![“[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)
Creativity during COVID-19: Writers reflect on quarantine
A collection of the winning submissions for the Creativity during COVID-19 writing contest.
May 10, 2020
Hopeful reflections. Brooding thoughts. Nostalgic memories. The upper school writing contest, Creativity during COVID-19, gave students the chance to record these feelings about living during a worldwide pandemic and responding to this new reality. Hosted by English teacher Jennifer Siraganian, the contest had over 30 submissions, ranging from poems to flash fictions, and recognized six writers: Sarah Mohammed (9), Sophia Gottfried (11), Eva Chang (12), Michelle Liu (10), Vivian Jin (11) and Andrea Thia (10).
For the winning submissions that Harker Aquila received permission to publish, a copy is included below, paired with a brief statement by the student on the inspiration behind their work. Additionally, listen to three of the writers recite their pieces by clicking on the images of their poems.
First place: “Remember Ourselves through COVID-19” by Sarah Mohammed
“Remember Ourselves through COVID-19” by Sarah Mohammed (9). Click on the image to listen to the poem.
Sarah: “Since we’re in quarantine, I’ve been looking at my surroundings more and especially appreciating what has been the same. I think about what’s given me a lot of hope in this pandemic, just seeing my mom making idlis or seeing the sunrise. I’ve drawn inspiration from those little moments.”
Second place: “CoVid Villanelle” by Sophia Gottfried
“CoVid Villanelle” by Sophia Gottfried (11).
Sophia: “When I went to Stanford Mall to pick up takeout, the mall was empty, it was super eerie. So I wanted to take some of that eeriness and that zombie-apocalypse feeling, and convey it in a poem. Being cooped up kind of makes you go a little crazy, we’re all getting a little restless, everyone is getting a little anxious — all that background noise, I wanted to put it into a poem and hopefully have people identify with it.”
Third place: “Yo Tampoco” by Eva Chang
Eva: “My inspiration — this is going to sound so corny — is from my actual bedroom window, the stuff that I hear at night from there. This was sporadic, and I wasn’t super straightforward with what any of my story meant or what I wanted anyone to take away. [It] was really personal to me, so I guess if anyone can relate to it, that’s kind of what I was going for.”
Third place: “Haiku” by Michelle Liu
“Haiku” by Michelle Liu (10). Click on the image to listen to the poem.
Michelle: “I was really intrigued by how [because of the quarantine] animals are making a comeback, wildlife is starting to appear in the streets more often. I know that there are a lot of deer in my neighborhood, and since people aren’t going out anymore, the deer are doing whatever they want, having fun while I’m glued to my computer screen. I notice a lot of other people are like this too, so I just wanted to make a fun little illustration about it.”
Honorable Mention: “Something I Wrote During Quarantine, But Never Knew I Loved” by Andrea Thia
“Something I Wrote During Quarantine, But I Never Knew I Loved” by Andrea Thia (10). Click on the image to listen to the poem.
Andrea: “When you’re stuck in your room all day, often with no one but yourself, you have so much time to think. These past few weeks have been a time of self discovery for me. I realized there was so much about myself even I had never known. I started writing this poem right after I had come back from a run while it had been raining. The cold rain on my face made my cheeks burn, and for some reason that made me smile. I never knew I liked running in the rain.”
