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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

“Speech and debate is a wonderful way for people to find their voice, learn how to speak up, how to think quickly on their feet and how to articulate their ideas extremely clearly. Talking through arguments, what makes a good speech, what are some aspects of public speaking such as eye contact or expressiveness, or changing the tone of your voice — these are all aspects that I strive to pass down and spread to people around me,” Max Xing (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Forums of confidence and connections

by Kevin Zhang, Aquila Managing Editor March 8, 2024

Frantic thoughts raced through Max Xing’s (12) mind as one last competitor unleashed a barrage of arguments through the computer screen during the online 2022 Tournament of Champions (TOC) semifinals....

“Both sports and art teach you how to fail and not get caught up on overthinking things, like, ‘How could I have done this better?’ You move on to the next point, you move on to the next day. You move on to the next piece. It's very challenging to just not lose motivation and abandon it,” Catherine Wong (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Whims of creativity

by Hima Thota, Co-Features Editor March 8, 2024

Click. Catherine Wong (12) turns on her drawing tablet, the screen lighting up. She quickly clicks on the drawing app, which presents a screen with rows of pens of varying color and inks at the bottom...

Directors’ Roundtable: Revisiting Stories from Student-Directed Showcase

by Alison Yang and Suhani Gupta March 8, 2024

A month ago, the Conservatory premiered the annual Student Directed Showcase. The directors, seniors Isabella Ribeiro, Mariana Rai, Selina Xu and Sonya Apsey, each selected and produced four one-act plays...

With my experience in selling these special cookies, these five are my favorite Girl Scout cookies of all time.

Friday Five: Girl Scout cookies

by Janam Chahal, Assistant News Editor March 8, 2024

In the spirit of Girl Scout cookie season, which runs from Jan. 29 to March 17, I will be ranking my top five Girl Scout cookie selections. I was once a Girl Scout, so these flavorful, unique cookies will...

Isabelle Niu (9), Kuga Pence (12) and Anna Wang (10) pose with their phone cases. They use their phone cases to express themselves and carry memories. (Illustration by Alison Yang, Photos by Alvira Agarwal and Hannah Jeon)

Case by case: Students cover phones in personality

by Alvira Agarwal and Hannah Jeon March 6, 2024

The wide variety of phone cases around campus ranges from plain, neutral colors to eye-catching flashy designs. But what does a phone case reveal about its owner? Aside from protecting phones, phone cases...

Introduction to Journalism student Sarah Wang (9) captures fellow classmates Emma Lee (9) and Victoria Li (9) jumping midair. During photographer Mark Murray’s visit, students practiced shooting action photos and capturing motion.

Professional photographer guides journalism students through creating photo stories

by Jessica Hu and Mendy Mao March 6, 2024

Harker Journalist-in-Residence and Executive Director of the Association of Texas Photography Instructors Mark Murray gave photography tips to Introduction to Journalism classes and guided them through...

William Chen '03 lectures to Green Team about sustainable farming on Stanford's O’Donohue Educational Farm. Besides talking about his own experiences, Chen also discussed the harmful effects of pesticides and herbicides, the benefits of eating organic foods, and ways to support sustainable farming.

Green Team speaker highlights methods and mission behind sustainable farming

by Victor Gong and Ashley Mo March 6, 2024

Green Team invited Harker alum William Chen ‘03 to present on sustainable farming on Monday. Chen is the facility and production coordinator at Stanford’s O’Donohue Educational Farm and has previously...

The Language and Linguistics Club meet in upper school French teacher Galina Tchourilova's room on Feb. 27. The presentation focused on sociolinguistics and the diversity of dialects.

Discussing dialects: Language and Linguistics Club discovers sociolinguistics

by Vivek Moorjani, Humans of Harker Profiler March 6, 2024

Language and Linguistics Club held a meeting on Feb. 27 discussing sociolinguistics and how it connects to modern day life after school from 3:15 to 3:45 p.m. in upper school French teacher Galina Tchourilova’s...

Organist Brian Ho responds to saxophonist Aaron Lington's improvisation during a performance of Lington's original tune "Nostalgic." "It really is like a musical conversation," Ho said. "We feel each other out and take turns to listen to each other."

Aaron Lington organ quartet energizes stage with live jazz

by Jeremy Peng and Jessica Wang March 6, 2024

Before one note fades, the next bursts forth, each as unexpected as the last. The guitarist grins, his fingers dancing across the strings as the organist cushions their cutting richness with a flurry of...

The 2023 release “Wonka” tells the origin story of Willy Wonka from Roald Dahl’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”. With its appealing visuals, catchy tunes and lighthearted villain roles, the musical constructs a fantastical and enchanting world, despite being cheesy at times.

A charming chocolatier

by Eva Cheng, Co-Assistant Sports Editor March 4, 2024

Arriving in a whimsical metropolis with nothing but dreams, a young, starry-eyed Willy Wonka strolls into the square of Galerie Gourmet, home of the world’s most renowned chocolatiers, hoping to start...

Humans of Harker: Tackling challenges through teamwork

Humans of Harker: Tackling challenges through teamwork

by Shaina Cohen, TALON Reporter March 4, 2024

As the clock counts down, just a few seconds remain in the first half of the 2022 Homecoming game. The football team prepares for the last play at dusk, and Kevin Bettencourt (12) readies himself,...

“I love folklore, I love fairies, and I love Lord of the Rings. I want to make art that feels magical because that’s what I like, but it was also at that point where I knew that it had to have depth,” Maya Cheshire (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Blooming in art

by Young Min, Co-A&E Editor March 4, 2024

Maya Chesire (12) sweeps her brush from side to side, covering the canvas with bursts of browns and greens. Framed by two tall trees on either side of the painting, an Irish Bog Man stands in a hole dug...

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