“Experience the Difference”. On any given school day, dozens of students walk from class to class, proudly wearing a beige hoodie emblazoned with that very slogan. Responsible for these fashion pieces is none other than Lauren Lin (’25), who brainstorms ideas for DECA’s clothing drops.

In leaving aspects of herself in her craft, Lauren made her mark on the communities she belongs to. As a Harker DECA public relations officer, she explores innovative ways to expand the club’s recognition at school, adding her own sense of humor and artistic imprint to events that reach the entire high school community. From bizarre cardboard cut-outs at school rallies, DECA hoodies representing her artwork on the back or faculty volleyball games, Lauren can always be counted on to bring unconventional ideas to the table and implement them.

“I’ve always liked drawing and DECA let me actually apply it toward something,” Lauren said. “Seeing all those people walking around wearing stuff that I made — that was really fulfilling and placed a genuine value on the things I use my skills on.”

Close friend and fellow DECA officer Gabe Li (’25), who works closely with Lauren on the leadership team, commends Lauren for the originality she brings to meetings. He recalls a memory in which Lauren proposed printing their teacher’s face on a cardboard box as a prop for a DECA volleyball tournament, an idea that had the entire team laughing and fully on board. 

“A lot of her ideas to me are something that I would never think of,” Gabe said. “That’s something really unique to her and she capitalizes off that. No one would be willing to talk or even think about the things she does. She really thinks outside the box and has a creative mindset.”

Her motivations aren’t limited to just the recognition of her communities, however. Central to her values is feminism, which she puts her greatest efforts to promote through her role as the president of FEM club. She recalls feeling a sense of justice and urgency about gender issues since she was young, though she was never a direct victim of them. Striving to translate her thoughts into actions that advance the mission of feminism, Lauren collaborates with non-profits through efforts like assembling feminist care packages. 

“I knew I wanted to take charge and see my impact on the school,” Lauren said. “I’ve learned to take on a lot more responsibility and realize that I have agency. If I choose to drop the ball, no one’s going to be there to pick it up. I can’t expect everything to sort out on its own.”

Lauren’s distinct fascination with her hobbies gradually molds the behaviors of those around her. Economics teacher Dean Lizardo, who taught Lauren in both AP Economics and Behavioral Economics, reflects on how her enthusiasm for these subjects influences how he teaches his own classes. 

“Lauren would share these little tidbits that were related to pop culture or her areas of interest in class when she was participating,” Lizardo said. “I found that I would eventually use those same examples later on. Since I don’t know what’s going on pop culture-wise, her creativity helped me be a better teacher too, because now I have better, more relevant examples that I can use in class.”

Rithika Yamasani (’25), a close friend of Lauren since frosh year, characterizes Lauren as an accomplished yet ambitious inspiration. Rithika immediately recognized Lauren’s work ethic and public speaking skills through their time together in an Introduction to Business class.

“She doesn’t give herself enough credit sometimes,” Rithika said. “She’s really good under pressure, and when the time comes for her to say something, she won’t stutter at all and she’ll do it perfectly. She’s definitely made me more confident and comfortable at this school.”

One of Lauren’s guiding principles is integrating herself into all aspects of her lifestyle. Whether she’s working on a design project or participating in a DECA competition, a desire to express her feelings and understand others’ feelings stands behind her pursuits. To her, every activity serves as an opportunity to infuse her personality and values into the work she produces to make it undeniably to own. 

“I want parts of myself to be in everything I do,” Lauren said. “From dressing to DECA, it’s all about showing off who I am as a person. That’s how I distinguish myself, and it’s what makes me special.”

Above all, Lauren wishes to be known not just for all that she accomplished throughout high school, but for the way she carries herself, embodying authenticity and warmth. Rather than projecting an image of perfection, she strives to be an attainable role model, someone younger students can truly be inspired by and see themselves in.

“I want people to see that I am a real person who struggles,” Lauren said. “When I was an underclassmen, I remember looking up to people and thinking that they were perfect all the time. I thought they were robots that just did their program, and now I know that’s not realistic.”