![“[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)
HEYTEA’s newest Cupertino location provides instant relief on a hot summer day, the cool air flowing through the spacious cafe acting as a refreshing change from the heat outside. Sunlight streams through floor-to-ceiling windows and onto the wooden benches, while artificial trees add a touch of greenery. HEYTEA originated in China and garnered international popularity for its high-quality ingredients and visually appealing drinks, recently adding its newest branch in Cupertino. In our recent visit to the cafe, we tried five drinks to experience the variety of flavors on HEYTEA’s menu.
Yumberry Boom: A tangy blend of yumberry puree and jasmine green tea slush, this drink featured the yumberry, a tart fruit native to China. Altogether, the refreshing beverage had an unusual herbal aftertaste similar to cranberries. The crushed yumberries in the puree were reminiscent of flower petals, an unexpected and rather off-putting texture. Anyone looking for new and exotic flavors should give this drink a try, but it might not be everyone’s cup of tea.
Supreme Brown Sugar Bobo Milk Tea: With rich flavor and a silky consistency, this drink tasted overly sweet at first, but the salty cheese foam on top balanced it perfectly. With the perfect bounce and chew, the brown sugar pearls added a warm, caramel-like sweetness that contrasted beautifully with the cold milk. This flavorful upgrade will appeal to those who prefer a heartier drink over lighter fruit teas.
Cloud Coconut Blue: This drink was enticing from its appearance alone, with an ombre effect created by the matcha cheese foam, coconut milk and blue spirulina powder. Because each layer had differences in flavor and texture, combining the matcha and coconut flavor in one sip was frustratingly difficult. The cheese foam left a slightly earthy, bitter aftertaste, balanced by the refreshing matcha and light coconut jelly. Overall, this drink’s mix of flavors and textures makes it a must-try for coconut and matcha lovers.
Grapefruit Boom: This drink’s base was made up of a refreshing jasmine tea, followed by a tangy layer of grapefruit pulp and topped with a lightly sour grapefruit slush. The coral pink of the pulp and creamy white of the foam created a summery drink that looked and tasted delicious. After mixing all three layers, the light foam balanced out the strong herbal flavor of the tea. We recommend Grapefruit Boom to those who enjoy citrus fruits and sour flavors.
Mango Coconut Boom: This HEYTEA fan-favorite blends coconut milk, mango puree and green tea slush, creating a beautiful marbled drink that is as flavorful as it looks. With each sip, chewy sago and clear jelly added a satisfying texture, blending into a light and creamy drink. Mango Coconut Boom is a great option for anyone craving tropical flavors and chewy toppings all in one drink.
Overall, HEYTEA provides drinks that are as delicious as they are Pinterest-worthy. HEYTEA charges around $7 to $8 per drink, which is slightly pricier than typical boba chains, but its fresh ingredients, generous toppings and eye-catching presentation make it worth the extra one or two dollars.
