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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

“On one hand, I really enjoy everything I do, but that's not the only reason it's worth it to me. In my Boy Scout troop and when teaching at Mathnasium, I really feel like it's worth it because, thinking of all the people in my Boy Scout troop who helped me along that journey and helped me become who I am today, I really want to give back to them," Tristan Goodwin (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Giving back, “one step at a time”

by Anika Maji, Reporter March 19, 2022

Mount Baldy, New Mexico. Standing a daunting 12,441 feet tall, the mountain represented the pinnacle of the 70-mile long backpacking trip Tristan Goodwin (12) took in the summer of 2019 with the Boy Scouts....

“To me, [creating music] is freedom to do what I want. Because I used to play, of course, like everyone else, [music] from the 1700s. It was almost like you weren't playing what you wanted to play, and even if you played it with your own touch, someone's telling you that you're wrong. So now, I do what I want to do, and I control every step from beginning to end," Arnav Dani (12) said.

Humans of Harker: De-beats and debates

by Alena Suleiman, Assistant A&E Editor March 18, 2022

Immersed in his computer, Arnav Dani (12) rearranges and layers melodies from a variety of instruments on top of a vocal sample, his newest song in the process of gestation. He then focuses on the drums...

“What is more important [to me] now is enjoying yourself and doing the technical stuff if you have the patience for it but not forgetting what music actually is. I accepted music as a hobby and not something you have to compete with other people for," April Zhang (12) said.

Humans of Harker: The technique behind the art

by Rachel Ning, TALON Organizations Editor March 17, 2022

As she recalls her first experiences and exposure to music, senior April Zhang’s eyes light up with hints of reminiscence and appreciation of the lessons it has taught her. She reflects back on her maturation...

“At the end of the day, you're communicating something to your audience. You need to play for your audience, you need to play for other people, so don't keep the sound contained in the case of piano. If you're performing for the sake of performing well or performing for yourself, your audience is not going to enjoy it; they'll be able to tell," Daniel Wu (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Performing with a purpose

by Emma Gao, Copy Editor March 16, 2022

Moments after taking a seat in front of the piano, Daniel Wu (12) launches into a song, his fingers flying across the keys with surety and skill. Eyes closed, he moves in tune with the swooping cadence...

“I want to leave an impact where I can show that it's okay to make mistakes. It's okay to stumble as long as you pick yourself back up and learn from what you've done, and it's possible to continue growing as a musician no matter what," Anoushka Khatri (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Upbeat off stage, Downbeat on stage

by Sally Zhu, A&E and Lifestyle Editor March 15, 2022

A bright smile, jazzy dancing feet. A twirling golden dress, curly brown hair in a cozy black scarf. A lit-up stage, further illuminated by the joyful spirits and lively singing of upper school show choir...

“[My favorite moments] in some sense are those general feelings of conversation. They open your mind just as much as those competitions where you're really studying or working hard. In every facet of your life, you're trying to find ways to broaden your way of thinking," William Zhao (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Expanding new horizons

by Margaret Cartee, Assistant Opinions Editor March 14, 2022

Leaning attentively over a navy blue desk as he listens to a Science Bowl question, William Zhao (12) grasps his pen in his right hand with intent, ready to start writing at any moment, and holds his buzzer...

“The golden rule is important — treat others the way you want to be treated. But [we] also need to understand that sometimes, people act out of anger. People have things going on in their own lives that they don’t talk about. [We] all deserve to be respected the same way and all need to respect other people in the same way,” Saumi Mehta (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Taking center and back stage

by Desiree Luo, Assistant Sports Editor March 13, 2022

She walks onto the stage with elegance and aplomb, dressed in a shimmering magenta dress sprinkled with specks of gold. Her hair is tied into a graceful knot, and earrings dangle next to her expressive...

“It's very valuable to be confident in your own ideas. But at the same time, I think people should recognize their limitations. Especially when working with other people, it’s very valuable to get ideas from many perspectives," Rohan Rashingkar (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Devil’s advocate

by Sydney Ling, Reporter March 12, 2022

Imagine running on the green expanse of Davis Field, your eyes tracking a bright orange frisbee soaring through the air. It’s a sunny day with a slight breeze. “Here, over here!” It’s Rohan Rashingkar...

“Whether it be debate, DECA, or teaching, I have to make sure that, yes, I have these ideas, but how do I give these ideas out? Everyone I've met has brilliant ideas, but it's about how you express those ideas so that people will think it's cool, and that's something I'm still trying to learn," April Sun (12) said.

Humans of Harker: To teach with trust

by Katelyn Zhao, Assistant Sports Editor March 12, 2022

Standing in her mellow, mint-green room, clad in a loose, navy T-shirt, with the glare of a fluorescent light behind her, she begins her speech with the quiet confidence of a seasoned speaker, even in...

Shea Bryden (11) and Deeya Verma (9) attend the AP Art Exhibition's lunch reception on March 8. Each student in the AP Art classes picked out and mounted five of their pieces for the exhibition.

AP Art Exhibits display pieces from 20 students

by Sally Zhu, A&E and Lifestyle Editor March 11, 2022

Walking into the Nichols Atrium on Tuesday, instead of being greeted by gray concrete walls and empty space, you’d walk into an absorbing two-story museum of artwork, artwork painting the Nichols walls...

Trisha Variyar (11) looks at the Recreate Reading book board in Manzanita. Recreate Reading voting opened yesterday for upper school students.

Students vote for Recreate Reading book choice

by Sally Zhu, A&E and Lifestyle Editor March 11, 2022

The annual Recreate Reading registration opened yesterday for students in grades nine to 11 at 9:35 am on Infinite Campus, presenting a selection of 70 books or topics to be read over the summer.  Recreate...

A family waves signs with the colors of the Ukraine flag. A Russian airstrike hit a maternity hospital in Mariupol yesterday, wounding at least 17 individuals.

San Jose protesters advocate for ceasefire in Ukraine

by Nicole Tian, Co-Editor-in-Chief March 10, 2022

The San Jose Peace and Justice Center and San Jose Friday Peace Vigil held a demonstration at the Peace Crossroads on Sunday with around 30 protesters to call for a ceasefire in Ukraine after Russia invaded...

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