![“[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)
How to get ready for St. Patrick’s Day
March 17, 2016
It’s that time of year again. The day when emerald socks and sea green polos color the campus, and little shamrock cookies wait to be devoured by hungry students in the Edge. Little green-hatted leprechauns dot the lawns of suburbs, and even the moss on the redwood trees near Patil seem festive. How did leprechaun hats even get involved?
Yes, St. Patrick’s Day is approaching. Eclipsed by the mathematical and culinary festivities of Pi Day and the antics of April Fool’s, St. Patrick’s Day is the underdog of the spring holidays. Here are a few ways to have a blast on this March 17:
Learn what St. Patrick’s Day actually is about
We all know we’re supposed to wear various shades of green to school, but what are we really celebrating? How does this relate to Ireland? Saint Patrick, a famous patron saint of Ireland, purported died on March 17, and so Ireland (and later several other countries) began to honor him as well as other Irish cultural traditions. To answer the leprechaun hat question, St. Patrick’s Day celebrates Irish heritage, in which the legendary leprechaun men play an important role. Irish folklore depicted these supernatural creatures as mischievous beings, a portrayal that has survived centuries since its inception.
Go shamrock hunting
Embark on an adventure to find the elusive four-leaf-clover. No matter how much dirt coats your cuticles or how smudged those white Vans may be, keep in mind the good luck the shamrock possesses, so don’t give up! According to Scientific American, approximately one in 10,000 clovers have four leaves. Good luck with that one—you’ll need it.
Finish your Pi(e)
Renounce Pi Day and give your allegiance to a holiday underdog: St. Patrick’s Day.This viridescent holiday is only three days after Pi Day, so start off your day right with a balanced meal: a healthy serving of leftover pie (flavor of your choice). Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so make sure that you have enough energy to participate in the festivities. After all, that sugar high will give you the inspiration needed for the ultimate St. Patrick’s Day outfit.
Condemn commercialization of holidays and hide out in your room
As leprechaun hats and shamrocks suddenly pervade all corners of Party City, the clash of forest green, lime and olive can present a shocking assault on the vision. Fear not! those viridescent confetti sticks will go on clearance the day after, and you won’t ever have to be reminded of the dangers of American consumerism and marketing the other 364 days of the year. Minions will take care of that.
