![“[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)
Picture two fourth graders goofing off before practice, laughing while their coach demonstrates a drill. Or a pair of middle schoolers, playing on the school team for the first time, nervous yet determined simply because they have each other. Now, as seniors in high school, they’ll compete together in their last season, sharing the nostalgic memories of rowdy practices and exhilarating games.
Seniors Summer Adler and Keren Eisenberg have played water polo together at San Jose Express for nine years and at Harker for seven. As both teammates and close friends in and out of the pool, confiding and spending time with each other has significantly improved their dynamic.
“Being older, more experienced players on the team and forming that backbone of the team definitely brought us closer as players,” Keren said. “Since we’re so close, it’s a space to vent about water polo and discuss wanting to make it the most successful season possible. Going into a conversation knowing each others’ motivations makes it a really nice environment to talk.”
Another pair of lifelong teammates, juniors Cyrus Ghane and Krish Nachnani started playing soccer together eight years ago after joining Harker’s elementary school team. From casual fourth-grade recess soccer to competitive high school games, the pair’s bond has grown stronger, especially during quarantine.
“Over COVID, we talked about the European Championship, players we liked and how the games went,” Krish said. “Some of the experiences that I’ve had with Cyrus during that time have probably been some of the most fun with him.”
Summer and Keren’s years of playing water polo together allow them to understand each other in a way other players on the team cannot. From complicated jargon to brusque orders, their understanding of each other allows the game to flow quickly and efficiently without either taking offense or misunderstanding.
“If something happens in the game, I can just say something to Keren quickly without explaining what I mean,” Summer said. “I’m not trying to take a jab at her because we’re close enough that we know it’s not personal. There’s also the same water polo terminology that we use because we’ve grown up with the same coaches.”
Similarly, Cyrus highlighted how their close bond has made their coordination on the soccer field seamless. Just like water polo, communication and collaboration are essential for success in soccer, and Cyrus sees their close relationship as an advantage on the field.
“We’re all great friends on and off the field because we understand each other,” Cyrus said. “We know it’s okay if one person makes a mistake, and we hype them up after. On the field too, we have that chemistry. I know he’s going to steal the ball from that defender, so I’m already making a run and he’s going to find me there.”
For the two pairs of lifelong teammates, their bonds have evolved into everlasting friendships that will continue to shape their lives beyond the field and the pool. Approaching their final seasons in high school, both bring with them years of everlasting memories and camaraderie.
