![“[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)
NEW YORK — Harker student publications Harker Aquila, The Winged Post and literary magazine Harker Eclectic Literature & Media (HELM) received Crowns while attending the 100th annual Columbia Scholastic Press Association Spring Convention at Columbia University in New York on Mar. 15.
Three of the upper school’s publications were finalists for CSPA Crowns, which “recognize overall excellence in either print or digital student publications.” This year’s awards reviewed publication’s 2022-2023 editions. At the ceremony, Harker Aquila and HELM received Silver Crowns. The Winged Post received a Gold Crown.
“The silver and gold crowns show that a publication has consistently done excellent work throughout that year,” CSPA Director Jennifer Ha said. “It’s hard to be great all the time because if you’re working on a student publication, you’re balancing other stuff. We recognize that, but we’re gratified by what we see because the work is really impressive.”
The awards ceremony began by introducing Ha. She then presented the Edmund J. Sullivan Award, which honors students who have dedicated their time to pursuing the truth within their publications. Ha presented the award to two recipients.
The first, given to editors Emmy Martin and Kaitlyn Yaede from UNC Chapel Hill’s The Daily Tarheel, acknowledged their publication’s coverage of the shooting of a faculty adviser. Staff member Talvin Dhingra and his adviser Sara Barber-Just from The Graphic also received the award for their coverage of transphobia at Amherst Regional High School.
Trip chaperone and HELM adviser Lizzy Schimenti received the Crown for the first time in person, and remarked on the quality of the work presented, acknowledging the effort and resilience of the students.
“It was really inspiring to see the great journalism which is needed now more than ever,” Schimenti said. “Today really starts at the middle school and high school levels and ignites that passion in students. It sets the high standards for them and allows for the environment for that to happen, which is pretty cool.”
CSPA Assistant Director Antonio Rodriguez then announced the Gold and Silver Crown awardees. Winning publications walked to the stage with their staff to receive a plaque and have their photo taken with Ha, after which students celebrated their dedication and achievements.
“Everybody on staff has poured a lot of hard work, time and effort into all publications, and I think it’s great that we’re able to get selected,” Brandon said. “At the end of the day, everything was super fun.”
Last year, HELM received a Silver Crown, and both Harker Aquila and The Winged Post received a Gold Crown.
![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)
