![“[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)
School meeting recap 9/5
Students listen as Assistant Head of School Greg Lawson discusses campus drop-off points during today’s school meeting. Lawson also reminded students and faculty of an upcoming emergency drill and reviewed proper evacuation protocol.
September 5, 2017
Assistant Head of School Greg Lawson reminded students and faculty about the upcoming school emergency drill and reviewed proper evacuation protocol. He also discussed recommended student drop-off points and showed a video demonstrating how students should be good pedestrians by making eye contact with drivers when crossing in front of a car.
Green Team showed a video featuring various tips to help the environment. Club co-presidents Anika Banga (12) and Satchi Thockchom (12) invited students to look out for the Green Team booth during next Wednesday’s Club Fair and encouraged students to run in or attend the Rock & Roll 5K with Green Team members to raise money for the World Wildlife Fund.
Kaitlin Hsu (12), Tanvi Singh (12) and Rose Guan (11), representatives of the National Honor Society, reminded students that applications are due at 9 a.m. this Friday. Upper School Head Butch Keller spoke about Harker’s process of switching from the previous cum laude system to the current opportunities provided to students by National Honor Society. Keller emphasized the importance of learning over grades and reminded students that they are worth more than their GPA.
President of Robotics club Aria Coalson (12) announced that Robotics meetings have started and are on Thursdays from 3:45 to 5:00 p.m. in Nichols 312.
Students part of the Conservatory program spoke about upcoming workshops and auditions. Interested vocalists can participate a vocal music workshop, coached by Dr. Emily Sinclair, next Monday from 12:20 to 1:00 p.m in Nichols Auditorium. Today marked the start of the upper school’s after school dance classes, and dance production auditions will be held at Blackford next Saturday. Auditions for this year’s Spring Musical, “42nd Street,” will be held the week of Sept. 18th. More information about upcoming performing arts events can be found on the Conservatory’s Schoology page, which students and faculty can join by clicking the “Join” option under the “Groups” tab on Schoology and typing in the code KH47J-V3WJX.
Representatives of Spirit Club announced that the Class of 2020 won the dodgeball game at the spirit kickoff last Friday. They also announced Mishu Nitulescu (12), Chris Leafstrand (11), Joel Morel (10) and Reina Joseph (9) as the winners of the spirit kickoff raffle for a Starbucks gift card.
Harker Aquila editor-in-chief Meena Gudapati (12) and Winged Post and Wingspan editor-in-chief Kaitlin Hsu (12) played a video produced by Ashley Jiang (12) and Nerine Uyanik (10) showcasing a behind-the-scenes look into Harker’s kitchen. The first issue of the Winged Post will be coming out tomorrow.
