![“[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)
The Science Department’s trip to Costa Rica has been extended to include rising juniors in addition to the rising seniors who can attend every year.
Due to various summer internships, many of the rising seniors had to pull out from attending the trip this year, leaving only two seniors to fill the twelve available spots.
Anita Chetty, the chair of the science department, emailed the current sophomore’s parents informing them about the trip, the sophomores jumped at the opportunity, filling the remaining ten spots within a week.
“This is such a great opportunity. I’m really excited to go to Costa Rica because I’ve never been there before. And, I’ll be able to do a science project while I’m there,” Adarsh Battu (11) said.
The trip this year will be chaperoned by physics teacher Mark Brada, who has chaperoned the trip once before, and chemistry teacher Mala Raghavan.
“There are lots of things I’m looking forward to, but [I’m excited] to see new places and work with Jimmy, our guide. Every day there will be something new and the amount of activities we will do will be amazing,” Brada said.
The trip will include zip lining, white-water rafting, snorkeling, and wildlife preservation in addition to a research opportunity with a professor from the University of Georgia. If they want, students may continue the research and submit their project to a science fair once they return.
“It’s going to be a great opportunity. It’s really kind of neat,” Chetty said. “You are going to get on a plane in the evening, and by the next afternoon you are going to be on your own private beach.”
