddies today in the afternoon.
November 19, 2015
The junior class traveled to the Bucknall campus this afternoon for the first Eagle Buddies meeting of the year.
Students have been exchanging letters with their fourth grade buddies since the beginning of the year. Some juniors have new Eagle Buddies this year, so the letters served as a means to get to know their buddies.
Angela Kim (11) commented on her favorite part of the Eagle Buddies program.
“My favorite part is that we get to hang out with [our buddies] and play with them,” she said. “It’s a nice break from our everyday schoolwork.”
The juniors and their Eagle Buddies spent the afternoon at the Lower School eating lunch, playing on the field and blacktop and making friendship bracelets.
Juniors left the Upper School as soon as fifth/sixth period ended at 11:45 a.m. and returned an hour and 50 minutes later. While the juniors were at the Lower School, the freshmen, sophomores and seniors participated in LIFE assemblies.
Fourth grader Maria “Masha” Velikhovskaya met her Eagle Buddies Haley Tran (11) and Priyanka Taneja (11) for the first time today because she is a new student.
Lucas Wang (11) reflected on how he enjoys mentoring and spending time with his buddy.
“I like hanging out with [the Eagle Buddies] and hopefully being a good role model for them,” Lucas said.
The juniors will meet with their Eagle Buddies again in March.
