![“[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 February Break is often marked by sighs of relief from students, the week offers more than simply a chance to de-stress. From day-long activities to extended trips, the following are ideas to discover something new, finish pending work, or spend time with family and friends.
Snow Trip
A mere four hours away by car, a three day trip to Lake Tahoe will allow you to relish the winter season and explore your more adventurous side. Grab some ski or snowboarding gear and head up the slopes to enjoy the last of this season’s snow. For those who are not inclined to ski, many resorts offer the option of tubing, which is sledding on a big slope.
College Visits
While visiting colleges may not seem like the most entertaining activity to do during break, it provides you with an opportunity to explore the cities where the colleges are located. Plan a four day trip–spend one day looking at colleges and the rest exploring the city. Visit local attractions, take a walk around the area, and taste the local food speciality.
Community Service
The deadline to turn in community service hours is right around the corner, and this break is one of the last opportunities to finish your hours. Organizations such as RAFT, Second Harvest Food Bank, and Operation Care and Comfort allow you to sign up to volunteer up to a day in advance, so they offer easy solutions to fulfill your hours. Even if you have already completed your requirement, more can never hurt, and you may even get a head-start for next year.
Disneyland
An all-time classic, a week-long trip to Disneyland will bring out the child in you, while also offering you a wonderful de-stressing environment at the “happiest place on Earth.” Walk around the park, greet your favorite childhood characters, and enjoy the thrill of a lifetime aboard one of the roller coasters. For those who feel squeamish just reading about roller coasters, classic bumper cars, carousels, and ferris wheels are other enjoyable options.
Lunch and the Movies
A quick and easy activity to plan, gather a bunch of friends for lunch before heading out to the movies. Santana Row offers a great variety of choices for unique taste-buds. Catch up with friends, talk about what you have done during break so far, and have fun in a different element outside of the regular school setting. Movie theaters are conveniently located in the vicinity so grab some popcorn and drinks to catch up on the latest pop-culture.
