![“[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)
Back to School Day gave parents a taste of student life as they met teachers and participated in class activities on Sept. 7.
“It’s a relationship-building opportunity — parents can learn more about what some of the programs are doing this year,” Assistant Upper School Division Head Kelly Horan said. “They can actually see what [students] are doing on a daily basis.”
Student ambassadors greeted parents as they arrived on campus and directed them to outside the Rothschild Performing Arts Center. Breakfast was made available for parents.
Numerous stands filled the surrounding area, where students and faculty volunteers spoke to parents on behalf of organizations and programs like performing arts, robotics, athletics and journalism. Representatives answered questions about specific time commitments and program offerings.
Sophomore Beibei Shen helped out at the performing arts booth and reflected on her interactions with parents about the program.
“Performing arts is something that I thoroughly enjoy,” Beibei said. “I think everyone should try it at least once in their life, especially in high school, where they truly get to have a sliver of actual real life experience as well.”
Parents met with students’ advisors before heading off to first-period classes. In a sequence of 10-minute periods, teachers introduced themselves and presented curriculum overviews, class routines and previews of upcoming events.
Math teacher and Harker parent Chris Davies designed activities of his own but also attended his daughter’s classes. Davies seized this opportunity to learn more about other courses while taking away valuable pointers for himself.
“I enjoy sneaking out during my free periods and seeing what teachers’ presentations are about and their vibe and the culture they set in their classroom,” Davies said. “I always learn a little something I can bring back.”
Minette Castro, mother of sophomore Pedro Castro III, appreciated both the classroom experience and campus-wide programs like athletics and DECA.
“I love how [teachers] really focused on the actual learning,” Castro said. “Not so much the tests and quizzes, and ‘you have to learn this’ but really how the students can participate and have ownership in their learning and how they can make it more fun. It’s very different from how we used to learn, and I love that aspect of it.”
