![“[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)
For the second year in a row, student council members hand-delivered Valentine’s Day grams to students during advisory today.
With the romantic holiday just around the corner, many students wanted to share love with their close friends, girlfriends, or boyfriends. They could purchase yellow friendship roses, red roses, and boxes of See’s candies with a discount for buying multiple items.
“I think people like this program because they have the option to send something thoughtful to someone special and can do so anonymously or openly,” ASB Secretary David Lindars (12) said. “Having the Valentine’s Day grams delivered the week before Valentine’s Day gives everyone the opportunity to recognize and appreciate others during the month of love.”
According to David, the majority of sales this year came from the sophomore class. Many of them were excited to buy small gifts for their friends in the spirit of Valentine’s Day.
Not all students were eager to spend their money buying roses for their friends; as a result, only a few freshmen received Valentine grams.
“In freshman year, people don’t really date as much as when you’re an upperclassman and you don’t want to waste the money just on friends,” Aishu Murari (9) said.
Although the chocolates and roses were sold in Manzanita Hall during both lunches for a week, some students did not know when the sale was ending and were disappointed to find out that they could not purchase the Valentine’s Day grams in time for their friends.
“I feel like we didn’t really know where and when it was ending, and we weren’t as aware of it as the other grades so we didn’t go buy them in time,” Shivali Minocha (9) said.
Senior Apricot Tang was glad to receive a red rose from one of her close friends. She enjoyed getting a Valentine’s gram and thought it was a special way to spread happiness during the season of romance.
“I think it’s cute, a way to spread love,” Apricot said.
As ASB President Raghav Sehtia (12) emphasized in the school meeting this Monday, student council has been planning several activities and fundraisers this year. Selling Valentine’s grams was one of many projects that they hope will benefit the student body.
