![“[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)
Starting on March 26, 2012, the senior class of 2012 received open campus privileges, allowing them to leave the Upper School during the academic day.
The process for receiving open campus privileges involved a signed parental consent form as well as the submission of the senior’s 2011/2012 student ID. Students received a new “Red ID” that identifies them as seniors with off-campus privileges.
Seniors are allowed to leave the campus during their free time. This includes free periods, lunch, and extra help periods, as long as the student isn’t required for extra help. Academic class time, the advisor period, school meetings, class meetings, and assemblies are off limits.
“Personally as the head of the upper school, I think it’s a great way to reward class behavior,” Division Head of Upper School Butch Keller said. “If the seniors had been breaking rules or had been unruly or hard to deal with, they wouldn’t get those privileges.”
Many seniors are happy with the newfound freedom that comes with a Red ID card.
“It’s really cool being able to go off for free periods,” said Divya Sarathy (12). “Open campus is one of the fun parts of being a second-semester senior.”
Other seniors expressed similar sentiments towards being able to leave the Upper School.
“It’s nice to have the option of leaving to get other food for lunch,” said Kovid Puria (12).
Similarly, the Junior class also looks forward to getting off campus privileges. Many juniors, like Keri Clifford (11), will be able to drive this time next year and will be able to take advantage of the last quarter.
“During long lunch, it’ll be really fun go out with my friends, [and] go to the mall maybe,” Keri said. “I think we get [the privileges] because […] the administration think [we] are responsible enough to leave.”
Although the seniors are able to go off campus, having the privilege does depend each year on whether or not the class is well-behaved.
“From an administrative standpoint, it’s a positive thing,” Keller said. “It does show that we trust the seniors and it does comes with its responsibilities.”
