![“[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)
During the alternate schedule on Friday, October 19, students stayed in their respective period two classes for the first practice Code Red drill of the school year.
Earlier in the week, Assistant Head of School Greg Lawson had discussed the Code Red procedure with the student body and teachers in preparation for the drill during the school meeting.
When the practice drill was in place, teachers guided students into safe locations in the classroom, such as under or behind the desks. They also reminded students how to barricade the door and put dark colored paper over windows.
Senior Pooja Shah felt that her class successfully followed the procedures of the practice emergency Code Red drill.
“I think we were really on top of things because our teacher, [Susan King], told us a minute before where all the boards were and I think everyone took it seriously […] and we were really organized,” she said.
On the other hand, Sumit Minocha (12) thought that there was room for improvement in his class’ execution of the practice drill.
“I think […] our class could have done a little better on the instructions that were given to the teachers because my teacher didn’t know exactly what to do during the procedure, but other than that it was really good,” he said.
Students who had free period during the Code Red drill were instructed to go to the closest classroom.
Sophomore Sonali Netke did not have a class second period, so she was in the library during this emergency practice drill.
“It was definitely a different experience from being in a classroom because there were a lot more people and preparing for it was different,” she said. “But I’m glad I practiced the drill during my free [period] just in case something like that happens [because] I would know what to do.”
Some students, such as Josh Bollar (12), were in the college counseling office when the Code Red drill was announced. However, unlike other students, he did not feel that it was necessary for students to practice the drill.
Students were released from the practice drill when Lawson announced that they were free to go, allowing them to use the rest of the time for extra help.
