![“[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)
Upper school activates shelter-in-place, all students, staff safe
Two chairs are pushed against the door in the Nichols 307 classroom during the shelter-in-place (SIP) at the upper school campus today. The school activated SIP this afternoon after an unarmed intruder entered the campus, and all students and staff are safe.
The upper school campus activated a shelter-in-place (SIP) this afternoon after an unarmed intruder entered the campus during a police chase.
All students and staff are safe, according to an email from the Office of Communication sent to all summer families. The email also included that the intruder had been “on the campus briefly” and that shelter-in-place began promptly. According to Summer School Director for the upper school campus Carol Green, approximately 460 students are on campus at any given time this week, accompanied by staff and faculty as well.
“The safety of our students is always one of our top priorities,” the Office of Communication said in the email. “While the intruder is no longer on campus, the police are advising continued SIP until they clear us. Everyone is safe inside and well taken care of.”
The email also informed parents about picking up students, instructing them to park in the loading zone against the freeway wall and wait until students were released. Currently, according to Green, the school cannot release more information regarding the intruder and their path on campus.
The shelter-in-place began at around 1:30 p.m. during the transition to afternoon classes following a notification from the San Jose Police Department (SJPD). Students and faculty subsequently secured themselves in buildings by locking doors, turning off lights and putting down blinds and then awaited further instructions. The SIP differs from lockdown protocol, which follows an active shooter threat and includes the “Run, Hide, Defend” strategy.
During the shelter-in-place, the security team, led by Tor Wormdahl, frequently communicated with SJPD, and security guards on campus prevented people from entering the grounds. To conclude the SIP, the guards visited each room to ensure the safety of students and staff. The sheltering ended shortly before 4 p.m, and classes and activities are scheduled to resume as normal tomorrow.
Currently, the upper school summer program is hosting classes and activities throughout the day, including sports practices, enrichment classes and for-credit courses in preparation for the next school year.
“Our teachers have all been actively communicating and have taken into consideration what happened and what events transpired today and have made plans to adjust accordingly,” Green said. “’I’m incredibly impressed with the way it was handled.”
Gordon Chen (12), who was on campus today for weight training before basketball practice, heard the announcement and was directed to stay in upper school English teacher Christopher Hurshman’s room. They received speaker announcements throughout the shelter-in-place and watched “Mission Impossible” to pass time.
“I appreciate how the school took prompt action and made the repeated announcements,” Gordon said. “Overall, the school just made sure that everyone was where they could be accounted for and I appreciated that part.”
Students who wish to speak with a counselor about the event can check in at the summer office in Main Hall tomorrow.
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