![“I wasn't discouraged by some of the obstacles we faced. I learned a lot from the leadership. I found that different people need different ways of receiving feedback — you can't [just] tell them to do something and expect the best. [Some] people needed more incentive. A large part of my role was to figure out what worked for everyone and to figure out how to lead all these separate individuals as a team,” Suhana Bhandare (’26) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/SuhanaBhandare_JasmineHansra-1-1200x798.jpg)
![“This is actually from Randy Pausch Randy P. Brick: ‘Walls are there for a reason. You have to show how much you want to overcome them.’ You have to show how much you want something. That's what I've always been able to do with tennis, Link Crew and getting that internship [with Kushy Baby]. It’s important pushing through that — getting around that brick wall, climbing over it or clawing through it,” Yash Sachdeva (’26) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/YashSachdeva_RamBatchu-copy-1200x1002.jpg)
![“[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)
Around 20 students attended an Art Club workshop to make clay candle-holding pots last Wednesday. The event is part of Art Club’s candle-making series, where participants make their own custom candles and pots.
As members trickled in, Vice President of 3D events Aanya Sharma (11) instructed them by telling them to sit as close as they could to the wheel for maximum stability and then to press their thumbs in to make a hole. The event was open to everyone regardless of experience level. For many club members like sophomore Kailin Bao, it was their first time using a wheel.
“With art, I don’t really get to do anything physical,” Kailin said. “It’s usually more 2D, so this has been a new experience. Despite a lot of trial and error, I definitely would try this again.”
Art club officer Jaden Ruffy (11) and member Nina Ruetter Cracraft (12) provided helpful tips like applying pressure to the clay with the palms of the hand and using enough water to make the clay workable. Visual Arts teacher Brian Caponi had recommended that Nina come help the club given her previous experience in ceramics.
“I’m starting a ceramics program at the summer camp where I work, so this is a good experience for me to learn how to teach people how to use the wheel,” Nina said. “I took the ceramics semester course and then during my [AP 3-D Art and Design] class, my focus was on wheel thrown ceramics. I have a lot of experience with that, and it’s been a fun way to de-stress.”
Once the students completed their pots and marked their initials, Aanya helped separate the pots from the wheels to later be put in the kiln.
“Starting from sixth grade, my passion for ceramics has grown ever since,” Aanya said. “I really enjoyed everyone coming together and bonding over this creative activity. I look forward to glazing them, putting wax in, and seeing the final results.”
For the next session on Thursday, club members will have the chance to glaze their works. This workshop has been one of the initiatives Art Club has started in an effort to incorporate both 3D and 2D elements to their events.
