![“[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)
Secret Santa or Santa Claus?
A tinsel-and-ornaments-adorned Christmas Tree brings a festive feeling into a classroom. Many students in these few weeks will be participating in Secret Santa gift-giving.
December 6, 2017
Bright lights adorn the ceiling in Main, teachers put up trees in their classrooms and students flock to Manzanita for a cup of hot cocoa. Students bring out their fuzzy jackets and boots, Christmas music plays nonstop on every radio station and the weather becomes cooler and cooler. As the excited buzz of the holiday season permeates the campus, the popular gift-giving tradition of Secret Santa is once again an upper school favorite.
“I think Secret Santa is a really fun activity, and I think it really helps you get to know the people you’re playing with better,” said junior Shreya Dasari. “My favorite part would definitely be trying to guess who your Secret Santa is because it’s always so exciting.”
Junior Varsity and Varsity Dance are participating this year, continuing their yearly tradition. Each day is themed, ranging from food and dance to fuzzy, such as fuzzy socks or slippers. The Secret Santas revealed themselves on Friday, culminating with a big gift.
“I really like Secret Santa,” said Jacqueline Au (9), who is in JV dance. “I like that it’s also with Varsity, so it’s a lot of people, so it’s harder to guess who your Santa is.”
Different sports teams also took part in Secret Santa. Girls basketball as well as girls soccer are exchanging gifts during the holiday season. For Junior Varsity basketball, “Secret Sister” is extended throughout the basketball season, with players gifting one another at each game.
Suman Mohanty (9), JV girls basketball captain, talked about her favorite part about Secret Santa.
“Everyone loves receiving gifts, and it feels really good to give something for the holidays,” Suman said. “It’s really fun to give other people presents secretly, and I feel like it’ll bring our team closer.”
Some advisors as well as teachers organized Secret Santa and holiday giving in their individual classes. Freshman advisor Dr. Shaun Jahshan offered her input on the holiday game.
“I think Secret Santa helps the advisees get to know each other better. Their choice of gift is always very revealing, and it’s just a fun way to enjoy time together,” Dr. Jahshan said. “People’s reactions when they open the clue and the gift is also fun to watch.”
In Secret Santa, participants write down a wishlist of what presents that would like. Each person is randomly assigned someone else to whom they must give a series of gifts. However, the gift-giver is supposed to keep his or her identity secret, leaving the gift-receiver to determine who is his or her Secret Santa.
Secret Santa and other gift-giving festivities will be a popular sight on campus for the next couple of weeks.
