![“[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)
Sparks flew one night in Arrowhead Stadium as Taylor Swift wowed attendees at her famed Eras Tour. Current Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and two-time Super Bowl champion himself, was no exception to the spectacle, singing along to the show. As he later announced on his podcast, he even attempted to gift Swift a friendship bracelet, which her fans commonly trade among themselves.
Although his regard for the singer began as an offhand comment, a combination of Swift’s massive fanbase and the media thrust the celebrities into an even brighter spotlight. As paparazzi photographed them together repeatedly on private outings and Swift began attending Chiefs games, the quasi-couple captured the focus of football fans and Swifties alike.
The media coverage prompted a range of reactions, with some fans invested in the relationship and others disdaining it. Many football fans complained that constant camera cuts to Swift in the stands detracted from the game itself. Football fan Lucas Chen (10) said viewers prefer to watch their teams on the field over celebrities in the stands.
“People are more invested in football, and that’s what they want to see coming out of the media,” Lucas said. “I feel like it’s definitely over-exposed. Every time there’s a game, after Travis Kelce scores a touchdown, it always zooms onto Taylor Swift. People are tired of seeing Taylor all the time.”
The NFL received backlash after changing their bios and profile pictures on social media on Oct. 1, such as their X, to reference Swift’s lyrics and posting photos of her at games. In response, they issued a statement to People defending their involvement in pop culture on Oct. 4.
“We frequently change our bios and profile imagery based on what’s happening in and around our games, as well as culturally,” the NFL said. “The Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce news has been a pop cultural moment we’ve leaned into in real time, as it’s an intersection of sport and entertainment, and we’ve seen an incredible amount of positivity around the sport.”
Despite the controversy, the phenomenon’s culture clash could benefit both sides by exposing them to new demographics. Swiftie Kashish Priyam (11) said after Swift’s previous relationships, including her six-year, highly-private romance with British actor Joe Alwyn, a highly-public relationship will brighten the stars’ spotlight.
“This relationship is typically more public than relationships she’s had in the past,” Kashish said. “Her life has always been so public because of just how famous she is, but, clearly, I think both parties are going to benefit from the publicity that they get from dating the other person. It introduced them to a sphere of influence that they don’t really know.”
Swift often discusses the ups and downs of her love life in her music, like in “King of My Heart,” which exalts her former-relationship with Alwyn, or “Dear John,” which reflects on her controversial romance with John Mayer. Yet, Swift emphasized the overwhelming negative media focus she has experienced throughout her career. Swift attributes her experiences to society’s traditional treatment of women in the spotlight.
“In the last 10 years I have watched as women in this industry are criticized and measured up to each other and picked at for their bodies, their romantic lives, their fashion,” Swift said in her speech after winning Billboard’s Women of the Decade award. “Have you ever heard someone say about a male artist, ‘I really like his songs but I don’t know what it is, there’s just something about him I don’t like?’ No! That criticism is reserved for us!”
Swiftie Kallie Wang (10) said Swift’s portrayal in the media has evolved over time.
“I think it has definitely gotten better over the years,” Kallie said. “I do think there’s still just too much focus on her dating history. What the media would say about her today is definitely less reductionist than what they might have said 10 years ago.”
