![“[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)
Interact sells food for club week
Interact Co-President Kevina Xiao (12) sells Popbar and Pinkberry during Wednesday long lunch. The club has sold Pinkberry during all four annual club weeks that it has hosted.
April 12, 2016
Interact Club sold Pinkberry to fundraise for various organizations that aim to combat human trafficking as part of their club week every day last week outside Manzanita.
They also sold popbars on Wednesday during long lunch and pizookies on Friday.
Their initiative is part of Interact District 5170 ‘s 2016 International Project, titled “Hello my name is.” They plan to raise money for donation, send care packages to victims, and educate the general public on issues surrounding human trafficking.
“Our goal is to not only fundraise for the international project but to spread awareness about these issues,” Kevina Xiao, Interact Co-President, said ”I think it’s really important to let people know about these problems that are plaguing people worldwide,”
In addition to this International project, Interact participates in various other forms of community service such as volunteering at underfunded elementary schools, sending care packages to hospitals, and hosting service events at parks.
“My favorite part of being in interact is the service events that are offered, as they are very interesting to be a part of and also you get to meet a lot of new people,” Interact Club member Kelly Shen (9) said.
This year, the Rotary Club of Campbell began sponsoring the club by paying for leadership training. In the future, Bob Carlson, the Rotary advisor to the club, hopes to help with fundraising and ongoing service projects.
“We’re just trying to get our feet wet and figure out what we are going to be doing for next year,” Carlson said. “It’s a work in progress.”
Carlson came to support the club on Wednesday during long lunch, when they also sold Popbars in addition to the usual Pinkberry.
