![“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)
LA street fashion: Where sidewalks become runways
April 9, 2022
LOS ANGELES — Harker Aquila attended the JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention that began Thursday and ended on Saturday. Along the way, Aquila interviewed various city-goers and convention attendees about their style to showcase the vibrant fashion runways that run throughout Los Angeles.
Olouwatobi “Tobi” Noukpozounkou
Senior at Bryan High School in Omaha, Nebraska
My inspiration for the outfit comes from Tyler the Creator because he’s an artist and like his “Call Me If You Get Lost” album really inspired me a lot, so I wanted to make a fit based off of that. I got my hat from Amazon — it was only like 20 bucks — and I got my cardigan from Romwe for also like 15. The shirt I’m wearing under, I got from Walmart for like five bucks, and likewise with the Dickies I’m wearing. I’m also wearing some Air Force Ones. I just got the jewelry, also from Romwe.
Jane McGill
Sophomore at Central High School in Omaha, Nebraska; convention attendee; staff writer for the Register
I have very large feet, so I have trouble finding heels that fit me. I used to go to stripper stores. There’s this stripper store in downtown Omaha; I don’t recall the name at the time, but I actually recommend it. They embrace sizes at stripper stores and the heels look great. If you’re ever looking for something, that’s where to go.
I have like 16 pairs, so I have a lot of heels. Probably too many. And, I think if the heel’s under 6 inches, what’s the point?
Abi DeClerck
Freshman at Ventura High School in Ventura, California; convention attendee; staff member of the Cougar Press
I got these on Depop like three years ago. This is my first time wearing them. I don’t know why but it took me forever to get an outfit together. Yeah, I got some on Depop for my birthday. They were 40 bucks, so a bargain for Converse. And they’re limited edition apparently, so I’m like, wow.
Chris Lazcano
Sophomore at Santee Education Complex in Los Angeles, California
This is a simple outfit fit for summer. I went with shorts and skater vibes. The necklace also went with the outfit, and it’s just a crystal.
Boni Antonio
Sophomore at Santee Education Complex in Los Angeles, California
I got this shirt at a Goodwill, and it’s really trendy — “Primitive,” the brand. I just like the design — the flowers and everything, and the pitbull, I think that looks really cool. I like to skate a lot, and I just want to be pro one day.
