![“[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)
Pro-Con: Pumpkin spice takes over the nation
As 2016 comes to a close, the popularity of the pumpkin spice latte drink has increased across the nation. Meilan Steimle takes a look at the good and the bad of this phenomenon.
October 11, 2016
PRO
It’s morning in America — that is to say, autumn. Because really, what is autumn without pumpkin spice? Dreary, brown, aflush with applications and standardized tests, why it might as well be winter. Today more men and women will go to Starbucks than ever before in our country’s history. And with interest levels for PSLs at record highs, they can be confident in the future of this sweet, delicious brew.
Pumpkin spice represents a singular touchpoint that all true Americans know and love: the product of a proud American brand with humble origins in Seattle, a small business’s vision that, through hard work and relentless dedication, won the hearts of the nation.
Truly, pumpkin spice is emblematic of everything that is American: a diverse set of global spices, blended together into a single utterly addictive and unmistakable flavor, now spreading rapidly throughout the world.
There exist naysayers among us, those would poison or destroy our caffeine supply with non-pumpkin spice flavors. To these such individuals I say, do you hate America? Close your eyes, part your lips and take a sip. It’s morning in your mouth.
CON
There is a spectre haunting America. — the orange-tinged spectre of pumpkin spice. The time has come for every caffeine-lover, from the frappuccino dilettante to the black coffee addict, to come together and save our collective taste buds from their impending saccharine demise.
This misleadingly-named “pumpkin” spice flavor has invaded every aspect of our lives. There are pumpkin spice almonds, yogurt, Oreos, Pringles, lasagna, protein powder, air freshener, bar soap, vodka, assorted apparel, the indomitable march of pumpkin spice continues. Since its release in 2003, Starbucks has sold over 200 million PSLs.
In a decade, pumpkin spice has become emblematic of fall as a whole, which is rendered especially ridiculous by the fact that “pumpkin spice” (all spice, nutmeg, cinnamon) is available year-round.
No longer can we sit idly by and let this cloyingly manufactured flavor maintain its annual chokehold on our tastebuds. Pumpkin spice placates us – in its sugary haze, we forget the drive to experience novel flavors, the yearning for culinary greatness. Pumpkin spice is the opiate of the masses.
I remember a time when fall was about running through leaves, slow-cookers, scarves and sweaters, not the relentless pursuit of “limited-edition” pumpkin spice Oreos. Don’t we deserve that kind of fall? Don’t we deserve better than pumpkin spice?
So I entreat you: join me in reclaiming fall from our pumpkin spice overlords. We have nothing to lose but our chains.
This piece was originally published in the pages of The Winged Post on October 11, 2016.
