![“[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)
While the end of final exams is often marked by a sigh of relief, the holiday break holds much more than simply a chance to de-stress.
Only a short car ride away, many events populate the Bay Area, including Christmas exhibits, holiday entertainment, and interactive experiences for the whole family.
Christmas in the Park
Held in downtown San Jose, Christmas in the Park is a set of holiday exhibits with an interactive Santa house and a variety of holiday scenes, including a group of ice-skating children and a schoolhouse display sponsored by our school. Watch a movie in the Tech Museum’s iMax theater, eat a churro, and take a walk around the area. The park even has periodic bursts of manufactured snowflakes, making the visit enjoyable for younger family members as well.
Fantasy of Lights
Vasona Lake Park’s Fantasy of Lights, a 1.5 mile drive thru exhibit, offers an opportunity to get out of the house and experience the wonder of the holiday season at nighttime. The exhibit is marked by the glow of its light displays, ranging from an animated Santa playing basketball to a group of dinosaurs eating from trees. With the park’s local radio station supplying holiday tunes, the exhibit is a fun way to spend time with the family. While the lines to the park may be long due to the popularity of the exhibit, it is a wonderful experience for first-time attenders.
The Nutcracker
When in the mood for more classic entertainment, count on Ballet San Jose’s production of The Nutcracker. Exploring the magic of the holiday season through a colorful display of clothing, props, and set pieces, The Nutcracker can be enjoyed in a warm indoor theater regardless of the cold weather outside.
Global Winter Wonderland
Hosted in California’s Great America, Global Winter Wonderland features lights, holiday-themed booths, music, and games. The event’s attractions range from an international food festival to a dinosaur maze; the park even supplies a separate section for holiday shopping. Appealing to the young and the old with a variety of themed attractions, Global Winter Wonderland is a popular holiday outing for locals.
Home Sweet Home
If none of the options seem intriguing, winter break can be a great time to enjoy the company of family and friends. Turn the thermostat up, pour some hot chocolate, and sit down with popcorn and holiday movies for a relaxing night indoors.
