![“[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)
![“Animation just clicked in a way. I had been interested in art, but that felt different. [Animation] felt like it had something behind it, whereas previous things felt surface level. I wasn't making that crazy of things, but just the process of doing it was much more enjoyable," Carter Chadwick ('22) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Screen-Shot-2022-08-16-at-9.44.08-AM-900x598.png)
![“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)
![“[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)
![“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)
![“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)
As August draws to a close, summer vacation winds down and the start of school rapidly approaches. This last week prior to the beginning of classes was far from quiet on the Upper School campus, featuring events from Student Council skit practices to freshmen orientation to Gym Jam.
The student council and ASB met on Monday, August 20, to prepare and practice the skit they will perform in front of the school on Matriculation to kick off the year. The skit will introduce freshmen into the Upper School community and give students a sense of the environment they will be a part of.
“Whoever invented freshmen 101 at Matriculation was a genius because it’s a fun way to talk about rules. Every year, I get to see different kids try to approach the same thing in a different way,” Upper School Division Head Butch Keller said.
On Friday, August 24, the incoming freshmen convened on campus to meet their advisors and participate in a day filled with outdoor activities. With help from their Upper School Link Crew members, the freshmen took part in APEX activities that required teamwork and facilitated advisory bonding, including relays and water-based events.
“The freshmen are coming in scared [and] anxious. [They] have no idea what is going to happen. [Freshmen orientation] is probably one of the most fun days you have,” Keller said. “Watching Doc Harley getting excited about this freshmen orientation is really fun.”
Gym Jam, an annual event for spirited students to gather and prepare for the upcoming school year, will take place on Saturday, August 25. Incoming freshmen through seniors will participate in activities and help plan events for the student body throughout the year.
“Gym jam is always fun. I love flipping burgers and seeing everybody eat, have fun, and get back together,” Keller said. “It’s a fun time, but it’s also one of the most fundamental days as far as setting the school’s foundation. The kids who are genuinely excited about school are there, and they’re making sure that the school year is going to go well.”