![“[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)
This week features visits from various artists including an A Capella group and a poet, as well as an update on the Varsity track and field team.
“The highlight [of this week] was the fact that between ASB and the lecture series, we as a school brought to the student body some outside enrichment which is very important,” Butch Keller said. “The entire student body thoroughly enjoyed the A Capella group from Yale.”
On Wednesday, March 14, the Yale men’s A Capella group, The Society of Orpheus and Bacchus, visited the Upper School. They performed several numbers ranging from classic Disney songs to gospel music following a performance by the high school’s own A Capella group, Guy’s Gig. Additionally, the group hosted a workshop for students during lunch.
The Cum Laude lecture series continues to host speakers, including poet Joseph Lease, who visited the campus on Wednesday, March 7. Lease has been on the National Public Radio (NPR) and was featured in The Best American Poetry 2002. The lecture series will continue with the Head of School Christopher Nikoloff, who will combine his fifth and sixth lectures about “On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are” on Wednesday, March 21.
Led by captains Bradley Araki (12) and Tyler Yeats (11), the Varsity track and field team took part in their first meet of the year at the Willow Glen Invitational. Isabelle Connell (11) came in first place for the 200 meter and 400 meter field. Sumit Minocha (11) placed second in the 100 meter dash and first in the 200 meter dash. The team also took part in the first West Bay Athletic League (WBAL) track and field meet of the year on Wednesday, March 14.
More events to look forward to next week include a lecture from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) club week.
