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

The drawing is of a test grade with a questioning remark, “good?”. Teachers write encouraging marks on high grades, but the question here conveys that the sacrifice of joy to get that grade might not have been worth it.

Are good grades worth all the hard effort?

by Sara Yen, Reporter January 29, 2018

Two weeks ago, I anxiously awaited my semester one report card. Soon after the clock turned to 5 p.m., I hastily clicked on the bright blue button to download my grades. Once the PDF opened in another...

TALON managing and business editor Sharon Yan (12) announces that a free yearbook lottery will take place at each grade’s next class meeting. One member from each class will receive a free yearbook.

School meeting recap 1/29

by Anvi Banga, Aquila Asst. News Editor January 29, 2018

English teacher Charles Shuttleworth and theater teacher Jeffrey Draper announced the annual Shakespeare competition, which will take place on Feb. 22 during long lunch in Nichols Auditorium. The top three...

Memoir Monday: The Cricket Ball

Memoir Monday: The Cricket Ball

by Aditya Singhvi, Reporter January 29, 2018

The cherry-colored, beaten up cricket ball lies in a drawer in the garage. Its surface is rough, with flakes of the well-worn leather covering coming off to expose the dirty brown cork underneath. Although...

Six new movies to watch in 2018

Six new movies to watch in 2018

by Gloria Zhang, Aquila Asst. Features Editor January 27, 2018

1. Paddington Release date: January 12, 2018 Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons Sequel Paddington 2 continues to explore the adventures of the marmalade-loving bear as he finally settles in with the...

While I originally wasn’t sure what I wanted to do when I learned of the school’s 30 hour community service requirement, using my own interests to my advantage has given me opportunities to gain experiences I never would have imagined. The people I’ve met have taught me a lot.

Service is more than just 30 hours

by Neil Bai, Copy Editor January 26, 2018

“Hurry! Only five more minutes!” I yelled, as my two best friends and I scrambled to finish preparing a dinner that would feed 40. It’s the spring of my freshman year. We’ve already been working...

“I try not to invest too much time and thought into how people think of me.

Humans of Harker: Alexandra Michael stays true to herself

by Sara Yen, Reporter January 26, 2018

With her back straight and her hands clasped together on top of her crossed legs, Alexandra Michael (12) sat comfortably with poise, dressed in blue jeans and a long warm jacket. Wisps of dark ginger hair...

“Im someone who really tends to think about the past and dream about the future, and so this year Ive really tried to live more in the moment because Im surrounded by all these people and things that make me so happy, Sharon Yan (12) said. Something Ive been trying to do is just to stop thinking so much about the past and the future and all the what ifs and just live in the moment.”

Humans of Harker: Sharon Yan spends senior year behind the wheel

by Julia Huang, TALON Academics Editor January 26, 2018

Boba Guys. Vitality Bowl. Pekoe. Pielogy. Pressed Juicery. Honeycomb. Caviar. Philz. Class 302. Silkworms. These are some of the foods and restaurants on Sharon Yan’s senior year bucket list. While...

Senior panel member Haley Keller (12) points to a time management worksheet while addressing her LIFE group. The freshmen spoke with a group of seniors about tips and tricks to surviving high school for their LIFE meeting today.

Freshmen and sophomores attend LIFE meetings

by Anoushka Buch and Nerine Uyanik January 25, 2018

Freshmen and sophomores gathered in Nichols Atrium and Nichols Auditorium today for LIFE meetings after seventh period. The freshmen listened to the senior panel, a group of select seniors, that shared...

“I definitely think that reading is a big part of empathy, Makenzie Tomihiro (12) said. Because, the way I look at it, it’s like everyone is the main character of their story, and every story has its own conflicts, and every protagonist has an antagonist, and while I’m the main character of my story, all these supporting characters have their own main stories as well.”

Humans of Harker: Makenzie Tomihiro reads to empathize

by Eleanor Xiao, TALON Editor-in-Chief January 24, 2018

“Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much.” - J.K Rowling. “Lost in the shadows of the shelves, I almost fall...

Senro Sushi: A modern twist on Japanese cuisine

Senro Sushi: A modern twist on Japanese cuisine

by Farah Hosseini, Reporter January 24, 2018

Crowds of people load the spacious and decorative restaurant as waiters bustle through the tables, serving dishes ranging from fresh fish to steaming ramen. Each table is immersed in their own conversations,...

“When I got to high school, I was trying to get into these honors classes because I felt that by being in these higher level classes, I would be validated,” Aliesa Bahri (12) said. “It was really difficult my freshman year to meet the requirements, but I did, and I moved up in all my classes. When I got there, that barrier that I felt between me and everyone else was still there, and I couldn’t get rid of it. It was only when I started to ignore it and to stop comparing myself to other people, which I had been doing unintentionally, and to focus on who I am and what I wanted did that barrier disappear completely. Only by trying not to tackle it did I actually let it disappear.”

Humans of Harker: Aliesa Bahri breaks down barriers

by Nilisha Baid, Reporter January 22, 2018

The balcony behind Nichols is often empty, silent aside from the roaring of the freeway. To Aliesa Bahri (12), it’s an island of tranquility in the bustling school, where she can relax and reflect on...

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