![“[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 hosts annual blood drive in gym
Gary Blickenstaff had one pint of blood drawn today at the Red Cross Club’s annual blood drive during long lunch. Blood units from this event were donated to the American Red Cross in the Bay Area.
December 2, 2015
The Red Cross Club hosted its annual blood drive today in the gym during long lunch to donate blood to the American Red Cross.
This week is also the Red Cross’s club week, in which it holds events that benefit underprivileged people in the community. Students participated in Kits for Kids on Nov. 20, an event where students prepared emergency packages with basic supplies and necessities to provide for children.
Volunteers from the American Red Cross set up multiple blood-drawing stations in the gym while a registration area and screened-off booths filled the remaining space. The American Red Cross workers inspected all students and faculty who wanted to donate blood to ensure that they met the donation requirements being at least 16 years old and 110 pounds. Those who passed the check went to one of five beds in the room to have one pint of their blood collected.
“Numerically, our goal is to raise 27 units of blood,” Red Cross Club’s activity coordinator Natalie Simonian (12) said. “We had 36 formal sign-ups; however, some couldn’t actually do the donation. We’re hoping the drop-ins will help us reach our goal.”
Although she initially intended to only help man the registration booth, senior Jasmine Liu chose to donate blood after hearing about the number of blood donors there were today.
“I was actually originally reluctant to donate blood because I’ve always had a fear of needles, but I decided that I wanted to overcome that fear,” she said. “Plus, I heard about how there was a shortage of blood, so I thought it was a good chance to donate”
Arnav Tandon (11), first time blood donor, reflected on how why he decided to contribute to the drive this year.
“I think it’s obviously important to support a cause like this, because there are so many positive effects that come from just one person donating their blood,” he said. “With the large number of people willing to donate, I think it’s really helpful to people in need.”
Even though she did not participate in the blood drive this year, Andrea Simonian (9) commented on how she hopes the blood drive will help others.
“If you donate blood, you’re saving someone else’s life, which I think is very important,” she said. “I think most students would like to be a part of that too, because they might not necessarily be able to donate by themselves at home. But with the blood drive at school, they would be able to easily.”
The Red Cross Club will conclude its club week by selling brownies and hot chocolate in the Quad on Friday for $5 to benefit the American Red Cross.
