![“[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)
![“[Acting gives you] a chance to be not who you are. When you are a character, no one is looking at you the way they do in real life,” she said. “It’s cool to have an effect on the audience and to grow from that," Mia Giammona (12) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Screen-Shot-2017-01-14-at-9.09.38-PM.png)
![“Using programming, I can tell [computers] what to do with their ridiculous brain power. Part of why I enjoy computer science is because of those moments where I go, ‘Oh man, I figured out the answer!’ whenever I solve whatever problem I’ve been trying to solve. There’s that little epiphany I get, and I think that’s the best feeling,” James He (12) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Screen-Shot-2017-01-12-at-10.16.42-PM-900x587.png)
![“I like that fact that [public forum debate] is based on the community because anyone can listen in on a public forum round and understand what is happening. We get judged by judges who are parents, teachers, or anyone from your community. I like the fact that it is so universal and inclusive," Joyce Huang (12) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Screen-Shot-2017-01-11-at-9.04.04-PM.png)
![“[Meditation] has definitely affected me in a very positive way. I remember a couple years ago, before I started doing this I used to be very tense about everything and worrisome, and I wasn't very good with managing my time. After I started this I get into everything with a better mindset and much more calm and empty mind," Surabhi Rao (12) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/IMG_5252-900x596.jpg)
![“I think changing my last name made it easier in life. Not like school, because I don’t really care; I’m cool with all kinds of jokes in that sort of sense. But it’s easier, because if you grow up with the last name ‘Hussein,’ then it’s harder [in] airports and whatever; that was the case for my dad, so basically as a kid I was like: ‘I don’t want to be like that,’ so that’s why I changed my last name," Emaad Raghib (12) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Screen-Shot-2017-01-09-at-10.54.50-PM-900x513.png)
- 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
- September 8School Meeting 9/2: Robotics, Spirit Kickoff and evacuation drill