![“[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)
Five Santa Clara County residents found infected with West Nile Virus
Mosquitoes cause more human casualties than any other organism– according to the AMCA (American Mosquito Control Association) over one million people worldwide die from mosquito-borne diseases every year.
Over the past few weeks, five Santa Clara County residents were found infected with West Nile virus. Two of the infected developed a severe neuroinvasive form that can lead to death. One is currently hospitalized.
West Nile virus in the South Bay area is not common–there were two cases in 2013, one in 2011, one in 2008, four in 2007, and five in 2006.
Unlike last year’s outbreak, West Nile virus activity was concentrated in Milpitas and East San Jose; this year it is concentrated in Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Cupertino, Campbell, and west and south San Jose.
For now, health officials warn that the risk of the West Nile virus is on the rise for the next two months, the period it takes for the infected mosquitoes to die out.
“It is important to remember most people who get a mosquito bite will not become infected, will not develop symptoms and will not need to seek care,” said Dr. Sara Cody, Health Officer for Santa Clara County, in an official press release. “But in some cases, West Nile can cause serious illness. To reduce the risk of West Nile, residents should take precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.”
According to CDC (US Center for Disease Control,) the West Nile virus or WNV is an anthropod-borne virus (arbovirus); anthropods include insects, arachnids, and crustaceans. Documented throughout the world, WNV was first detected in North America in 1999, and has since spread across the continental US and Canada.
The majority of people get infected by West Nile Virus by a mosquito bite. The infected mosquitoes catch the virus by feeding on infected birds.
In 2014, Santa Clara experienced an unusually high number of birds that died from West Nile virus.
West Nile virus can easily be transmitted, but the risk of becoming seriously ill is low for most people. Less than one percent of people can develop serious neurologic illness like encephalitis or meningitis. However, those over the age of 50, people with diabetes, or those with hypertension have a higher chance of becoming ill.
People can take steps to protect themselves from contracting WNV including:
1. Use insect repellents when outdoors. Repellants containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, and some oil of lemon, eucalyptus and para-menthane-diol products provide longer-lasting protection.
2. Dress in long sleeves and pants if possible.
3. Make sure window and door screens are secure.
4. Reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home by emptying standing water from open containers.
In response to the West Nile outbreak, San Jose, and Saratoga have been sprayed to eliminate the virus-carrying mosquitoes last week. Santa Clara and Sunnyvale were fogged the week before.
“I had no idea it was going on,” said Saratoga resident Victoria Ding (11), “I think we should take precautions, but [fogging] may not be the right answer.”
Fogging aims to eliminate all virus-carrying pests, but city officials say citizens should take precautions.
Kaity Gee (12) is the assistant Editor in Chief of Wingspan. Serving as a reporter for TALONWP freshman year, Kaity has written pieces for Winged Post...