![“[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)
Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan plan to donate 99% of their Facebook shares
Courtesy of Wiki Commons
Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan plan on donating 99% of their Facebook shares to charitable causes. Zuckerberg made this announcement on Tuesday after his daughter, Max, was born.
December 3, 2015
Mark Zuckerberg, president and co-founder of social media giant Facebook, revealed in a public letter to his newborn daughter on Tuesday that he and his wife will donate 99% of their company shares to a long-term initiative devoted to worldwide charitable causes.
Recently inspired by the birth of their new child Max, Chan and Zuckerberg hope to change the world for the children of her generation.
The couple is basing their philanthropy through the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, a Limited Liability Company (LLC) which will serve as the basis the financial management for the charitable endeavors.
“Having this child has made us think about all the things that should be improved in the world for her whole generation,” said Zuckerberg in his video announcement.
The first issues that the duo plans to tackle are curing disease, education and creating strong communities.
Contrary to popular belief, the billionaire is not creating a nonprofit organization. These organizations have laws regarding transparency of action and a minimum annual donation requirement.
Despite his altruistic motives, many have criticized Zuckerberg’s use of an LLC corporation to receive tax benefits, invest in profitable companies, lobby for changes in legislature, and have complete control of his holdings.
From a financial point of view, Zuckerberg’s intentions appear to be a transfer of funds from one side to the other and a public relations stunt.
Though Zuckerberg seems to be turning over a new page in charity, the CEO’s experience with philanthropy has been relatively rough. In 2010, he attempted to donate $100 million to the New Jersey Public School System, an act quickly opposed by activists, parents, and teacher’s unions.
At the moment, their plans do not appear immediate but their project is one that will stretch over many years in the future. There is no information which details where the money will be spent or the rate at which it will be used in the charitable pursuits. The estimated $45 billion that Zuckerberg currently holds in stock could vary in years to come.
Shannon Hong (12) had the opportunity to interview Zuckerberg earlier in the year, she shared her views on he and his wife’s intentions.
“I believe that he and Priscilla both are genuinely good people, concerned for the wellbeing of the next generation,” she said. “I am cheered and happy that he decided to use his immense wealth and broad platform to change the world for the better.”
Alike many other Silicon Valley billionaires such as Sean Parker, Sergey Brin and Nicholas Woodman, the Menlo Park CEO has set the tone for the growing trend of philanthropic pursuits in the bay area and the rest of the world.
