Humans of Harker: Nina Levy gives back to her community

%E2%80%9CIt%E2%80%99s+very+cheesy%2C+but+I+love+the+quote+%E2%80%98live%2C+laugh%2C+love%E2%80%99+because+it%E2%80%99s+very+in+the+moment.+I+love+to+laugh+because+it+makes+me+feel+better+and+I+love+to+make+other+people+laugh.+I+definitely+think+things+should+be+positive+and+spirited+rather+than+negative+and+stressful.+I+try+to+surround+myself+with+people+that+have+the+same+positive+outlook+as+me%2C+who+make+me+laugh+and+make+sure+that+when+I%E2%80%99m+down%2C+I+still+have+the+same+spirit+and+positive+emotions+that+I+want+to+bring+to+other+people%2C%E2%80%9D+Nina+Levy+%2812%29+said.+

Jenna Sadhu

“It’s very cheesy, but I love the quote ‘live, laugh, love’ because it’s very in the moment. I love to laugh because it makes me feel better and I love to make other people laugh. I definitely think things should be positive and spirited rather than negative and stressful. I try to surround myself with people that have the same positive outlook as me, who make me laugh and make sure that when I’m down, I still have the same spirit and positive emotions that I want to bring to other people,” Nina Levy (12) said.

by Jenna Sadhu, Reporter

At school, one can find senior Nina Levy dressed in a sweatshirt and jeans with her sleek brown hair tied in a half-up half-down style. She is surrounded by friends most times, and they discuss their lives and giggle about random things. Outside of school, Nina can be found volunteering at the PetSmart in San Jose, helping Bay Area residents bring home their dream dog.

After rescuing her own dog from the Almaden PetSmart, Nina fell in love with PetSmart and jumped at the opportunity to apply to volunteer.

“I ended up [rescuing] a dog who’s very shy and timid, because the dog [that I already had] is really loud and crazy, so I thought that the two could go together,” she said. “His name is Astro. After that, I applied to volunteer, and it’s been very worthwhile.”

Nina’s favorite part of volunteering is the feeling of satisfaction of finding a home for the deserving dogs.

“Working with dogs for me was very ‘in the moment,’” Nina said. “Just the fact that I get to be a part of bringing people happiness through dogs and puppies is amazing. I especially love giving these dogs a home which they deserve.”

In addition to her love for volunteering, Nina’s love for laughter and positive vibes are what makes her stand out. Nina’s loud and vivacious personality took some courage to create.

“It was my best friend that really helped me break out of my quiet shell,” Nina said. “Now I’m really loud. Like, obnoxiously loud. I’ll say something, and it’ll be really awkward, but I’ll just keep on talking. I also love to laugh because it makes me feel better, and I love to make other people laugh. I definitely think things should be positive and spirited rather than negative and stressful.”

Friends are extremely important to Nina. Her closest friends share similar values and aspects of Nina’s personality, allowing them to create great memories with each other. Nina’s friends rely on her for a big laugh and a burst of life and excitement.

“I try to surround myself with people that have the same positive outlook as me, who make me laugh and make sure that when I’m down, I still have the same spirit and positive emotions that I want to bring to other people,”she said.

Nina tries to bring the quote “live, laugh, love” to her own life every day.
“I love the quote ‘live, laugh, love’ because it’s very in the moment. I love binge watching my favorite TV shows and doing what makes me happy. I chat my friends and talk to them about life. I do what I can to stay positive and happy at all times,” she said.