![“[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)
In the eyes of my Harker elementary school teachers, my younger sister Vidya and I are practically the same person. Never mind the five-year age difference and the six-inch height difference. To them, the names “Vidya” and “Maya” are completely interchangeable.
At least once a week, my sister eagerly describes an incident in which one of my previous teachers accidentally referred to her as “Maya.” As aggravating as it may be for her to be called by my name, I can’t help but smile and laugh. Not only do my old teachers remember me, but they also see a part of me in my younger sister.
I distinctly remember the first time I felt proud of Vidya. After barging into her room and demanding to know what she had done with my precious nail polish, my anger immediately dissipated because there she sat reading, completely engrossed in the magical world of Harry Potter. For a fleeting moment, I was almost glad to be related to her.
I’ve taught her well, I thought. At least she’s inherited an excellent taste in books.
Now, I feel pride in my little sister every day. I am amazed that she, a mere fourth-grader, is able to hold her head high and maintain her identity with grace. She has never, ever settled for “what Maya did,” or “what Maya said,” and I don’t think she ever will.
My little sister is not so little anymore. She has to squeeze into my old uniform sweaters, and, to the immense relief of my eardrums, she has completely outgrown Dora the Explorer.
Long gone are the days when I was able to pick her up and carry her across the house. And, may they rest in peace, long gone are the good old days when she listened to me without asking questions.
Children grow older, and things change. My sister won’t always be young and adorable, and it’s frightening to imagine how our relationship will be in five years from now. At this point, I can only hope that we remain as close as we are today.
Vidya is learning more and more about the world with every passing moment, and I am so fortunate to be able to guide her and watch her develop her own personality. No matter how old she grows, she will always be the toddler clutching a stuffed cat to me.
