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

Fern Biswas (10) admires the Diego Rivera bulletin board in Main Hall, which features over 150 paintings about Rivera’s dream of what North America would be like. Hispanic Heritage Month began on Sept. 15 and honors different types of Hispanic culture in the world.

‘We want to show that we are proud’

by Vika Gautham and Sarah Mohammed September 27, 2022

When she hears the words Hispanic Heritage Month, upper school mathematics teacher Jeanette Fernandez thinks of bringing awareness to others who aren’t as knowledgeable of the Hispanic culture in America....

The Pearl Post adviser Adriana Chavira speaks to student journalists at the Journalism Education Association (JEA) NorCal Media Day at Palo Alto High School today. “There’s a section of the Ed Code 48907 that protects advisers from retaliation,” Chavira said. “That was added about 15 years ago. The Ed Code 48907 was actually added back in the late 70s, and [it’s] the first such law for student journalists in the country. Were lucky we have this: it’s giving you First Amendment protections.”

‘This is so much bigger than just our publication’

by Isha Moorjani and Olivia Xu September 24, 2022

PALO ALTO, Calif. – Hundreds of students rise to their feet in applause, all facing the three journalists on stage. The speakers, from the journalism staff of Daniel Pearl Magnet School in Los Angeles,...

The Harker upper school welcomes new faculty members this year. Among them are the new head of school, the new Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, an athletics trainer and nine new teachers.

Upper school welcomes new faculty faces on campus

by Sabrina Zhu and Olivia Xu September 1, 2022

From bacon lovers to avid Beyoncé dancers, the new teachers and staff members joining the Harker Upper School for the 2022-2023 school year have so much to offer. With nine new teachers and a new athletics...

Seniors Zubin Khera, Arin Jain and Rohan Gorti hold up a check of $20,000 written to TuffToy after winning the National Pitch Competition in Chicago in July. The three founded TuffToy in their junior year to sell customizable and durable dog toys.

Want to start a business? It’s pawsible.

by Desiree Luo and Ananya Sriram August 30, 2022

How do high school students start their own businesses? This question echoes inside the minds of many budding teenage entrepreneurs with ambitious dreams and diligent spirits. Age, limited resources and...

Butch Keller and upper school math teacher Ms. Jane Keller. The cancer diagnosis was pretty life changing for Mr. Keller and I, and it kind of helped us realize that life is a little short, and we really need to spend time with our family, Ms. Keller said.

Greatest goodbyes: Departing upper school faculty bid farewells

Mr. Samuel “Butch” Keller, Jr., Head of School We say K through life, and Mrs. Keller and I are going to embrace that for life. I do a quote of the day every day, and I have forever. There...

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage month, which takes place in May, originated as a way to celebrate the different ethnicities that make up the American nation. Asian culture is commonly seen appearing at the upper school, especially with the large Asian population of the Bay Area.

Welcoming cultural differences with Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

When Karina Chen (11) immigrated from Shanghai in fifth grade, she had the unique experience of remembering life before America, keeping in touch with her Chinese side as well as immersing herself in American...

Harker’s efforts and projects to improve Latinx inclusivity and representation

June 2, 2022

“Sí, se puede!” exclaims a medley of green, orange and yellow student-made posters scattered across a bulletin board. Swooping calligraphy and bold fonts on each poster draw the attention of viewers...

Despite their small number, Harker’s Latinx population continues to display the rich layers of their culture. Through hosting events such as La Noche Cultural on March 11 and celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 with special dishes at Fresh Mex and paper decorations on bulletin boards around campus, they’ve allowed the larger Harker community to sample the vibrant art and accomplishments of Latinx and Hispanic people.

‘It’s about the culture, it’s about all we bring to this country’

by Kinnera Mulam, Emma Gao, Trisha Iyer, and Sarah Mohammed June 2, 2022

“Let’s head over to Manzanita!” As the last note of the bell rings, students pour out of second period, rushing from buildings across campus to the cafeteria. Chatter fills the air as a long column...

Charlie Major, owner of Bay Area cheesecake store Charlies Cheesecake Works, poses with a classic cheesecake. Major, who started the store 20 years ago, still runs the shop to this day, selling three varieties of cheesecakes in 40 unique flavors.

So you wanna be a cheesecake baker?

by Lavanya Subramanian, TALON Student Life Editor May 12, 2022

After Bay Area local Charlie Major retired 20 years ago, he didn’t take a conventional route of retiring. Instead, he started a new cheesecake business, setting up Charlie’s Cheesecake Works right...

Varsity boys volleyball huddles in a group cheer before the game to excite the team. The eagles beat Saratoga High School 25-21, 25-23, 21-25, 25-19.

Varsity boys volleyball team celebrates senior night, sweeps Saratoga 3-0

by Chayce Milheim, Reporter May 12, 2022

The varsity boys volleyball team defeated Saratoga High School 25-21, 25-23, 21-25, 25-19 on Senior Night at home last Friday at 6:45 p.m.  Head coach Zachary Mattson emceed the senior night ceremony,...

Jason Shim (9) applauds after seniors Caden Lin and Kailash Ranganathans yoga ball performance at Quadchella: Spring into Climate Action. The event, which occurred on Earth Day, concluded a series of events hosted by Green Team during Earth Week, including the Buy Better Boba initiative.

Earth-Day themed Quadchella returns for spring

by Desiree Luo, Co-Assistant Sports Editor May 3, 2022

Additional reporting by Selina Xu. Upper school students and faculty gathered in the quad to watch musical, dance and comedic acts by their peers and colleagues at the Earth Day-themed Quadchella during...

Zubin Khera (11) and Vivian Bi (11) read writing in the latest issue of the Harker Eclectic Literary Magazine (HELM), which was produced by students and focused on the theme of renaissance this year. HELM often features student-written poetry, creative writing and miscellaneous forms of art.

Poem in your pocket: Celebrating National Poetry Month

by Sydney Ling, Reporter April 30, 2022

It’s hard to define what poetry exactly is. Poetry can be reading Shel Silverstein’s poems in second grade, black-out poetry with sharpies or “I Am” poems. Poetry can be Frank Ocean’s confessionals,...

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