![“[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)
Varsity boys soccer qualifies to CCS Finals
Darshan Chahal (12) controls the ball during the Eagles quarterfinal win against the Evergreen Valley Cougars last Saturday. The Eagles defeated the Cougars 1-0, fighting hard to get on the scoreboard and stay ahead after a scoreless first half.
February 27, 2020
The varsity boys soccer team defeated Sequoia High 3-1 in penalty kicks in their CCS semifinal matchup yesterday evening at Redwood City, after finishing tied at 1-1. This win marks the furthest that the boys soccer team has ever advanced in playoffs.
“I think it’s phenomenal. Before I showed up as a coach, we’ve never won or even got into the playoffs,” head coach Jeff Baicher said after their quarterfinal round win. “Now this is three years straight and the second year in a row we got to the second round, so it seems like we’re building something.”
Following a successful league season that saw them attain an 8-2-2 record, the team qualified for the Division III CCS playoffs after narrowly missing out on the league title to Sacred Heart Prep and Menlo. The Eagles defeated the Evergreen Valley Cougars 1-0 in a home matchup last Saturday in their quarterfinal round, where they fought hard to get on the scoreboard and stay ahead after a scoreless first half.
“Once I scored, I was so excited, so happy,” said Ishaan Mantripragada (10), who made the Eagles’ only goal. “We came into the second half knowing that we had to come out stronger and want it more than the other team — so that’s what we did.”
In the close game yesterday against Sequoia, which ended in a 1-1 tie after a goal by Andrew Cheplyanksy (12) off an assist from Muthu Panchanatham (10), the victor of the matchup was determined by penalty kicks. Andrew, Justin Fung (10) and Darshan Chahal (12) all scored, and two close saves by goalie Laszlo Bollyky (10) secured the win for the Eagles.
“[It was] probably one of our toughest games, mostly because of how much work our players put in. A lot of people were cramping at the end, putting in all that they had,” center midfield Marcos Acero (11) said. “We get a lot of hype from the seniors, because each year, the seniors know it could be their last game. And that encourages not only them, but also all of us to put all of our effort in.”
The boys will play St. Francis in the CCS finals game at 3 p.m. this Saturday at Fremont High School.
