![“[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)
During long lunch today, members of the Spanish National Honor Society (SNHS), also known as Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica, gathered for a field trip to the Mexico Lindo restaurant, located in San Jose.
According to AP Spanish teacher and club advisor Abel Olivas, the outing was meant to provide newly inducted members with an official welcome to the society.
Throughout the event, old and new members, as well as four Spanish teachers, had the chance to bond and promote the Spanish language over a traditional Mexican meal consisting of salad, rice, beans, and a variety of enchiladas.
Junior Renu Singh, a returning member of the club, enjoyed the social aspect of the outing.
“I think it was a fun event. We got to go out to lunch with everyone from the group together,” she said. “Since we only see them twice a year, it was good to regroup towards the end of the year and initiate the new members.”
After lunch, SNHS President Nina Sabharwal (12) gave a warm welcome to each of the new members, mainly consisting of sophomores. In order to become a member, a student needs to take two years of Spanish in high school and maintain an appropriate grade in the course. All newly initiated students were presented with certificates.
According to Nina, the induction ceremony is “a great way to both get to know the new members and thank the graduating seniors for all their work.”
“It’s definitely a more relaxed setting where we get to bond with the new members while eating Spanish food,” she said. “I think the best part is welcoming the new members one by one into the society.”
Afterwards, all members repeated the words of the SNHS oath, which highlight the commitments and expectations of all members of the society. Students pledge to dedicate themselves to the study of the Spanish language, with the purpose of mastering it in the future. Their devotion lasts for a lifetime, as they vow to promote friendship and understanding between countries around the world.
New inductee Nathan Dalal (10) looks forward to improving his Spanish and learning more about the culture as a member of SNHS.
“It is going to be really fun to write an article and be a part of the Spanish culture night,” he said.
In addition to the lunch ceremony, another event that all members of SNHS are required to attend is the Spanish Cultural Night, which took place in March. All members also write an article for a newsletter which is published twice a year.
