A streak of yellow and blue leaves senior Alana Brill’s outstretched arm, slicing through the air before landing in the goal with a splash. Treading water alone at half-court, Alana remains the only senior able to play in the girls water polo senior night game after injuries sidelined her teammates. Cheers erupt from the stands of Singh Aquatic Center, packed full with friends and family. Despite the final score of 3-13, Alana treasures this game as one of the most memorable from her high school career, capturing her love for the sport.

Although Alana began swimming when she was six months old, she pivoted to water polo at eight years old. Since then, she has participated in both club water polo at San Jose Express and at Harker, ultimately stepping up as team captain this year.

Having played at Harker for the past four years, Alana created meaningful relationships with teammates that transcend the sport itself. As team captain, she fostered camaraderie by organizing bonding events and acting as a role model for younger players.

“I made a lot of friends and connections to people I don’t think I normally would have talked to, like underclassmen and people with different interests,” Alana said. “I enjoy the teamwork, collaboration and strategy in water polo and how everyone needs to work together on offense and defense.”

A variety of challenges have accompanied Alana’s decade-long journey in water polo. Despite periodic injuries and a small roster with few substitutes during games, Alana endured through the obstacles she faced because of her commitment to the sport.

Alana’s dedication to her passions also translates to her research pursuits. After learning about health risks like early-onset Alzheimer’s associated with Down syndrome, a condition her younger sister has, Alana resolved to engage in research about the condition. Over the past two summers, she investigated causes and cures for neurodevelopmental disorders at the U.C. Davis MIND Institute. 

“I’ve always wondered what I can do to help because people with Down syndrome have a lot more genetic risks,” Alana said. “My sister was born with a hole in her heart that eventually closed, and people with Down syndrome are a lot more likely to get Alzheimer’s disease. Finding solutions to these niche problems that most people don’t really think about is one of my biggest motivations.”

Because of her interest in research, Alana decided to take the Honors Advanced Research class this year, where she explored the chemical processes and genetic basis that allow the bioluminescent millipedes on chemistry teacher Andrew Irvine’s property to glow. Her work in the class influenced her decision to pursue bioengineering when she enters college.

Irvine taught Alana in her sophomore and senior years and commented on her willingness to step out of her comfort zone.

“Kids always come to me and ask, ‘Mr. Irvine, do you have research ideas?’” Irvine said. “I’m like, ‘Do you like bugs?’ and they say no, that’s it. Alana ended up exploring these fluorescent millipedes that I found all over my property. More kids need to go outside and play with bugs. She’s motivated but chill, very down to earth, and what you see is what you get.”

Beyond her athletic and extracurricular commitments, Alana prioritizes spending time with those closest to her by engaging in activities like sampling restaurants and attending each other’s senior nights and events.

“My mom always said, ‘Work hard, play hard,’” Alana said. “That motto is pretty common and cliché. It’s true because you work hard and study and get everything done, but after that, there should be an equal amount of time spent on yourself and with your friends and doing things you enjoy. It can add balance to your life when you have a lot of responsibilities, and it can be fun and de-stressing.”

Close friend senior Sofia Vasquez-Perez met Alana in ninth grade, and they bolstered their bond by participating in cheer together that year. She highlights Alana’s personability and her loyalty to her beliefs.

“If she has an opinion, she will say it right then and there, and she will stick with it forever,” Sofia said. “A lot of times, people change their opinions just to fit in with a group. If she believes this is wrong, she will stand by her word, no matter what. And that’s very different.”

Following her graduation, Alana hopes to be remembered as a supportive friend committed to her interests. Reminiscing on her high school water polo career, she believes the moments that forge the longest-lasting memories are not only the victories but also the time spent persevering through difficulties.

“My favorite memories are the games where we know we’re not going to win, but we still play our hardest and have fun,” Alana said. “There’s a lot of other teams that fall apart in those situations and or give up. Our team does a good job of staying in the game, and there’s a lot of adrenaline going through everyone, because every game feels like a big deal and then excitement and closeness with the team.”