![“[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)
After assault of middle school teacher, administration tightens campus security
Security guard Brendan Carroll patrols campus on Tuesday evening. Administration is evaluating and reinforcing security across all campuses after a Jan. 2 assault on a middle school teacher.
February 6, 2018
As a result of the early morning assault and robbery of a Harker middle school teacher on Jan. 2 at the Blackford campus, school administration is currently expanding and reinforcing security protocols at all campuses.
Police arrested a suspect on Jan. 4 in the assault and robbery of the teacher, who was preparing her classroom the morning of the first day of school after winter break.
Police believe this was a random attack.
The administration is conducting a review of school security systems and has entered into a contract with international security and emergency preparedness firm Nelson Safety and Security.
Founder and Managing Partner Victor Rocha is currently conducting assessments with written feedback regarding safety and security on each campus, which will likely be completed by the end of February.
“We want our community to be safe and to feel safe,” Head of School Brian Yager said. “It’s important for learning and growth that you’re in an environment that feels secure; that is and always has been an essential element of this school. It’s really important for us to make sure that everyone feels safe, and I hope people do feel that now even despite this incident.”
While the review is taking place, the administration has added an extra security guard and implemented earlier start hours for morning security, a nighttime patrol and monitoring along the back fence at the middle school.
Self-defense training operations for staff are being implemented by the administration. The first workshop was for middle school staff, but future seminars will be open to all staff.
Rocha and the administration are currently reviewing safety and security suggestions made by parents and staff.
On Jan. 5, San Jose Police Department Chief Eddie Garcia announced that Andrew Bracamonte, 23, had been arrested and booked on multiple criminal charges.
Bracamonte, who resided a half-mile from the middle school campus, is not a registered sex offender and is not currently on parole.
English teacher Patricia Lai Burrows is covering the teacher’s classes during her absence.
It is the official policy of the Winged Post not to name survivors of sexual assault.
Outpouring of support to teacher includes notes, gifts, GoFundMe
Students, faculty, staff and families from all Harker campuses have outpoured support for the teacher in the last month.
Students and middle school faculty met on a weekend in January to switch the teacher’s classroom with another classroom on campus.
A GoFundMe campaign, “Support of Our Beloved Teacher,” has also been set up by Harker parent Sholeh Diba Goetting for the teacher. The campaign, which opened on Jan. 3, has raised $56,740 as of Jan. 30.
“I’ve gotten a lot of emails from concerned parents just expressing their condolences and their support,” Head of School Brian Yager said. “I know that others have gotten that too, and the teacher herself has gotten a lot of cards and comments from students and colleagues and parents, so that emotional support has been really lovely.”
Additional reporting by Rose Guan, Kaitlin Hsu and Maya Kumar.
This piece was originally published in the pages of the Winged Post on February 5, 2018.
