With every cross-country move and state border crossed, Peter Connors (12) took the opportunity to redefine his identity.

“I started off in Washington State, where I was born,” Peter said. “Then I moved to Oregon, where Jack was born. Then I moved to Southern California, then Minnesota, then New Jersey, and then here. I feel like each time I’ve tried a different type of person. In New Jersey, I was kind of like a screw up, a screw off. I played into the dumb jock persona. I would do stupid things and say stupid things. When my parents told us we were going to move, I was kind of relieved because I could kind of tell that this was not who I was and not who I wanted to be, especially moving forward. I feel like California is the place where the trial and error has come to its highest point.”

To Peter, California is the pinnacle of his experimentation, the place that defined his goals and taught him to focus on what lies ahead.

“I feel like in freshman and sophomore year, I was way too concerned with the short term, like what can I do right now to achieve a quick goal, rather than now, when I feel like I can invest time and patience and energy into a longer dream goal,” Peter said. “Back then, I was kind of just switching between major ideas and things I wanted to do, and now I can kind of see myself going in one direction— more methodical, not so scatterbrained. Honestly, I think I’m on the right path to being the person that I want to be. I don’t know, someone who’s honest and will tell you how he feels, be loyal and lend a helpful ear. A supportive friend.”

Peter found that the Bay Area environment also played a large role in his academic interests. Hearing about his peers’ enthusiasm at Harker, for instance, was a key driver in his goals.

“I was still adjusting to Harker that everyone’s pretty much smarter than me,” Peter said. “That really humbled me, and being around people that are more gifted than you in so many ways, like one person is better than me in one way, maybe I’m better than another person in some other way. Having people that are really good at things around you at all times is key. It keeps me focused, it keeps me driven to go and explore different things that people are into. I thought I hated programming. I don’t even know how to type. I still don’t, but seeing what these people that I met over summer that go to Harker, seeing what they’re doing with these laptops and writing these incredible codes as a high schooler. That’s super interesting.”

Vince Vu (12), Peter’s closest friend at Harker, has witnessed his growth throughout high school.

“He’s been my best friend since freshman year,” Vince said. “He’s always had my back and has been looking out for me every since. As we have grown through the years, he’s become more understanding of problems and troubles I have had, I guess just talking me through things. I didn’t make the basketball team last year, and he worked with me over the summer and off season to get back the next year.”

But outside the school environment, Peter looks to the outdoors for reflection. He cherishes the time he spends with his family on weekly hikes, building a closer relationship with his family and better understanding of himself.

“We just talk. It’s not like we’re going on some strenuous run,” he said. “We just talk about what’s going on, whether it’s current events or what’s going on in my life or what’s going on in their life.”

Through all the moves, family was one of the constants in Peter’s life: His younger brother Jack Connors (10) is his closest friend.

“He knows social situations really well, so whenever I’m having problems with friends and stuff, he’s got me,” Peter said. “I go to him for advice, and he gives me awesome advice, and he hasn’t really failed me yet. I hope I can be inspirational to him, and work ethic and moving forward and overcoming adversity, but he’s really been my role model for relationships and friendships and stuff like that.”

Jack reciprocates this unique relationship, characterizing it not necessarily as one of kinship but close-knitted friendship.

“I definitely see Peter as less of a brother and more as a best friend,” Jack said. “We have our brotherly moments when we argue occasionally, but we have a stronger bond than most humans do in the ways we communicate. This past season, we really bonded over basketball, being on the same team and both being captains. It really brought us together, especially in the aspect of the team sport, making us see what’s really important. Ever since we were little, he taught me to not care about what people think. It’s okay to be unique.”

Despite becoming more goal-driven over high school, Peter recognizes that the future is full of unknowns. Even so, he tries his best to remain focused and driven to see what lies beyond.

“I don’t really have an end goal, as of right now,” Peter said. “I’m just kind of accepting the fact that I’m in high school, and everything’s going to change next year. That maybe makes it worth it. The unknown. Not knowing what’s gonna happen in four years. The suspense of seeing what future Peter’s going to be up to. That keeps me going.”