![“[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)
JNHS kicks off festivities for Japan Week
The Japanese National Honor Society helps students make rice balls during lunch as today’s feature Japan Week activity.
In honor of Japan Week, the Japanese National Honor Society (JNHS) will host a series of activities to celebrate Japanese heritage this week, Feb. 24 to 28.
Members of JNHS hope that the various forms of entertainment in the Society’s first big event of the year will help with team building, as students work together and have fun, according to advisor Keiko Irino.
“We are hoping to share some aspects of Japanese culture with the Harker community in the hopes that they can see, appreciate, and most of all, enjoy some of what Japan has to offer,” Irino said.
To kick off the festivities, the Society met during both lunches at the covered dining area between the main dining hall and the Edge to make “onigiri,” or rice balls. After demonstrating how to make the rice balls, JNHS members then allowed other students to join and construct their own onigiri.
“I thought [the onigiri] was a good idea, and I know a lot of my friends really liked it because it involved food,” Annie Zhou (10) said. “Since they were made by students it was more enjoyable.”
Tables will be set up tomorrow for students to attempt Japanese calligraphy. No prior practice with the art is required as JNHS member will assist inexperienced participants.
Anime Day on Wednesday will feature a showing of My Neighbor Totoro, an animated Japanese children’s tale directed by Hayao Miyazaki. Those who wish to view the production may join JNHS in the gym during long lunch.
“I’m considering going because it definitely seems like a fun, new thing to do,” Nick Nguyen (11) said. “I’ve never watched a Japanese animated film before so it would be interesting to see what it is like.”
The week will end with origami on Thursday and Japanese Sweets Day on Friday. The first will provide students the opportunity to experiment with origami paper and attempt to make cranes, frogs, and other structures, whereas the latter will feature Taiyaki, Japanese fish-shaped cake, for lunch at the dining area between the main dining hall and the Edge.
“I really hope that the good vibes, enthusiasm, and momentum from today will continue on throughout the week,” President Kimberly Ma (12) said. “We really do want to give Harker a taste of Japan and just how great a foreign culture can be.”
All events by JNHS for Japan Week will be held during both lunches on their respective days and long lunch on Wednesday.
Mariam Sulakian is the Features Editor of Harker Aquila. She has been a member of the journalism program for four years and appreciates the opportunities...
Shannon Su is the Managing Editor and Executive News Director of Harker Aquila. She joined the program as a reporter her freshman year and has held many...
Suraya Shivji • Feb 27, 2014 at 7:47 pm
Well written article!