![“[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 order to prevent traffic congestion in the morning, the drop-off location at the back loading zone has been extended beyond its original area, near the sidewalk next to the Dance Room, to the farther end of the Main Hall as of November 12, 2012.
The new policy will result in more space for cars to line up in the back loading zone, leading to less traffic overflow on Saratoga Avenue. Although students may have to wait longer in the new line, this new system will allow those who have first period classes in Dobbins, Shah, or Main to reach their respective classes more quickly.
Many students, including Sahana Rangarajan (10), have been relieved of anxiety in the mornings to get to class on time because of this new drop off process.
“I find this new system to be better,” Sahana said. “My locker is nearer to that side of Main […], so it’ll a much easier process for me to get to class on busy mornings. Also, the traffic will split more now, and so hopefully all the loading zones won’t be as congested.”
On the other hand, some students, such as Caroline Howells (10), believe that the changed system can be disadvantageous.
“Well, I think that it is a problem for students who want to go to Shah first thing in the morning, because now either way they drive into school they have to walk a long way, in addition to having to carry all the load of their backpacks,” Caroline said.
Since this system is new, there will be several staff providing assistance, thus preventing further confusion and making the drop off process in the morning faster.
Depending on the response and ability of parents to adhere to the rules of this new system, the policy may be permanently implemented.
“We hope that this, or some version of it will become a permanent practice,” Assistant Head of School Greg Lawson said in an email interview. “As with most changes in operating systems, we’ll continue to monitor, evaluate, and amend as needed. After the first week our group will regroup, debrief, and assess how things went. This is the next step of the work-in-progress that is the morning drop-off on the Saratoga campus.”
The new parameters of the drop off area in the mornings are indicated by bright yellow arrows on the concrete and will stay in place until further notice.
