![“[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)
Pfizer authorizes booster dose for 16, 17-year-olds
Provided by Kris Estrada
Kris Estrada (11) poses with a cutout of Dr. Anthony Fauci after receiving his Pfizer booster dose on Friday, Dec. 10, at the Valley Specialty Center in the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center. Pfizer authorized a single booster dose for 16 and 17-year olds on Thursday, Dec. 9.
December 14, 2021
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 booster vaccine for administration to 16 and 17-year-olds on Thursday, Dec. 9.
“We know that COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective, and I strongly encourage adolescents ages 16 and 17 to get their booster if they are at least six months post their initial Pfizer vaccination series,” CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said in a media statement.
The Pfizer booster shot was approved for individuals aged 18 and older on Nov. 19. The booster can strengthen the immune system against the coronavirus since the efficacy of the original doses of the vaccines fades over time. The additional protection not only decreases the severity of COVID-19 symptoms, but it also defends against multiple strains of the disease, including the delta and omicron variants. So far, there are no known major side effects of receiving the booster dose.
53.94 million booster shots have been administered in the United States as of Dec. 10, including the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson (J&J) doses. The Pfizer booster was first approved for the elderly and immunocompromised on Sept. 22, while the Moderna and J&J booster was approved on Oct. 20.
16-year-old Sydney Adler (11) received her first dose of the Pfizer vaccine on March 22 and her second dose three weeks after in April. Immediately after hearing that Pfizer authorized the booster for 16 and 17-year olds, she and her parents scheduled her booster shot appointment, which will occur on Dec. 22.
“Teenagers, they’re in school, they hang out,” Sydney said. “I have gotten more nervous hanging out with my friends recently, but if we’re getting vaccinated, I’ll know that the county levels are going to go down, and I’ll just feel safer at school.”
