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The student news site of The Harker School.

Harker Aquila

The student news site of The Harker School.

Harker Aquila

The student news site of The Harker School.

Harker Aquila

Senior Fern Biswas addresses junior Ollie Masoni. Fern was the final performer before the Certificate mentors honored Jack Farnham ('17) with the Life in the Arts award.

Conservatory concludes year with Hammies and Senior Showcase

by Lily Peng, Sports Editor May 28, 2025

Conservatory honored performing arts students and Certificate seniors in the annual Hammies and Senior Showcase on May 17 in the Patil Theater. Hammies, Harker’s Conservatory awards ceremony, kicked...

Although the USC Mind Challenge was created with the intent of raising funds and awareness, in reality, it did little to combat mental health stigma. 
“For these types of challenges, it’s important to take actual action,” junior Amishi Gupta said. “Out of the people that were informed, maybe 10% of them donated towards the cause, but the other 90% of videos can be a little performative.”

USC Speak Your Mind Challenge floods Instagram feeds, raises little awareness

by Chelsea Xie, A&E/Lifestyle Editor May 23, 2025

During a class break, sophomore Ryan Pham opens his phone and clicks into his friend’s Instagram story. “Thank you for nominating me…” With a sigh of annoyance, he watches the video of his classmate...

Anna Luo launched her jewelry brand Analemma8 to merge spirituality and beauty. "The goal of our brand is that when people wear our accessories, they not only look good, but they are also given confidence and spiritual inspiration," Luo said.

So you wanna be a jewelry business owner?

by Tiffany Zhu, Winged Post Editor-in-Chief May 21, 2025

Fiery orange-red carnelian stones and shimmering labradorite flowers dangle from a bright gold chain. Smooth purple Brazil super seven stones laced with golden citrine shape an elegant bracelet, and black...

Senior Shruti Srinivasan sings a solo during Downbeat's performance. All of the upper school choral groups came together in the last concert of the year, "How Can I keep From Singing."

Alumni and teachers celebrate seniors and retiring teacher in spring choral concert

by Chelsea Xie and Cynthia Xie May 19, 2025

Singing groups Capriccio, Dolce Voce, Downbeat, Festival Chorus and Rhapsody performed in their final choral concert of the year on May 2 in the Patil Theater. Themed “How Can I Keep From Singing,”...

Junior concertmaster George Yang looks at the sheet music as he draws his bow. The orchestra and jazz band played nine pieces during the concert.

Spring instrumental concert honors graduating seniors

by Chelsea Xie and Cynthia Xie May 12, 2025

Orchestra and jazz band played in their final performance of the year at the Spring Instrumental Concert in the Patil Theater on May 1. The concert served as a way for the instrumental department to...

The central character of Kurt Vonnegut’s “Slaughterhouse-Five,” Billy Pilgrim becomes “unstuck in time.” He experiences his life out of order: one moment he’s a soldier in WWII, and then—suddenly—he’s living in a zoo on the planet Tralfamadore, the unwilling exhibit of a race of aliens who perceive all of time simultaneously.

Book Corner: So it goes

by Jessica Wang, Winged Post Managing Editor May 8, 2025

Billy Pilgrim, an unassuming optometrist, becomes “unstuck in time.” He experiences his life out of order: one moment he’s at his daughter’s wedding, the next he’s a soldier in WWII, and then—suddenly—he’s...

Young baristas stir up success behind the counter

Young baristas stir up success behind the counter

by Disha Gupta, Humans of Harker Editor-in-Chief May 6, 2025

Most teens stroll into cafés and juice bars with earbuds in and phones out, scanning the menu for something sweet to sip between classes. But behind the counter, it’s often students of a similar age...

Junior celloist Aya Sugaya leads her section. “Being a section leader has definitely helped my confidence, communication, organization and time management,” Aya said.

Orchestra principals lead through example, patience and mentorship

by Cynthia Xie, A&E/Lifestyle Editor May 2, 2025

As the rehearsal ends, the room fills with the sounds of sheet music pages shuffling around, instrument cases banging against each other and people chattering. While others slowly trickle out of the room,...

Apps like Clearspace focus on setting limits on screen time, adding a layer of intentionality to device usage. When opening an app blocked by Clearspace, users first receive a message to breathe in and out for up to fifteen seconds so that they can reevaluate whether they want to use the app or not.

Productivity apps boost student focus

by Suhani Gupta, Aquila Managing Editor May 2, 2025

In the hectic cycle of high school life, students like sophomore Joyce Zhang struggle to find time to complete all of their work. This issue arises from multiple compounding factors, including scheduling...

Despite some of the flaws in cohesion between subject matter and music, Dacus thoroughly explores love and domesticity in “Forever Is a Feeling,” affirming her relationship beautifully and without shame through her art.

Lucy Dacus explores queerness and the mundanity of love in “Forever Is A Feeling”

by Cynthia Xie, A&E/Lifestyle Editor April 28, 2025

Virginian songwriter Lucy Dacus’ latest album, “Forever Is A Feeling,” explores her budding queer relationship with music artist and collaborator Julien Baker. Although the introspective lyrics make...

Captain of Harker Dance Company Yasmin Sudersanam dances alongside NBA dancer and alum LeAnn Reidenbach ('17) during the master class. Students followed Reidenbach's choreography as they explored professional-level movement and performance techniques.

Alum LeAnn Reidenbach brings NBA-level intensity to Harker

by Disha Gupta, Humans of Harker Editor-in-Chief April 27, 2025

Dance students powered through fast-paced choreography under the instruction of NBA dancer and Harker class of 2017 alum LeAnn Reidenbach on Friday afternoon. The master class combined professional training,...

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