![“[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 Model U.N. kicks off the school year with mock conference
Rahul Sundaresan (9) raises a card with the name China during the Model U.N. kickoff yesterday. The kickoff, with over 30 student attendees, included a mock conference about several topics.
September 17, 2022
Over 30 middle and high school students attended the upper school Model U.N. Kickoff, an introductory event which replicates typical Model U.N. proceedings in a mock conference, from 4 to 8 p.m. yesterday in Shah Hall.
A simulation of the United Nations, Model U.N. participants act as countries, research their policies and perspectives and try to solve international issues by collaborating with other students in creating a United Nations resolution.
Participants at the kickoff ranged from returning members to frosh looking to explore new interests, like Aya Sugaya (9).
“I really liked [Model U.N.’s] display at the club fair, and I wanted to try something new,” Aya said.
Secretary-Generals Krish Maniar (12) and Mir Bahri (12) began the kickoff with a short introduction of the Model U.N. organization at Harker before students split into committee sessions. After joining either the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) committee or the Disarmament and International Security (DISEC) committee, students received country assignments.
Members of the DISEC committee considered the question of “how to prevent terrorists from acquiring weapons of mass destruction (WMDs)” in either moderated caucuses, in which students gave timed speeches on a given subtopic, or unmoderated caucuses, where students could negotiate and mingle, discussing objectives and thoughts in an open discussion.
ECOSEC participants debated the global supply chain crisis, transportation issues and human trafficking in the same format as the DISEC committee, eventually passing two resolutions aimed at targeting these problems.
Following the committee sessions and a short dinner break, the students resumed their committee discussions and proposed and voted on resolutions — documents detailing what actions the U.N. should take on the assigned topic.
Returning member Sam Parupudi (10) cited meeting and interacting with the frosh attendees for the first time as one of their personal highlights of the event.
“Being able to see how well [the freshmen] are adapting to things like [Model U.N.] and how much they already know about any given topic, watching them research their countries super quickly and come up with speeches on the spot was amazing,” Sam said.
Mir also enjoyed the event, attributing its success to the participants’ full commitment and noting his excitement for new members to experience and learn from Model U.N.
“We had an amazing, wonderful turnout, everybody was super engaged in all of the activities,” Mir said. “It seemed like everyone really enjoyed putting their best foot forward, and [they] took a lot out of it. I’m really glad that I could help people develop these skills that I think are so important and will serve them throughout their entire life.”
Students interested in joining Model U.N. can email [email protected]om for more information.
