![“[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)
Students attend Eagle Buddies and LIFE sessions
Zara Vakath (10) and her Eagle Buddy draw with markers. The Eagle Buddies program is run by upper school math teacher Jane Keller.
October 12, 2017
Sophomores and seniors met with their Eagle Buddies at the Bucknall and Saratoga campuses, respectively, while freshmen and juniors attended separate LIFE assemblies on Oct. 4.
The Class of 2020 was the first to participate in the Eagle Buddies program as lower school students. After receiving cards from each other, the sophomores and their third grade Eagle Buddies met for the first time to hang out together on the field.
“Maybe because [the sophomores have] been on the other side, [they] understand what it’s like to have this big kid and know how important and influential that big kid was for [them],” Class of 2020 dean Kelly Horan said. “Wanting to be that to someone else—[the sophomores] have more of that mindset, which is very sweet.”
Seniors reunited with their fifth grade Eagle Buddies on the Saratoga campus, where the buddies had lunch in the auxiliary gym and on Davis Field, then played together on the field until 12:55 p.m.
Freshmen gathered together for a course planning LIFE assembly led by Academic Dean Evan Barth. Though the freshmen can change their course choices over the next few years in high school, this LIFE assembly was aimed towards enabling them to better set goals and look into the future.
Juniors attended a LIFE meeting where renowned educator Charis Denison, mentioned in the ReCreate Reading book “Girls and Sex” by Peggy Orenstein, presented on sex education and healthy relationships.
This piece was originally published in the pages of the Winged Post on October 12, 2017.
