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 try to live every single day like it’s my last day and savor every single small moment that I can. Especially in my senior year, I really tried to live in the moment and enjoy all the things that I can. After high school, nothing is guaranteed. Everyone goes their separate ways. I always try to appreciate the friends and experiences I have now, Rachel Ning (12) said.

Humans of Harker: The art of introspection

by Katie Reed, TALON Business and PDA Manager May 8, 2023

Posters advertising her favorite artists’ new releases and printed photos from her camera roll adorn the cream-colored walls of Rachel Ning’s (12) bedroom. Amidst the cozy blankets and homey decorations...

I live my life enjoying the moment while investing into the future. I only do things with purpose and do things I enjoy. For sports, it isn’t just the competitive nature, but the idea of feeling like a part of something whole and loving something to the point where you lose your mind over it, Zeke Weng (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Playing with perspectives

by Jessica Tang, Photo Editor May 8, 2023

The crowd watches in anticipation as the football sails over teammates and opponents, eventually landing in the outstretched grip of wide receiver Zeke Weng (12), a blurred figure sporting jersey number...

There are not a lot of people who identify as Punjabi Sikh, so I used to really distance myself from it. But over quarantine, I was forced to sit with myself and figure out who I was and who I wanted to be. I started learning about my religion and history and realized how much I appreciate it. Now, I’m proud to say that I am who I am, Jasleen Hansra (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Unapologetic and unstoppable

by Mihir Kotbagi, Reporter May 8, 2023

As the buzzer sounds, signaling the end of the first half of the game, the varsity girls water polo team meets at the edge of the pool. Palo Alto High School leads by multiple goals, but the game is not...

Sometimes, choir is nerve- racking, depending on how much we prepared the song. But in general, when I go up on the stage, it feels like all the nerves melt away. I’m just with my choir, and we’re having a good time, Ayla Apsey (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Harmonizing positivity

by Angelina Burrows, TALON Co-Sports Editor May 8, 2023

In only a few weeks, the velvet seats of the Rothschild Performing Arts Center will fill with an audience anticipating a night of harmony and soothing music. On stage, a group of singers dressed in black...

Over the past few years, I learned that
everybody’s making the same mistakes, and
nobody really cares what you’re doing as long as you fix your mistakes. That also translates
to out of school. Nobody cares as much as you think they do, and I had to get over that, Claire Kampmeier (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Seize the clay

by Lakshmi Mulgund, TALON Editor-in-Chief April 28, 2023

With headphones on, Claire Kampmeier (12) concentrates on sculpting a smooth, symmetrical ceramic creation. After weeks of work, she can finally finish and watch the product come out of the kiln with light...

A big part of my life is that never give up mentality. Despite all the setbacks, if you really push yourself to the fullest, good things will happen to you. This year on the Harker soccer team, two of our six games ended with one of our goals in the last minute causing a tie. Our team really embodies that never give up spirit. Our mentality is that you play until the final whistle, Rahul Herrero (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Dribbling towards dreams

by Disha Gupta, Reporter April 28, 2023

Rahul Herrero (12) vividly recalls watching his teammate dive to block an incoming ball with bated breath. It was the final tournament of the season, and the fate of the club soccer game had come down...

Being around dancers and martial artists has been a unique experience. There are aspects of perseverance, especially in martial arts, that have always been with me even from when I started it. That’s shaped how I view the world, Aspen Shen (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Moving with meaning

by Charlize Wang, Reporter April 28, 2023

As the crimson curtains of the Patil Theater stage draw open slowly, a hush falls over the audience. It’s Big Assembly Day. The opening of the Avengers theme song fills the auditorium, and Kinetic Krew...

On one hand, it’s a personal journey. I’ve had goals that I’ve always wanted to achieve. Doing
track and training sometimes twice a day and putting in sometimes four hours in a single day
gives me drive and passion that I can really
share with others as well, Rigo Gonzales (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Best foot forward

by Ella Guo and Jonathan Xue April 25, 2023

100 meters to go. Positioned 20 meters ahead of Rigo Gonzales (12) is his final adversary, the only obstacle between him and Harker’s 400m relay victory. Rigo races forwards, but his opponent remains...

“Soccer shaped me to be an athlete and healthy person and to take care of my body and be a leader in terms of learning how to manage a team. It instilled confidence in my leadership skills and made me a more interesting person because I know more about different facets of life,” Cassie May (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Leading and listening

by Shaina Cohen, Reporter April 16, 2023

The air is electric with anticipation as the soccer ball zips around on the field, passed from the defense to the center backs and then to the midfielders. From the side, Cassie May (12) sprints toward...

I remember feeling very intimidated, but every round
I progressed in the elimination, I realized that there
isn’t an outside boundary between me and these
ultra-great competitors. If I wanted to be, I could
become one of them. That mindset shift helped me, Rahul Mulpuri (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Winning with words

by Hima Thota, Co-Features Editor April 16, 2023

From the Green Hill Round Robin in Texas to the Damus Hollywood Invitational in Los Angeles, Rahul Mulpuri (12) has traversed the nation participating in debate tournaments. Whether it’s a small-scale...

Humans of Harker: Bringing life to the screen

by Jessica Tang, Photo Editor March 26, 2023

BB Ajlouny (12): As a kid, there was some app on the App Store called Video Star, and it basically allows you to choose a song and then record clips and put it over it. So, as a nine year old, I made music...

“Ive always had this disconnect between which culture I really feel like I should belong to. With this set of self portraits, I want to acknowledge the fact that I have a lot of confusion as to my identity, and I want other people to understand that there are people who feel the same way and who arent sure, and thats completely okay because you don’t have to define yourself from one place, Lakshmi Mulgund (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Finding perfection in imperfection

by Olivia Xu, HoH Managing Editor March 23, 2023

On Aug. 19, the class of 2026 took their first step into high school. On Oct. 6, the class of 2023 decked out in bright yellow and cheered in their last high school homecoming rally. On Feb. 4, all four...

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