![“[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 underclassmen Homecoming Court was revealed on Wednesday, October 10. Sophomores Matthew Huang and Delaney Martin will represent the class of 2015, while Annie Zhou and Michael Zhao will be the court’s freshmen representatives.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, the classes of 2015 and 2016 respectively cast their votes outside Manzanita Hall during lunch to determine the Homecoming princes and princesses.
Michael, the prince for the class of 2016, expressed his shock at winning the vote.
“I was definitely surprised because there were a lot more [outgoing] people who were running against me, but it was a good sort of surprise,” he said.
Members of the student body had differing views on the importance of the Homecoming Court. Delaney, the princess for the class of 2015, thinks that the court brings the class together by having all the classes support their respective representatives.
“It’s definitely a way that I can show my class pride,” she said.
Jason Jeong (10) agreed that the court is a valuable asset to the class during Homecoming activities.
“I voted for people who are generally nice and who I would be proud to have elected,” he said.
Though freshman nominee Srivarsha Gulukota thinks that the “Homecoming Court brings more people to the game,” some students are skeptical about the necessity of princes and princesses.
“It is like a real-life, school-sponsored popularity contest,” Gurutam Thockchom (9) said.
He also adds that some students have not been taking the voting process seriously, additionally maintaining that he will not be voting this year.
Adele Li (9) agreed, suggesting that other class bonding activities are more effective.
“I don’t think that the idea of a Homecoming prince and princess really bonds the class together, but, however, I do think that the skit, float, and [eagle designs] do,” she said.
However, many of the nominees appreciated being on the ballot.
“I think it’s really great that people come out and vote. I wasn’t really expecting to win,” said Shannon Hong (9), one of this year’s nominees.
The remaining upperclassmen will cast their votes this week, with the juniors voting tomorrow and the seniors choosing three princes and princesses on Friday.
![Winged Post Editor-in-Chief Katerina Matta and Managing Editor Young Min were selected as first place winners from a pool of around 2,000 students. “This page [shows] how much we paid attention to detail and how much we pushed ourselves to ensure the best quality that we could,” Young said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_4254-900x1200.jpeg)
