![“[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 volleyball seniors honored in game against Mercy-SF
Seniors Lauren Napier, Melissa Kwan, Megan Cardosi, Tiffany Shou and Isabella Spradlin laugh while watching a video honoring their achievements. All five seniors have played volleyball all four years of high school.
October 25, 2017
Varsity girls’ volleyball team honored their seniors during their game against Mercy-SF last Tuesday, which they lost in four sets.
Prior to the game, seniors Megan Cardosi, Melissa Kwan, Lauren Napier, Tiffany Shou and Isabella Spradlin were honored with their parents and family members by head coach Theresa “Smitty” Smith, assistant coaches Stephanie Coleman and Sandy Fung and their teammates. The coaches then played a video, recognizing the seniors and their accomplishments during this season.
Tiffany Shou (12) walks out with her parents during the ceremony. Each senior received a lei, candy necklace and flower bouquet from her teammates.
“I’m proud of how hard they have worked to uphold the culture of the volleyball program, and I will remember them for their leadership qualities, generous spirit and laughter,” Smith said.
The girls won their second set by 25-16; they lost the first, third and fourth sets by close margins of 21-25, 21-25 and 22-25, respectively. Yet for the seniors, witnessing the support from their friends and family as they played one of their last games in high school was a memorable experience.
“All of the flowers, gifts, food, posters and cheering we received before, during and after the game, truly made it a night to remember,” co-captain Lauren Napier said. “I could not ask for better teammates, friends and family throughout the past four years.”
She also stresses how close the team has become over the past few months.
“Each player on the team brings their own energy, personality and dynamic to the team which makes us all get along so well,” Lauren explained. “I can easily say that my teammates have become my best friends, and I am so grateful for them.”
In turn, the seniors have also greatly impacted their team and their coaches, who will miss them when they graduate this year.
“I work with some really smart, talented, generous and funny young ladies,” Smitty said. “We’ve become pretty dependent on each other over that last several years and it’s hard to see them go.”
“It’s really been an honor playing with such skilled teammates; they will be greatly missed,” junior Katrina Liou added.
The girls’ varsity volleyball team now has a league record of 3-8. Their next game will be away on Friday against Menlo.
