![“[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)
It’s Friday afternoon: a sense of anticipation still permeates the air, laced with the scent of cake frosting. Following that sweet smell, eager students file into a long, chattering line winding from Nichols down to the library. At its front, a table jam-packed with plates of cake from rich chocolate to strawberry holds their collective focus, inviting them with the enticing desserts.
On the last Friday of each month, members of administration host Cake Friday in front of Nichols Atrium. Head of Upper School Paul Barsky first hosted the event in 2022 to celebrate all student birthdays of the month, but students mistakenly believed that only those with birthdays during that month could claim a cake. Barsky then transitioned Cake Friday into a monthly community celebration open to all students and teachers.
Sophomore Ryan Pham chose a vegan vanilla-flavored cake with strawberries made by pastry chef Adam Albers and chatted with other students in line on his first Cake Friday.
“Cake Friday is important for the Harker community because you get a bunch of people together for 40 minutes,” Ryan said. “They’re there for the cake, and it brings people together.”
Administration expanded the event by selecting groups to co-sponsor it. In the past, Book Blog hosted a book swap in an adjacent booth, the varsity girls soccer team encouraged donations for Kicks for Cancer and the Cooking Club provided homemade cakes.
Assistant to Upper School Division Head Michelle Martinez manages logistics for Cake Friday, like cake orders, cutlery and tables. She often customizes the four cakes served at the event according to the time of the year.
“I always like to incorporate a theme if possible — in October, it’s Halloween. For November, I want to do a fall theme, and in December I want to do a winter theme,” Martinez said. In certain months, I’ll order one red velvet and then a carrot cake, or I’ll get fancy and order a coconut flavor, but usually I like to stick to traditional flavors: chocolate, vanilla and strawberry shortcake because that’s what people like.”
Music plays in the background from a customized playlist, enhancing the celebratory atmosphere. Last Friday, the event featured classic Halloween tunes like “Monster Mash” by Bobby Pickett and “Ghostbusters” by Ray Parker Jr.
Broadcasting with a megaphone, Barsky asks each student a question before offering them a slice of cake. The questions relate to the particular time of year or the team that co-hosts Cake Friday, like “What was the funniest moment from summer break?” or “What is your current favorite book?”
Senior Daniel Chen appreciated the lively atmosphere during the event and the wide selection of cakes, with his personal favorite flavor being red velvet.
“You usually think that being in the line is boring, but you get to hear the community around you,” Daniel said. “Everyone’s really happy, excited for cake and discussing [Mr. Barsky’s] question that’s gonna come up. You’re not bored and you know there’s cake coming.”
Barsky and Martinez hope to establish Cake Friday as one of the many other traditions held on campus by continuing to serve slices to the Harker community monthly.
“Cake Friday could be a long-lasting tradition,” Martinez said. “We did Nichols Cookie Day, where we were offering cookies on October 10th and then we did it for Miss Diane Nichols. Harker is a traditional type of place, so there’s always going to be traditions to uphold, and I think this will be one of them.”
