![“[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)
Board of Trustees announces new Head of School
From the Keystone School's Website, KeystoneConnects
Brian Yager was announced Head of School in an email from Board Chair Diana Nichols. Yager’s election marks the end of the Board’s search for a new Head of School.
March 29, 2017
In an email sent to the Harker community this evening, Harker Board of Trustees Chair Diana Nichols announced the Board’s election of Brian Yager to the position of Head of School.
Previously, Yager served as the Head of School of the Keystone School, a private, co-educational school based in San Antonio for students from kindergarten through 12th grade. Prior to living in Texas, Yager was also employed at schools in Idaho and California and also visited Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, as a summer school instructor.
Assistant Head of School of Academic Affairs Jennifer Gargano commented on the board’s election of Yager.
“We as a school always come together to welcome every new member of the community. We’re excited to have the new head of school and look forward to welcoming him into our community and helping him be successful so our school can be successful.”
Yager graduated from Stanford University with bachelor’s degrees in quantitative economics and applied earth sciences and later attended Harvard University for his master’s degree in education. Since becoming an academic instructor and overseer, Yager has coached lacrosse, water polo and soccer and taught various levels of mathematics and economics.
Yager’s election marks the end of the Board’s search for a new Head of School after current Head of School Christopher Nikoloff announced last November that he had accepted a position starting this July at the The American School in Switzerland and would not be returning next year as Harker’s Head of School.
“Harker is the place that it is because we come together as a community and welcome people and make sure that everyone is successful in everything they do,” Gargano said. “We definitely plan to do that with our new head of school, welcoming him and helping him be successful so the whole school can be successful. That’s what we’re all about.”
Winged Post Editor-in-Chief Meilan Steimle contributed to this report.
