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 always try to do things in a different way. Maybe that’s me trying to be experimental, that experimental side from performing arts where you play with different things, find out what’s best. In any sort of situation, I’m always trying to do something unique. During projects and presentations, I always try to be funny and add humor, which helps me stand out in different classes,” Benjamin Soraire (21) said.

Humans of Harker: Curtain call

by Saurav Tewari and Nicholas Wei July 6, 2021

For many Harker students, drama and theater classes are usually taken to fulfill the performing arts requirements. However, they also prove to be great introductory classes for students with untapped acting...

Class of 2021: Humans of Harker compilation, part two

Class of 2021: Humans of Harker compilation, part two

by Erica Cai and Esha Gohil July 3, 2021

Due to the unprecedented circumstances surrounding COVID-19, our seniors cannot experience their spring semester and graduation in its traditional format. Yet, we want to honor the Class of 2021 and celebrate...

Class of 2021: Humans of Harker compilation, part one

Class of 2021: Humans of Harker compilation, part one

by Erica Cai and Esha Gohil July 2, 2021

Due to the unprecedented circumstances surrounding COVID-19, our seniors cannot experience their spring semester and graduation in its traditional format. Yet, we want to honor the Class of 2021 and celebrate...

“If you work hard, and you put all your effort in, theres nothing to be stressed out about because the results are going to be there. I put that into most things that I do,” Andrew Chang (21) said.

Humans of Harker: Just keep swimming

by Michelle Wei, Angelina Hu, and Nicholas Wei July 1, 2021

“Swimmers,” the announcer drawls. On the second block from the left, Andrew Chang ('21) stands confidently, stretching out the last kinks in his tall frame. “Take your mark.” Pause. “Go!” Six...

“Playing football, being a DECA mentor and leading spirit rallies ... I always had a lot of fun doing it, but it was only around the second half of junior year to now where I’ve witnessed the impact that I’ve made not only to my friends but to the underclassmen Ive worked with,” Rohan said. “[Its] something that I never expected but it makes it worth it, Rohan Varma (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Touchdowns on the game of life

by Erica Cai and Michael Eng June 30, 2021

Rohan Varma (‘21) laughs as he recounts the night he scored the game-tying touchdown against Lowell High School in September of last year. With no more than ten seconds left, Rohan darted between the...

“Its important to keep sight during that period of learning [of] why you decided to pick up the instrument in the first place ... If youre able to recognize that Hey, Im doing this to build my technique, to play pieces that I want to play, to express myself emotionally however I want to, youll find that after a while, your instrument will stop fighting you, Wilson Zhang (21) said.

Humans of Harker: Soulful strumming

by Michael Eng and Nicholas Wei June 29, 2021

Leaning back on a bench, guitar strapped over his shoulder, Wilson Zhang ('21) allows his fingers to gently glide across the strings of his guitar. The soulful notes tremble in the air, and gradually,...

“With my journey, I never had this end goal of doing environmental research — it all happened through the spontaneous, different things I was focused on in the present. But they led to something much bigger, this intertwined, weird, unique environmental journey,” Aditya Tadimeti (21) said.

Humans of Harker: From a spark to a blaze

by Anna Vazhaeparambil and Erica Cai June 29, 2021

In the viral video clip depicting the detrimental effects of single-use plastic straws on marine wildlife, a marine biologist pulls out a twisted plastic straw from the nostril of a sea turtle. For Aditya...

“[Basketball] has given me confidence in my abilities and taught me to not hesitate, like shooting your shot in a game when youre open. That also translates to academics. [The sport] is a large part of who I am because a lot of my own traits, like being a little more confident or being more calm during stressful situations, I’ve learned from basketball,” Srivishnu Pyda (12) said.

Humans of Harker: A gym for the mind

by Saurav Tewari, Sports Reporter June 28, 2021

As Srivishnu Pyda (12) recalls his basketball career at Harker, he emphasizes how impactful basketball has been. As a new freshman, Srivishnu joined the basketball team and found a group of teammates and...

“Having diversity in perspective is so important. The person who I’ve become from blending STEM and the humanities is someone with a broad perspective on life. When you combine the two, you can approach STEM problems with a creativity that you get from writing or from talking to people from various backgrounds. These challenges have been here for centuries, but maybe a new perspective is all you need,” Saloni Shah (12) said.

Humans of Harker: One story at a time

by Erica Cai, Humans of Harker Co-Managing Editor June 2, 2021

190 people. 190 stories. 190 unique life experiences. 190 rollercoasters through the exuberant, tumultuous, irreplaceable journey of high school enshrined in a plethora of smiling faces and passionate...

“For each 30 seconds of a documentary, I need to put in an hour of work … if Im trying to get a message out, I could just say it. But I think putting so much effort into such a short piece of work, its a reflection. People are more likely to look at it because they know youve put thought into it. And youre also able to be more thoughtful because it forces you to think about every single visual effect in every single word,” Jason Lin (12) said.

Humans of Harker: A picture is worth a thousand words

by Saloni Shah, Humans of Harker Editor-in-Chief May 31, 2021

You may know him through his resounding proclamations in Latin. Possibly through his videography—ranging from Zuca backpack explosions to interviewing presidential candidate Andrew Yang. Or maybe his...

“One thing I really have in front of me is being a better athlete, being a better person, being a better student. Whether its inside school, outside of school, whatever extracurricular Im doing, I strive to become better. And if I want to put my effort into it, I will,” Rosh Roy (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Breaking a sweat

by Ethan Liu and Catherine Wong May 31, 2021

Rosh Roy (12) recalls one track and field meet on a spring afternoon. The sun beat down on the dirt track, casting shadows on the runners’ faces. Teams from different schools, each brimming with energy,...

“Emotions bring power to your words … In order to convince someone else of what you were saying, you have to fully believe in it and fully feel the emotions in your words to affect other people [and] convince them that what youre saying is true and has value,” Helen Li (12) said.

Humans of Harker: The power of conversation

by Saloni Shah, Humans of Harker Editor-in-Chief May 27, 2021

Its head swivels from the scrumptious brown nut resting in its palms, black and beady eyes focusing upon her. With the words “absolutely not,” barreling out of her gaping mouth, she takes one step...

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