![Setter Emma Lee (9) sets the ball to the middle during the match against Pinewood on Sept. 12. “[I’m looking forward to] getting more skilled, learning more about my position and also becoming better friends with all of my teammates, Emma said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/DSC_4917-2-1200x795.jpg)
![“[Building nerf blasters] became this outlet of creativity for me that hasnt been matched by anything else. The process [of] making a build complete to your desire is such a painstakingly difficult process, but Ive had to learn from [the skills needed from] soldering to proper painting. Theres so many different options for everything, if you think about it, it exists. The best part is [that] if it doesnt exist, you can build it yourself, Ishaan Parate said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/DSC_8149-900x604.jpg)
![“Animation just clicked in a way. I had been interested in art, but that felt different. [Animation] felt like it had something behind it, whereas previous things felt surface level. I wasnt making that crazy of things, but just the process of doing it was much more enjoyable, Carter Chadwick (22) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Screen-Shot-2022-08-16-at-9.44.08-AM-900x598.png)
![“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 its played such a major role in who Ive 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 Im [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)
![“[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)
![“Im 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 theres a lot of people that are really confident in what they do, and I really admire them. Everyones 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)
![“My slogan is ‘slow feet, don’t eat, and I’m hungry.’ You need to run fast to get where you are–you arent going to get those championships if you arent 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)
![“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)
Students and faculty donate blood at Red Cross blood drive
Stephanie Chen
Apoorva Rangan (11) has her pulse checked as she prepares to donate blood.
The Red Cross Club hosted its annual school-wide blood drive in the gym today in partnership with the American Red Cross’s Silicon Valley Chapter.
Over 60 students and faculty showed up throughout the day to contribute blood to the Red Cross bank. Out of those, most were able to donate after passing a series of eligibility requirements and blood tests.
“I hate needles, but it’s a good cause,” Upper School librarian Meredith Cranston said. Though she was unable to donate this year due to travel, Cranston has previously participated in two blood drives.“I’ve been very impressed by the organization of this drive,” she said.
This year marked the first time Red Cross Club has partnered with the American Red Cross. Last year’s blood drive was hosted with Blood Centers of the Pacific.
“It’s been great,” Red Cross Club president Sabrina Sidhu (11) said. “We worked really closely with a representative from the Red Cross who helped us plan out everything for today—floor plan, logistics, making sure people are aware of the requirements.”
About ten Red Cross staff members were present in the gym today, assisting donors and conducting tests for factors like blood pressure and hemoglobin level. Each donation involved about a pint of blood drawn.
Jerry Shen (12) had no qualms about donating, though he had not participated in a blood drive before.
“I don’t really need the blood as much as other people, because [my body] can always make more,” he said.
Like Cranston, Jerry was unable to donate, as he showed symptoms of having a cold. The Red Cross’s requirements for blood donations, including constraints on lifestyle and medication, are intended to protect both donors and recipients.Travel and illness restrictions may have been part of the reason why this year’s blood drive drew fewer signups, compared to last year’s 80.
“Very few juniors are donating blood, even though almost all of them are eligible [in age],” said Nitya Mani (11), Blood Drive Coordinator for Red Cross Club.
Despite the lower turnout, those that donated still were able to make an impact. According to the Red Cross website, a single blood donation, once processed, can help up to three people.
“I felt proud,” donor Christina Wong (12) said. “I was able to give a donation that has the potential to change somebody else’s life.”
