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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

Learning balance as a junior

Learning balance as a junior

by David Feng, Guest Writer May 23, 2019

Junior year is nothing short of a balancing act. Many students consider their third year of high school the worst and most stressful year, and they are correct to an extent. More things are being dumped...

This College Starter Pack lists items seniors might want for college. In this article, alumni offer advice to the seniors about what they wish they knew before coming to college.

College here I come!

by Erica Cai, Esha Gohil, Saloni Shah, and Alysa Suleiman May 23, 2019

In just a few months, a quarter of the Harker Upper School population will be heading off to college, into the great beyond. To prepare our beloved seniors for the next stage of their journeys, seasoned...

Perspectives: Community dress standards

Perspectives: Community dress standards

by Nicole Tian and Catherine Feng May 23, 2019

Dress choices emphasize expression While faculty and administration play a major role in deciding the community guidelines for dress, student opinion and changing styles are important factors to consider...

"At this point, I have honestly no clue at all where exactly I'm going to be in 20 years, but just the freedom of knowing that I can control where I want to go and that if at any point I do change my mind, I have the power to take whatever I have in my own hands and change my future. That’s very valuable to me, just knowing that I have freedom to choose is what makes me happiest," Helen Yang (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Compassion and choice

by Emma Gurleroglu, TALON May 23, 2019

Her lips move a mile a minute as she begins to speak about one of her greatest passions: BTS. Helen Yang (12) closes her eyes, tipping her head back as she lets out a gleeful laugh, spinning into another...

Juniors Simar Bajaj and Jai Bahri read the program, waiting for the ceremony to begin. At Baccalaureate, the school welcomes the rising seniors to be the future leaders on campus next year.

Seniors and juniors celebrate close of school year with annual Baccalaureate ceremony

by Erica Cai and Anna Vazhaeparambil May 23, 2019

Students of the class of 2019 and 2020 gathered in the quad with parents and faculty on yesterday for the annual Baccalaureate ceremony, an event where the current senior class passes down their responsibility...

A senior practices her routine prior to Senior Showcase. The showcase features all members of the Conservatory who have completed the Certificate program, which culminates in this final performance.

Conservatory seniors honored at annual Senior Showcase

by Varsha Rammohan and Irene Yuan May 23, 2019

Senior members of the upper school conservatory certificate program performed at the annual senior showcase last Friday. This year marks the eighteenth anniversary of the showcase since the first one...

"I think there is an element of personality in music. If you give people the same melody or the same sample or idea, they're going to come up with different things based on this given input because of the differences in their own worldview experiences and styles. Personally, I like the romantic styles a lot. Romantic is when people started experimenting with chords and focusing more on the feeling of the music. I think those pieces are really pretty because of that," Annabelle Perng (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Not so quiet after all

by Anthony Xu, TALON Editor-In-Chief May 22, 2019

When you’re passing by from class to class, you might see Annabelle Perng (12) walking quietly through the hallways, keeping to herself. You might have her in some of your classes, and notice how quiet...

"Football taught me how to work hard and play with teammates. Most importantly, it has given me my best friends," Jared Anderson (120 said.

Humans of Harker: Strongest as a team

by Eric Fang, News Editor May 22, 2019

Jared Anderson’s gray eyes stared down the soccer ball in the palm of his hand, concentrating on performing the trick he rehearsed countless times. With a flash, his palm turned and the ball dropped…...

“When you think about it, we’re only sixteen years old,” Prameela Kottapalli (12) said. “How much can we do? We can’t even vote. I’m aware of this. The people my age are aware of this. But the world doesn’t give us straightforward opportunities to make a difference. So writing was the way I could be able to promote awareness. So this was the breakthrough that I had for journalism, but it was also the breakthrough that I had in life.”

Humans of Harker: Power in words

by Emily Chen and Irene Yuan May 22, 2019

Behind the tinted doors of the journalism room, Prameela Kottapalli (12) is always hard at work. You can find her completely immersed in her work, constantly writing and editing, fingers flying over the...

"I think everyone has their own path and their own way of going through life, and I think that it is important that we all appreciate each other’s strengths and interests while developing our own," Aneesha Kumar (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Accept and improve

by Anika Rajamani, Reporter May 21, 2019

The lights go down in the theater, as the live musicians tune their instruments. Aneesha Kumar (12) waits anxiously in the wings, calming herself before the dance begins. As the singing starts, she steps...

Freelance photographer Stephen Lam. Lam came to speak to journalism students today during second and third period, staying through lunch to answer students' questions about photojournalism and photography.

Freelance photojournalist speaks to Harker journalism

by Eric Fang, News Editor May 21, 2019

Freelance photojournalist Stephen Lam visited Harker journalism today during period two and period three to speak about his path to becoming a professional photographer and to give advice for how student-journalists...

"I realized that I really didn't want to be a quiet Chinese girl I want to be outspoken and overcome those stereotypes and really try to improve on some of the better qualities. Who wants to be that little girl crying because she can't speak up? I would be so mad because when I see that in other people, I get really mad. Like, “Why don't you just speak up?” But then I'm also a little bit [like] that person, so I really try to be better," Taylor Lam (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Leader and supporter

by Jin Tuan, Lifestyle Editor May 21, 2019

Bright brown eyes and a genuine smile greet the world as Taylor Lam (12) sits in the sun on the Shah patio, discussing her passions and pets. A naturally shy person, Taylor finds that her passion for helping...

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