![“[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)
The upper school campus entered lockdown from 3:25 to 3:59 p.m. today after classes dismissed.
Upper school administration said authorities are investigating the cause of the lockdown. Assistant head of school Ken Allen declared the upper school campus all-clear at 3:59 p.m. over the loudspeaker.
A loudspeaker announcement alerted those on campus to assume lockdown procedure at 3:25 p.m.
“Attention, campus is under lockdown,” the message said.
Students and staff barricaded classroom and closet doors, closed all windows and turned off lights. Five police cars arrived in the upper school back loading zone for a walkthrough of campus at 3:44 p.m. Two police cars arrived at the Saratoga Square shopping center across the street from the upper school campus at 3:46 p.m.
“We heard the alarm — it wasn’t really clear what it was saying, but then we saw people running,” lockdown participant Kyle Li (11) said. “It was all very sudden. One second you’re sitting there, and the next it’s like everything is in panic mode.”
Upper school math teacher Ambi Bobmanuel was in a class dean and advisor meeting when she heard the lockdown announcement. Bobmanuel experienced two lockdowns at her former school in Spring, Texas. She said knowing Harker’s lockdown procedure calmed her.
“I love how teachers’ doors are, by default, locked,” Bobmanuel said. “We don’t have to hop outside our doors to physically lock them in a lockdown.”
Allen announced the upper school campus all-clear over the loudspeaker at 3:59 p.m. Head of Upper School Paul Barksy reinforced the all-clear and encouraged students and staff that it was safe to leave rooms a few minutes later.
The Office of Communication notified parents, faculty and staff about the lockdown at 3:48 p.m. and the campus all-clear at 4 p.m. via the Harker emergency alert system.
With fall sports currently in session, cross country practice was optional. Volleyball practice, football practice and after school P.E. classes continued as planned.
Upper School Dean of Students Kevin Williamson announced in an email to students and staff that the Evacuation/Fire drill scheduled for tomorrow has been delayed until further notice. Following fifth period, students will enjoy a free period, and office hours will begin at 10:10 a.m.
Update on Sept. 14, 2023:
Head of School Brian Yager said that an “inadvertant prompt” caused the lockdown in an email sent to parents and staff today. The school is investigating the lockdown system to prevent future instances of unintended activation. Barsky shared Yager’s message with students through an email and Schoology post today.
![LALC Vice President of External Affairs Raeanne Li (11) explains the International Phonetic Alphabet to attendees. "We decided to have more fun topics this year instead of just talking about the same things every year so our older members can also [enjoy],” Raeanne said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/DSC_4627-1200x795.jpg)
