![“[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)
Scrolling through outfits on TikTok, Instagram or Pinterest, you’re bound to see a pair of Adidas Sambas. They are inescapable both through a screen and in the real world, often dubbed the most popular shoe of the year. Whether styled with a soccer jersey, a maxi skirt or cargo pants, Sambas have long won over the fashion world.
Originally released in 1949, Adidas Sambas became an important shoe because of their history. Soccer culture helped the shoe reach a wide audience in the 70s and 90s.
“[Adidas Sambas] were originally a pair of futsal shoes or soccer shoes,” owner of Sambas Luke Mehta (12) said. “[Many] influential groups, like Run D.M.C., wore Adidas Shell Toes. A lot of the 80s and 90s style is coming back [with thrifting], and Sambas are part of it.”
The Sambas’ popularity comes from street style and celebrity influence. When Bella Hadid, Kendall Jenner and Hailey Bieber wear Sambas, many associate the shoe with the model-off-duty style.
Sambas are affordable and easy to style. The return of 90s and 2000s styles through second hand fashion contributed to the Sambas’ resurgence.
Brands have collaborated with Adidas to create Sambas in different colors and styles. With social media, fashion moves from one trend to another much more quickly than before. Some trends die out online long before they become popular in real life.
Although Sambas are flooding online fashion spaces, they appear less at Harker. Fashion enthusiast Ananya Das (11) said that Sambas may be less popular at Harker because not all students closely follow fashion trends.
“People at Harker tend to go for a more comfortable but elevated, simple style,” Ananya said. “ It’s easy to style every day and comfortable to wear throughout the day. Not many people really go the streetwear route, so I don’t think [Adidas Sambas are] very popular here.”
Like many other fashion trends, Sambas could fade out of style eventually, even if they are a classic and easy to style shoe. Elie Ahluwalia (10), who considered buying a pair, said other popular fashion trends fell out of fashion, even those as trendy as Sambas are now.
“[Adidas Sambas are] fun [and] match with a lot of things,” Elie said. “I think they’re gonna go out of style in a couple years [like blazers]. People will still wear them, but [their popularity] will ebb and flow.”
Adaptability and wearability could turn a once big-hit trend into a closet essential. Ananya speculates on the likelihood of Sambas becoming established shoes like Air Force Ones.
“Air Force Ones became a huge thing two years ago and continue to be a wardrobe staple,” Ananya said. “I believe Sambas will become that eventually. It’s just so simple yet it elevates an outfit. It’s really cute and versatile, so I think it’s going to stay for sure.”
