![“[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)
Did you know: Mama DECA ends last conference with flying colors
Courtesy of Savi Joshi
Savi Joshi poses with her plaque and medal at the California Career Development Conference. Savi won California DECA Student of the Year at the conference.
Sitting among 5,000 California DECA members in an award ceremony, she heard “Mama DECA,” and ran out of her seat yelling “Oh my, that’s me! That’s me! Is that really me?”
Other Silicon Valley chapter presidents stood up for her, screamed from excitement and ran to hug her. She had just won California Student of the Year. For her, this was one of the best feelings she had ever felt.
“While I became president out of a true love for this chapter and this organization, receiving a plaque for all the long hours feels pretty good,” she said.
Savi Joshi, Chief Executive Officer of the Harker DECA chapter, initially joined DECA for the competition and business opportunity. She later realized that DECA was her second family, and continued for the next four years because of the innovative and entrepreneurial atmosphere.
Growing from a nine-member club to the largest student organization on campus, Savi credits the team’s success to the entire chapter’s strong work ethic and passion.
Graduating in two months, Savi finds it hard to wrap her head around leaving her officer team who have put a lot of work into this chapter to lead it to success.
However, she hopes for Harker DECA to continue as a chapter, not just numerically, but also competitively. She hopes for the officers to always remember why they love DECA and remember that every second serving a 100 to 200 person chapter is worth it.
“When we walk into competition, I want Harker to be that school that everyone loves, yet fears at the same time,” she said. “The chapter that everyone respects.”
Most people view Savi as the person that barely has any time to breathe, since she not only is the Harker DECA CEO but also the Senior Class President. However, taking on these positions has taught her to budget her time, space out her workload and plan ahead.
“I just want them to enjoy this final stretch of high school with the other 186 students who’ve been with them through some of the hardest years before legally becoming an adult,” she said.
As Savi’s Harker life comes to a close, she doesn’t know what her impact will be on the community. Although she is often known for her eccentric mannerisms or overabundance of affection, Savi didn’t come to high school to change anything; she simply wanted to get through these four years.
To her, high school takes one on a roller coaster where one is trying to figure everything out, but so is everyone else.
“It’s that process of trying to figure it out altogether that makes high school so memorable, and all I want is to help everyone around me in the best way I can,” she said. “While it’s hard to realize such a huge chapter of our lives is ending, it’s time for a new page.”
Sharanya Balaji (12) is the Editor-In-Chief for Harker Aquila and has been on staff for the past three years. Additionally, during her freshman year she...