![“[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)
The Upper School’s two community service clubs, Key Club and Interact Club, held their second joint meeting during which the clubs’ members participated in a 15-minute community service project.
The idea for short service projects during club meetings was implemented by Key Club president Alan Soetikno (12). These projects were held during each of the club’s three meetings, including its two joint meetings with Interact Club.
“Alan contacted Key Club President from the class of 2009, Richard Lai, to ask him for some ideas. Richard suggested that the club perform short service projects every meeting,” Key Club advisor Kerry Enzensperger said.
The mini service projects were put into place to make the Key Club meetings more interesting and to increase attendance.
“The first reason we have events like this is to get people to come to meetings because it’s a fun thing to do,” Alan said. “Also, secondly, if they can’t go to an event, […] they can still learn what’s needed in the world.”
The most recent project was making dog toys and pet blankets for a local animal shelter; the other two projects have been writing letters of encouragement to cancer patients and stuffing goody bags for local elementary school students.
“I think it’s a good way to do something [for the community] even when you’re in a meeting,” Key Club member Neil Sadhu (10) said. “You don’t have to go anywhere, and it’s also a really small thing to do to help. It’s also fun to hang out with your friends and do this kind of stuff.”
Key Club and Interact Club members receive 15 minutes of community service for each mini project they work on at club meetings.
