![“[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)
Interact members raise money for Afghan refugees
Kevina Xiao (10) and Dora Tzeng (12) help Ayla Ekici (10) as she orders frozen yogurt. Toppings included gummy worms and M&M’S.
Interact members will sell goods to students and faculty this week in order to raise money to buy solar-powered ovens for refugees in Afghanistan.
As part of Interact district 5170, the Upper School chapter will try to raise $1,000 to purchase 5170 ovens for the refugees. District 5170, which is one of the world’s biggest Interact districts and includes other local schools such as Bellarmine College Preparatory and Archbishop Mitty High School, chose this project as its annual international project.
“We hope to raise a lot of money because we’re donating all this money for a good cause,” activities coordinator Kevina Xiao (10) said.
Interact members met over the weekend to bake treats for their club week. The club will offer chocolate hazelnut and original flavored Pinkberry frozen yogurt with unlimited toppings for $5. These baked goods, including “Alancookies” made from alumnus Alan Soetikno’s (‘13) recipe, will be sold for various prices throughout the week. Additionally, DIY and custom-made iPhone cases will be on sale for $5.
The club will also have cookie pies with ice cream for sale this Friday in order to commemorate Pi Day.
Selling iPhone cases is a new idea that Interact officers came up with this year.
“Last year, we did Five Guys, and this year we’re doing the iPhone cases,” co-president Dora Tzeng (12) said. “Hopefully we’ll see how that turns out.”
Those interested in buying a case could choose to decorate their own plain iPhone cases or purchase a pre-decorated one.
“I felt like the phone cases looked really nice and also, it’s for a good reason because they’re helping the people in Afghanistan,” sophomore Karen Qi said.
Sophomore Edward Sheu agreed with Karen, deeming the provision of solar-powered ovens to Afghan refugees a good cause.
“I guess [people] don’t realize that people [in Afghanistan] need something to cook food with,” Edward said. “It’s an addition to their life comforts, which is something that’s often looked over in places of turmoil and poverty.”
The Interact baked goods, frozen yogurt, and iPhone case sales are located by the tables in front of Manzanita Hall.
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