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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

Sophomores Selina Xu, Meishin Yen and Claire Miao work on cards at a table outside of Manzanita with chapter president Ishani Sood (10) and vice president of outreach Trisha Iyer (10) during the upper school Women for Women International's holiday card writing event on Dec. 7.

Women for Women International hosts holiday card event

by Desiree Luo, Asst. Sports Editor December 15, 2021

The upper school's newly founded Women for Women International (WFWi) chapter set up a table outside of Manzanita Hall during lunch on Dec. 7 for students and faculty to create holiday cards for women...

“[My motto is] shoot for the moon, and even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars. There's unexpected benefits in everything that you do. Whether it's skating or science research or life in general, [when] I'm not so successful, I would like to remember that there's always still hope and if I keep trying, I'll be able to get to a better place," Alice Feng (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Spinning with positivity

by Olivia Xu, Reporter December 15, 2021

In a video of her routine for the U.S. Figure Skating Central Pacific Regional Championship in October of 2018, Alice Feng (12), dressed in a sky blue costume adorned with silver embroidery, glides backward...

"[My passion for music] was playing with others and being a part of a group, simply making music together. Those things are the main reasons why I enjoy playing in orchestra, mainly because I really like playing the music I listen to and then trying to recreate it,” Austin Wang (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Beats and bats

by Carter Chadwick, TALON Co-Photo Editor December 15, 2021

Recalling one of his favorite memories in baseball, Austin Wang (12) describes his experience during Central Coast Sections (CCS) Championships last year, where the varsity baseball team made a comeback...

Kris Estrada (11) poses with a cutout of Dr. Anthony Fauci after receiving his Pfizer booster dose on Friday, Dec. 10, at the Valley Specialty Center in the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center. Pfizer authorized a single booster dose for 16 and 17-year olds on Thursday, Dec. 9.

Pfizer authorizes booster dose for 16, 17-year-olds

by Sabrina Zhu and Alysa Suleiman December 14, 2021

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 booster vaccine for administration to 16 and 17-year-olds on Thursday, Dec. 9.  “We know that COVID-19 vaccines are...

Upper school physics and research teacher Chris Spenner discusses the lessons he learned in astrophotography during the Astronomy Club's workshop on Thursday. During the workshop, Spenner emphasized how certain astrophotography techniques are more challenging and can take several years to master.

Astronomy Club dives into details of astrophotography in speaker event

by Ella Yee, Reporter December 14, 2021

Astronomy Club invited upper school physics and research teacher Chris Spenner to lead an astrophotography workshop last Thursday during long lunch. The workshop was the first part of a series intended...

Upper School Division Head Butch Keller joins in on student council's dance skit, performed to to Lil Nas X’s “HOLIDAY." Last Thursday's school meeting marked the last school meeting of 2021.

School meeting recap 12/9/21: Culture Day, Kicks Against Cancer and 1,500 donut holes

by Lucy Ge, Co-Managing Editor December 14, 2021

Associated Student Body (ASB) President Dawson Chen (12) welcomed everyone to the last school meeting before winter break last Thursday.  Upper school English teacher Jennifer Siraganian announced...

The audiobook edition of “Chain of Gold” by Cassandra Clare borrowed from Sora stands next to the hardcover edition. This novel was the first audiobook I ever listened to, and it introduced me to a new form of consuming media that I had previously shunned due to misconceptions.

Reading audiobooks isn’t cheating

by Irene Yuan, Co-Managing Editor December 14, 2021

Listen to the audio reading of the following article at the link below.  harkeraquila · Listen-ature is valid, reading audiobooks isn’t cheating"DAYS PAST: 1897,” a voice intoned. “Lucie Herondale...

“The initial period of when I’m standing and waiting for the music to begin [is when] I’m incredibly nervous. But during the song, it's liberating in a sense. I become a different person. I feel like a lot more of my personality shines through when I'm on stage that a lot of people may not see," Gabriella Gary (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Positively performing

by Alena Suleiman, Reporter December 13, 2021

With her finger gliding across the shelf, Gabriella Gary (12) pauses as she reaches for a turquoise-colored book with bright pink lettering dancing across the cover. Settling herself into a comfortable...

“Having to always adapt to a new environment quickly and frequently allowed me to carry myself in a way that I know who I am, and I will always be the same person no matter what environment I am in. That also made me want to be with people, wherever I was. I wanted to have friends and know people, know teachers, talk with others about experiences or just have fun," Clarice Wang (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Habit of hugs

by Lucy Ge, Aquila Co-Managing Editor December 13, 2021

According to Merriam Webster, an idealist is “one guided by ideals, especially one that places ideals before practical considerations.” According to Clarice Wang (12) during the first Language and...

Music Monday is a new installation featuring a different category of songs on a weekly basis.

Music Monday: Take dance breaks with Aquila

by Arely Sun, Aquila Co-Managing Editor December 13, 2021

Music Monday features a different category of songs on a weekly basis. Each Monday, Harker Aquila will release seven songs, one song for each day of the week.  Finals week means lots of studying —...

Downbeat members Kris Estrada (11), Samvita Gautham (11) and Shayla He (10) smile as they introduce the performances at Santana Row on Tuesday. Upper school performing arts groups Downbeat, Kinetic Krew and Harker Dance Company traveled to Santana Row on Tuesday evening to perform festive routines filled with holiday cheer.

Harker performing arts groups dazzle at ‘Spirit of The Row’ show

by Sally Zhu and Alena Suleiman December 11, 2021

Three high school students, two jazzed up in glittery gold dresses and the other adorned in a navy-blue collared shirt with a gold tie and scarf, chatter animatedly on a stage in front of a 40-foot-tall...

Apex: John Zeng (12)

Apex: Football athlete creates home through team

by Jessica Tang and Alysa Suleiman December 11, 2021

Apex is Harker Aquila’s recurring feature profile on the upper school's student-athletes, delivered either in a written or video format. This Apex profile features John Zeng (12), co-captain of the 2021-22...

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