![“[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 holds annual blood drive in gym
Glenn Reddy (12) waits for his blood to be drawn by an American Red Cross volunteer. The Red Cross club partnered with the Red Cross to host the blood drive.
The Red Cross Club worked with representatives from the American Red Cross to organize a blood drive in the gym from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. today.
Red Cross staff took tests and drew blood while club members volunteered at the registration desk and the canteen.
While the event normally occurs twice in a school year, the administration only allowed the club to host one blood drive this year for the purpose of equal distribution of weeks dedicated to different clubs.
“The blood drive is always the Wednesday of our club week, and if we had two blood drives that would kind of feel like giving us two club weeks,” Club President Sabrina Sidhu (12) said. “If that week some other club had already reserved it, then we’re taking the attention away from them, which wouldn’t really be fair.”
Blood donors checked in at the registration area manned by club members and were given an informational booklet to ensure their eligibility. After being asked about their medical history in a private booth, those that met the necessary requirements donated about one pint of blood and obtained snacks from the canteen, a table for food and drink, in order to replenish their lowered sugar levels.
Volunteers from the Red Cross organization and associated club at Harker sat at the canteen to confirm donors’ wellbeing after giving blood.
“If [people get lightheaded or don’t feel well] we have a certain procedure that we go through to make sure that they’re okay and safe. The canteen is most important to make sure everyone is feeling okay before they head out because you don’t want them fainting out there. You’d rather have a happy donor,” canteen volunteer Michelle Diaz said.
While Angela Kim (10), a member of Red Cross Club, was unable to partake in the donation itself, her involvement at the blood drive still gave her the opportunity contribute to the cause.
“I like helping people, except I can’t do the donating thing myself, but I can still be a part of it,” Angela Kim (10) said.
Although first time blood donor Harry Xu (12) has never personally needed a blood transfusion, he wished to aid those that do and contribute to the cause.
“I felt that if I need [a blood transfer] in the future I would give some right now, and it would balance out like that,” he said. “If I didn’t need it, it’s sort of my donation in a sense, since I believe you can donate time, effort or blood, and this is the third one.”
After a collaboration with DECA to construct disaster kits on Nov. 17, the blood drive concluded Red Cross Club’s events for the calendar year.
Kathy Duan is a senior and Co-Editor-in-Chief for TALON Yearbook. After three years on staff, she practically lives in the journalism room. She enjoys...