![“[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)
Students vote in annual class council elections
Emily Chen
Junior class council treasurer candidate Allie Yen (10) addresses the sophomore class. Voting for this year’s class council elections took place in the journalism room and Shah 404 during long lunch today.
April 18, 2018
Students cast their votes for next year’s sophomore, junior and senior class councils in the journalism room and Shah 404 during long lunch today after hearing the candidates’ speeches at separate class meetings this morning and Monday morning.
Like in previous years, this year’s elections were conducted via an approval voting system, in which a voter is asked to vote for as many candidates as he or she approves of. The winners will be selected based on which candidate received the most approvals.
“As for my campaign for [the position of treasurer], I wanted to maintain honesty, and I hope that that came through in my speech,” senior class council treasurer candidate Andrea Simonian (11) said. “I just wanted to be honest about the fact that I genuinely wanted the position and that it brought me real joy to be involved in student life and that I wanted to take that to a new level.”
In addition to voting for the rising junior class council, the Class of 2020 also voted for their honor council representatives, who will remain in office for the next two years. A total of nine honor council candidates delivered speeches after the class council candidates’ speeches during today’s advisory period. Three students will be elected by the sophomore class via paper ballots tomorrow.
“Honor council just seemed to be the thing that appealed to me most, and I’m already doing different activities that do relate to honor council,” honor council candidate Shyl Lamba (10) said. “With my grandfather and all, I felt like that’s something I could really put myself into.”
The winners of the class council elections will be announced tomorrow after school at a meeting between the candidates.
