![“[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)
Kick Back with Kushal: Why I am a Dubs believer
December 15, 2020
After a record-breaking 2015 – 2016 season, the Golden State Warriors and their fans were both shocked by the team’s first three performances in Western Conference Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
When the Thunder stunned the Warriors again with a dominant 24 point victory in Game 4 to take a 3-1 lead, I knew that the Warriors would have to win three consecutive games to keep their hopes of winning another championship alive. The team was already on thin ice and they could not afford to slip up again, and needless to say, I wasn’t too confident in their chances.
Despite my doubts, the Warriors were able to feed off of their fans’ energy in Oakland and defeat the Thunder in Game 5 to bring the series to 3-2. I was surprised by the outcome, but I knew that Game 6 would be even tougher, since it would take place at Chesapeake Energy Arena, the home of the Thunder.
The results were astonishing to say the least: the Warriors came out battling from the tip-off, and although they trailed for the majority of the game, Klay Thompson went nuclear to drain 11 three-pointers and score 41 points, allowing the Warriors to come back and win.
Until that point, I was a casual Dubs fan, but it was this game that inspired me to follow the Warriors, in not just the big games, but also the most trivial games as well (like against the Knicks!). In Game 7, I believed the Warriors would win, and even though the Thunder built up a 13 point lead during the game, the Warriors were able to adjust in the second half to win the game and the series.
Ever since, I have always attempted to watch the Warriors’ games and constantly check for updates on the team –– whether it be about any of its players (specifically Steph and Klay) or about injuries or upcoming games.
Now, as the start of the regular season approaches, the Warriors are once again the underdogs –– no more are the days of Kevin Durant and reliable veteran players Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston. And though I haven’t even mentioned Klay’s tragic ACL injury this past offseason yet, trust me, don’t count out our Golden State Warriors just yet.
I agree that dismissing the Dubs this season may be tempting considering last season, but, then again, neither Klay and Steph had the opportunity to lead their young teammates to a respectable season. Now more than ever, the Warriors are equipped to prove all their doubters wrong thanks to the efforts of our general manager Bob Myers, who brought us not only James Wiseman (finally a true center), but also Kelly Oubre Jr., a young two-way talent.
And who knows? Maybe you’ll see the Warriors ascend to the status of a true contender in the Western Conference. Disregard us at your own peril.
