![“[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)
A festivity of vibrant hues of yellow, orange, and red, the Thanksgiving holidays are in full swing. Despite the all-day cooking, themed television episodes, and fall-colored hand-turkeys, Thanksgiving is a holiday most commonly associated with family. This year’s Thanksgiving break opens up countless opportunities for family fun at locations other than the dinner table.
Downtown San Francisco
Whether visiting Alcatraz, taking a walk down the Pier, or driving across the Golden Gate Bridge, downtown San Francisco is a popular tourist and local attraction that can appeal to everyone’s taste. For those who enjoy shopping, countless street shops and fine-jewelry and pearl shops line Chinatown and Pier 39. For others with a taste for the sweet, a Ghirardelli chocolate store and numerous cupcake eateries grace the walkways of the downtown area. With a number of activities for the whole family, downtown San Francisco is the place for a great day trip.
Muir Woods
The shady canopy of towering redwoods makes Muir Woods the ideal location to enjoy nature with family. With a relaxing atmosphere, the grandeur of the trees create ideal weather and a beautiful ambiance for a small lunch at the plaza or cafe deck, photo-taking, or energetic games in the open air. A number of various trails to walk on, the location is splendid for spending quality time with family.
Carmel-by-the-Sea/Monterey
A more interactive and free-form activity, a day trip to the Carmel and Monterey offers not only the possibility of a beach day, but also great dining options and various shopping opportunities. The location features a number of attractions including the Monterey Bay Aquarium and the Sunset Cultural Center that regularly features various music performances. Monterey also provides special featured events including the Big Sur Half Marathon and the Monterey Cowboy Poetry and Music Festival, among others listed on the official tourism website.
HP Pavilion
When out of other ideas for family trips, consider attending one of many events held at the HP Pavilion indoor theater. With entertainment ranging from singer Andrea Bocelli’s concert to Sharks games to movie showings, the venue offers a varied array of possibilities for family fun.
