![Setter Emma Lee (9) sets the ball to the middle during the match against Pinewood on Sept. 12. “[I’m looking forward to] getting more skilled, learning more about my position and also becoming better friends with all of my teammates, Emma said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/DSC_4917-2-1200x795.jpg)
![“[Building nerf blasters] became this outlet of creativity for me that hasnt been matched by anything else. The process [of] making a build complete to your desire is such a painstakingly difficult process, but Ive had to learn from [the skills needed from] soldering to proper painting. Theres so many different options for everything, if you think about it, it exists. The best part is [that] if it doesnt exist, you can build it yourself, Ishaan Parate said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/DSC_8149-900x604.jpg)
![“Animation just clicked in a way. I had been interested in art, but that felt different. [Animation] felt like it had something behind it, whereas previous things felt surface level. I wasnt making that crazy of things, but just the process of doing it was much more enjoyable, Carter Chadwick (22) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Screen-Shot-2022-08-16-at-9.44.08-AM-900x598.png)
![“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 its played such a major role in who Ive 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 Im [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)
![“[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)
![“Im 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 theres a lot of people that are really confident in what they do, and I really admire them. Everyones 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)
![“My slogan is ‘slow feet, don’t eat, and I’m hungry.’ You need to run fast to get where you are–you arent going to get those championships if you arent 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)
![“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)
How to make winter vegetable soup
February 3, 2021
Winter blues got you down? Here is a beginner-friendly, adjustable vegetable soup to bring you some comfort at home. Many of the ingredients can be replaced with items you have laying around the house, and cooking time relies heavily on taste-testing as you go. There’s no right or wrong way to make this soup, so be sure to give it a try!
What you’ll need:
- 1-2 tbsp cooking oil
- 1 diced onion
- 1 peeled and diced carrot
- 1 diced stalk of celery
- 3 cloves diced garlic
- 1-3 cups broth
- 2 tbsp tomato paste or tomato sauce (adjust based on your preference)
- 1 peeled and diced potato or equivalent amount of starchy vegetables like turnips and parsnips
- Pre-cooked or canned vegetables (legumes such as beans or peas)
- 1 tsp dried oregano/thyme
- salt and pepper
Makes about 5 servings, depending on the size of the vegetables used.
First, pour the oil into a pot and allow it to heat up on medium-high. Then, add the carrot, celery and onion, stirring until the onion turns translucent. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Initially, add the salt slowly. Then, add the diced garlic and continue to stir, ensuring that the vegetables do not burn. Add in the tomato paste or sauce and stir until it evenly coats the vegetables. Tomato paste is more concentrated than tomato sauce, so the amount depends on the type you have on hand.
Next, add enough broth of choice to submerge the vegetables—about one to three cups—and continue to stir for about a minute. You can also add water to dilute if your broth is more concentrated. Add in the diced potato and cover to let it cook for about five minutes. After the time is up, bring the pot to a boil and reduce it to a simmer. Add one teaspoon of dried oregano or thyme along with more pepper if desired and mix again. Add one can of legumes such as beans or peas or an equivalent amount of pre-cooked vegetables. Bring the pot to a boil once again, reduce to a simmer and let cook for three minutes. Finally, serve!
You should perform taste tests throughout the process in case the soup is lacking flavor. Adding more salt (slowly and with caution) might help bring out more flavor. If you have other herbs or spices, feel free to add them in for an extra punch.
We hope you enjoy Harker Aquila’s take on a savory soup to warm up your rainy days.
