![“[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)
Harker DECA concludes 2018-2019 season with banquet celebration
Glass presents the new officer team, lined up onstage in the Nichols auditorium. The 2019-2020 officer team consisted of 12 members.
June 3, 2019
Harker DECA hosted one of their two annual end-of-the-year events, the banquet celebration, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. last Thursday in the Nichols Atrium. DECA parent night, the other end-of-the-year event held specifically to inform new and returning parents of the DECA program, was held on Tuesday, May 21.
After a light dinner of caesar salad, mozzarella sticks, and sauteed chicken that lasted around 30 minutes, DECA officers, students who participated in DECA this season and parents alike filed into the auditorium for what the officer team organized for the rest of the evening.
The DECA banquet serves to recognize valued members of the Harker DECA community, be it students, teachers, or parent volunteers, as well as commemorate the end of the competitive season. Throughout the year of one mock conference, WRLC, and three different competitions , SVCDC (Silicon Valley Career Development Conference), SCDC (State Career Development Conference) and ICDC (International Career Development Conference), chapter members were asked to vlog their experience for the benefit of future members. Current officer members put the different clips compiled together from the year into a video that was projected to the clapping audience.
“One of the things I love the most about the banquet is how we recognize individuals in our chapter who excelled in ways other than competitive success, such as community-oriented or excellent leader. I feel that these recognitions are a great way to bring the community together,” said Phil Han (11), one of the new 2019-2020 co-CEOs.
After the videos were shown, awards were presented to chapter members for their invaluable contribution to the chapter. Some awards included Most DECA-cated member, which went to Clarice Wang (9) for her dedication to the chapter and who the mentors noticed never failed to show up during Friday practice sessions. Julie Wheeler, AP U.S. History teacher, received an award for her dedication and care as a chaperone for many of the competitive events.
“It was exciting to meet the new officer team and proudly introduce my parents to the tightly knit community of Harker DECA,” said Andrea Thia (9), one of the chapter members who received the Professionally Responsible award.
Following the mini awards session, the new 2019-2020 officer team was announced. Co-CEOs are Mahi Kolla (11) and Phil Han (11). The competitions team includes Vice President of Competitions Anvitha Tummala (10), Director of Roleplays Alivia Li (9) and Director of Written Events Bryan Zhang (10). The operations team includes Vice President of Operations Claire Luo (10), Director of Membership Clarice Wang (9) and Director of Community Engagement: Lisa Barooah (10). The public relations team includes Vice President of Public Relations Elaine Zhai (10), Director of Technology Anay Karwal (11) and Director of Communications Gianna “Gigi” Chan (9). The Vice President of Finance is Sidarth Dudyala (11).
Following the awards session, Juston Glass, DECA advisor and Director of Harker’s Business and Entrepreneurial Program, presented his own special gift to the graduated seniors of whom he has mentored and formed memories with through most of their high school years. The honored seniors then each gave a short farewell speech, a tender moment for all. This year’s officer team was proud to send off their three seniors: Enya Lu (12), Vice President of Silicon Valley DECA, who worked with the rest of the official Team 68 California state officer team; Shania Wang (12), the 2018-2019 CEO, who led the entire Harker DECA chapter as well as organized events pertaining to each of the vice presidents; and Riya Gupta (12), the vice president of Public Relations, who coordinated all publicity events between Harker and the Harker community and oversaw the chapter’s volunteer efforts.
The night ended with a symbolic gesture of presenting pins to the new officer team from Glass, proud to mentor and witness the end of a journey, as well as the beginning of many others, for all members of the Harker DECA chapter.
