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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

Junior Luke Wu helps out his family at their Happy Lemon franchise, and junior Mia Kister works at iJuice, a local smoothie shop. Both Luke and Mia believe that these jobs have allowed them to develop skills that will benefit them later on in life.

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...

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...

An Honest Biscuits employee builds a sandwich. For those exploring Pike Place Market and seeking a satisfying meal with a touch of homemade comfort, Honest Biscuits delivers.

Tasty Tidbits: Honest Biscuits offers vibrant flavors, buttery warmth

by Tiffany Zhu and Ashley Mo April 26, 2025

SEATTLE — Bordered by the Pacific Ocean, Honest Biscuits offers a view that parallels the excellence of its food. Upon entering, customers are greeted by smiling staff members and the rich aroma of caramelized...

So you wanna be a pastry chef?

So you wanna be a pastry chef?

by Disha Gupta, A&E/Lifestyle Editor March 29, 2025

Stepping into chocolatier and pastry chef Lisa Allen’s apartment, one might catch her in the middle of transforming her living room into a pastry workshop. Furniture is pushed aside, and the aroma...

Lanzl lays on the ground next to a group of meerkats. Lanzl has traveled to Africa several times to visit with SAFE Worldwide’s partner groups and aid in conservation efforts.

So you wanna be a wildlife conservationist?

by Chelsea Xie, Assistant News Editor March 25, 2025

Linda Lanzl sits motionless among the dense greenery as a mountain gorilla slowly approaches her. She remains completely motionless among the dense flora and slowly extends her arm towards the creature....

Vinay Reddy advises former President Biden on a speech. “It doesn't matter who you're writing for,” Reddy said. “The real, most important thing is [that] you understand that person."

So you wanna be a speech writer?

by Samaara Patil, TALON Assistant Photo Editor March 8, 2025

As soon as Director of the Office of Speech Writing Vinay Reddy arrives at his office, the room buzzes with energy. The team is excited for the annual Diwali White House celebration being hosted later...

Planets follow predictable patterns of movement across the sky, but can only be seen at certain times of the year depending on factors like the earth’s rotation and the planets’ relative location around the sun. Uranus and Saturn require a telescope, but Venus, Jupiter and Mars are fairly easy to spot with the naked eye, even in light-polluted areas.

Five steps to see the universe

by Claire Tian, Assistant STEM Editor March 4, 2025

In the hustle of everyday life, stargazing offers a source of tranquility. It’s not necessary to invest in telescopes or spend years studying astronomy either. Even for complete amateurs, searching the...

Gen Z refreshes Y2K fashion trend

Gen Z refreshes Y2K fashion trend

by Suhani Gupta and Eva Cheng March 1, 2025

More than 20 years after the Y2K panic, a cornerstone of the era has arisen once more. Bright, bold colors, low-rise flares, tracksuits and chunky sneakers fill the shelves of popular clothing stores...

When selecting courses, aim for a mix of rigor and personal interest. Find a balance that allows you to thrive.

Navigating course selection at Harker: Advice for rising sophomores, juniors and seniors

by Disha Gupta, A&E/Lifestyle Editor February 7, 2025

Choosing the right courses at Harker is a high-stakes balancing act. Each year of high school presents its unique opportunities and challenges, and it’s crucial to strategize wisely. There is a delicate...

Claudia Chee poses with a cart inside Costco. Chee has over 215K followers on Instagram, where she posts product recommendations.

So you wanna be a Costco influencer?

by Chelsea Xie, Assistant News Editor February 7, 2025

When Claudia Chee walks into her local Costco, she’s not just shopping—she’s creating content. She selects a cardigan, props her phone on a shelf, hits record and models the item, showcasing the...

Calorie-tracking apps and fitness trackers often feed into unhealthy habits related to eating. Teens who are already vulnerable to body image issues may become obsessed with counting every calorie.

Shattering the silence around eating disorders

by Disha Gupta and Suhani Gupta February 6, 2025

This article discusses topics related to eating disorders, including extreme dieting and unhealthy weight loss methods. If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, please seek support...

Over the Thanksgiving break, I visited the islands of Tahiti and Mo’orea, my third venture into Polynesia after visiting Hawaii and New Zealand years prior.

Out of the Nest: Tahiti and Mo’orea

by Suhani Gupta, Co-A&E/Lifestyle Editor January 10, 2025

Looking at a map of the world, it’s easy to overlook the tiny islands in the middle of the Pacific Ocean that make up French Polynesia. The closest country to these islands, New Zealand, is a six hour...

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