![“[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)
Upper School students react to the legalization of marijuana
Colleen Danger
These marijuana plants are being grown for consumption. The marijuana debate has been hotly contested in California
The line of people swung around the corner and snaked through the sidewalk, dotted with brightly colored gloves, hats, and scarves, shielding buyers from the Colorado chill.
More than a hundred buyers formed a queue outside a Denver marijuana store on Wednesday, Jan. 1, after Colorado became the first state to legalize the purchase of marijuana for ages 21 and over.
While (according to USAToday) the laws do not allow for public consumption, the opening of marijuana stores in Washington and Colorado on the new year marked a decisive change in history.
Read more about the limitations and misconceptions of Colorado’s marijuana laws: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2014/01/02/marijuana-pot-legal-colorado-questions/4288289/
In reaction, Upper School students expressed concern about public safety, government interference, and the law’s effect on high school students.
Sanjana Kaundinya (11) cited economic stimulation as one of the most important reasons to legalize marijuana.
“I feel like it would help bring in more state revenue [in California], just like it did in Colorado,” she said. “Like, the first day they legalized it, they had more than one million dollars in sales and it would help balance our budget in California.”
Other students felt that the change in legislation would have little long term impact on consumer behavior.
“People who will go for an illegal way to buy it, right now, they will still continue doing that,“ Sandra Yin (12) said. “I think we [as a state] can consider doing the same thing as Colorado did at the time.”
Others expressed concerns that the legalization of marijuana would be detrimental to the state.
“If California legalizes marijuana, then there is a higher probability of high schoolers in California going to drugs because if they are sold in stores, it’s much easier to get it,” Misha Ivkov (9) said. “I think it is not a good idea for Colorado to legalize it, because it encourages other states to do the same.”
Vasudha Rengarajan is the Editor-in-Chief of Harker Aquila. As former Features editor and Sports editor for Aquila and a reporter for The Winged Post,...