![“[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)
Humans of Harker: Manan Shah develops a love for helping
!["What I really eventually hope is that in clinical practice one day, some of the [research] work that I've done will be incorporated to help someone somewhere either get an earlier diagnosis or understand their situation at a better level than they would have before, so my ultimate goal is really just to find a way to use the resources that we have as privileged students of The Harker School to make a difference in someone's life who might not have the same opportunities," Manan Shah (12) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Screen-Shot-2017-05-06-at-8.20.13-AM.png)
“What I really eventually hope is that in clinical practice one day, some of the [research] work that I’ve done will be incorporated to help someone somewhere either get an earlier diagnosis or understand their situation at a better level than they would have before, so my ultimate goal is really just to find a way to use the resources that we have as privileged students of The Harker School to make a difference in someone’s life who might not have the same opportunities,” Manan Shah (12) said.
December 9, 2016
Like many other students, Manan Shah (12) enjoys computer science. Where he differs is in his use of technology for a multitude of lesser-known activities, from participating in the upper school’s nuclear nonproliferation initiative to organizing service events for the Harker National Honor Society.
“What makes me unique is probably a passion for computer science that also takes into consideration some of the consequences associated with computer science and technology,” Manan said. “The reason that I find [nuclear nonproliferation] interesting is that it allows students to develop a diplomatic relationship and understand how diplomacy is conducted at a level that is beyond simply writing code.”
Although Manan is passionate about the variety of ways he can use technology to help other people, he did not start programming until the summer before his freshman year in preparation for his courses that year.
“I hadn’t done any programming or coding, any of that sort of stuff, until my eighth-grade summer,” Manan said. “When I started doing that in my eighth-grade summer, I realized how interesting it was to be able to solve problems that I wouldn’t be able to solve normally using a pen and paper with one computer that I could carry around everywhere.”
Manan has also faced a tough choice between two interests: tennis and computer science.
“I used to play a lot of tennis in middle school, but when I started high school I had to decide between either continuing to play tennis or deciding to stick with computer science,” Manan said. “While tennis would definitely have been valuable for me—it still is, and I still do play—I think that I found a different sort of passion and a different personal development in the pursuit of computer science.”
Manan’s TEAMS and USAYPT teammate Neymika Jain (12) describes him as a kind person who cares about others.
“He puts in a lot of work to try to be flexible with people and try to be understanding of where they’re coming from,” Neymika said. “He’s always willing to help, even if it’s not his problem.”
Manan hopes that his work in research, service, nonproliferation and computer science will eventually be able to effect meaningful changes.
“I find joy in developing different things that both enrich the student body and provide me personal satisfaction,” Manan said. “What I really eventually hope is that in clinical practice one day, some of the [research] work that I’ve done will be incorporated to help someone somewhere either get an earlier diagnosis or understand their situation at a better level than they would have before.”
