![“[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)
FEM club raises money for Kakenya Center for Excellence
A student fills out a form to buy one of Ayla Ekici’s (12) homemade butterscotch cupcakes. The club has raised over 500 dollars from the bake sales held during last year’s and this year’s club weeks.
February 25, 2016
The Female Empowerment Movement (FEM) club hosted its annual club week this week and raised money for the Kakenya Center for Excellence, a partner of the Girls Learn International association founded by educator and social activist Kakenya Ntaiya.
All proceeds will go to providing educational supplies and services for students at the all-girl’s learning center.
“These girls really do need a place where they can learn and the school helps to defend them from social threats like forced marriage,” activities coordinator Aliesa Bahari (10) said. “So this [fundraiser] gives money to maintaining their facilities, sanitary care and school supplies.”
The club hosted bake sales after school and during both lunches on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. On Wednesday, members sold Pinkberry frozen yogurt after school until 5 p.m.
“It’s been going really well,” Nikita Ramoji (12), co-president of FEM club, said. “We’ve had a lot of people buy things or even just donate, which has been really incredible and we’re really thankful that they’re supporting us.”
This week, FEM club is also creating a petition in support of pop singer-songwriter Kesha, who is currently engaged in a legal battle with Luke Gottwald, her record producer who allegedly sexually abused her. Furthermore, the club requested library staff to put books about the gender equality movement on display.
During long lunch on Wednesday, club officers held a film screening of The Hunting Ground, a documentary covering sexual assault on U.S. university campuses.
Jessica Wang (10), the secretary of FEM club, shared her opinion about the Oscar-nominated movie.
“I was surprised by how high the statistics were, such as the percentage of women that actually get sexually assaulted during their time in college,” she said.
Through fundraisers, petitions and screenings like the ones held this week, FEM club hopes to increase recognition about women’s issues while advocating for overall gender equality.
“I think people have this perception of feminism that’s really aggressive and that’s not what we’re trying to promote here,” vice president Ayla Ekici said. “We’re trying to help the cause for equality and raise awareness for the issues that women face around today, still, in 2016.”
The issue surrounding feminism and what it stands for is a preeminent controversy in society today. FEM club advocates for the true meaning of feminism, which is defined as supporting women’s rights on the basis of equality to men.
“I think a big part of the issue is that some people don’t even think that sexism still exist, so they find it kind of silly that there would be people fighting for it,” Selin Ekici said. “Some people think that feminists are man-haters, but that’s not what feminism is and that’s not what we stand for.”
Nikita Ramoji discussed what FEM club strives to do.
Various discussions are hosted each Wednesday among club members, highlighting topics such as the Equal Pay Act (EPA) and abortion. In addition, club activities include writing letters to senators regarding gender equality issues and discussing articles that pertain to women’s rights.
“They want to help girls out in terms of education overseas and they want to do direct political work on issues that are pertinent towards girls and also women,” FEM club advisor Donna Gilbert said. “To raise awareness about issues that are specific to girls, women, and our lives is their goal.”
