![“[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)
The Cat’s Meiow: Sneaker Wedges – An Alternative to Conformity
When I was in 8th grade, my French class voted me “la fille la plus élégante.” To this day, I’m not sure if it was a compliment or a hint that I need to stop dressing like an old lady.
The problem is, nothing that’s currently in vogue that really represents me. Is that all fashion is? Conforming?
After all, in this day and age, who really wants to be “elegant” when you can be cool. The popularity of midi-length skirts and tights is waning, and bro-tanks and harem pants appearing on runways and in stores.
Either it is because of our Bay Area atmosphere (because we’re all, like, hippies, remember?) or it is just a trend, but casual fashion is all the rage right now. This may come as a relief to those for whom skirts are a drudgery akin to finishing all the broccoli on one’s plate, but for girly-girls such as myself, a this is a major dilemma. Stay on trend, or keep to my beloved, if somewhat antiquated, aesthetic.
Personally, I’ve always loved A-line skirts (They’re comfortable and usually loose enough to hide a muffintop. What’s not to love?), as well as other girly, high-maintenance, and decidedly un-trendy articles of clothing. But when I really look in the mirror, I sometimes wonder if I’m crossing the line from “classic” to “‘80s movie mean girl.”
Sigh. Maybe it would just be easier to give in and buy a pair of moccasins.
Enter the sneaker wedge.
Personally, I think there hasn’t been anything so perfect since the Pillowpet. (It’s a sneaker – it’s a wedge – it’s a sneaker wedge!) Sneaker wedges have the casual appeal of a tennis shoe, but they keep the sophistication and dressed-up feel of a heel, and they are a must-have for a girly-girl who wants to stay on trend.
What I really like about sneaker wedges, though, is that they prove a point about fashion in general. I know a lot of people who dislike the idea of fashion because they perceive that it’s about changing how you dress to conform to society’s standards. What sneaker wedges have shown me is that it’s very possible to stay true to my own standards of dress while keeping my wardrobe fresh. I can be elegant and fit in at the same time.
Fashion isn’t about looking like everyone else, it’s about self-expression in a way that other people can understand.
You can wear the trend without letting it wear you.
Meilan Steimle (12) is co-Editor-in-Chief of the Winged Post. She was a reporter her freshman year, Winged Post Opinion Editor her sophomore year and Winged...