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

Humans of Harker: Passion for positivity

by Medha Yarlagadda, Reporter April 18, 2022

Ava Lett (12) lights up as she talks about Unique, a nine-year-old girl who Ava has seen grow up through her club, Make-A-Birthday-Wish. Unique was four years old when Ava first met her, and seeing how...

“I’ve always been super self-motivated to reflect on and improve myself while also being curious, which is one of the things doing math has helped cultivate in me; Math is beautiful just like artwork or music, Alex Hu (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Curiosity larger than the universe

by Steven Jiang, Reporter April 17, 2022

Alex Hu (12) recalls studying his math research prompt closely, intent on trying to simulate a quantum computer on a regular computer. After attempting many ideas, a stroke of insight flashed into his...

“Supporting yourself in your endeavors and achievements is a big part of the feminist movement. Being the president [of FEM Club] is something Ive had to grapple with. People ask me questions about certain topics that I don’t know, and its okay if I don’t know. Whatever position you are [in], you’re always learning new things, and thats my favorite aspect of FEM club, Simone Merani (12) said.

Humans of Harker: On a stage of strength

by Olivia Xu, Reporter April 17, 2022

“Fight hard! Fight hard! Fight hard!” Cheers erupt from the crowd of protestors steadily walking forward, in a video of the Women’s March on Jan. 18, 2020. Drums beat, a slow rhythm transforming...

“Knowing how to work with people, knowing how to talk to people and understanding the whole teamwork aspect is really important, especially in robotics, where everyone has a job to do. If one of these units fails, the whole thing comes apart, Pranav Gupta (12) said.

Humans of Harker: The world inside the lab

by Saahil Herrero, Reporter April 16, 2022

Pranav Gupta (12) fondly remembers one of his first robotics competitions, the World Championship in 2019. The immense area that was laid out was astounding, with massive futuristic pillars and over 10...

“Being able to express yourself allows you to be your best self, and finding things that combine things you love to do, trying to further your passions as opposed to sticking to what you think you should do or what other people imply that you should do, its really important for the best growth so you can be your best person, Nageena Singh (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Picture (im)perfect

by Lakshmi Mulgund, TALON Co-Sports and Social Media Editor April 16, 2022

As the setting sun shines down on the tables in front of Shah hall, Nageena Singh (12) pulls out her bullet journal and opens to a double-page spread dazzled with jewels and collaged with layers of papers....

“[Uplifting others] is hard for me sometimes because I struggle with bringing myself up sometimes, but when I do help them succeed it makes me feel better. And in the end, it helps me succeed as well, Kai Burich (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Ain’t no mountain high enough

by Chayce Milheim, Reporter April 15, 2022

Kai Burich (12) recalls the almost ethereal scenery of a morning hike: the rising sun glinting on the morning dew that adorns the patches of grass growing alongside the trail path, shards of rainbows forming...

“One of the lessons [the coaches] teach us is that when youre tired and when you end [feeling] like you want to quit, you need to work harder and give it 10 more minutes, and then youre going to be done. Put your all into every ball and focus on the current shot. And dont think about the future, right? Because if you hit a good current shot, the other person might hit the ball in the net, Anishka Raina (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Forging success

by Alison Yang, Reporter April 15, 2022

It’s hot out, Anishka Raina (12) recalls. As Charlize Wang (9) guards the net, Anishka waits at the service line, watching the Menlo pair on the other side. The referee’s whistle cuts through the darkening...

“Medicine is usually reserved for people who have all these degrees behind their name and who have done all of these years of education. Especially during COVID, as everything is shut down, it is very hard to find research or internships as opportunities. That is what motivated me to pursue debate a little bit more, start graphic design and join the nonprofit. The main point is to make medicine accessible in a time where everything is not,” Vinay Sudarsanam (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Treasured transformations

by Ashley Hong, Reporter April 14, 2022

Vinay Sudarsanam (12) fondly recalls his memories from the University of California, Irvine Medical Summer Program, a deeply eye-opening experience that pushed him to go further into the field of medicine....

“Why would you go through life being disappointed? If you go through it with positivity and happiness, things will work out for the better. Everyone should be empathetic and kind. I like the idea of getting stuff done [and] making tangible difference instead of just saying it, Uma Iyer (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Batting into the light

by Ariana Goetting and Anwen Hao April 14, 2022

Uma Iyer (12) recalls stepping slowly on the soft, green grass to the diamond, her softball teammates starting to cheer and chant her name. She picks up the bat; her eyes concentrate on the ball, and all...

“Seeing others perspectives is something that I wish other people cared about more often, keeping an open mind in general. Especially in todays day and age, its really easy to see them and us, and villainize other groups of people, but its important to keep the perspective of, even though someone might be on the other side of the screen, they all are still people, Keshiv Tandon (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Thoughtful understanding

by Jessica Wang, Reporter April 13, 2022

Keshiv Tandon (12) laughs as he recalls a middle school memory: after his ceaseless consumption of books, his parents instilled a rule upon him — he was banned from reading. However, he saw this rule...

“I realized that I hate being on stage, which I tried doing for a long time. But I really like being next to it, and helping people, and making the stuff run. Theres a magic in all performances, and Im very bad at being part of the magic, but I love helping bring the magic to life, Zee Krylov (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Building the magic

by Fern Biswas, Reporter April 13, 2022

Zee Krylov (12) hurriedly picks costumes off racks in the Rothschild Performing Arts Center (RPAC), ranging from a horribly mismatched set of rainbow clothing and shoes to a long dress with design influence...

“I never played polo before playing [that year, so] I was nervous. I was learning the whole thing. I feel like I got lucky because we didnt have anyone who was a goalie for JV. I was like, ‘Oh, Im kind of tall and long.’ So I tried being a goalie. I was lucky that I was naturally good at it, and I got more confidence from there, Andrew Chen (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Seeking discomfort

by Bryan Xiao, Reporter April 12, 2022

Eyes darting back and forth across the basketball court as he observes the opposing offense, Andrew Chen (12) quickly notices an opportunity to make a defensive play. As the Eastside College Prep ball...

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