![“[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)
W.N.B.A player convicted for smuggling illegal narcotics
Brittney Griner faces trial in Russia amidst W.N.B.A. season
An illustration of W.N.B.A. Brittney Griner. The Phoenix Mercury player Brittney Griner was found guilty for smuggling illegal narcotics into Russia on Aug. 4.
W.N.B.A’s Phoenix Mercury player Brittney Griner was found guilty for smuggling illegal narcotics into Russia on Aug. 4.
Griner originally traveled to Russia for the purpose of playing for the UMMC Ekaterinburg team during the W.N.B.A. off-season.
After being detained at the airport in Khimki, Russia on account of accusations of her having two vape cartridges with hashish oil on Feb. 24, Griner was held in custody until July 2, with her pretrial detainment time being extended four times. In between her arrest and trial, the United State Department issued a statement asking for contact with Griner and labeling her case as a wrongful detainment.
Fellow professional basketball players also advocated for Griner’s release. Los Angeles Lakers team member Lebron James joined the #FreeGriner trend on Twitter with a statement of his own, advocating for her.
“We need to come together and help do whatever we possibly can to bring BG home quickly and safely!! Our voice as athletes is stronger together. #WeAreBG,” James tweeted.
Upper school varsity girls basketball team member Claire Miao (11) offers her initial reaction to the arrest.
“I first heard about the news a while ago, and my first reaction was that I did not know who she was prior to her trial,” Claire said. “I was really surprised because Russia has been a controversial topic lately, and I didn’t think that a W.N.B.A. player would be detained. In the US, it wouldn’t be broadcast as much.”
Once the trial started in July, Griner pled guilty on drug charges, with her legal team hoping for the case to end soon. Although Griner testified that she did not intentionally put the drugs in her luggage, she did not deny the fact that she was in possession of them in Russia.
“I think she definitely should have been more educated about the legality of drugs before going to Russia,” Claire said. “I know that having vape cartridges or marijuana is legal in a lot of areas in the United States. She did not know that she was doing something wrong, but when you go to another country, you have to research before you go. You have to adhere to their government as well as their law.”
The medical cannabis that Griner had purchased in the U.S. was legally certified but not in Russia, which is why supporters turned to the W.N.B.A. to determine another issue that Griner could have avoided. It is widely known that W.N.B.A players do not make equal pay as their counterparts at the N.B.A, so, potentially, Griner played for a Russian team to earn more as an international player.
“I feel like with the whole #FreeGriner trend, there’s a valid reason and I see why people are saying it because she was going to go play in Russia for the offseason,” Claire said. “People are saying that if the W.N.B.A. players made more money she wouldn’t have to be in Russia, and this would not have happened. But that isn’t enough of an argument, she could have gone to Russia and brought the cartridges with her either way.”
On Aug. 4, the judges of the Russian court sentenced Griner to nine years in penal colony, after which, her lawyers filed for an appeal for her conviction. Griner advocates raised the suggestion of a prisoner swap prior to her trial, but it was only in mid-August that officials confirmed that they were engaged in diplomatic negotiations.
“For future drug scandals, I guess it sets a precedent, and people will have to be more educated about international laws,” Claire said. “I don’t think Griner was wrongfully detained because she broke another country’s law. I was surprised that she was convicted since a lot of the N.B.A. was lobbying for her. The W.N.B.A has more buzz surrounding it now, which is a learning lesson for traveling players.”
Katelyn Zhao (12) is the co-editor-in-chief of Humans of Harker, and this is her fourth year on staff. Katelyn aims to honor each of the stories within...
Alena Suleiman (12) is the co-editor-in-chief of Harker Aquila, and this is her fourth year on staff. Alena wishes to interact with new people and work...