![“[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)
During the school meeting on Monday, October 10, Maverick McNealy (11), junior class vice president, announced that several teachers’ rooms are now available for quiet work during free periods.
Instead of working in the library or in the halls of academic buildings, students now have the opportunity to complete their assignments in classrooms. Schedules specific to each day outline the rooms available for particular periods. On average, about two and a half classrooms are open to students each period.
Maverick devised the idea after having a schedule packed with classes and after school activities the year before.
“I’ve worked in Ms. Moss’ room during eight period all of last year, and […] it was really helpful,” he said.
Therefore, he decided that all students with free periods should have the chance to finish their assignments in classrooms.
“I think it’s a really good idea because when I go to the library, sometimes all of the desks are being used up,” Sahithya Prakash (10) said. “Most of the time in the hallways or in the buildings, a lot of people are talking, and I can’t really focus [….] I will definitely be using [the classrooms] in the future.”
Teachers are in support of the classroom study opportunity as well.
“I think it was a great idea,” said Donna Gilbert, History Department Chair. “A lot of students don’t have a quiet study space with actual desks where they can study during their free periods and lunch.”
While students were always welcome to sit in classrooms during extra help, free periods were usually spent in hallways, outside areas, or the library. Now, students with excessive amounts of homework and crammed itineraries have the chance to complete their assignments in the subdued environment of a classroom, removing them from outside distractions.
