![“[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)
6 movies to warm you up this holiday season
Posters for “Let It Snow” (2019) and “The Polar Express” (2004). “Let It Snow” (2019) follows a series of relationships on Christmas Eve in a small snowy town, while “The Polar Express” features the adventures of a group of three children on Christmas Eve.
December 9, 2020
During this holiday season, though we might not all have the opportunity to ski through snowy hills in Lake Tahoe or gather around a fireplace at a large Christmas party, we can still fill our time up with some joy and cheer with these Christmas movies. From romantic comedies to action and adventure to wholesome family movies, any of the movies in the list below will certainly remind you of the holiday spirit.
Family
To really get into the Christmas and holiday spirit with your loved ones , check out the two family-friendly movies below. They will keep you smiling and reminiscing over the smell of hot cocoa and the jingling of sleigh bells even when the holidays are long over.
“A Charlie Brown Christmas” (1965) is an animated film featuring Charlie Brown and the rest of his Peanuts friends. In this short film, follow Charlie along his journey in rediscovering the holiday spirits. You will be reminded of all the joys of the holiday season during this short-yet-cheerful special which will be free to watch on Apple TV from Dec. 11 to Dec. 13 and will also air on PBS on Dec. 13.
The 2019 animated movie “Klaus” follows a young postman on his journey to deliver letters to a small, wintery town. On his journey, he meets some new companions, including a mysterious recluse Klaus. This movie has been nominated for Best Animated Feature at the Academy Awards and has won at the British Academy Film Awards along with more for its great voice acting and animation, and it’s fantastic to watch with some loved ones on Netflix.
Romantic
Looking for some uplifting, cheerful and perhaps even cheesy romantic movies to watch with a warm cup of cocoa? These movies are bound to make you smile with the holiday spirit.
“Let It Snow” (2019) follows a series of relationships on Christmas Eve in a small snowy town: an independent young woman and a wandering pop star, two long-time best friends trapped in a love triangle and many more. The talented cast and complex storylines make this movie captivating, to say the least! You can watch “Let It Snow” here on Netflix.
If you can handle some cliché love stories, definitely check out “Holidate” (2020), a great movie to watch with some friends over Zoom. A young man and woman, both tired of being single during the holidays, decide to pretend to be each other’s significant others. But does their relationship stay platonic forever? Watch the new Netflix original just released last month here. (Trailer)
Action & Adventure
If you’re more interested in action and adventure movies, you might enjoy watching “The Polar Express” or “Die Hard”. You will be on the edge of your seat during these thrilling and exciting action-packed movies.
The animated film “The Polar Express” (2004), a classic yet underrated Christmas movie, has a creative storyline that features the adventures of a group of three children on Christmas Eve. They set out on a mysterious train to discover if Santa is real, making friends and finding new beliefs along the way. Enjoy this movie and its beautiful soundtrack with your family or loved ones through a rent or purchase on Amazon Prime.
“Die Hard” (1988) is a classic action-packed thriller movie that you won’t be able to pull your eyes from during the entire two hours. During a company’s Christmas party, a group of terrorists attack and lock down the building, and only a sole New York policeman can save everybody inside. The mastermind plot twists and tricks are brilliant even decades after the movie’s original release. Watch “Die Hard” on HBO Max or Hulu. (Trailer)
