![“[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)
College Board closes SAT testing centers due to safety concerns over coronavirus
The College Board has closed numerous testing locations for the March 14 SAT as precautionary measures for the spread of the coronavirus.
March 13, 2020
As more information is released about College Board closing centers due to the coronavirus, this article will be updated with the latest news. Check Harker Aquila for continuous coverage.
This story was last updated March 14 to reflect new information about the number of nations, U.S. states and individual centers in the Bay Area affected by the shutdowns, as well as the amount of local cases.
Due to increasing safety concerns over the spread of COVID-19 worldwide, College Board has announced that it will be closing certain testing centers for the March 14 SAT in areas that have been exposed to the virus, and offering alternative testing options for students at these sites.
As of today, 85 nations have been affected, with China, Italy, Japan and South Korea among the list of 30 places facing entire countrywide test center cancellations. In the United States, 47 states or territories, including California, have also been impacted, and the following six testing sites in San Jose will be closing: Bellarmine College Preparatory, Lincoln High School, Saba Academy, San Jose State University, Santa Teresa High School and Yerba Buena High School.
There are 37 more centers closing in the Bay Area as a whole: Archbishop Riordan High School in San Francisco, Berkeley High School in Berkeley, Capuchino High School in San Bruno, Carlmont High School in Belmont, Christopher High School in Gilroy, Clayton Valley High School in Concord, El Camino High School in Oceanside, Encinal High School in Alameda, Everett Alvarez High School in Salinas, Fremont High School in Sunnyvale, Hayward High School in Hayward, Henry M. Gunn High School in Palo Alto, Immaculate Conception Academy in San Francisco, James Logan High School in Union City, Jesse Bethel High School in Vallejo, Junipero Serra High School in San Mateo, Kipp King Collegiate High School in San Lorenzo and Las Lomas High School in Walnut Creek.
The list goes on to include Las Positas College in Livermore, Mare Island Tech Academy in Vallejo, Monte Vista Christian School in Watsonville, Milpitas High School in Milpitas, Newark Memorial High School in Newark, Novato High School in Novato, Oakland High School in Oakland, Oakland Military Institute in Oakland, Oakland Tech High School in Oakland, Sacred Heart-Cathedral Prep in San Francisco, San Mateo High School in San Mateo, Santa Rosa Junior College in Petaluma, St Francis High School in Mountain View, St Ignatius College Preparatory in San Francisco, Seaside High School in Seaside, Terra Linda High School in San Rafael, Vallejo High School in Vallejo, Watsonville High School in Watsonville and Ygnacio Valley High School in Watsonville.
The complete list of cancelled testing centers is posted on the College Board website. This number is subject to change, and students are asked to check their email in the upcoming week for any updates regarding the status of their location.
“I’m very nervous for my testing date to be cancelled, because I have worked so hard to prepare,” said Emma Andrews (11), who was registered to take the March SAT at Bellarmine, where a makeup is yet to be scheduled. “I understand where [College Board] is coming from, but I feel like there are other preventative measures that could take place.”
College Board has provided alternate testing sites for those affected, and makeup tests will be scheduled at locations without any other center options if possible. Students with canceled registrations will receive a full refund.
This news comes after growing efforts to slow the spread of the virus. In Santa Clara County alone, there have been 79 confirmed cases of the virus, the most in the Bay Area so far, and in response, officials have been asking the public to suspend non-essential travel and have banned gatherings of over 100 people.
