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

The Japan Self-Defense Forces scout around a damaged road, looking for an evacuation route, in the city of Wajima, Ishikawa on Jan. 6. Some people who dont live in the area would like to help, but they dont welcome trucks or food because the roads are destroyed, Japanese teacher Noriyo Ikeda said. (Provided by the Japanese Ministry of Defense)

7.6-magnitude earthquake strikes Japan on New Year’s Day

by Jessica Hu, Assistant Copy Editor January 24, 2024

A 7.6-magnitude earthquake hit the western coast of Japan at around 4:10 p.m. on Jan. 1, killing 232 people, setting off tsunami waves and causing widespread damage.  The earthquake, which struck the...

While it is essential to recognize and respect these collective identities and histories, its equally crucial to ensure that they do not become restrictive boxes that prevent us from seeing the rich tapestry of individual experiences within them.

Lunging over boundaries of identity

by Anwen Hao, Co-Multimedia Editor January 24, 2024

My hands trembled as I connected my fencing body cord to the reel at the end of the piste. This was my second match in the direct elimination round, and a victory here would secure me a spot in the top...

Priscilla presents the famous relationship between Elvis Presley and Priscilla Beaulieu from her perspective. Directed by Sofia Coppola, the film delves into her coming-of-age both within and outside the gates of her marriage.

“Priscilla” can’t help scrutinizing loneliness, liberation and love

by Eva Cheng, Assistant Sports Editor January 20, 2024

Hi, I’m Eva, and today I am going to be talking about my thoughts on the 2023 release of Priscilla, starring Cailee Spaeny and Jacob Elordi and directed by Sofia Coppola. Honestly, I didn’t have...

Winter instrumental concert rings in seasonal spirit

Winter instrumental concert rings in seasonal spirit

by Alison Yang and Jessica Wang January 17, 2024

Discord fills the Rothschild Performing theater. Upstairs, the tuning of instruments battles with anticipatory chatter and last-minute pep talks. Downstairs, audience members rustle through programs...

Climate change worsens conditions athletes face in outdoor sports like soccer and skiing. The increase in temperature results in unfavorable air quality for soccer players and the melting snow for skiers.

Athletes run down the clock against climate change

by Tiffany Zhu and Claire Zhao January 12, 2024

Temperatures fluctuate, rising and falling by unprecedented degrees. Wildfire smoke fills the air. Sports practices are canceled. These realities may seem apocalyptic, but it remains true that outdoor...

Attendance Coordinator Ritu Raj smiles as she reads an email at the front desk in Main Hall. In addition to tracking the attendance of over 800 students at the upper school, Raj promotes wellbeing and supports those around her through resilience coaching.

Meet your staff: Compassion in coordination

by Mendy Mao and Ella Yee October 1, 2023

Arriving late because of traffic? Need to leave school early for a doctor’s appointment? Upper School Attendance Coordinator Ritu Raj can help you. Seated at the Main hall front desk, she is the first...

Tara Nemati (10) works to complete the sophomore class eagle during Spirit Night on Friday. The sophomore eagle donned a lab coat and sports jersey to highlight the “High School Musical” theme.

HSLT hosts spirit night, students complete eagle paintings

by Felix Chen, Co-News Editor October 1, 2023

Upper school students celebrated Spirit Night on Thursday outside of Manzanita Hall from 3 to 5:30 p.m. to build class camaraderie and finalize homecoming preparations. Harker Student Leadership Team...

The presence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) looms over students at Harker. Students often use AI technology to generate ideas, to complete homework assignments or even to write sections of essays.

ChatGPT can’t fix everything

by Isabella Lo, Co-Opinions Editor September 27, 2023

It’s late at night. I have an assignment due the next morning, and my goal is to go to bed as quickly as possible. Who would want to toil through two more hours of homework, then wake up sleep-deprived...

Otter 841 clings onto a vibrant surfboard in the waters off Santa Cruzs Cowell Beach in June. Many surfers have reported encounters with this otter outlaw, and authorities are still searching for her.

Otter 841: The audacious, surfboard-snatching menace

by Victor Gong, Co-STEM Editor September 26, 2023

As surfers ride the waves in the cool blue waters of Santa Cruz, one omnipresent threat looms over them all — an overly-social, delinquent sea otter. The aquatic outlaw, which local officials call Otter...

Despite changes and improvements, Wi-Fi at Harker is sometimes unreliable and unstable, disconnecting at inconvenient times. These disconnections create disruptions both in and out of the classroom.

What’s happening with Harker Wi-Fi?

by Eva Cheng and Victor Gong September 19, 2023

Wi-Fi: a magical gateway to the Internet, a necessity in everyday tasks, the enabler of everything online. In today’s day and age, web browsing, gaming and video calling all require wifi or internet...

Aminis death paved the way for a renewed movement of defiance, protest and anger against Iran’s oppressive regime. Thousands of people have taken to the streets, dancing, singing, burning hijabs and defying authorities.

Pulse of the People: Iran’s resistance, one year after Mahsa Amini

by Hima Thota September 16, 2023

Today marks one year since the death of Mahsa Jina Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish Iranian woman who was stopped by the morality police for not wearing her headscarf properly. Three days after her apprehension,...

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