![“[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)
Dozens gathered outside a Tesla showroom to denounce sweeping federal cuts to social programs like Social Security and Medicare proposed by presidential advisor Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency on March 22 in Palo Alto.
Demonstrators held signs reading “Defund Musk” and “Honk if you hate Elon Musk,” prompting a steady stream of car honks from El Camino Real. Other protesters wore wigs, hats, masks and costumes to conceal their identities or make a visual statement.
Farmer and protester Mary Devon voiced uneasiness around the slashes to the United States Agency of International Development (USAID) in particular.
“Our grain prices went down because we can’t sell the grain that we used to sell to China and Africa. I am upset not only because I’m a farmer, but I also know that we have been saving lives in Africa. President Kennedy asked not what we can do for ourselves, but what we can do for our country, and I really admire the people that are USAID workers because they have saved so many lives.”
Solar installer David commented on his dissatisfaction with Musk’s political conduct despite recognizing Tesla’s importance to preventing climate change.
“This is the only way to get his attention,” said David. “We need EVs, but we also need Musk out of our government. He’s not elected. He has zero compassion. And now he’s trying to take away our future and our Social Security.”
The demonstration was part of the national “Tesla Takedown” movement, which aims to target Elon Musk’s most profitable company by encouraging people to dump Tesla stock, boycott the brand and protest outside showrooms. Tesla’s stock has plunged 40%, and Musk has lost over $120 billion since January.
Protester Andrea emphasized a need for people of all political and social orientations to come together under a common goal.
“We’re boycotting Tesla, not the drivers, but the company,” Andrea said. “Elon is the main tool right now, swinging a chainsaw, cutting and breaking the government. They’ve got the military, the army, the FBI. But what we have, our only power, is the people.”
The Tesla Takedown protests have occurred in Palo Alto every Wednesday and Friday for the past seven weeks, with similar demonstrations at Tesla showrooms across Silicon Valley, including one at Santana Row on Mar. 21.
Among the groups present were the Raging Grannies, a national activist group of older women known for protest songs, who led verses opposing cuts to Social Security.
“We make a fuss,” Raging Grannies member Granny Rose said. “We sing, we show up, and today, we’re here because our Social Security is under threat. It’s something we all paid for, and it helps so many people: disabled children, veterans, retirees’ spouses.”
