![“[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 chaos of classes, tests and homework, students easily find themselves exhausted and burnt out. To alleviate students’ stress, teachers often give five-minute breaks in the middle of their classes. Some rush to Assistant to Dean of Students Kelley McCoy’s office for their daily sugar fix. Others begin assembling colorful puzzles. Another group runs outside with badminton rackets.
English teacher Beth Wahl encourages her students to stay in her classroom and play with Lego puzzles, a rare Spiderman-themed basketball hoop or engage in thought-provoking games. Students can also relax by using Wahl’s tea station, which is filled with boxes of tea leaves and an electric kettle. Sophomore Sophie Yeh cherishes all the different activities available in Dr. Wahl’s classroom.
“I really appreciate how she honors that ten-minute break for us to have some time to release stress,” Sophie said. “She tries to give it regardless of a test or quiz so we can be a little less stressed about it. I appreciate the variety, because it allows for people to do their own thing. They don’t have to feel pressured to do something else.”
Another way in which Dr. Wahl helps her students destress is by holding mindful meditation at the beginning of class. Students sit up straight with their feet flat on the ground and focus on their breathing, acknowledging and releasing any internal thoughts or feelings.
“Meditation is a good way for me to wake up in the morning,” Sophie said. “It’s not like we’re going straight into schoolwork; she gives you some time to ease into class. I like how peaceful meditation is and that it’s not screaming at you to wake up, but it’s telling you softly that it’s time for class.”
History teacher Chuck Witschorik’s students spend their five-minute breaks piecing puzzles together in the classroom. From cartoon characters to U.S. presidents, Dr. Witchorik always tries to introduce different puzzle themes to interest their students.
“Sometimes, I try to bring in puzzles that are related in some way to history,” Dr. Witschorik said. “I’ve got maps, I’ve got other history related puzzles, but then I have fun ones too. This [Stitch] one is from a Disney movie. I want it to be a thing that is a little bit educational and brings students together to have fun in the classroom.”
Dr. Witschorik ordered a new table specifically for puzzles after they noticed that the puzzles created bonding opportunities between students.
“I love how students work on the puzzles with each other, and they’re checking in on it each day to see how the progress is going,” Dr. Witschorik said. “They encourage each other while working on the puzzle and finding pieces. I just love how it creates camaraderie and brings people together when they come to the room.”
After long lessons spent sitting in the classroom, junior Spencer Chang appreciates the opportunity to move around freely. During breaks in Mandarin teacher Yi Jiang’s class, he plays badminton with friends outside.
“When everything is so serious, it’s a time to decompress and relax,” Spencer said. “We speak English and just have fun hitting a birdie back and forth. Badminton wakes us up, so we’re more engaged in class. It keeps school from being a boring chore.”
