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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

“Even if I’m not really good at [playing a song], I don’t just quit on it. There's this song called ‘Tom Sawyer’ by Rush, and for about nine or ten years I was trying to play that ... I remember the day I got that song down perfectly, and I was so happy. It just reinforced the idea in my brain that I can do things with hard work,” Nick Bereznak (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Business beats

by Carter Chadwick, TALON Co-Sports Editor January 25, 2021

As Nick Bereznak (12) begins to warm up on the drums, he slowly ramps from light rhythms to full beats and songs. The longer he begins to play, the more his emotions and feelings from the day are portrayed...

“When I do things, I’m not really thinking about credit in general. Sure, it’s cool to be recognized, but I’m not the type of person who wants to be a celebrity with their name everywhere. I like anonymity. I personally know that I’m important in some way and that’s enough for me,” Angela Cai (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Behind the scenes

by Sally Zhu, Humans of Harker Profiler January 13, 2021

Scene changes don’t happen on their own. Neither do the lighting choreography or audio setup or the development of onstage props. Most shows cannot happen successfully without the diligent students dressed...

“With music, a lot of it is interpretation and making the music that you make into [a] style distinct to yourself. In research, your objective is to solve a problem or find an answer; the creativity plays in the sense of how you approach that, [which is] similar [to] music [in] how you interpret things or how you decide to make the mood of that piece,” Elizabeth Szeto (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Learning from others

by Shreya Srinivasan, TALON Co-Editor-in-Chief January 13, 2021

A slight breeze fills the air as senior Elizabeth Szeto slowly flips through the yellow book sitting on her lap. The lines of notes filling the countless pages become a blur, and when she nears the back...

“I'm trying to do the things that others haven't been able to do and take advantage of these opportunities. I [hope to] prove that … deviations from the norm aren't incorrect and they shouldn't be immediately rejected just because they're different. One thing you have to know about me is that I've had so many people who've said I couldn't do it, and here I am … I did the impossible,” Ellis Goldman (12) said.

Humans of Harker: A force to be reckoned with

by Sally Zhu, Humans of Harker Profiler January 12, 2021

“Try to be better today than you were yesterday.” “The only wrong question is the question that's not asked.” “I stopped waiting for the light at the end of the tunnel and lit it up myself.”...

“What I like most about [soccer] is just seeing my team improve along with me throughout the four years of high school because in freshman year, most of us were [junior varsity] … and just seeing us all progress to the varsity team and become varsity players, [is] what I enjoy most about it,” Tuhin Chatterjee (12) said. 

Humans of Harker: Friendly competition

by Isha Moorjani, Asst. News Editor January 8, 2021

Quiet fills the air on the field as the ball nears the opposing team’s goal, the players passing it between each other with speed and precision. Clad in his green Harker athletics uniform, Tuhin Chatterjee...

“[People] want to start a discourse and talk about things with people with other interests and different viewpoints. As I’ve realized the openings and the gaps and ... the opportunities I have been afforded, I’ve done all that I could to provide these platforms to other people and open new doors that wouldn’t have been opened otherwise,” Arushi Saxena (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Creating platforms

by Nicole Tian, Opinion Editor January 7, 2021

Pulling out a glossy red guitar from a soft black case, Arushi Saxena (12) checks for pedestrians before sitting down cross-legged in the middle of a bridge spanning across the far end of Vasona Park....

“We’re surrounded by such a talented and hardworking community. I think that’s definitely pushed me to work harder and be a better person than I would be if I didn’t go here,” Ian Williamson (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Hiking for headspace

by Shinjan Ghosh, TALON Co-Student Life Editor January 6, 2021

As he takes one step after another, Ian Williamson (12) feels the trail beneath his feet begin to level out. Sunlight shines down on him as he wipes a small bead of sweat from his face. Hands falling to...

“I really [believe in] having a moral code that rubs off on other people and makes other people better in your presence. Generally, people reflect the energy you give them, so you can expect whatever you're giving out,” Jason Hoang (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Live, laugh, learn

by Katie Wang, TALON Asst. Photo Editor January 5, 2021

At 1:30 a.m. on most days of the week, Jason Hoang (12) fills the kitchen with the sizzling of French toast on the stove or the bubbling of boiling water for ramen. Whether it be pancakes, eggs or cereal,...

“I just love traveling to new places because the highlights are a different culture and an entirely different experience. I never feel comfortable staying home for a while because I feel bored with my current situation, as if it's just the same repeated day over and over again,” Fonda Hu (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Beyond the basics

by Tina Xu, TALON Photo Editor January 5, 2021

“I often associate myself with Dora the Explorer just because for the majority of my life, I had a haircut that was between a bowl cut and a normal haircut, and it resembled Dora the Explorer’s,”...

“Understanding people's perspectives is something that I try to do. No matter what situation I'm in, I never immediately judge someone. [With] people who have different beliefs than me [and] different opinions, before I try and fight against them, I try and understand where they're coming from and why they believe what they believe,” Calais Poirson (12) said.

Humans of Harker: The light in every room

by Arely Sun, Winged Post Lifestyle Editor and Social Media Editor January 4, 2021

Calais Poirson (12) is no stranger to the Harker community. From singing onstage with Downbeat in a glittery gold dress to greeting students at the door of the winter ball to decking out in cheerful white...

“I got to a certain place where … you start to really feel empathy with [tabla], and you just enjoy playing and enjoy the speed. I felt like [the instrument] was trapped in this box of classical Indian music … But listening to the songs I listen to every day, I would start drumming in my lap, and at that point, I thought, ‘This isn’t out of place,’” Nicky Kriplani (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Rhythmic confidence

by Nicholas Wei, Humans of Harker Profiler January 4, 2021

Sitting cross-legged before the tabla, a classical Indian pair of drums, Aniket “Nicky” Kriplani (12) gazes intently as he rests his hands on the twin set of instruments. A pulse echoes in his mind...

“I want [people] to remember me for always being a team player and always looking out for other people. Especially in athletics, I want to be supportive of everyone around me and show others that they’re not in it alone. You'll always have the support of other people in your community,” Maria Vazhaeparambil (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Encouragement on and off the court

by Sabrina Zhu, Asst. STEM Editor December 28, 2020

Nine girls bustle around a busy kitchen. A mix of different aromas wafts through the house, and the sound of metal tools clinking combined with joyful laughter fills the room. Maria Vazhaeparambil (12)...

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