![“[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)
New parking procedures adopted: Administration pushes forward new campus traffic policies as a result of construction
provided by Kevin Hart
The inside of the gym/theater can be seen through the digital rendering. To accommodate for its construction, teams can no longer practice on Rosenthal field or utilize the nearby locker rooms.
August 27, 2016
Due to campus construction, the administration has implemented several new measures to regulate campus traffic flow and to aid students and faculty without parking spots, including an increased number of intercampus shuttles and detailed guidelines for drop-off and pickup.
In the mornings, parents must drive through the school and around the construction site for drop-off, and the school recommends taking advantage of the parking lot on Kiely Boulevard in the afternoon.
“That’s a great place that’s two minutes away from school [for parents] to just wait and hang out,” Assistant Head of School Greg Lawson said. “The Lion’s Center is not really a good place to do that. They’re pretty watchful of our overflow traffic, and it’s also a much busier place in the afternoon to hang out.”
A section of parking at the Blackford campus has been set aside for students driving themselves. Currently, although students do not have to sign up for a parking spot, they must register their car with the school.
In the future, the administration may turn to the School Pass application, already in use by the middle and lower schools, to ensure that there are enough shuttles available to transport all drivers.
The rendering shows how the interior layout of the new center is planned to turn out. While construction for the performing arts center takes place, the instrumental program temporarily rehearses in the current gym.
“Anybody that wants to give feedback about the process or the timetables or anything like that, please feel free to let me know,” Lawson said of the current transportation logistics.
There will also be vans waiting at the middle and upper schools to help students who may, for example, need to leave campus in the middle of the academic day for an appointment or who need to access their car after school when a shuttle is unavailable.
Lawson emphasized student safety and awareness while at the middle school.
“Be safe. Mind the speed limit in the parking lot at Blackford. Be a good pedestrian. Take care; we want you to be safe,” Lawson said. “I really want to say thanks to every student that’s trying to utilize any different mode of travel here to school. We really do appreciate it because it’s going to be an interesting challenge, and we’ve got about 18 months to live with it, and we’re all in this together.”
Lawson hopes that the parking lot will be available again by the second semester of the 2017-2018 school year, when the performing arts building is currently scheduled to finish construction.
This piece was originally published in the pages of The Winged Post on August 26, 2016.
