![“[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)
This week, the student body will be voting for the ASB Council for next year. As the date approaches, the school has become speckled with posters and immense chalk signs encouraging students to vote for various candidates. In a TalonWP exclusive, we dove into the candidates’ minds to find the side of themselves they couldn’t present in their speeches. Read on to learn about each candidate’s quirks and secrets in these ASB candidate personality profiles.
Please note candidates’ profiles are arranged in alphabetical order, and we do not imply preference of one over the other. Headshots provided with candidates’ permission.
ASB Presidential Candidates
Full Name: Simar Mangat
Been at Harker since: 5th grade
Favorite snack food: Kettle corn
Favorite animal: Puppy
Favorite childhood TV show: Spongebob Squarepants
Favorite fictional character: Eragon
Phobias: The dark!
If you could only bring 5 things to a deserted island, which items would you choose?: First-aid kit, flint, machete, fishing spear, PillowPet
Favorite place: The Bahamas
What are you looking forward to most next year?: Every day!! 🙂 Leading the school.
Full Name: Raghav Sehtia
Been at Harker since: 9th grade
Favorite snack food: Maggi noodles
Favorite animal: Panda (preferably baby pandas)
Favorite childhood TV show: Hey Arnold
Favorite fictional character: Winnie the Pooh
Phobias: Nothing
If you could only bring 5 things to a deserted island, which items would you choose?: Construction material, friends, go-kart, music device, and lots of soap
Favorite place: India, New Delhi
What are you looking forward to most next year?: 2nd semester Senior year
ASB Vice Presidential Candidates
Full Name: Sartajdeep Bobby Singh Kahlon
Been at Harker since: Kindergarten
Favorite snack food: Pizza Bagels
Favorite animal: Slime mold
Favorite childhood TV show: Spongebob Squarepants
Favorite fictional character: Katniss
Phobias: Bufonophobia
If you could only bring 5 things to a deserted island, which items would you choose?: Duct tape, duct tape, duct tape, duct tape, and an American flag
Favorite place: Fremont, CA (represent!)
What are you looking forward to most next year?: Organic Chemistry with Dr. Raghavan
Full Name: Maverick Scott McNealy
Been at Harker since: 9th grade
Favorite snack food: Turkey and cranberry sandwich
Favorite animal: Sea otter
Favorite childhood TV show: Sharks games
Favorite fictional character: Huck Finn
Phobias: Bees
If you could only bring 5 things to a deserted island, which items would you choose?: Airplane, gasoline, “Flying Airplanes for Dummies”, GPS, snacks
Favorite place: Stanford Golf Course
What are you looking forward to most next year?: I just want to make the most out of my last year here at Harker, and would love the opportunity to work for the student body again as ASB VP.
ASB Treasurer Candidates
Full Name: David Grossman
Been at Harker since: 8th grade
Favorite snack food: Celery
Favorite animal: Guinea pig
Favorite childhood TV show: Saved By the Bell
Favorite fictional character: The Little Prince
Phobias: Spiders!
If you could only bring 5 things to a deserted island, which items would you choose?: Time machine, flares, seed, cantine, phosphorous glass
Favorite place: The Harker School
What are you looking forward to most next year?: Finishing the projects I started this year.
Full Name: Kevin Jian-nan Lin
Been at Harker since: 9th grade
Favorite snack food: Cheez-Its
Favorite animal: Penguin
Favorite childhood TV show: Pokemon
Favorite fictional character: Ash Ketchum
Phobias: Heights
If you could only bring 5 things to a deserted island, which items would you choose?: Water purifier, sword, a dog, gun, Nintendo 64
Favorite place: My bed
What are you looking forward to most next year?: Senior year!!! But mainly serving my community.
ASB Secretary Candidates
Full Name: Vincent Xiang-Nan Lin
Been at Harker since: 9th grade
Favorite snack food: I don’t really have one. Whatever’s in the fridge.
Favorite animal: Turtle
Favorite childhood TV show: Power Rangers
Favorite fictional character: Don’t really have a favorite fictional character
Phobias: Spiders are creepy, but I’m not deathly afraid of them.
If you could only bring 5 things to a deserted island, which items would you choose?: A book, a machete, mirror, volleyball, tie
Favorite place: Anywhere with a nice bed, shower, and food
What are you looking forward to most next year?: Being an upper classman.
Full Name: David Paul Lindars
Been at Harker since: Kindergarten
Favorite snack food: Taquitos
Favorite animal: Turtles
Favorite childhood TV show: Spongebob Squarepants
Favorite fictional character: Queen Amidala
Phobias: Arachibutyrophobia. I strongly dislike bees and spiders. Strongly.
If you could only bring 5 things to a deserted island, which items would you choose?: Swiss army knife, fishing pole, duct tape, water bottle, mom
Favorite place: San Francisco
What are you looking forward to most next year?: Finding out what I want to do and where I’m going to go to school.
