![“[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)
HSLT hosts Jeopardy-style Trivia Day competition
HSLT representatives Kris Estrada (11), Paulina Gicqueau (11), Ashley Ma (11), and Kai Burich (12) stand in front of the Trivia Day game board during lunch yesterday.
October 8, 2021
“Billie Eilish is obsessed with this early 2000s hit TV series.” Buzz!
Students and advisors representing the freshman, sophomore, junior and senior classes participated in a jeopardy-style Trivia Day competition organized by the Harker Spirit Leadership Team (HSLT) Wednesday at lunch. Juniors took first, followed by the seniors in second, while freshmen and sophomores took third and fourth, respectively.
The Trivia Day competition was held outside Manzanita. Students and advisors from different classes could pick the theme and value of an unanswered question from a bright blue board and challenge each other to see who would buzz in with the correct answer first. The questions, which had values ranging from $200 to $1000, were split into the following subjects: old movies, old music, new music and new movies. Each category corresponded to the freshman, sophomore, junior and senior class spirit week themes, respectively.
HSLT Competitive Committee member Ashley Ma (11), who helped run the trivia game, explained that the questions focused mainly on achievements within each category.
“We mostly went through milestones like awards, so it’s easier for people to guess,” Ashley said. “It’s really nice to be able to bring spirit to people, and jeopardy is an activity that everyone knows. People got pretty excited to play, [and] it’s always nice to see people excited about something that we’ve created for them.”
The senior class is currently in the lead with 1200 points, while the juniors trail behind with 900 points. Sophomores are third with 650 points, and freshmen follow closely with 575 points, according to HSLT Competitive member Ashey Ma (11). Tomorrow, Friday, a scavenger hunt with clues scattered around campus will wrap up spirit week.
“As for my class, I think we might need to step it up a bit. Hopefully, we’ll come back in terms of dodgeball,” Ashley said. “I think jeopardy-wise the juniors and seniors definitely swept it.”
HSLT adviser, Director of Upper School Community Service and Student Activities Coordinator Kerry Enzensperger wishes that Jeopardy will become a school tradition.
“I think people really liked [the game], and because it was so well made, I hope we will have a chance to use it again and come up with some new jeopardy questions at a school meeting or a class meeting,” Enzensperger said.
Trivia Day brought the upper school community together in a friendly competition between classes, a theme that is seen throughout this week’s spirit activities. HSLT adviser, Director of Student Organizations Eric Kallbrier recognized the community and pride aspects that come with spirit.
“When we do spirit activities like homecoming and everybody gets really excited about their class and [tries] to [represent] their class pride as much as possible, I hope we also reflect on the fact that what it is is really a celebration of our community as a whole and what makes Harker upper school such a wonderful place,” Kallbrier said.
