![“[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: Kavya Duvedi appreciates music
“I feel like success is reaching all your goals, but while simultaneously being happy and maintaining a balance of being ambitious in what you want to do, while at the same time being happy with what you are doing. I feel that if you are confident in what you have done and not regretting any of it, then you are successful,” Kavya Duvedi (12) said.
January 28, 2017
While many high school students find classical music to be boring and monotonous, Kavya Duvedi (12) enjoys listening to the harmonies created, whether it be two or fifty instruments playing together.
She believes that her passion for music has helped her progress in high school and has influenced her in profoundly positive ways.
Kavya began playing the piano in seventh grade and has kept it as a strong interest through high school.
“I never really realized I had a passion for music until I began playing it in my free time instead of surfing the web on my laptop or doing something else,” Kavya said. “I really like classical music too. It’s fun seeing an orchestra and trying to play a part of it on your own.”
Despite the challenges Kavya has faced, such as stage fright, she has learned to overcome it by reassuring herself she is well prepared.
“Definitely for piano, I have had recitals, and I had a lot of stagefright,” Kavya said. “To overcome it, I would take deep breaths, go over my song in my head and tell myself, ‘You know what you are doing, you have done this so many times.’”
Regardless of these challenges, Kavya feels like she can get through any low points in her life by talking to her friends.
“I have two or three best friends who would help get me through any low point like stress, not good grades, or any other bad things,” Kavya said. “I just talk it out with them, and they make me feel better.”
As a senior, Kavya is much more relaxed, and largely feels unchanged from when she first was a freshman.
“I guess I thought I would be extremely stressed by the end of highschool, and be like completely different, but I think I have the same personality, I’m very relaxed, and not that stressed. I never thought I would be like that at the end of high school.”
In the end, Kavya define success based on whether or not an individual is content with what they have done while satisfying their ambitions.
“I feel like success is reaching all your goals, but while simultaneously being happy and maintaining a balance of being ambitious in what you want to do, while at the same time being happy with what you are doing,” Kavya said. “I feel that if you are confident in what you have done and not regretting any of it, then you are successful.”
