![“[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)
Girls golf wins senior night match
The team cheers for the seniors as they shoot the last holes. The varsity girls golf team won their senior night match against Sacred Heart Preparatory 186-262.
October 18, 2017
The varsity girls golf team won its senior night game against Sacred Heart Preparatory at Los Lagos Golf Course in San Jose last night.
Katherine Zhu (12) led the team, shooting 33. Natalie Vo (9), Olivia Guo (9), Katelyn Vo (10), Devanshi Mehta (11) and Vanessa Tyagi (12) shot 39, 37, 36, 41 and 44 respectively, bringing the final score to 186-262. Alisa Su (12) set a personal record, shooting 38.
“I think [they’re] playing pretty well,” Coach Ie-Chen Cheng said. “Senior night is a really special day for them because we’re golfers; we’re always away. No one ever [comes] and [watches], so it means a lot to them that you guys all make a trip out here and watch them. This being their last home, it’s the only time they ever get any kind of recognition.”
After the match, a brief ceremony to honor seniors Katherine, Vanessa, Alisa, Ashna Chandra and Makenzie Tomihiro took place outside of the clubhouse. Cheng shared sentiments about each of the seniors, and seniors’ parents spoke about their daughters experience with the team.
“This group of seniors, what impressed me the most this season was the leadership,” Cheng said. “[Vanessa], Alisa and Katherine worked so well together, and they provide such great leadership. What I love about them is that [they are] a very inclusive bunch. All three of them played all four years, and they know what it was like to be a freshman. They’ve done such a great job of welcoming the newbies in. Their leadership is a big part of why we’re so successful this year.”
Following the speeches, players, friends and family were able to eat snacks and desserts outside the clubhouse.
“[This season] was a lot of fun; I’m going to miss the team a lot,” Ashna, who has played on the team for four years, said. “I think my favorite thing was when one of the teams didn’t show up, we actually went to get Pekoe, we bonded, we talked.”
Cheng cited this season as the “best season ever for a decade.” She called Katherine a “superstar,” and a role model for current younger players on the team. Katherine will play golf for University of California Berkeley next year.
“Every year has been pretty fun, but this year it definitely has been the best because as seniors, [Alisa], Vanessa and I got to take leadership, and we got to lead the team,” Katherine said. “Honestly, [my favorite thing] is not even the golf, it’s just spending time with the people.”
The seniors’ inclusiveness has left an impact on other players on the team.
“They really make the team a family. There’s a big difference this year because it’s one team, not separated,” Linda Luo (11) said. “They’re really nice [people], they have great leadership and they just commit so much for the team and I really appreciate [them] for that.”
