![“[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)
Annual “Turkey Trot” promotes spirit of giving
November 16, 2017
Dressed in iconic Turkey Trot shirts, a mass of runners crowd the starting line, rub their palms together and prepare to run in the chilly hours of Thanksgiving morning.
The annual Applied Materials Silicon Valley Turkey Trot will occur on Nov. 23 in downtown San Jose; a “Turkey Trot” is a race that is held around Thanksgiving. The first Turkey Trot was the YMCA Buffalo Trot, held in New York in 1896.
Turkey Trots are light-hearted compared to other footraces; they are a time for friends and family to come together, wear costumes and hopefully burn off some calories before Thanksgiving dinner.
“Turkey Trot supports Second Harvest Food Bank, and they raise money and raise food to feed people in need, so it’s raising awareness and all the other things as well, so that’s what’s important,” Community Service Director Kerry Enzensperger said.
The Applied Materials Silicon Valley Turkey Trot is the largest trot in the country with 28,000 participants.
Donations surpassed $6.9 million over the last 12 years. The beneficiaries are the Healthier Kids Foundation, Housing Trust Silicon Valley, Second Harvest Food Bank and the Health Trust.
“[Turkey Trot] is definitely a good way to promote bonding because you meet new people,” said Mihir Sharma (10), who participated last year.
Turkey Trot is produced by volunteers from Silicon Valley Leadership Foundation, the City of San Jose, Santa Clara County, Applied Materials and the Central Labor Council.
Runners are encouraged to donate through the Turkey Trot webpage. Second Harvest Food Bank is also looking for volunteers to assist on race day.
This piece was originally published in the pages of The Winged Post on November 16, 2017.
