![“[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)
Upper School holds annual canned food drive
One student peeks into one of four collection bins near the front loading zone. The food drive event began Nov. 10 and ended Nov. 14.
Faculty and students participated in an annual canned food drive starting Nov. 10 and ending Nov. 14, helping the Second Harvest Food Bank feed the hungry during this holiday season.
The Students for Charitable Causes Club worked with the Spirit Club to help organize this event. There are multiple collection bins per grade level and only non-perishable food items should be donated.
According to an article by CNN Money, 48 million Americans live in poverty and 16 percent of American children live on a shortage of food as of 2014.
“I think [the food drive is] a good way to donate to a great cause,” Ankita Sharma (11) said. “I think donating cans of food for homeless people is a good way to give back to our community, and it also builds on the program that they had in the lower school and middle school.”
Morgan Douglas (9) believes in the importance of having ample nutrition and that the annual food drive is something that is admirable.
“Food is really important, and it’s something that sometimes we take for granted,” she said. “I think it’s really great that Harker is doing something like this.”
Other students believe that the food drive can spread concerns and support those in need.
“I think the food drive is a really good way to raise awareness about poverty in our community,” Kevina Xiao (11) said. “It gives us an opportunity to help those in need.”
Similarly, Serena Lu (9) concurs that donating food to those who do not share the same privileges as others is a great way to give back to the community.
“I think it’s pretty cool, I think it’s always good to donate to the people who aren’t as lucky as we are and so they have more food because hunger is a pretty big problem in our country right now.”
On Nov. 19 during long lunch, students plan to participate in a spirit event which involves creating a sculpture out of the canned food items received from the five-day food drive.
Sharon Yan is a junior and Co-Student Life Editor for TALON Yearbook. This is Sharon's third year on staff. In her free time, Sharon enjoys hanging out...