![“[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)
Red Cross Club collects sign ups for annual blood drive
Members of the Red Cross Club have been collecting sign ups in Manzanita Hall during lunch for the upcoming annual blood drive that will take place in two weeks on Feb. 5.
The blood drive will take place in the middle of Red Cross’ club week, on Feb. 5 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the gym. Blood donation sessions take from 45 minutes to an hour, in which donors undergo three stages: a background check to make sure they are eligible to donate, the actual giving of blood, and finally a recovery stage to re-energize their bodies. Donors typically give one pint of blood, but in some cases, two pints can be donated as well, depending on their physique.
Many of the students who signed up were willing and ready to help patients with their pint of blood.
“I wanted to help people who need [blood] more than I do, and I am not really opposed to needles with a passion, so I decided to give it a shot,” Claudia Tischler (12) said. “I feel the blood drive creates an outpouring of aid from a resource that is so easily at our fingertips every day.”
Restrictions on age and weight deterred some from being able to donate blood. Students have to be at least 16 years old and depending on height, at least 110 pounds. Sixteen year olds, in addition, must have written permission from their parents or guardians.
Some students who are too young or do not meet the weight requirement expressed some disappointment at their ineligibility to donate.
“I feel very sad [that I am unable to donate],” said Archana Podury (11). “My blood type is O, so I feel like it is my responsibility to donate, but at the same time, I am slightly relieved because I am scared of needles.”
The club hopes to collect 60 pints of blood to help those in need while keeping the donors healthy.
“I’m pretty happy with where we’re at right now,”President of the Red Cross Club, Sabrina Sidhu (11) said. “I know we have at least 35 people already signed up, and I think that’s pretty good for only two days of collecting signups.”
The club will be accepting sign ups until Feb. 3, two days before the blood drive, depending on availability.
Priscilla Pan is the features editor for the Winged Post and co-creator of In a Nutshell. She is a senior and has been part of the journalism program for...
Shannon Su is the Managing Editor and Executive News Director of Harker Aquila. She joined the program as a reporter her freshman year and has held many...