![“I wasn't discouraged by some of the obstacles we faced. I learned a lot from the leadership. I found that different people need different ways of receiving feedback — you can't [just] tell them to do something and expect the best. [Some] people needed more incentive. A large part of my role was to figure out what worked for everyone and to figure out how to lead all these separate individuals as a team,” Suhana Bhandare (’26) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/SuhanaBhandare_JasmineHansra-1-1200x798.jpg)
![“This is actually from Randy Pausch Randy P. Brick: ‘Walls are there for a reason. You have to show how much you want to overcome them.’ You have to show how much you want something. That's what I've always been able to do with tennis, Link Crew and getting that internship [with Kushy Baby]. It’s important pushing through that — getting around that brick wall, climbing over it or clawing through it,” Yash Sachdeva (’26) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/YashSachdeva_RamBatchu-copy-1200x1002.jpg)
![“[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)
Celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Celebrated during the month of May, Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month recognizes and celebrates AAPI history and their impact on the history and culture of the United States.
May 27, 2021
Throughout history, the experiences of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) have been surrounded with grief, loss and violence. But there have also been moments of joy, resilience and progress that we celebrate today during the month of May.
To honor Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, here is a look back at their history in the United States. Books and movies can introduce us to new perspectives and experiences, from the life of an expatriate after the Vietnam War to the stories of four young Chinese American women in San Francisco. AAPI Heritage Month celebrates the leaders who are shaping change today, breaking barriers of Asian American representation in business, the movie industry and Congress.
Remember the difficult history of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in this country, but also see the beauty in the millions of people, stories and cultures within it. Here, Aquila has carefully selected our reading and watching recommendations, choosing works that accurately represent and honor their narratives. By cracking open a new book or pressing play to a new movie, we can allow ourselves to empathize with the history of pain but also feel the hope and the strength of AAPI experiences.
Why May?
May was chosen for its significance due to two reasons. On May 7, 1843, the first Japanese immigrant arrived in the United States. More than 20 years later, on May 10, 1869, the first transcontinental railroad was completed, a project more than 20,000 Chinese workers participated in.
May was officially designated as Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month in 1992, after Public Law 102-42 was passed unanimously by Congress and signed by President George H.W. Bush.
Learn the history:
How to Celebrate:
Films to watch:
1. “The Joy Luck Club” (1993)
Based on Oakland-born writer Amy Tan’s 1989 novel, four young Chinese women born in America and their respective mothers, born in feudal China, explore their pasts and their identities.
2. “The Farewell” (2019)
Chinese-born, U.S.-raised Billi reluctantly returns to Changchun to the family’s beloved, dying matriarch Nai-Nai, uniting family members scattered among new homes abroad.
3. “Minari” (2020)
A Korean American family moves to an Arkansas farm in search of the elusive American dream, discovering the resilience of family and the meaning of home in the face of challenge.
Books to read:
1. “The Sympathizer” by Viet Thanh Nguyen (2015)
A thrilling spy novel and a moving love story, “The Sympathizer” explores a life between two worlds, examining the legacy of the Vietnam War.
2. “Pachinko” by Min Jin Lee (2017)
“Pachinko” follows a Korean family who immigrated to Japan under the Japanese colonial rule of Korea, telling a raw story of love, hope, sacrifice and loyalty.
3. “Minor Feelings” by Cathy Park Hong (2020)
Hong blends memoir, cultural criticism, and history to expose the truth of racialized consciousness in America, describing her theory of “minor feelings.”
2021: Bay Area AAPI leaders making history today:
1. Kamala Harris: first Asian American, first African American and first female Vice President of the United States
2. Eric Yuan: CEO and Founder of Zoom Video Communications, The Harker School parent
3. Jon Chu: Groundbreaking Asian American film director known for “Crazy Rich Asians”
