![“[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)
Demonstrators call for impeachment on street corners around Bay Area on the eve of historic impeachment vote
Protestors cross De Anza Boulevard and wave signs at cars that call for the House to pass two articles of impeachment tomorrow.
On the eve of a historic House vote on two articles of impeachment, activists voice their support for impeachment at demonstrations around the Bay Area, joining over 600 rallies and protests nationwide organized by the advocacy group MoveOn.
The rallies and demonstrations took place across the nation, in various public areas and congressional offices, at 5:30 in each rally’s local time, featuring speakers, protest signs and protest chants.
After a months-long process, the House is expected to vote tomorrow on two articles of impeachment, abuse of power and obstruction of justice.
Protestors dotted street corners and public squares across the Bay Area, bearing signs that read “Nobody is above the law” or “Impeach the president” and chanting slogans in support of impeachment.
On the intersection of Stevens Creek Boulevard and De Anza Boulevard in Cupertino, protestors gathered with light-up signs and waved at cars trickling by at the height of traffic hour.
Kirk Sanders readjusts his sign, which reads “Impeach Trump!” He participated in a demonstration at the street corner of Stevens Creek Boulevard and De Anza Boulevard today, on the night before the expected House vote on two articles of impeachment against U.S. President Donald Trump.
For Kirk Sanders, an engineer from West San Jose, participation in protests like these offer a chance to use his voice to leave an impact on the course of national politics. When he heard about the MoveOn initiative from his wife and Rachel Maddow, among a number of other sources, he decided to join other protestors in the streets, bearing an electric candle and handmade sign that read “Impeach Trump!”
“It’s frustrating as an individual. You feel like you can’t do anything. Well, this is one of the things you can do other than vote, and so here I am trying to do what I can,” Sanders said.
Others hope to raise awareness among voters and citizens. A Stanford freshman who asked to be identified as OJH heard about the rallies via Twitter, and having recently taken a political science elective course, he decided to take action and join his first demonstration.
“I want to try making, hopefully, a statement, for all these young people who come out,” he said. “Younger generations should also participate instead of just being home and watching TV. Let’s make a statement.”
Many also voiced their concern for the upcoming 2020 elections, citing past investigations into the integrity of the 2016 elections.
“Now is the time to be doing this because our election is coming up, we are running right up against it, and he’s messing with them. And so we have to say something,” said Crystal Carroll, a technical writer from San Jose who also demonstrated on the corner of Stevens Creek Boulevard and De Anza Boulevard.
Carroll’s friend and fellow demonstrator, Rachel Fox, agreed, emphasizing the importance of speaking up during a historic moment in American history.
“This is something that we’re going to look back on and we’re going to want to think about what we did to stop what is going on in the White House,” Fox, who lives in Sunnyvale, said. “We need to be out here, we need to be saying something, we need to be having discussions and talking and being prominent.”
Kathy Fang (12) is the editor-in-chief of Harker Aquila. This is her fourth year on staff. From covering local marches and protests to initiating Harker...