![“[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)
Fighting cancer one kick at a time
Lyndsey Mitchell (12) lines up for a goal kick in last year’s Kicks Against Cancer game. The boys and girls soccer teams played Eastside College Prep last Friday for this year’s games.
January 24, 2017
Students and faculty supported the varsity boys, junior varsity boys and varsity girls soccer teams during the annual Kicks Against Cancer event last Friday. The three teams played games back-to-back, providing endless action and supporting Camp Okizu by selling food and merchandise.
The Harker School and Camp Okizu have been working together for eight years now, trying to support, fundraise and help Okizu’s mission come true. Camp Okizu’s website states that “the mission of Okizu is to provide peer support, respite, mentoring, and recreational programs to meet the needs of all members of families affected by childhood cancer.”
The money raised through the event allows northern California families affected by childhood cancer to attend the programs free of charge.
Starting last week on Jan. 17, the soccer teams began selling merchandise during lunch. As in previous years, the soccer teams sold T-shirts and baked goods to fundraise. They also sold objects at the game too, including candy, hair ties, raffle tickets and wristbands.
Beginning at 3 p.m., the varsity boys soccer team played against its Eastside College Preparatory School equivalent. The team’s overall record for this season is 3-5, with their league record 1-1. Through the obstacles this season, the boys still have high hopes for season championships and wins for future games.
“I think it has a lot of significance for both the team and the community as a whole, it’s kind of like a way to give back and the fact that we’re having a fundraiser for Camp Okizu and we’re raising money for these kids, it’s become a part of Harker tradition to give back to the community,” Rishi Iyer (11), a member of the boys varsity team, said.
The next game was between the varsity girls team and the Eastside team at 4:30 p.m. The girls have an overall record this season of 6-2-1 with a league record of 3-1. Their hopes of making league championships are high due to their early winning streak.
“This game is for such a good cause, helping these kids try and persevere through their hardships and obstacles,” varsity girls player Allison Lee (9) said. “Playing together with my team is making a great experience an ever-better experience, especially with the inspiration the smiles on the kids’ faces are giving us.”
During the halftime of that game, spectators were given a chance to play “Butts Up” with faculty members. “Butts Up” is a playful game in which faculty members stand in the goal with their backs to the shooters, and people take shots at them. Each shot can be purchased for $2 each.
Finally, the junior varsity boys team played against the Eastside team at 6:15 p.m. Their record is 1-5-1 this season. Contrary to previous years, where the junior varsity team played first at 3 p.m., this year they played last.
The varsity boys next team played against the German International School of Silicon Valley yesterday at 3:30 p.m., the girls varsity soccer team plays Mercy High School on Thursday at home and the junior varsity boys team plays at King’s Academy tomorrow.
This piece was originally published in the pages of The Winged Post on January 24, 2017.
