![Setter Emma Lee (9) sets the ball to the middle during the match against Pinewood on Sept. 12. “[I’m looking forward to] getting more skilled, learning more about my position and also becoming better friends with all of my teammates, Emma said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/DSC_4917-2-1200x795.jpg)
![“[Building nerf blasters] became this outlet of creativity for me that hasnt been matched by anything else. The process [of] making a build complete to your desire is such a painstakingly difficult process, but Ive had to learn from [the skills needed from] soldering to proper painting. Theres so many different options for everything, if you think about it, it exists. The best part is [that] if it doesnt exist, you can build it yourself, Ishaan Parate said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/DSC_8149-900x604.jpg)
![“Animation just clicked in a way. I had been interested in art, but that felt different. [Animation] felt like it had something behind it, whereas previous things felt surface level. I wasnt making that crazy of things, but just the process of doing it was much more enjoyable, Carter Chadwick (22) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Screen-Shot-2022-08-16-at-9.44.08-AM-900x598.png)
![“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 its played such a major role in who Ive 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 Im [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)
![“[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)
![“Im 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 theres a lot of people that are really confident in what they do, and I really admire them. Everyones 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)
![“My slogan is ‘slow feet, don’t eat, and I’m hungry.’ You need to run fast to get where you are–you arent going to get those championships if you arent 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)
![“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)
Enthusiastic freshman celebrates national Star Wars day, May 4th
Wikimedia Commons
Kylo Ren, the antagonist from “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”, the latest installment of the franchise, glowers with a red light saber.
May 4, 2016
When Lily Wancewicz (9) was five, she watched “Star Wars” for the first time. Her eyes widened in awe as images of intergalactic landscapes flashed across the screen, she gasped as blue and red light sabers clashed and she giggled at the mischievous antics of the space robot R2-D2. Now, at the age of fifteen, she continues to celebrate her love for the film franchise on the fifth anniversary of National Star Wars day.
Fans of “Star Wars” first established National Star Wars day on May 4, 2011, to commemorate the movie series. The holiday’s date is a pun on the movie’s well-known catchphrase “may the force be with you” (may the fourth be with you).
“I think National “Star Wars” day is definitely important because “Star Wars” is one of the best movies and stories of all time,” Lily said. “Basically everyone knows something about “Star Wars”, so it’s a cool holiday.”
Although she does not watch other science fiction movies on a regular basis, Lily believes that the “Star Wars” saga deserves recognition for its enticing plots and storylines.
“I’m not usually a huge fan of sci-fi because a lot of these movies just involve aliens without plot lines, but in “Star Wars” there’s actually a rich plot,” she said. “There are a lot of characters, and there’s even romance– which is not in sci-fi movies a lot of the time.”
Freshman Lily Wancewicz’s love for Star Wars began at a young age. “I think I’ve been a fan of Star Wars ever since I was a little kid,” Lily said. “I’ve watched all the movies with my family.”
Lily also shares her love for “Star Wars” with her friends. Freshman Anusha Kuppahally, one of Lily’s closest friends, first learned about the films from Lily.
“Ever since Lily, who is obsessed with “Star Wars”, introduced me to the movies, I watch them with her all the time,” Anusha said. “I’m hooked on the fantastic, adventurous galaxy that “Star Wars” takes place in.”
Since the first “Star Wars” movie was released in 1977, six other movies based off the original were released: three prequels and three sequels. Out of the seven movies in the franchise, Lily’s favorite is the 1980’s sequel “The Empire Strikes Back”.
“All the other ones are good, but they all kind of have this one universe. “The Empire Strikes Back” adds a whole bunch of layers to “Star Wars”,” Lily said. “Also, it has the historic reveal of Darth Vader being Luke Skywalker’s father.”
To many, the revelation of Darth Vader’s identity and the memorable phrase “I am your father” marks one of the most iconic moments of movie history.
“It’s a huge plot twist, and it’s also really important to the rest of the movies,” she said. “It’s my favorite part of the whole series.”
Lily’s parents loved Skywalker’s character and even drew inspiration from the Jedi while naming Lily’s brother, Luke.
“Both my parents are really big “Star Wars” fans,” Lily said. “I always watch the movies with my whole family.”
Although Lily’s parents favorite “Star Wars” character is Luke Skywalker, her best-loved character is Han Solo.
“He truly portrays the idealized hero,” Lily said. “He’s really brave, funny and goes through a lot.”
Along with watching the movie with her parents and siblings, Lily and her family celebrate “Star Wars” with other traditions, including dressing up as characters from the movies on Halloween and visiting the Star Tours attraction in Disney theme parks.
“Every time we go to Disneyland or Disney World, the first ride we always go on is Star Tours; I’ve been on it at least 50 times,” Lily said. “It’s a pretty accurate representation of the movies and it’s very realistic.”
Lily hopes to continue the legacy of her family’s love for “Star Wars” when she is an adult.
“If I have kids, I’d like to pass on my “Star Wars” traditions and watch all the movies with them, since it’s been a really important part to me of growing up with my family.”
