![“[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)
Veterans Day celebrates those who served across the country
The American and California flag fly at full-staff in the quad. Veterans Day, a federal holiday observed today, honors everyone who has served in the U.S. military through a variety of homages across the country.
November 11, 2021
The nation honored those who have served in the U.S. military through a variety of homages across the country today for Veterans Day.
Originally called Armistice Day, President Woodrow Wilson first observed this holiday on Nov. 11, 1919, to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the end of World War I. In 1938, Veterans Day became a nationally observed holiday in order to commemorate veterans from all wars, both living and dead.
In addition to public schools and workplaces closing to honor this holiday, ceremonies such as parades take place throughout the country to show respect towards U.S. veterans. San Jose’s Veterans Day parade in downtown San Jose returned this year, featuring members of the military, marching bands and politicians.
The Arlington National Cemetery holds an annual service, which consists of an individual — usually appointed by the president — laying a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This year, President Biden himself participated in the ceremony by laying the wreath, marking the 100th anniversary of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and also the first Veterans Day in 20 years in which the U.S. has not been at war.
In addition to the national tributes, Veterans Day is also honored internationally; Great Britain and Canada hold remembrance days in November to commemorate the veterans of World War I and World War II.
Veterans at the upper school include Bradley Stoll, Karen Haley, Anthony Silk and Clifford Hull.
Additional reporting by Catherine Wong.
