![“[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)
Where to eat in the heat
Matcha Love
The Tea Zone & Fruit Bar
The Tea Zone & Fruit Bar in San Jose offers extensive flavored iced tea, milk tea and fruit tea options. With the summer heat fast approaching, this is the perfect place to come for a refreshing drink. To complement these tasty beverages, the joint sells many unique flavors of macarons including blackberry, creme brulee and yuzu.
The Tea Zone and Fruit Bar
Gelato Classico
With over two dozen flavors of gelato and sorbet, you’re sure to satisfy your frozen craving at Gelato Classico in Mountain View. On busy days, the line can be seen extending outside the door of this hole-in-the-wall shop, that features just one table and mirrored walls littered with awards dating all the way back to the 80s. Their sweet, creamy gelato is perfect for a hot summer day.
Gelato
Nekter Juice Bar
Nekter Juice Bar, in Sunnyvale and Mountain View, features a wide array of freshly made juices and smoothies. This joint offers healthy alternatives to traditional sugar-filled summer snacks, such as ice cream. Additionally, Nektar carries various types acai bowls, a food currently trending in health-conscious cuisine.
Nekter Juice Bar
Matcha Love
Matcha Love, conveniently placed inside the Mitsuwa Marketplace in San Jose, offers a taste of classic Japanese flavors in the form of creamy soft serve, shakes, tea and boba. Offered in matcha, black sesame, hoji-cha, and a mixed combination flavor, these mild but flavorful options are definitely worth a try.
This piece was originally published in the pages of The Winged Post on May 13, 2015.
Priscilla Pan is the features editor for the Winged Post and co-creator of In a Nutshell. She is a senior and has been part of the journalism program for...
Maya Kumar (11) is the Features Editor for the Winged Post. This is her third year in Journalism and her favorite part is collaborating with fellow journalism...