![“[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)
Former assistant athletics director and three athletes inducted into Harker’s Athletic Hall of Fame
Adhir Ravipati (‘05), Kristina Bither Gurney (‘09) and former assistant athletics director Chris Collins smile for a photo with upper school athletic director Dan Molin and lower and middle school athletic director Theresa “Smitty” Smith before the homecoming game begins. Maverick McNealy (‘13), who is currently on the PGA tour, was unable to attend the ceremony.
October 16, 2019
Four new inductees for Harker’s Athletic Hall of Fame were honored on homecoming night in a ceremony just before the game, where they were recognized for their dedication to Harker’s athletics program and for exemplifying the school’s values during their time here and beyond.
Adhir Ravipati (‘05), Kristina Bither Gurney (‘09), Maverick McNealy (‘13) and former assistant athletics director Chris Collins were presented with awards following speeches from upper school athletic director Dan Molin and lower and middle school athletic director Theresa “Smitty” Smith.
“[The Hall of Fame] is a way of honoring anybody that we feel has made an impact at Harker athletically,” Molin said. “Their athletic achievements [are] a huge criteria [for being chosen], but the character and what they’ve done in addition to that is of equal or more importance. We’re very proud of them, and we’re very proud of the people that they’ve become.”
Ravipati was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) for football, basketball and volleyball in his senior year and earned all-league honors in track. After graduating from the University of San Diego, where he continued playing football, he also served as the head football coach for Menlo-Atherton until 2018, leading the team to their first state championship and a NorCal title.
Gurney was a four-year soccer and volleyball player during high school and was part of the 2007 volleyball team that won NorCals. Although she eventually chose to play volleyball for Villanova, she dominated both sports: she was named to The Mercury News All-Star volleyball team as an outside hitter during her senior year and was the CCS leading scorer in girls soccer the following season.
“[Kristina’s] initial reaction [after being chosen for the Hall of Fame] was one of surprise,” Paula Bither, Gurney’s mother and former lower school physical education teacher, said. “She knows there are many great athletes at Harker and to receive such an honor truly humbled her. Her teachers, coaches and friends all make her who she is today.”
McNealy, a four-year golfer, won the WBAL individual title his junior and senior years and went on to golf for Stanford and now the PGA tour. Even after graduating from Harker, he has left behind a reputable legacy both on the program and on his old coach and teammates.
“As remarkable a golfer Maverick is, he is even more impressive as a person. His dedication to the craft, his work ethic [and] his comportment off the course [are] what truly make [him] exceptional,” Maverick’s high school golf coach Ie-Chen Cheng said. “Maverick made me work harder and challenged me to be better. He is a big reason [for] where the program is today.”
Collins served in the athletic department from 2001 to 2015 and was Molin’s assistant for nine years. She is remembered and honored for her commitment and dedication to the program throughout her time at Harker, whether that be through volunteering to sell spirit wear at games or getting flowers for seniors on their senior nights.
“She truly cared about Harker, and she was a true Eagle,” Molin said. “She would always stop what she was doing to answer any question from a kid, coach, parent, teacher or administrator, willing to help in whatever way necessary. And she did so with a smile on her face and genuine care.”
