![“[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)
A pall of silence spread over the bleachers as the final buzzer pierced the stillness, dashing hopes of hundreds of fans and finalizing the score 35-49. It was Friday, and Varsity football had just suffered a loss to Lynbrook High School at Homecoming, the final game of the season.
The first touchdown of the game was scored by Lynbrook, followed quickly by the Eagles’ first touchdown in a pass from Spenser Quash (12) to Robert Deng (12). By the end of the quarter, the team was down 6-7.
In the second quarter, however, the Eagles gained a lead. The crowd members projected support and pride for the team as the score ended 20-14 at the half.
“We’ve got a lead, which is very nice,” Ryan Fernandes (9) said at halftime. “They’re working well together as a team, and they’re really working hard for the school. It’s just good to see.”
Freshman advisor and Varsity dance coach Karl Kuehn found the crowd to be really supportive and optimistic.
“We have K-12 here, [and] it’s fun to see a lot of the students that have graduated and are coming back to watch,” he said. “The weather’s much nicer this homecoming. Last year, it was raining and misty. Perfect weather for a perfect night!”
However, the game took another turn in the third quarter, ending with the Eagles down 28-35. In the last quarter, the Eagles brought the score to a tie at 35-35, but they were unable to regain a lead after Lynbrook’s two consecutive touchdowns.
The game ended with a loss 35-49, dampening the crowd’s spirits as they exited the bleachers.
After the game, the team took a knee and listened to head coach Ron Forbes’ words. Afterwards, the team took senior pictures and comforted each other. Although tears were shed, the team felt they pulled together well.
“Last night, though we lost, I couldn’t be more proud of our guys because we fought until the bitter end,” quarterback Spenser said in an email interview. “Football teaches us life lessons that we will take for the rest of our lives and that’s really what matters. I love my team; I’m blessed to share this experience with them, and I know next year they are going to be good.”
Although spirits were low, the team is uniting and showing support for one another, and many members are attending the Homecoming dance today, November 3.
