![Setter Emma Lee (9) sets the ball to the middle during the match against Pinewood on Sept. 12. “[I’m looking forward to] getting more skilled, learning more about my position and also becoming better friends with all of my teammates, Emma said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/DSC_4917-2-1200x795.jpg)
![“[Building nerf blasters] became this outlet of creativity for me that hasnt been matched by anything else. The process [of] making a build complete to your desire is such a painstakingly difficult process, but Ive had to learn from [the skills needed from] soldering to proper painting. Theres so many different options for everything, if you think about it, it exists. The best part is [that] if it doesnt 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 wasnt 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 its played such a major role in who Ive 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 Im [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)
![“Im 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 theres a lot of people that are really confident in what they do, and I really admire them. Everyones 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)
![“My slogan is ‘slow feet, don’t eat, and I’m hungry.’ You need to run fast to get where you are–you arent going to get those championships if you arent 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)
Valentine’s Day gift guide for him and her
One idea for a thoughtful Valentine’s Day gift for a girl is cosmetics and sunglasses.
With Valentine’s Day quickly approaching, it may be difficult to find the perfect gift for a significant other. So before frantically rushing to Powell’s Sweet Shoppe in Santana Row and picking up a box of chocolates and a dozen red roses, consider getting a loved one something a little more personal this year. Here are some gift suggestions of what to get that special guy or girl in your life.
Her:
1. A wallet is absolutely essential for most girls, and it is the perfect Valentine’s Day gift. For one, it gives your girl a place to keep her ID, cash, and credit card. It also shows that you gave your gift a bit more thought through your choice of color, style, and brand.
2. A monogrammed necklace is another unique gift that reflects a deeper level of thought through its personalization. By gifting any type of jewelry with your girl’s initials on it, you are showing her that the gift was not a last-minute buy.
3. Sunglasses might not be the most practical gift in the colder months but are especially useful when temperatures start to rise. They are not too pricy, yet are an accessory that any girl can use to spice up an outfit. For a more girly girl a pair of heart-framed sunglasses from Urban Outfitters would be perfect, whereas Raleigh square-framed ones would be perfect for someone who prefers a more classic look.
4. You cannot go wrong with a cross-body bag because of the array of options you have to choose from. Regardless of if your girl is all about practicality over appearance or is fond of added embellishments, there is a bag for her. Since some bags tend to be a bit pricy, H&M is a good store to find inexpensive yet durable purses at.
5. Finally, nail polish is a smaller and more inexpensive gift you can use to top off any of the options above. Depending on your girl’s personality, you can either get her neutral shades or sparkly ones based on her taste. Essie’s “Sand Tropez” is a popular sandy beige shade for a neutral-lover, while OPI’s “Pink Flamenco” is a common bold pink.
Him:
1. Watches are a classic gift that are both practical and personal. Although guys tend to turn to their phones as their time-keeping mechanism these days, getting him a watch gives him something he can add to his daily apparel, rather than something temporary such as flowers.
2. Headphones are also versatile when it comes to style, so they are easy to tailor to your boyfriend’s taste. From something as simple as earbuds to elaborate Beats, you can spend however much you feel is appropriate on this gift.
3. Although clothes are certainly not the first things guys think of when they imagine the ideal gift, don’t you want your boyfriend to look good? In all seriousness, buying your special someone a nice collared shirt is special because it is something he can use frequently. If you are shopping for a more laid-back guy Pacsun is the place to go because of its graphic tees and casual hoodies. For a more preppy guy, American Eagle offers lots of button-down shirts and sweaters for an overall more formal look.
4. iPhone cases aren’t the most unique gifts, but in terms of usability, they are great. Also, because some guys do not carry around wallets, the Incipio credit card case will be ideal. This case has a built-in compartment that holds cards or spare cash, which prevents your guy from having to stuff all of his belongings into his pockets.
5. Finally, although food is not what comes to most people’s minds when they think of a personalized gift, it can certainly be an option. So this year skip running to pick up a generic box of chocolates and instead treat him to a lunch date at Dolce Bella Chocolates & Cafe. This way he can still enjoy the chocolate, but you will be spending more time together.
If none of these suggestions appeal to you, feel free to make some sort of emotional gesture rather than giving a physical gift. Treat your special someone to a picnic in the park or arrange a scavenger hunt for them — do whatever it takes to show them that you care.
Sabrina Sidhu, senior, is Editor-in-Chief of the TALON yearbook. This is her fourth year on staff, and over the years she has been both a reporter and...
