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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

“Why would you go through life being disappointed? If you go through it with positivity and happiness, things will work out for the better. Everyone should be empathetic and kind. I like the idea of getting stuff done [and] making tangible difference instead of just saying it," Uma Iyer (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Batting into the light

by Ariana Goetting and Anwen Hao April 14, 2022

Uma Iyer (12) recalls stepping slowly on the soft, green grass to the diamond, her softball teammates starting to cheer and chant her name. She picks up the bat; her eyes concentrate on the ball, and all...

The 64th Grammys awards took place in Las Vegas on April 3. Listen to Aquila's Arts & Entertainment editors Sally Zhu (11) and Alena Suleiman (10) discuss their reactions to the awards.

Reactions to the 2022 Grammys awards

by Sally Zhu and Alena Suleiman April 14, 2022

The 64th Grammys awards took place in Las Vegas on April 3, honoring nominees in 86 total award categories, and featuring 20 live performances. Listen to Aquila's Arts & Entertainment editor Sally...

“Seeing others' perspectives is something that I wish other people cared about more often, keeping an open mind in general. Especially in today's day and age, it's really easy to see 'them' and 'us,' and villainize other groups of people, but it's important to keep the perspective of, 'even though someone might be on the other side of the screen, they all are still people,'" Keshiv Tandon (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Thoughtful understanding

by Jessica Wang, Reporter April 13, 2022

Keshiv Tandon (12) laughs as he recalls a middle school memory: after his ceaseless consumption of books, his parents instilled a rule upon him — he was banned from reading. However, he saw this rule...

“I realized that I hate being on stage, which I tried doing for a long time. But I really like being next to it, and helping people, and making the stuff run. There's a magic in all performances, and I'm very bad at being part of the magic, but I love helping bring the magic to life," Zee Krylov (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Building the magic

by Fern Biswas, Reporter April 13, 2022

Zee Krylov (12) hurriedly picks costumes off racks in the Rothschild Performing Arts Center (RPAC), ranging from a horribly mismatched set of rainbow clothing and shoes to a long dress with design influence...

“I never played polo before playing [that year, so] I was nervous. I was learning the whole thing. I feel like I got lucky because we didn't have anyone who was a goalie for JV. I was like, ‘Oh, I'm kind of tall and long.’ So I tried being a goalie. I was lucky that I was naturally good at it, and I got more confidence from there," Andrew Chen (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Seeking discomfort

by Bryan Xiao, Reporter April 12, 2022

Eyes darting back and forth across the basketball court as he observes the opposing offense, Andrew Chen (12) quickly notices an opportunity to make a defensive play. As the Eastside College Prep ball...

“Throughout my entire life, I've tried to intentionally grow myself into a person who is very selfless. I want to make sure that everything I have can actually be used to give back to the community that has helped me become the person I am. I want to be sure that, if someone is facing a challenge or [is] stuck on an obstacle, I will be with them right there to help them through it," Riyaa Randhawa (12) said.

Humans of Harker: From field to lab

by Shareen Chahal, Reporter April 12, 2022

Riyaa Randhawa (12) recalls joyous laughter punctuating the serenity of a spring afternoon at the upper school campus as she and her fellow lacrosse players ran around Davis field. They were drilling as...

Anoushka Khatri (12), who plays Janet Van De Graff, answers questions from curious reporters about her upcoming wedding. The musical followed the wedding of Janet and Robert Martin and the chaos that ensues.

‘The Drowsy Chaperone’ spring musical returns in-person with 4 standing ovations

by Sally Zhu, A&E and Lifestyle Editor April 12, 2022

The lights blink on, the curtains fall and the show draws to a close. Audience members return to reality, after a two-hour long, distant adventure full of laughter, anticipation, drama and, most importantly,...

“[Tennis is a] lot like problem solving. Sometimes, it is going to be a contest of power, skill, or psychology, but figuring out how to play tennis well built a desire in me to learn how to solve problems. I’m a problem solver at heart, it’s what I love to do, it’s what I’m always chasing. I’m always going for something new," Shahzeb Lakhani (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Chasing something new

by Gabe Sachse, Reporter April 11, 2022

The thud of tennis rackets hitting against fresh tennis balls echoes through the courts at the Blackford campus as Shahzeb Lakhani (12) rallies with a teammate during practice for the Harker tennis team....

“It’s impossible to [express] how much debate has helped me with communicating with people and articulating my ideas beyond the tournament setting. The value of debate transcends rounds when you’re able to apply that [knowledge] to real life scenarios," Vienna Parnell (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Communicating and creating

by Aryana Bharali, Reporter April 11, 2022

Vienna Parnell (12) recalls the debate tournament room cluttered with strangers as tumultuous applause thundered when her name was announced. She felt the gaze of eyes toward her direction as she stepped...

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

Music Monday: Honor the 2022 GRAMMYs winners with Aquila

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

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. The 2022 GRAMMYs Awards Show took place...

The upper school has various systems in place to combat climate change, including solar panels, moisture meters, and bubbler sprinklers. Native California plants and animal pollinators also thrive on the campus.

Global Reset: Upper school campus continues conservation efforts

by Sabrina Zhu, STEM Editor April 11, 2022

Water droplets on a native Californian cactus. Dark gray moisture meters sticking out of wet soil. Glistening solar panels on the roof of the Rothschild Performing Arts Center (RPAC). These are all symbols...

Blue dicks on ___. Dipterostemnon capitatus require fires or other periodic disturbances to maintain its populations.

Wildlife watch: Spring wildflowers to look out for

by Nicholas Wei, HoH Managing Editor April 11, 2022

As spring unfolds, tiny hidden gems dot California’s renowned golden hills, now green with new life. Walking through our chaparral slopes and forests, one needs only to look more closely between blades...

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