![“[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)
PALO ALTO, Calif. – Journalism students and staff listened to the Gunn Jazz Band play music during a lunch break at the Journalism Education Association NorCal Media Day at Palo Alto High School today.
The band opened with blues and transitioned into pieces like “The Great Pumpkin Waltz” from Charlie Brown and “The Chicken,” a funk song by Pee Wee Ellis. They concluded with rhythm changes and “Strasbourg / St. Denis.”
Gunn keyboard player Alex Zhupanob took the opportunity to play at JEANC Media Day after her band director invited her to perform.
“Jazz is all about communication,” Alex said. “I listen to the bassist and the drummer for what they’re doing and what the rhythms are. Sometimes, I play a rhythm and they play a similar rhythm, and it’s almost like they’re agreeing with what I’m saying.”
St. Francis High School student Emily Tang, a musician herself, appreciated the band’s talent in particular.
“I know how hard it is to learn improvisation like this,” Emily said. “What they do is super cool and they’re doing really well. If I had cash on me, I would tip them. They should get paid to do this.”
Alongside the performance, students from Palo Alto High School handed out cheese and pepperoni pizza to journalists and staff. Attendees also visited organization and university-run booths, which handed out stickers and customized merchandise.
While the pepperoni pizza arrived immediately, students waited for the delayed cheese pizza.
“I was actually starving,” sophomore Samaara Patil said. “All I was thinking about in my session was the pizza.”
Emily picked up her lunch from the pepperoni pizza stand without a long wait and sat down at one of the many tables in front of the Media Arts Center with her friends.
“Fortunately, I’m not vegetarian so I didn’t have to wait for the cheese pizza,” Emily said. “I got the pepperoni right away and it was really good, especially considering they had to order enough for everyone here. The lunch was really good, and they provided a good balanced meal. I love this place.”
