![“[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)
On November 29, the class of 2012 attended their final College Counseling class before all applications are due.
All classes began by filling out a survey in order for the College Counseling Department to gain a clear perspective of the seniors’ college application process and to receive feedback. Seniors also received a sheet in order to make any final modifications to their college lists, which is due on December 5.
After filling out paperwork, the counselors reminded students of the goal to submit the majority of applications by December 16, the day before winter vacation. Additionally, they warned students about the detriments of “senioritis” and emphasized the importance of staying on top of their grades.
December 12-15, also known as “App Week,” is a time when Seniors can schedule drop-in appointments with their counselors and put finishing touches on applications. However, unlike over Thanksgiving break, the College Counseling Office will not be available for students to use as a workspace due to Support Specialist Erika Rojas’s need to use the time to send in seniors’ materials to colleges.
According to Burrell, App Week is a “time to focus on apps, not an extra week of vacation.”
With some final reminders and words of encouragement, the seniors were released from their final “legitimate” college counseling class.
“There is a huge feeling of relief that this thing is about to close; however, I feel there is a bittersweet excitement about this ending because the next month will be very stressful,” Murali Joshi (12) said. “Overall, [College Counseling] is a learning process that is coming to a close.”
The class of 2012 will have one final meeting in the spring after they receive their admissions decisions.
