![“[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)
Editorial: Proposition 18, our generation’s next step
We are running out of time, year by year, month by month. The world we inherit is shaped by the decisions and problems of previous elections. For a generation watching as the climate rapidly fluctuates and the ocean creeps into cities, we don’t have the luxury to wait.
October 31, 2020
For the first month of school, we woke up to dim orange skies and the smell of smoke in the air. Some of us packed bags for evacuation, others faced permanent loss and the unforgiving raze of wildfires. California’s fire season this fall was a direct consequence of global warming, and students and older generations both faced the unprecedented damage.
As the Arctic Ice shrinks and global emissions increase, politicians fail to even come to a consensus on the real existence of climate change. It took a 16 year old activist and global climate strikes led by members of our age demographic for many to even realize the need to reduce emissions by 55% before 2030 in order to prevent irreversible damage to our planet.
We are running out of time, year by year, month by month.
The world we inherit is shaped by the decisions and problems of previous elections. For a generation watching as the climate rapidly fluctuates and the ocean creeps into cities, we don’t have the luxury to wait.
18 of 50 states have already implemented measures to allow 17 year-old citizens to vote in the primary elections if they turn 18 by time of the general election deadline. Those eligible to vote in the general election should also be provided with the right to determine which names appear on the ballot in the first place.
If we are engaged enough to march in the streets and lead national movements such as March for Our Lives, why not bring that acute awareness to polling stations and ballots? After all, power to elect public policy that shapes our present and sets a precedent for our future lies in voting.
We are taught that the number 18 separates adult from child, active member of society from bystander. So in the meanwhile, we call our local representatives, take to the streets, and express our opinions. But our most basic right as a citizen, our most direct voice of expression, is cut off until we cross an invisible and intangible threshold.
Our generation understands and utilizes the fastest and most effective methods of communication, and we do not hesitate to continue. As students, we are also rightful members of society and part of a generation finely in tune with current issues. Voting is only a natural extension of our duty towards civic participation.
