![“[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)
CREAM Review
Cream Nation
Cookies Rule Everything Around Me, or CREAM, is a popular eatery among Bay Area youth. CREAM’s first branch was opened in Berkeley, California in 2010.
Cookies Rule Everything Around Me, better known as CREAM, is a popular eatery among the youth with branches across the Bay Area.
CREAM was first opened in Berkeley, California in 2010 by brothers Jimmy and Gus Shamieh. The two sought to re-create the the ice cream sandwiches they made with their mother in their youth.
The CREAM I visited is located in the University-Avenue area of Palo Alto. Frequented by college students and teenagers alike, CREAM appears to always be overrun by youth.
While walking into CREAM, customers are greeted with the tantalizing, mouth-watering scent of freshly-baked cookies intermixed with rich ice cream.
Offering 20 different flavors of ice cream, ten kinds of cookies, several kinds of milkshakes, and vegan and gluten-free options, CREAM definitely provides customers with vast array of choices.
At first, I was reluctant to try CREAM, planning instead to go to Jamba Juice, but a friend of mine who was shocked that I had never visited CREAM, insisted that we go.
Upon arriving at CREAM, I was stunned at how long the line was, so I contemplated just going back to Jamba Juice. How great can an ice cream sandwich even be? However, at the continued insistence of my friend, I decided to give the formidable line and CREAM a chance.
After much deliberation, I decided to keep it simple by ordering two chocolate chip cookies along with a scoop of cookies and cream ice cream. My friend ordered two carnival cookies, which are M&M covered cookies, along with a scoop of the vanilla-caramel ice cream. While there are numerous toppings to choose from, the two of us abstained for the day, not wanting to mar the taste of our ice cream sandwiches with the likes of gummy bears and almonds.
CREAM definitely surpassed my expectations. Both ice cream sandwiches were simply delicious, and I could not find fault with either. While I enjoyed the chocolate chip cookies that came along with the ice cream I had ordered, the ice cream of my friend’s sandwich tasted amazing.
If CREAM’s rating stemmed only from the quality of its ice cream sandwiches, it would undoubtedly garner a well-deserved 5 stars; however, while the food is certainly beyond delicious, certain factors bring CREAM down a notch.
The main downside of visiting CREAM was the fact I had to stand in line for what seemed like eternity. In reality, the line (or horde of people, call it what you like) moved faster than I expected it would at first glance, but I still ended up waiting for 15 minutes.
Another minor complaint I have concerns the sleeve each ice cream sandwich is put into. It is extremely flimsy and turns the already irksome task of eating a melting ice cream sandwich into an even messier ordeal.
On the whole, the ice cream sandwiches at CREAM have proved to be among the best I have ever eaten. If you have time to spare and are craving a quality ice-cream sandwich, CREAM is the place to visit.
Tara Parimi (12) is co-Editor-in-Chief of Harker Aquila, and this is her fourth year on staff. She has been involved with the upper school's journalism...