![“[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)
![“What I like most about [soccer] is just seeing my team improve along with me throughout the four years of high school because in freshman year, most of us were [junior varsity] … and just seeing us all progress to the varsity team and become varsity players, [is] what I enjoy most about it,” Tuhin Chatterjee (12) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/TuhinChatterjee_EshaGohil_HoHPhoto-596x900.jpg)
![“[People] want to start a discourse and talk about things with people with other interests and different viewpoints. As I’ve realized the openings and the gaps and ... the opportunities I have been afforded, I’ve done all that I could to provide these platforms to other people and open new doors that wouldn’t have been opened otherwise,” Arushi Saxena (12) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/ArushiSaxena_NicoleTian_HoHPhoto-600x900.jpeg)
![“I really [believe in] having a moral code that rubs off on other people and makes other people better in your presence. Generally, people reflect the energy you give them, so you can expect whatever you're giving out,” Jason Hoang (12) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/JasonHoang_KatieWang_HoHPhoto-675x900.jpg)
![“Understanding people's perspectives is something that I try to do. No matter what situation I'm in, I never immediately judge someone. [With] people who have different beliefs than me [and] different opinions, before I try and fight against them, I try and understand where they're coming from and why they believe what they believe,” Calais Poirson (12) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/CalaisPoirson_ArelySun_HoHPhoto-e1609786981675-784x900.jpeg)
![“I got to a certain place where … you start to really feel empathy with [tabla], and you just enjoy playing and enjoy the speed. I felt like [the instrument] was trapped in this box of classical Indian music … But listening to the songs I listen to every day, I would start drumming in my lap, and at that point, I thought, ‘This isn’t out of place,’” Nicky Kriplani (12) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/AniketKriplani_NicholasWei_HoHPhoto-900x675.jpg)
- September 20Varsity girls water polo narrowly defeats Los Gatos in tight season opener 12-10
- September 19“Once Upon a Time” dance production leaps into auditions
- September 18Varsity football destroys BASIS 74-6 in season opener
- September 17School Meeting 9/12: Venture Investment Initiative, Milk Tea Mondays and LatinX Affinity Group Performance
- September 15Your guide to 10 new clubs at this year's Club Fair
- September 15School Meeting 9/8: Artist-in-residence, Eagle Update and Spirit Kickoff Winners
- September 15Music Monday: Ease Into Autumn with Aquila
- September 14Reshaping Renewables
- September 12Kirsten Edkins Quintet brings jazz to life in Concert Series
- September 12Editor’s Note: Planting seeds of growth