![“[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)
![“Animation just clicked in a way. I had been interested in art, but that felt different. [Animation] felt like it had something behind it, whereas previous things felt surface level. I wasn't making that crazy of things, but just the process of doing it was much more enjoyable," Carter Chadwick ('22) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Screen-Shot-2022-08-16-at-9.44.08-AM-900x598.png)
![“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)
![“[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)
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![“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)
![“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)
It is the last formal dance for the underclassmen who are not going to prom. Its “supernova”-themed decorations cost Spirit Club $8000. Tonight, over 200 students will dance the night away at Winter Ball held in the Nichols Atrium at 8:30 p.m.
Members of the Spirit Club and each class’s spirit coordinator have been preparing for this night since the beginning of the school year. At Gym Jam, a social night held for a selective group of students before school begins in August, students opted for a space theme, “Space Jam.” Since that was “too Disney,” according to Spirit Club President Andre Tran (12), members of the Spirit Club then decided on Supernova.
As a mini-prom for underclassmen, Andre wanted to make this event as “fun as possible” through the elaborate decorations. The cost was split up into two categories: decorations and food. The former cost around $6000 while the latter, which included DJ fees, cost $2000. Ornamentation comprised of lit-up beams on top, disco balls throughout the venue for a star-gazing effect and potentially an ice-sculpture in the front.
Students began setting up the decorations the night before.
“We [set] up lighting, furniture, decorations–everything [went up] minus the food,” Activities Coordinator Kerry Enzensperger said.
In addition to buying simple decor, Andre and Spirit Club member Ashley Del Alto (12) accompanied Kerry to San Francisco specifically to pick out furniture with the right fabric.
Regarding furniture, the Spirit Club wanted to “limit the number of people just sitting around rather than on the dance floor dancing,” so no chairs are set up; there are only tables for drinks and food.
Despite the elaborate embellishments, the number of tickets purchased decreased from last year.
“We don’t get to choose the date for Winter Ball, so if [administration] happens to put it on a week where we have a very limited amount of time [then there is nothing we can do about it],” Andre said.
Before winter break, the Spirit Club was unaware of the design for the decorations and after break, the members only had a week and a half to set up as well as sell tickets. Andre noted that at the very least 200 tickets were enough to cover the budgets for the event.
Winter Ball will be held in the Atrium tonight at 8:30 p.m.. Tickets will also be sold at the door for a higher price.
Contributing to the article: Sabrina Sidhu