![“[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)
Make a Birthday Wish club hosts bake sale and Pinkberry fundraiser
Students buy Pinkberry outside Manzanita during lunch. The Make a Birthday Wish club is selling frozen yogurt and baked goods this week to fundraise.
The Make a Birthday Wish club will hold a bake sale after school and sell Pinkberry frozen yogurt during lunch every day this week in front of Manzanita to fundraise as part of its club week.
The club members are also running a toy drive, and donation bins have been placed around campus, including one outside Main and one near Dobbins, for any lightly-used toys, excluding stuffed animals, due to safety concerns.
The Make a Birthday Wish organization hosts birthday parties for and gives toys to underprivileged children. Profits from the Pinkberry and baked goods sales will go towards decorations and food for these parties.
President Sonali Netke (12) first joined the Make a Birthday Wish organization when she was a sophomore, and she was the first student ever to create a high school Make a Birthday Wish club.
Sonali explained the goal of the club and the motivation behind throwing the parties.
“Most of their parents can’t really afford to buy them gifts and throw them parties, so that’s what we’re here for,” Sonali said.
Co-Vice President Ashir Bansal (12) shared his reasons for participating in the club.
“I honestly joined the club at first because because my friend was the president and she said I should,” he said. “But then, I realized after that it means a lot to me, going to these parties and seeing how happy they are once they’re celebrating and see their presents. It’s really fulfilling.”
Amy Dunphy (9) expressed her opinions on the club as a student who isn’t a member.
“Birthdays are a very special occasion for a lot of people because they come only once a year,” Amy said. “I think it’s important to help make that a very special day for these kids.”
Freshman Millie Lin echoed Amy’s sentiment about the effect the parties would have on the children.
“Because it’s their birthday, they get all their presents, and if their parents don’t have enough money to be able to afford that, it could be really crushing to them,” she said. “The [Make a Birthday Wish] club would be able to make their wish come true.”
The club members themselves purchase the decorations and set up the parties, which includes wrapping presents and writing birthday cards.
The Make a Birthday Wish club will be continuing its bake sale after school throughout the rest of this week at the tables outside of Manzanita.
Sahana Srinivasan (12) is the Editor-in-Chief of the Winged Post and Wingspan, having previously served as Managing Editor, Asst. STEM Editor and a reporter....