![“[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)
![“Animation just clicked in a way. I had been interested in art, but that felt different. [Animation] felt like it had something behind it, whereas previous things felt surface level. I wasn't making that crazy of things, but just the process of doing it was much more enjoyable," Carter Chadwick ('22) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Screen-Shot-2022-08-16-at-9.44.08-AM-900x598.png)
![“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)
![“[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)
![“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)
![“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)
As school returned to full swing this week, events including two Varsity girls’ soccer games, a wrestling match, and the Student Directed Showcase (SDS) commenced the New Year.
“The highlight of this week was just getting back and seeing everyone,” said Upper School Division Head Butch Keller. “They look more relaxed and they look like they had a great break, and that’s what break is for. I’m really looking forward to SDS. The kids put so much work and time and energy in it; the directors basically put their heart and soul into it.”
Led by team captains Nicole Dalal (12), Samantha Walker (12), and Adrienne Mendel (11), the Varsity girls’ soccer team has an overall record of 3-1-1 at this point in the season. On Tuesday, January 3, they defeated Immaculate Conception Academy with a strong score of 6-1, while the game on Thursday, January 5, against Summit Preparatory High School resulted in a 1 all tie.
On Thursday, January 5, the wrestling team faced Lynbrook High School for their second match of the season in addition to a tournament held in December. Members of the team will participate in the Ruppel 2nd Mann Tournament today, January 6.
This year, the SDS shows are Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead directed by Sebastian Herscher (12), Voices in Conflict directed by Tina Crnko (12), and How To Succeed in High School Without Really Trying directed by Alexander Najibi (12). The first show was held on Thursday, January 5, while the second show will take place today, January 6.
More events to look forward to next week include updates on the Varsity boys’ and girls’ basketball teams and the cheerleading team.