![“I wasn't discouraged by some of the obstacles we faced. I learned a lot from the leadership. I found that different people need different ways of receiving feedback — you can't [just] tell them to do something and expect the best. [Some] people needed more incentive. A large part of my role was to figure out what worked for everyone and to figure out how to lead all these separate individuals as a team,” Suhana Bhandare (’26) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/SuhanaBhandare_JasmineHansra-1-1200x798.jpg)
![“This is actually from Randy Pausch Randy P. Brick: ‘Walls are there for a reason. You have to show how much you want to overcome them.’ You have to show how much you want something. That's what I've always been able to do with tennis, Link Crew and getting that internship [with Kushy Baby]. It’s important pushing through that — getting around that brick wall, climbing over it or clawing through it,” Yash Sachdeva (’26) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/YashSachdeva_RamBatchu-copy-1200x1002.jpg)
![“[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)
Among various restaurants and stores in the Orchard Farms Shopping Center plaza, Phin Cafe provides a unique experience with a variety of Vietnamese cuisine items to try. As I walked in, I was greeted by the steady flow of people lining up and the soft rustling of pages as they studied at the tables. Everyone studying had their headphones in and, aside from the Lofi background music, the room presented a calm and focused environment.
The cafe offers a variety of teas and treats, like Pandan Waffles and various Matcha drinks. I ordered the Grilled Pork Bánh Mì, Iced Milo Coffee and Iced Egg Coffee.
Grilled Pork Bánh Mì ($9.50)
Cut in half and toasted, the Bánh Mì was wrapped in paper and tasted flavorful with the perfect amount of saltiness, which reminded me of the pork that my father purchases from the Chinese supermarket. Since it had been warmed, the bread was crunchy and crumbs fell from my mouth as I bit in. The vegetables provided balance for a healthy nutritious meal even along with the overflowing meat. Unexpectedly, the spice from the green peppers somewhat complemented the other flavors of the sandwich. This dish was definitely one of the standout treats, providing a familiar taste and filling experience.
Milo Coffee ($6.50)
Iced and filled to the brim in a plastic cup, the coffee provided the refreshing and strong flavor I was looking for. The milo powder, which is a chocolate powder drink mix, added a delectable chocolatey taste. Based on appearance, the coffee looked like chocolate milk, reminding me of the childhood drink I loved. While the coffee flavor overpowered the milo, the drink provided a refreshing taste as I took bites from my sandwich. The caffeine added a boost and motivation for my homework later on.
Egg Coffee ($6.50)
This coffee was unfortunately not up to my standards of providing a strong creamy eggy flavor. Like the Milo Coffee, I got the drink iced once I heard the cashier suggested to not get it warmed as it would decrease the quality of the beverage. I expected a creamy and eggy taste to the drink but instead tasted the coffee more than any other flavors. On top of the cream, the barista used latte art to illustrate the cafe logo, which enhanced the aesthetics of the drink. Despite its appearance and the name of the drink, I didn’t taste the egg flavor as much as expected, which was disappointing. However, if you prefer a very strong coffee taste, the egg coffee will fulfill your needs.
Phin Cafe offered a memorable experience and a perfect place for a study session. For anyone in the plaza, it’s a great place for dessert or a full meal and enjoying Vietnamese delicacies.
