![“[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)
Amazon starts construction on biospheres
Courtesy of NBBJ
A photo of the future Amazon biospheres. The biospheres will be built at Amazon’s headquarters in Seattle.
August 28, 2016
Amazon employees at the company’s Seattle headquarters will be able to meet, work and socialize amidst plant life inside massive biospheres. The spheres are part of a larger construction project by Amazon that also includes several high- and low-rise office buildings.
When the spheres open after two years of construction, Amazon employees will be treated to a collection of over 3,000 plant species, some of them endangered. Workers will be able to wander through forest canopies, work beside indoor creeks and hold meetings in treehouses three stories above the ground.
Like many other tech companies, Amazon is working to provide an environment that encourages innovation and inspires employees.
“I think the idea of the biosphere is to provide a workspace that connects people to the natural world, something missing in a typical workplace environment,” said upper school Spanish teacher and Green Team advisor Diana Moss. “The idea of including certain endangered plant species is a conservation effort, which I also applaud.”
Amazon executives hope that the spheres will create a lasting impact on downtown Seattle in addition to promoting creativity and protecting endangered plants. John Schoettler, director of Amazon’s global real estate and facilities, called the spheres “a found treasure in the downtown neighborhood” in an interview with The New York Times.
However, some Seattle residents have concerns about the scope of the project. Commuters are frustrated by traffic caused by the construction, and the owners of the Space Needle have stated that Amazon’s buildings will obscure the famous attraction.
Despite such opposition, Seattle’s Downtown Design Review Board has approved the project the biospheres are beginning to take shape, and they are projected to open in 2018.
