![“[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)
![Isabelle Niu (9) watches as Eliana Chui (9) stacks a wood block during a Jenga game outside Manzanita on Wednesday. “I saw that people were really engaged, laughing [and] taking photos with their friends while eating candy, so I think [Jenga] was successful overall and definitely helped make peoples’ days better,” HSLT Representative Hannah Jeon (10) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/20231004-SpiritWeekDay3-CharlieW-1-2-1200x769.jpg)
Upper school students and faculty dressed like Adam Sandler for spirit points and competed in a game of Giant Jenga outside Manzanita Hall during lunch on Wednesday.
Students who dressed in the style of actor and comedian Adam Sandler, well known for wearing oversized T-shirts and baggy shorts, checked in with Harker Spirit Leadership Team (HSLT) representatives at lunch to gain spirit points for their class. Upper school history teacher Byron Stevens, who sported a gray sweatshirt and basketball shorts, appreciates how spirit dress-up days make his school days more comfortable.
“I would never come to school as a teaching professional wearing clothes like Adam Sandler, but [today’s theme] was a nice reason to dress casually,” Stevens said. “It’s great that I get to go [to school] in shorts and a sweater, and that’s why I usually try [to] follow the spirit days.”
During the second half of lunch, HSLT organized a game of Giant Jenga at a table in front of Manzanita Hall, with all participating students receiving candy. HSLT Representative Hannah Jeon (10), who helped run the booth, was pleased with how the event went and noted that students thoroughly enjoyed playing the game with their fellow classmates.
“I think [the Jenga game] went really well,” Hannah said. “I saw that people were really engaged, laughing [and] taking photos with their friends while eating candy, so I think it was successful overall and definitely helped make peoples’ days better.”
Grace Fu (9), who participated in a few rounds of Giant Jenga after spotting the HSLT booth, enjoyed the competitive aspect of the game, especially when she was playing against her friends.
“After I saw other people playing when I walked outside Manzanita, I decided to join,” Grace said. “I really liked going against my friends [because] I really wanted to beat them, so even though I lost, the competition was super fun.”
