![“[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)
Filled with athletic, artistic, and academic events, this week included the annual AP Studio Art exhibition, STEM week, and the Quill and Scroll induction ceremony.
“I really have enjoyed the WiSTEM week. The lunch yesterday was pretty cool all the way around if you’re in my position because you get to see how excited the students and teachers can be about science,” Butch Keller said. “And then you walk over from the gym to the art exhibit. The art that was displayed was just fascinating.”
During long lunch on Wednesday, February 29, AP Studio Art students showcased projects they have been working on throughout the year for the community to see in Nichols Hall. The course is taught in 2D and 3D by Pilar Aguero-Esparza and Jaap Bongers. Students from both classes were required to form a central theme that best represents their works, whether they were graphic designs, sculpture, photography, drawing, or painting.
Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (WiSTEM) held their annual club week along with other STEM related clubs from Monday, February 27 to Friday, March 2. Events hosted by the clubs included the STEM fair in the gym, which featured experiments with liquid nitrogen, bubbles, and vacuums. Students also received points for their class by coming to the fair; the winning class will have the opportunity to donate the money raised this past week to the STEM related charity of their choice.
On Friday, March 2, the journalism program held the Quill and Scroll induction ceremony. The honor society for journalism students, the Quill and Scroll honors reporters with certain GPA requirements who have contributed significantly to their school’s journalism program. This year, 12 inductees will join Quill and Scroll during the ceremony in addition to the 12 existing members.
More events to look forward to next week include the Siemens assembly, a Cum Laude lecture by poet Joseph Lease and the annual Hoscars.
