![“[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)
Soccer teams defeat Eastside College Preparatory in annual Kicks Against Cancer games
Captain Vedant Shah (11) attempts to fake out the opposing player with fancy footwork. The boys varsity soccer team defeated Eastside 2-0.
January 22, 2017
As a downpour of rain fell on a slick Davis Field, the Harker soccer teams defeated Eastside Prep during the annual Kicks Against Cancer event last Friday afternoon.
The varsity boys, varsity girls and junior varsity boys all won their respective games–the scores being 2-0, 10-1, and 6-2 respectively.
Varsity leftback Vedant Shah (11) commented on the team’s performance and motivation against their opponents.
“We played with intensity and energy from the beginning and we made sure we pressed as a team. I think using those tactics we were able to get into the other team’s head, which, as a result, made them lose confidence,” he said. “I think we performed with a sense of purpose because we were playing for such a great cause.”
The varsity girls set the tempo early on, defeating their opponent by an overwhelming margin of nine by sharing the ball.
“We played really well. Joelle [Anderson (12)] got the first goal really early in the game, even though it rained quite a bit,” Stephanie Scaglia (11) said. “A lot of people got touches on the ball and we passed really well.”
Despite the inclement weather, the teams played through the wet conditions, with the water drainage system on Davis Field working to remove large puddles and prevent them from inhibiting the games. The spectators, however, did not weather the storm like the athletes, as many students took cover in the adjacent Shah Hall.
“Even though the weather was kind of gloomy, I enjoyed watching the game,” Anahita Far (12) said. “The fact that it was in support of a great cause made it even more humbling and fun to be a part of.”
Student athletes sold t-shirts and baked goods to raise funds for Camp Okizu, a free summer camp designed for youth cancer patients and their afflicted families. Following the final victory of the night, the varsity girls team presented visiting Camp Okizu families with a check of $1,000 to support the cause.
The varsity girls now prepare to play against Mercy High School on Wednesday, while the varsity boys prepare to play against German International School of Silicon Valley tomorrow.
