![“[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)
French NHS club holds club week to raise money for SINGA
Victoria Ding (12) and Andrew Rule (11) co-editor-in-chiefs of the French NHS club make and sell crepes to students during lunch. The money raised goes to an organization called SINGA.
March 10, 2016
The French National Honor Society held bake sales during lunch for their club week, which began on Monday.
Galina Tchourilova, a French teacher at the Upper School, is the advisor of the French NHS club. Tchourilova and the members of the club have been fundraising money for an organization called SINGA. They sold crepes, croissants, macarons and other French baked goods.
“We’re collecting for the SINGA organization, that helps immigrants in France to settle, to find a job, to learn the language, to get comfortable being a part of the French society,” Tchourilova said. “So there’s a lot of work to be done especially with the current migrant crisis in Europe.”
Another part of their club week is French Cultural Night. All students were welcome welcome at Tchourilova’s classroom on Tuesday to learn about the French culture. They had different foods from France, like brie and macaroons and several activities planned, including a trivia game. Tchourilova talked about how each language is different, and how food and film are two important parts of the French culture.
“I’m looking forward to the cultural night because it will be cool to see all the French students together, learning about the culture,” Victoria Ding (12), co-editor-in-chief of the French NHS, said.
Tchourilova talked about why she enjoys club week and what it means to her.
“I really like that the kids kind of forget that language is not grammar and grades, and other activities, it’s just culture, being human, and being part of a world community, learning something,” Tchourilova said.
In addition to the fundraising and culture night, the members of the French NHS club write articles for their magazine, “Sans Limite,” which comes out in May, but is only given to the active members of the club.
