![“[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)
Special schedule accommodates ReCreate Reading, ASB speeches, senior meeting
Avi Gulati (11), who is running uncontested for ASB president, delivers his speech to close out yesterday’s assembly. Avi and five other juniors are running for five positions on the ASB council next year.
April 17, 2019
ASB candidates gave their speeches to freshmen, sophomores and juniors in the Athletic Center today in place of school meeting, after fifth period. Results from the election will be announced Thursday, and all but two candidates are running uncontested.
For President, the candidate is Avi Gulati (11); for Vice President, the candidates are Roma Gandhi (11) and David Feng (11); for Treasurer, Evan Cheng (11); for Secretary, Alyssa Huang (11) and for Spirit Coordinator, Vance Hirota (11).
The underclassmen and juniors could then vote for next year’s ASB in the journalism room during lunch. Honor Council members supervised the elections, and the election results will be announced by school meeting on Thursday.
After the speeches, students dispersed to short ReCreate Reading group meetings, for the 63 titles selected by teachers for students to read over the summer. Students registered for different ReCreate Reading groups from March 25 to March 28, and the discussion groups will meet again on August 29, including three author visits and two author Skype calls.
While the other students went to the ASB speeches and ReCreate Reading meetings, seniors listened to a presentation from the librarians Lauri Vaughan, Meredith Cranston and Amy Pelman about using libraries in college. Math department chair and senior trip organizer Anthony Silk discussed details of the senior trip, and Lori Villarreal and head of school Butch Keller announced about baccalaureate and graduation.
