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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

American cinema strongly reflects the cultural prejudices of 20th century America. Only with strong participation and representation will Asians move to our rightful place as central contributors to American culture.

Hidden behind a mask: American cinema’s inauthentic portrayal of Asian Americans

by Nicole Tian, Opinion Editor March 26, 2021

Authorities stated that the shooter who killed eight people in Atlanta on Tuesday, six of whom were Asian women, hoped to “eliminate” a “temptation.” The intersection of the victims’ race and...

"Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life" is a 274 page novel by Anne Lamott that was first published on May 5, 1994. Lamott is also the author of "Operating Instructions: A Journal of My Son's First Year," "Traveling Mercies" and
"Almost Everything: Notes on Hope."

Taking flight: Discovering a candid, transformative message in “Bird by Bird”

by Arya Maheshwari, Winged Post Editor-in-Chief March 26, 2021

Arya's ranking: ★★★★☆ Weaving witty dialogue together with honest reflection, “Bird by Bird: Some Instructions to Writing and Life" surveys the realities of writing and its extensions to...

Upper school Latin teacher Scott Paterson shows his son, Virgil, holding some Amanita Muscaria mushrooms in Jan. 2020.

Meet your teacher: Mad for mushrooms

by Sally Zhu, Humans of Harker Profiler March 24, 2021

Upper school Latin teacher Scott Paterson kneels in a large forest in camping gear, holding a bright red Alice-in-Wonderland mushroom with his son Virgil. He’s featured in more photos, smiling and holding...

“Composition is a way of finding your artistic voice. For me, I would say, every day, when I'm walking around, I'm always hearing music in my head, I’m always hearing songs or melodies or something all the time," Dr. McCurdy said.

A musician’s message

by Sarah Mohammed and Alysa Suleiman March 15, 2021

At just five or six years old, a little boy would practice his harmonica, twirling around his mother’s tea party event to its lively tunes. In those moments, he knew he was destined to become someone...

"What I hope for in poetry is a sense of the historical and desire. I hope that we don't get too enamored with the present or too overwhelmed by the present that we can't enjoy and use the perspective of the past," poet Yanyi said.

The Poet’s Project: “You can feel the poem in your body”

by Sarah Mohammed, Winged Post Asst. Features Editor March 5, 2021

Yanyi is the author of “Dream of the Divided Field” (One World Random House, forthcoming 2022) and “The Year of Blue Water” (Yale University Press 2019), which won the 2018 Yale Series of Younger...

Harker Aquila introduces Book Corner, a project intended to share our staff's reviews on a non-fiction book.

Book Corner: A warm welcome from Harker Aquila

by Alysa Suleiman, A&E Editor February 28, 2021

Welcome to Book Corner, Harker Aquila's newest project introducing our staff's reviews on one non-fiction book each staff member has chosen to read. At the end of each week, one review will be published...

Right across the Golden Gate Bridge lies the town of Sausalito and the Marin Headlands, tucked away from the busy city of San Francisco. Marin Headlands is filled with scenic drives and numerous beaches including Black Sand Beach. While Sausalito is slightly farther than the city of San Francisco, grabbing take-out food from restaurants in town and picnicking on the beach is the perfect way to spend a warm, sunny day.

Hidden gems in the Bay Area to explore on your next quarantine adventure

by Anika Mani and Lavanya Subramanian February 26, 2021

On March 13, 2020, Harker made the announcement that they would be transitioning to a virtual learning environment. Although there was some apprehension about the impending pandemic, the thrilling idea...

Ysabel Chen (11) works on her digital application Lucky Paw, which she designed to centralize the pet adoption process. She is currently enrolled in Harker's Incubator 1 class where students ideate and execute their own businesses.

From an idea to reality: Student entrepreneurs continue to help their community during the pandemic

by Arely Sun, Winged Post Lifestyle Editor February 23, 2021

In the hustle and bustle of a Spanish National Honor Society meeting, an idea was born. Seniors Shreya Srinivasan and Julia Biswas decided to create Luna Y Sol, a bracelet-making nonprofit that raises...

In the face of the pandemic, Rodrigo appealed to a listener's heart with her exploration of loneliness and hardship. “Drivers License” has opened up what the music industry could have in stock for audiences in 2021: not only how artists can market their music, but also how they can speak to their listeners. 

A ballad of empathy

by Sarah Mohammed, Winged Post Asst. Features Editor February 20, 2021

Along a sleek and quiet road, a girl drives past empty fields in her small white vintage Mercedes car. Illuminated by soft purple light, she begins to sing a song of love and loss, of heartbreak and healing....

Upper school economics teacher showcases the myriad of board games he enjoys playing, whether it be with friends, family or his advisory. "The big draw to me is that board games allow you to connect with people in ways that you normally wouldn't be able to," Lizardo said. "Because sometimes we're just looking at a screen or playing video games, you don't actually get to see or talk to these people."

Meet your teacher: Economics teacher finds joy in board games

by Arely Sun, Winged Post Lifestyle Editor February 18, 2021

Behind his desk, upper school economics teacher Dean Lizardo keeps a stash of board games, stuffing the cubby of his tall bookshelf full of multicolored boxes.  “It would probably be pretty clear...

"When I was interviewed [for the Santa Clara Youth Poet Laureate position], I realized I was the youngest person at the table. And I was 32. I was wondering, 'How am I the youngest person here?'" Sapigao said. "And so I thought this whole thing would change if there was a young person at the table. That's part of the reason why I wanted to start the Youth Poet Laureate program."

The Poet’s Project: In conversation with Santa Clara Poet Laureate Janice Lobo Sapigao

by Sarah Mohammed, Winged Post Asst. Features Editor February 3, 2021

A virtual background of pink flowers in full bloom frame 2020-21 Santa Clara Poet Laureate Janice Lobo Sapigao’s face as she gazed thoughtfully, recounting her journey entering and moving through the...

Ayan Nath (11) edits "Boeing," one of the songs in "Galvanized Extended," the extended version of their debut album "Galvanized." "Galvanized Extended" was released Jan. 8.

Rising on the charts

by Sally Zhu, Humans of Harker Staff Profiler January 29, 2021

Two high school students, one love for music.  Music production pair “holyrico,” formed by juniors Arnav Dani and Ayan Nath, released the extended version of their debut album “Galvanized Extended”...

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