![“[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)
One breath in, one breath out. The work put in and the race plan created all led up to this final race. The gun cuts through the air with a loud boom indicating the start, and Anjali Yella (12) drives out, thrusting each foot into the ground with more power than the last. She pushes her body to her limit, staying focused, eyes on her end goal and crosses the finish line with her head held high, setting the new school record for the 400 meter.
Anjali’s original high school plan never included track. Getting her start in sports in third grade, Anjali participated in basketball both in school and club. Again and again, season after season, Anjali found herself in the gym training for her games on the court. As the environment around Anjali became a place of comfort and familiarity, the people around her transformed into a constant comforting presence.
“I made so many friends from the girls basketball team that I’m still close friends with today,” Anjali said. “Having all those influences and upperclassmen you can look on to is really nice, especially in a competitive environment.”
Anjali found herself in a unique environment that brought about a significant shift in her priorities when she began training for track more, focusing on what made her the best version of herself. She worked on herself, taking up new challenges that brought her closer to her goals and remained determined to push herself to new limits and break her own records every time she stepped onto the track. Her sense of purpose kept her motivated and inspired to keep striving for excellence. But all of that came because of the support system around her.
“My relationships, like my family and friends,” Anjali said. “I feel that no matter how much you’re chasing success or chasing some sort of goal; if you don’t have those people to talk to or you don’t have your support group, you’re just going to feel so alone and lost”
Though Anjali became solely a track athlete, she kept close ties with many of her basketball friends such as Medha Yarlagadda (12). Medha cherishes how Anjali looks out for her friends and wants everyone around her to not just thrive but thrive together.
“She’s the best version of herself and she surrounds herself with people who really maximize their potential and who they can be,” Medha said. “Her driven personality also motivates people around her to be driven. As a friend, she’s always pushing me to try my hardest and be my best. Sometimes she would hold herself back or she would give up mentally; but I think over time, she’s become really good at pushing herself.”
Her caring personality continues to shin through in her teacher’s classrooms. Computer science teacher Anu Datar especially remembers Anjali’s sincere, dedicated, hard working culture.
“She would not let any kind of obstacle stop her from figuring out whatever it was she wanted to know,” Datar said. “In spite of any hurdles or roadblocks, she always makes an effort, and she manages to find ways to get to her final destination, whatever it may be.”
Anjali sets out to be the best at whatever she does. Her drive fuels her efforts and pushes her to get the results she wants to receive. While Anjali worked on balancing her social, academic, and athletic pursuits, her close friend, Claire Miao (12), watched her grow from when they were both new ninth graders on the girls basketball team.
“She brings that same infectious energy everywhere and she always makes us laugh,” Claire said. “Everyone can tell she’s very driven to get the things that she wants. If she sets her mind on something, then she would work really hard to do that regardless of any external challenges, and I think that internal drive that she has really pushes her to be her best.”
Though Anjali started later than most of her track competitors, she broke through her sophomore year by qualifying for state finals in the 400-meter race. That same year Anjali received MVP in both track and basketball. But as she transitioned to solely track in junior year, track allowed Anjali to push herself in a way basketball had not and ended up becoming a space for Anjali to discover more about herself physically and mentally in training.
“I felt like it was more in my control,” Anjali said. “From track I learned the discipline of mind-body connection and just pushing my body to its limits made me realize any mental stress I put on myself academically is just not worth it and it’s not in my control”
By setting her mind to her goals, Anjali achieves them, especially on the track. Learning from her experiences allowed her to form a strong mindset and peace of mind, without letting comparison to her competitors weaken her.
“I think what I like about track is that it doesn’t really depend on the person next to you,” Anjali said. “It’s all your race and your time. What I’m trying to do this year is to just cut out like all the competition and just try to run my race because who knows; the competition might have a really bad day or a really good day and I can’t let that affect me and all I care about is my own personal records and my own goals.”
