![“[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)
Humans of Harker: Danny Reidenbach stays calm to get in the zone
When asked for the most important piece of advice he has ever received, Danny replied with a something he has followed his whole life: “Live life to how you want to, not to other people’s set rules,” Danny Reidenbach (12) said.
October 26, 2016
While his football teammates yell and jostle each other to energize before the game, Danny Reidenbach (12) prefers to stand quietly off to the side, focusing inward.
“I stay more quiet, I’m not into all the yelling, screaming and hype before a big game,” Danny said. “I just want to be quiet so I can do my thing when the game starts. I want to go in for the win.”
Whether it be before a varsity wrestling match or football game, Danny motivates himself by thinking about his personal pride and commitment to the team.
“I stay in quiet, I think about what I have to do,” he said. “Staying calm and collected gets me in [the zone]. I am motivated because I want myself to be able to do good, I don’t want to make a fool of myself. Teams are a big part of my motivation, but motivation for me is going out there and doing what I practiced and doing what I want to.”
Danny has been an athlete all of his life, but his love of competitiveness drew him particularly to wrestling.
“I played basketball, baseball and football through much of my childhood, but it wasn’t until middle school I stuck with wrestling,” he said. I think it’s really one of the most competitive sports, because nowhere else is it one versus one, your strength, your mental capacity, versus someone else, it is the ultimate test of strength and power.”
Dolan Dworak (11), one of Danny’s wrestling teammates, believes that Danny’s contributions to the program transcend his individual skills.
“Danny never gives up on the team. Doesn’t matter whether we are down a dozen or winning by a dozen, he keeps the team together,” Dolan said. “Plus nobody look as tight as Danny.”
Danny’s athletic success hasn’t come without his share of struggle. He suffered three concussions in his sophomore year on the field and on the wrestling mat.
“My first concussion happened after summer, I had a wrestling camp,” Danny said. “The second one happened during a game, helmet to helmet hits, [I] felt dizzy and I couldn’t remember. That took me out of school for two weeks. I missed a lot of my sophomore year on concussions. Being able to bounce back from that, and come back even better, I am really proud of that.”
Besides his athletic achievements, Danny brings a willingness to express his individuality to the school environment.
“I pride myself in being who I am, I am not going to change for something, I am doing what I like to do now and I will continue to do that later,” Danny said. “I 100% speak my mind at all times of the day.”
