![“[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 holds club week
Cassandra Ruedy (10), Charlotte Blanc (10) and Katelyn Chen (10) examine the treats Make a Birthday Wish Club is selling outside Manzanita. “A birthday is a special thing that we all get to celebrate, and we want to make their birthdays as special as possible,” club secretary Jenna Sanders (12) said.
December 1, 2017
Make a Birthday Wish Club held their club week and sold cookies, brownies and baked goods during office hours, long lunch and after school this week.
Funds from their sales will all go towards overall club funding to help buy decorations and future supplies for the parties they hold.
“We want to host the best birthday parties for the kids and in order to do that, we need to have money,” Make a Birthday Wish Club secretary Jenna Sanders (12) said. “A birthday is a special thing that we all get to celebrate, and we want to make their birthdays as special as possible.”
Make a Birthday Wish is a non-profit organization that works with schools to provide birthday parties for children of homeless or underprivileged families. The organization also pairs with the East Palo Alto Ecumenical Center in order to contact low-income families who would like to participate.
Schools involved with Make a Birthday Wish rotate through hosting birthday parties on the second Friday of each month. Harker this year has already hosted a birthday party in October and will be hosting another in February.
“I feel good about it,” Alli Lee (10), a new member of the club, said. “I went to one of the birthday parties and I definitely feel that this club makes a difference in other children’s lives, and I really enjoy what we’re doing so far.”
The money raised from sales will also go towards reimbursing the club officers who bought food, decorations and presents for the first party.
The parties normally include arts and crafts and other party activities, for example a pinata. The club also provides dinner and a birthday cake for the kids, as well as buying them birthday presents.
“To be able to provide a little bit of joy in their lives I think is really satisfying both for us and them,” Jenna said.
UNICEF and Red Cross will be holding their joint club week next week.
