![“[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)
Harker recognized as 2022 First Amendment Press Freedom Awardee
A sticker commemorating the Harker journalism program’s FAPFA win on Feb. 24 decorates sophomore reporter Julie Shi’s laptop. The FAPFA recognizes schools that uphold the First Amendment by supporting freedom of speech and freedom of the press in student media.
March 26, 2022
The Journalism Education Association (JEA) announced Harker as a First Amendment Press Freedom Award (FAPFA) winner on Feb. 24, marking the first time for the school to ever receive this title.
An annual award, the FAPFA honors private and public high schools that encourage values of the First Amendment, such as rights to freedom of speech and freedom of the press, within student media.
Applying for the award involved two phases. In the first phase, which was completed in December, Director of Journalism Ellen Austin and Winged Post co-editor-in-chief Emily Tan (12) answered a questionnaire about the types of student publications that exist at Harker and the school’s policies regarding press freedom.
Harker progressed to the second phase, which involved Austin, Aquila co-advisor Whitney Huang, Head of Upper School Butch Keller, as well as editors-in-chiefs of the Winged Post, Harker Aquila, Humans of Harker and TALON Yearbook. This round consisted of questions such as “What does press freedom mean to you?” and “How does your school support press freedom?”
“Something that we all mentioned was how we learn about press freedom and our First Amendment rights in the U.S. history classes,” Emily said. “That is a really good way that Harker supports education about the First Amendment.”
Being named one out of only 17 high schools in America to win the FAPFA marked a significant achievement for Harker’s journalism program. Austin noted how schools must reapply for the award each year, as new winners are selected annually.
“Just like your rights may be challenged and you [can’t] ever take your rights for granted, neither should this award be taken for granted,” Austin said. “I expect that in the future, I will see Harker reapplying for this annually and receiving it annually, and that the climate at the school will remain one that is robust and encouraging for student press and student free expression.”
