![“[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)
Meet Fresh: Traditional Taiwanese desserts
February 28, 2017
Fluorescent lamps hang from the high ceiling, illuminating the shop. A row of red lanterns with calligraphy are suspended above a pickup counter covered in complimentary napkins, cups, trays and utensils. A long sofa lies below photographs of various desserts that adorn the wooden paneling of the back wall. Asian pop music plays quietly in the background and the smell of tea and sweets floats in the air, creating a light, relaxed atmosphere. Sleek white tables paired with plush, padded wooden stools fill the shop, combining traditional Taiwanese decoration with modern elements.
Meet Fresh offers a variety of exquisite Taiwanese delicacies made using traditional processes and ingredients. Meet Fresh is located in Cupertino’s Main Street near several other bakeries and shops, and is accessible via Stevens Creek Boulevard.
Meet Fresh is known for its taro rice ball desserts, including its signature taro ball bowls. Taro ball bowls consist of sweet red bean soup and taro rice balls, along with a variety of other toppings like tapioca, lotus seeds, sweet potato, sesame rice balls and herbal jellies. In addition, Meet Fresh makes many different puddings, sweet porridges, teas, slushies, mochi and shaved ice.
Meet Fresh has a to-go option and also allows customers to choose whether they want their dessert served hot or cold. The combination of traditional Taiwanese delicacies and innovative drinks attracts people of all ages craving a quick treat and college students looking for a place eat, socialize and study.
Originally founded in Taiwan in 2007, Meet Fresh now has dozens of shops open in Asia, Australia, and North America, and will soon open another shop in Hacienda Heights. The shop in Cupertino is the only Meet Fresh location in the Bay Area. Similar shops include Dessert Republic, located in San Mateo.
