![“[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 1/4
Head of School Brian Yager informs students and faculty of the assault that occurred at the middle school campus on Tuesday morning. He assured the students that the priority of the school is safety and announced that there will be increased security on campus.
January 4, 2018
Academic Dean Evan Barth spoke about course selection for next year. The course selection information night for parents will be held at the middle school MPR at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 18. Course selection forms are due on Jan. 23 and can be turned in at the Main front desk, the Dobbins front desk or directly to Director of Standardized Testing and Scheduling Troy Thiele.
Upper School Head Butch Keller introduced new academic counselor Sandhya Gupta.
Harker Athletics gave a short update about games this past week and encouraged students and faculty to support the teams at upcoming games this week.
There was a track and field information session in front of the athletics center at the beginning of lunch today. Preseason training will begin next Monday.
This year’s Student Directed Showcase (SDS) shows will take place tomorrow and on Saturday at 7 p.m. in the Blackford theater. The directors played a preview video of each of the four shows at today’s school meeting.
Kelsey Wu (11) will be speaking at Research Club’s next informational speaker series on Jan. 10. during long lunch at 12:50 p.m.
The annual Winter Ball will take place on Jan. 20. This year there will be an ask contest, and more details are available at tiny.cc/askcontest. Tickets are available at tiny.cc/winterball.
This year’s HOSCARS performances will be held on March 23 in the new Rothschild Performing Arts Center. Signups for auditions are available at tiny.cc/hoscars2018 until Jan. 29.
Next week is Harker Horizon’s club week, and they will be selling brownies, popcorn chicken and Krispy Kreme donuts. The money they earn will go into printing their upcoming issue.
The Shakespeare competition’s information session was held at the beginning of long lunch in English teacher Charles Shuttleworth’s room today. The competition will take place on Feb. 8.
Harker Eclectic Literature and Media’s (HELM) digital issue has been published, and they are now accepting entries for their upcoming print issue until Jan. 26.
Medanta Associate Director of Peripheral Vascular and Endovascular Sciences Dr. Tarun Grover spoke at Medical Club’s speaker event today from 12:40 to 1:20 p.m. in biology teacher Dr. Matthew Harley’s room.
Today is the last day to sign up for the AMC 10 and 12 math competitions. Signups are available at tiny.cc/amcsignups, and flyers in Dobbins have more information.
Head of School Brian Yager gave an update about the assault that happened at the middle school campus on Tuesday morning. He assured the students that the priority of the school is safety and announced that there will be increased security on campus, including 24-hour security at the middle school. Students who arrive early to campus are requested to stay with at least one other student and in sight of adults. He urged students to tell a teacher if they see an adult they do not know on campus and is not wearing a visitor’s badge. Police arrested a male suspect in the case on Thursday night, and he is being held at the Santa Clara County Jail. Police have charged him with multiple criminal counts. Cards and other expressions of care and concern may be left at the front office in the upper school and will be delivered to the teacher by staff. Yager also reminded students that our counselors are available to talk with any students.
