![“[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)
Upper School skiers fly through California snow during break
Senior Kavya Ramakrishnan and her sister go skiing in snowy mountains in California during break this year.
January 30, 2016
With its close proximity to a wide selection of ski resorts, the Bay Area has developed its own ski and snowboarding culture.
“The culture is really lively and very community based with people going out in huge groups of friends having fun on the slopes,” Aman Ahluwalia (10) said.
The Ski Trip hosted by Harker’s Spirit Club was canceled.
“There weren’t enough people signed up to do the ski trip and give us reason to provide chaperones, ” said Mr. Kallbrier. “If [the spirit club leadership team] get enough interest from the general student population, I am sure that they would offer [the ski trip next year]. It’s all about what people want.”
Ski vacations were especially popular during the winter of 2015-2016 due to consistent above-average snowfall and milder temperatures.
“We went during a snowstorm over break, but it was still more crowded that the last time I went. I go skiing once every two years,” Randy Zhao (10) said. “It was a fun experience, and a lot of my friends really enjoy skiing. Even some people who are new to it find enjoyment in skiing. We see ski trips as a chance to get closer together as friends.”
The Tahoe basin began with six to ten inches of snow, but during December, snow levels rose to as high as fourteen to eighteen inches in Dodge Ridge and Bear Valley. El Nino storms brought plenty of fresh snow according to the OnTheSnow snow report.
“I go skiing every month or so during snow season and frequently during breaks,” Oliver Doig (9) said, “I enjoy skiing, but I get tired after hours of constant downhill.”
Snow conditions and temperatures will continue to be favorable for ski vacations with historically larger volumes of snow in January, February and March and mild temperatures.
