![“I wasn't discouraged by some of the obstacles we faced. I learned a lot from the leadership. I found that different people need different ways of receiving feedback — you can't [just] tell them to do something and expect the best. [Some] people needed more incentive. A large part of my role was to figure out what worked for everyone and to figure out how to lead all these separate individuals as a team,” Suhana Bhandare (’26) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/SuhanaBhandare_JasmineHansra-1-1200x798.jpg)
![“This is actually from Randy Pausch Randy P. Brick: ‘Walls are there for a reason. You have to show how much you want to overcome them.’ You have to show how much you want something. That's what I've always been able to do with tennis, Link Crew and getting that internship [with Kushy Baby]. It’s important pushing through that — getting around that brick wall, climbing over it or clawing through it,” Yash Sachdeva (’26) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/YashSachdeva_RamBatchu-copy-1200x1002.jpg)
![“[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)
Harker Spirit and junior class council prepare for winter ball
Kerry Enzensperger and Edward Sheu (12) decorate the staircase for last year’s Winter Ball. The dance will take place this Saturday in the Nichols Atrium.
February 18, 2016
After returning from February break, Harker Spirit and the junior student council continue to prepare for the annual Winter Ball, which will be held in Nichols atrium on Saturday evening.
This year’s dance occurs later than it’s usual date in the end of January.
“It gave us more time to plan; we didn’t have to rush right when we came back [from winter break]” Student Activities Coordinator Kerry Enzensperger said.
Junior student council has been instrumental in sponsoring, promoting and organizing the dance, as ticket sales contribute to their class fund. Each ticket costs $30.
“As the primary fundraiser for the junior class, planning for the dance spanned back around October or November of last year” junior Class Spirit Coordinator Haley Tran (11) said. “At first, it was mainly brainstorming how we were going to market the dance, incorporate the theme, and establishing all the logistics.”
According to Layla, Harker Spirit always seeks new and exciting ways to organize the dance. This year, officers chose a masquerade-themed dance. This year Harker Spirit, along with the junior class council, hired DJ Krank, who works for the radio station Wild 94.9.
“Our big thing this year is really getting a DJ we knew would be awesome because we feel that’s what sets the tone for the whole night.” Layla said. “We got DJ Krank who does Wild 94.9. He’s like really awesome, and we’re working with him a lot to try and get some promotions ready.”
For many underclassmen who did not attend Homecoming, the Winter Ball serves as an inaugural dance in the upper school.
“I don’t know what to expect,” Christopher Gong (9) said. “I think that it’ll probably be pretty fun [to] just hang out with my friends and just have a good time.”
Design has been a main focus and matter of concern. With a $7,000 budget, this year’s theme is a masquerade, Harker Spirit has contracted Classic Party Rentals to decorate Nichols with drapery and lighting.
In addition to the junior class’ arrangements, Enzensperger has organized surprises for those who attend the dance.
“Couple little tricks up up our sleeves we’re going to not announce because not even the spirit leadership team knows some stuff that we ordered to make the dance fun and exciting and cool,” Enzensperger said.
Tickets will continue to be sold tomorrow during both lunches as well as a price mark up ticket at the doors the night of the dance.
