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

“I used to care so much about what people thought, but as I got older, I just said, ‘Honestly, who cares?’ I realized that the stuff I did, people seemed to not care about it; they wouldn’t judge me for it, and if they did, they weren’t people I wanted in my life, Chelsie Alexander (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Chelsie Alexander gains confidence by emulating independent women

by Trisha Dwiveldi, Managing Editor December 12, 2016

The theme song of Chelsie Alexander’s life is “Independent Woman, Part 1” by Destiny’s Child. And as an adventurous and creative person, she’s currently writing Part 2. As per Destiny’s...

Japanese [culture] has more levels of formality, there’s more intricacy to it… There’s a difference between your boss and your teacher, or a teacher you know well. Here [in America], you can just have a conversation with anyone you find at the bus stop. No one’s going to think you’re weird for it; you’re having a conversation. It would be significantly weirder in Japan, Annabella Armstrong (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Annabella Armstrong draws cultural awareness from her passion for languages

by Mahika Halepete, Reporter December 11, 2016

There's bilingual, trilingual, quadrilingual—and then there's Annabella Armstrong (12). She started learning Japanese in middle school and since then, she has added French, Latin, Italian and American...

“Art gives you a lot of freedom to just mess with things, You can do anything you want almost, but yet at certain times, there’s some form to it but there is also flexibility, Ryan Chen (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Ryan Chen meticulously focuses on detail

by Neil Bai, Copy Editor December 10, 2016

Whether it’s painting on a canvas or organizing volunteering activities, Ryan Chen meticulously plans each step, focusing on every last detail. “I’m really big on organization and I keep a really...

What I really eventually hope is that in clinical practice one day, some of the [research] work that Ive done will be incorporated to help someone somewhere either get an earlier diagnosis or understand their situation at a better level than they would have before, so my ultimate goal is really just to find a way to use the resources that we have as privileged students of The Harker School to make a difference in someones life who might not have the same opportunities, Manan Shah (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Manan Shah develops a love for helping

by Rose Guan, Winged Post Copy Editor December 9, 2016

Like many other students, Manan Shah (12) enjoys computer science. Where he differs is in his use of technology for a multitude of lesser-known activities, from participating in the upper school’s nuclear...

“You know how I got that haircut in eighth grade? The bob with the bangs? Basically, [my dance teacher Yoko] started choosing people who she believed had potential, and she would make them get the same haircut as her—which is really weird. I didnt even think I was that good, but there was just one moment in front of the whole class. I was standing right in the center, and she pointed at me and she was like, ‘I see myself in you,’” Isabel Lai (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Isabel Lai carries on legacy of dance instructor through teaching

by Kathy Duan, TALON Editor-In-Chief December 8, 2016

Although playful and spontaneous with her friends, Isabel’s demeanor shifts when she dances. Brown eyes often crinkled with laughter turn focused and steady, and the same feet seen treading the ground...

“[With aquascaping], you can build a whole ecosystem that looks beautiful, and you can also grow plants. I also find that interesting because whether I’m just adjusting a dosage schedule or trimming the plants, [I] have a piece of nature that I have built myself, Jay Paranjpe (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Jay Paranjpe explores aquascaping to beautify fish tanks

by Brandie Van Londen, Reporter December 7, 2016

For his 13th birthday, Jay received a 55-gallon fish tank the size of a bench table. However, he soon grew tired of his nondescript aquarium, so he decided to explore ways of creating a more exciting home...

“[Playing piano] is more of a state of peace and frustration at the same time, but it’s a good feeling of frustration. It’s all about pressing the keys of my piano because I can express anything that I’m feeling into a song or piece that I’m playing, and then I get absorbed into it. This is the time when I don’t think about anything else. I’m just in the moment, Bill Liang said.

Humans of Harker: Bill Liang uses silent reflection to better himself

by Anjay Saklecha, Features Editor December 6, 2016

In a noisy world, Bill Liang (12) harnesses the power of silent reflection needed to focus, contemplate and recharge. After 9 years at Harker, Bill has learned that digesting different people’s views...

“When you’re creating something, it should be solely from yourself. There shouldn’t be any influence from society or even just copying. Everyone wants to copy each other, right? Be the same person, be that standard of beauty, but just be yourself. That’s all you need to do. Don’t take everything so seriously. All these rules that we have, they’re not rules, they’re just human things that we impose on each other, Shreya Neogi (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Shreya Neogi showcases her individuality through visual art

by Jin Tuan, Reporter December 5, 2016

Shreya Neogi (12) finds herself drawn to the unconventional. But instead of words, she uses visual art as a medium to convey her thoughts. “I like writing, but I’m not very good at expressing myself...

“[Living in Shanghai] is freedom. It just gives me a feeling that I have all the power, all the choices. It doesn’t really matter what I really do, but it’s this mindset—I am free; I am not restricted by transportation—I really enjoy. [I feel] desire, nostalgia. Wherever I am, I have this tendency of going to Shanghai because it’s my home, Matthew Hu (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Matthew Hu reminisces about Shanghai

by Julia Huang, TALON Organizations Editor December 4, 2016

In Shanghai, the world lays out in front of him. Within a one kilometer diameter, he has access to everything—the food vendors, the stores, the skyscrapers. Matthew Hu (12) lived in Shanghai from ages...

“In [competitions], there’s a winner, there’s a loser, and it’s just—can you be the winner?” Misha Ivkov (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Misha Ivkov practices a winning mentality

by Derek Yen, STEM Editor December 3, 2016

Misha Ivkov has been playing water polo since seventh grade, but his outlook on the game changed entirely with one improbable victory. “Tenth grade. We had a game against Willow Glen, who is two leagues...

“When we do dramatic exercises in acting, there are moments where all my friends and I literally just sit in a circle and cry together. Its absolutely amazing, the way we all have power and control over our emotions and how we can make ourselves feel a certain way. I think its absolutely beautiful, Tamlyn Doll said.

Humans of Harker: Tamlyn Doll uses acting to channel her emotions

by Heidi Zhang, TALON Asst. Photo Editor December 1, 2016

Around campus, Tamlyn Doll’s (12) name is usually mentioned in conjunction with dance. It's been seven years since she took her first dance class in fifth grade, and she has dedicated thousands of hours...

“In four years, I hope I’m still in college,” he said. “I hope I’ve started to get my life together and maybe get a few gigs here and there, but Ill still definitely be taking weekly lessons. I want to go to graduate school after that, maybe at a conservatory, and then who knows? Just hopefully playing whatever, however that is, whether it’s an orchestra or a salsa band or whatever. As long as I’m playing, it’ll be fine, Jack Farnham (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Jack Farnham pursues career as trumpet player

by Nina Gee, Reporter November 30, 2016

To the most of us, music is a means of relaxing, channeling emotions or escaping the stresses of daily life. But to Jack Farnham (12), music is much more than that: it’s his future. “My dream job...

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