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

“Listening to music, it just always really, really helps get me through things. Curating playlists, playing music, and playing my instruments has always has been an outlet for emotions that are too strong to recognize. It has really always just brought me a peace of mind no matter what Im doing, Connie Xu (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Where music meets maturity

by Andrew Chang, TALON Sports Editor January 7, 2019

No matter where you find her, whether it be in the library, in RPAC practicing for her next performance, or Phil’s coffee, Connie Xu (12) will always be listening to music. In fact, she creates a playlist...

“I always tell myself to remember to balance everything. I feel like since I’m not specifically doing just CS or just research, I have to tell myself to make time for everything that’s important. I have that tendency to go really deep into it, which is great, but I also need to tell myself to take breaks and go outside and play with my brother or something, Ayush Alag (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Work and play

by Kathy Fang, Managing Editor December 14, 2018

His eyes land on a point in the space before him, one that vaguely correlates to the right-most door along the lobby of the RPAC, but he does not seem to see either the glass or the white columns before...

“I think letting go of the people that I thought meant the most to me but were really bad for me and toxic — just letting them go was a really big decision… I talked to my friends and I took a step back and realized what was happening. [Now] I feel better, I feel free. I feel like I can make mature decisions even though adults may not think so. I feel like I can do anything. I’m confident in myself to make the right decision,” Rithi Jayam (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Connections

by Emily Tan, Reporter December 13, 2018

On the stage at matriculation in front of the entire student body, Rithi Jayam (12) stands with the rest of Cantilena as the group prepares to sing Stephen Hatfield’s “Ain’t That News.” After a...

“Whether it’s small or big, the things you do can really affect people. We have a lot of people who come into our meetings just to make cards. And those cards make a huge impact on the kids receiving them. I just want people to feel that they’re helping in some way and making a difference, and that you don’t have to donate millions of dollars to make that difference, Abhinav Joshi (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Smiles all around

by Vishnu Kannan, Reporter December 12, 2018

It doesn’t matter whether you have met him or not; Abhinav Joshi (12) will always greet you with a charismatic smile and charm you with his cheerful, upbeat personality. Dressed in muted tones of blue,...

“A lot of people come into the high school with huge friend groups thatre very set and think thats not going to change. But friends are going to switch out; not everyone grows the same way throughout high school. Be open to everything and try new things. Dont be set on how your high school life specifically will go. I feel like coming in from eighth grade, I very much had a set plan of how I was going to progress throughout high school, and that plan changed, and its okay for those ideas to change,” Claire Newman (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Big heart, bright smile

by Helen Zhu, TALON Reporter December 11, 2018

Thoughtful. Wild. Creative. Funny. Driven. The list goes on. Her effusive energy seen during class meeting and spirit rallies, her creativity and relentless dedication on and off the field and her exuding...

“I tried to leverage dance as a way to engage my community. I hope by explaining the benefits of dance in a scientific way I can make people more engaged, maybe try it out…by really showing its benefits, Riya Singh (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Reaching out on relevé

by Nicole Tian, Reporter December 10, 2018

Strolling into Manzanita on a Friday afternoon, Riya Singh’s (12) understanding smile envelops her figure in a quiet dignity. Slinging down her backpack and an extra pair of tennis shoes, she nods thoughtfully...

“As Ive continued to do things, its kind of gotten to this point where no one really cares. And I mean that in a very positive way. No one cares if you mess this up and no one cares if you fall down and no one cares if you shave your head and no one cares if you cant swim butterfly. So you might as well just do it even if its embarrassing for you, and even if it pushes you to be uncomfortable. Just because something doesn’t feel right, and just because something isnt your gut instinct, doesnt mean you shouldnt do it, Lily Wancewicz (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Story unfinished

by Saloni Shah, Asst. Humans of Harker editor December 7, 2018

Eagerly pulling out her phone, Lily Wancewicz (12) giggles as she beams at a picture of her senior portrait with her petite fluffy Calico kitten, Poppy. Walking through the library, her shoulders relaxing,...

I stopped thinking so short term—I realized that life is more about the bigger picture. Sure, I have three tests tomorrow, that’s a worry, but in the big picture, it’s a very insignificant aspect of my life, so it just helps me put in perspective a lot of things,” Gene Wang (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Embodying the “bigger picture”

by Nicole Chen, Editor-in-chief December 6, 2018

At a soaring 6 feet 3 inches, Gene Wang’s (12) presence dominates the gym floor of the athletics center. Sporting his signature Harker basketball gear and his black Nike PG2 sneakers, he leaps into the...

“About 100 years ago, we didn’t know what general relativity was. Then, in 1915, Einstein proposed it in a conference. And since then, our understanding of physics has changed drastically. Even in that relatively short period of time, looking at how much our knowledge has changed, it inspires me to be part of that next move, that next wave of understanding,” Cameron Jones (12) said.

Humans of Harker: A Saganist worldview

by Aditya Singhvi, Sports Editor December 5, 2018

Cameron Jones (12), wearing a black sweatshirt adorned with the Harker CTF logo, stares intently at his screen with glasses-framed eyes, constructing the applications that many students now take for granted....

“Even though there are a lot of stereotypes, we are in a little bubble. We live inside a bubble, but at the same time, with all the resources we’re given, we’re able to explore and expand our horizons, like we dip into other lives or other communities,” Mahi Gurram (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Dipping into different lives

by Arely Sun, Reporter December 4, 2018

As she jokes around with her friends outside of the Athletic Center, Mahi Gurram’s (12) gentle smile and twinkling eyes exude kindness and compassion towards those around her. No matter where she is,...

“When you’re playing, you just focus on the game itself. You can kind of hear the other people on the court yelling for the ball or even the coach yelling about something, but everything else you can just tune out. Even practice — it helps me tune out anything else that’s happening in my life. I forget all the stressful stuff I have to do later. It just kind of takes your mind off of everything else, Donna Boucher (12) said.

Humans of Harker: On the court and behind the keyboard

by Nilisha Baid, TALON Asst. Business and Social Media Editor December 3, 2018

The sound of Donna Boucher (12) bouncing a volleyball three times echoes through the gym before her serve. Focusing on the ball, she tunes out everything else: the crowd, her other responsibilities. When...

“People dont really notice that I have a hearing disability until I tell them, and the first thing they will usually say is ‘I’m sorry... Pity gets old very quickly, and I couldnt imagine what it would have been like for people who have more severe disabilities than I do. And I’d say it’s just an empowering reminder of what people go through every day — what deaf people go through everyday, and how, because I have this perspective, I have a duty to help other people,” Brian Park (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Persevering with pride

by Jessie Wang, Reporter December 1, 2018

As Brian Park (12) enters the door of the classroom, he’s swarmed by a mass of children, clamoring with delight at his arrival. The group soon disperses to return to either studying or enjoying some...

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