![“[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 — Twenty Harker Journalism students and staff visited the High Line, a former freight line turned public park, on March 14. They walked through Chelsea on the elevated line, exploring greenery, architecture and art.
New Yorkers and tourists alike traverse the High Line every day, a unique and immersive strip of nature in the bustle of New York City. The 1.45 mile long walkway is the product of architects and designers James Corner Field Operations, Diller Scofidio + Renfro, and Piet Oudolf. A series of rotating art exhibitions spruce up the walkway, from Karon Davis’s curtseying ballerina in “Curtain Call” to Cosima von Bonin’s band of trout in “WHAT IF THEY BARK?”
The park’s landscaping is inspired by the plants which took over the freight line after its closure. As visitors walk south from the Hudson rail yards towards Chelsea Market, the gardens change from lush wetlands to low grasses to flowering orchards.
Wander the High Line with Harker Aquila and find out why New Yorkers do as well.
Yaneira: Well, the High Line is really popular in Chelsea because when you think about it, after Eighth Avenue, you just don’t have a thing going on. And now people are outside. The walk is cute, the buildings; it’s just really nice to walk. Like I said, it’s like a museum.
Drucilla: And this view, it’s also kind of relaxing.
Brandon: I see that you’re a photographer?
Trevor “Fresh”: I’m trying to get into it, photography.
Brandon: So what drew you to High Line?
Trevor: To be honest, my nephew and my brother. They normally come here to hang out and just create ideas in terms of content, making music or even just listening to music. I thought to myself, “Why don’t I just put on an outfit and just come out here to take some pictures? Why not?”
Alison: What’s your favorite part of High Line here?
Trevor: Literally just here, because it’s my first time being in this area. I just like the fact that it has grass and there’s a lot of lighting. So, just this strip mainly.
