![“[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: Medha Shah explores her passion in the arts
“Success is knowing that you did your best and being happy with what you did. It doesn’t mean that you have to be the best that’s out there, but if you’re happy with your end result and you know you tried your hardest, and that is all you can do and you should be proud of that,” Medha Shah (12) said.
February 15, 2017
Despite exploring different passions, Medha Shah (12) only discovered her love for performing arts later in life during a voice lesson.
“I had a teacher who used to be opera singer, and she really introduce me to singing. We did a song which has rounds, so everybody sings at different times,” Medha said. “That was the first time, I sung myself and been exposed to it. I just fell in love with it then.”
Deciding to be a business major in college and unsure about her future in the arts, Medha strives to experience as many performing arts productions as possible.
“I’ve done every musical, I did one fall play; I did the Laramie project last year. I also did two SDS shows, my freshman and sophomore year, dance show. I just done everything I could have done in performing arts,” Medha said.
Other than performing, Medha also has a fervor for designing, making, and sketching clothes. She in currently doing an internship at Nordstrom.
“She’s always been that super creative, artsy type. She’s really good at making her things,” Shivani Awasthi (12) said. “I remember one time she was super interested in the duct tape thing, like duct tape wallets and handbags. So one day, she actually came to school wearing a duct tape tutu.”
Not only do arts define her personality, a unique quality of Medha is her positivity. She believes that success comes from doing one’s personal best. She lives by the phrase of ‘One should do what is right for themselves.’
“Success is knowing that you did your best and being happy with what you did. It doesn’t mean that you have to be the best that’s out there,” Medha said. “If you’re happy with your end result, and you know you tried your hardest, then that is all you can do, and you should be proud of that.”
Harker has been apart of Medha’s life since fifth grade. She will certainly miss the community.
“I am going to find new people wherever I go, but after being here for quite a long time now. I’ve had this constant supporting community around me, with teachers and friends.” Medha said, “I’ve had my best friend since I was in fifth grade, so nothing has really changed since then, so I am really going to miss all those people and having to start over again.”
