![“[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)
“Trick or treeeeaaaat,” voices sing in unison. The soprano of a four-year-old’s voice creates a stark contrast to the baritone of a lone 15-year-old boy trudging from house to house, asking for candy. Although it is Halloween, trick-or-treating is not the only way to get in the spirit of the occasion.
Horror Movie Marathon
If trick or treating does not seem like the best option this year, there are numerous other ways to have an enjoyable time, such as hosting a late-night horror movie marathon with friends. The later the hour, the scarier the movie becomes. Dim the lights, turn on the DVD player, and brace yourself for the world of horror which consists of the movies Saw, Paranormal Activity, and The Ring. Make sure to bring ample amounts of popcorn, soda, and, of course, candy. Do not forget a stuffed animal or two, just in case the movies are too scary. For nightmare prevention, have friends stay the night and transform the movie marathon into a sleepover.
Halloween Party
Halloween gives teenagers not only an excuse to demand candy from strangers, but also an opportunity to blow off steam with friends. Set out platters of delicious treats, decorate the house, pop in scary movies, and blast some music. You can also play games outside once the darkness sets in. Take out flashlights and play a game such as hide-and-seek, or sit in a circle and exchange scary stories. For a game consisting of arguably less horror, break into teams and hold a costume competition using only toilet paper and tape. The possibilities are almost infinite for a Halloween party.
Public Events
Leave the house for a night filled with excitement and mystery and attend public events around the area, such as Great America’s Halloween Haunt or the Winchester Mystery House. Halloween Haunt promises an evening of mazes, roller coasters, and scare zones. It is sure to be a fun night of real thrills and intense scares. The Winchester Mystery House will continue its tradition of hosting a “Fright Night” consisting of similar scary events, including an all-house encompassing maze, ghost storytelling activity, and Halloween-themed performances by entertainers.
Haunted House
Raid your drawers and cabinets for rolls of toilet paper, tubes of fake blood, red food coloring, a humidifier, and an MP3 player filled with heavy metal music and ghoulish sound effects. Setting up a haunted house for trick-or-treaters to attend is an excellent way to become creative and collaborate with friends. Consider asking neighbors to participate as decorators, a lighting and effects crew, or the monsters roaming the rooms of your haunted house. If space is an issue, consider setting up tents in the backyard, or section off a part of your house. Make winding routes, set up obstacles, choose hiding places, and if you are feeling humanitarian, charge a small fee to enter the haunted house and donate the proceeds to charity.
Sleep
If none of the other alternatives seem appealing, change into pajamas, slip on your sleep mask, and call it an early night. Resting is one of the most relaxing ways to observe the occasion, and after all, there is school the next day.
