![“[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)
Top five tips to stay warm and stylish this winter
November 18, 2016
1. a pop of color
Sometimes, our outfits can become quite monochromatic or contain only a nuance of colors. So to fix this problem, if all your apparel is a shade of the same color, make sure you add in a touch of color to differentiate and to make your outfit pop out! Even if it’s just a piece of accessory or belt, adding this element will greatly enhance your outfit and your look. You can also mix and match your clothes to get the perfect outfit––there are endless possibilities so try out different combinations and have fun!
2. bomber jackets
As the season changes from fall and winter, the temperature also cools down, from colder mornings to frosted windshields. Staying warm is not only an important part of being able to enjoy the new seasons, it’s also to make sure you don’t get sick. So when you’re picking out clothes to wear the night before, make sure you grab plenty of layers to keep yourself warm, but also consider adding in a trendy hat or fashionable scarf to top off your outfit! There are no limitations to what you wear, so have fun and play around!
3. maxi dresses
Typically, you may think that dresses aren’t suitable for the cold season since they’re very thin and flowy and short, but an easy way to fix this problem is to put on those floor-lengthed dresses or long-sleeved ones, add on a thin jacket of some sort and voila! you have a stylish outfit that suits the season. Not only will these types of dresses help prevent the cold from getting to your arms and legs, you can also bring out the dress’s unique patterns and colors by adding in a flattering piece of accessory or pair of flats.
4. faux fur-lined boots
It’s easy to keep your body warm—just layer up and you’ll be fine. But what about your feet? An easy way to make sure the cold air doesn’t freeze your toes is to wear closed-toed shoes. From trendy Oxfords to fashionable loafers to even typical UGG boots, close-toed shoes can keep your feet snug and cozy to complete your perfect fall outfit.
5. sweaters
One of the best parts of dressing up for the season is being able to wear sweaters––turtleneck sweaters, oversized, but don’t forget the cable and wool knit ones. These sweaters are often seasonal favorites–-they come in a variety of colors and they’re also extremely warm so you won’t have to wear many layers to keep out the cold. Knit sweaters can be worn over virtually anything, from a comfy pair of jeans to a dress accompanied by tights.
This piece was originally published in the pages of The Winged Post on November 16, 2016.
