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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

Today, the filibuster is a tool that grows ever more crucial to the stability of the federal government and the healthy functioning of our democracy. It ensures the Senate performs the job it was made for, to prevent fast-tracked, partisan or extreme laws and allows the minority a voice in the nation’s government.

A protection against partisanship

by Jonathan Szeto, STEM Editor January 23, 2025

Politicians often make ambitious promises, from overhauling the American healthcare system or regulating abortion policies nationwide. But consequential bills with a wide-ranging impact that most...

Short form content is captivating but can be harmful. A narrative that goes viral is usually simple, short and compelling: it tells you what to know and exactly how to feel about it, no further nuance acknowledged, which erodes the critical thinking skills and media literacy habits of users who consume hours of short form media on a regular basis.

It’s time to ‘X’ out short form media

by Claire Tian, Assistant STEM Editor December 6, 2024

Short form content has surged in popularity for its convenience and attention-grabbing appeal. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels and X, attract millions—and in TikTok’s case, one billion—users.  Microblogging...

We ultimately live with other people, not news segments or trending threads. Whether at a club meeting, work or community event, find comfort in commonalities you share with others: beliefs, hobbies and anxieties alike.

Editorial: Community action carves path past election

by Editorial Board November 22, 2024

For the past year, the presidential election embedded itself into our daily lives. Whether scrolling through social media, chatting at dinner or debating during class discussions, political tensions rose...

Character.AI simulates connection by offering affirmations and remembering details from past conversations. Users start relying on chatbots instead of real people, and that level of dependency can be very risky.

Character AI exploits vulnerability, endangers users with false companionship

by Ashley Mo, STEM Editor November 22, 2024

Trigger warning for topics of suicide, self-harm and sexual language. When it comes to Artificial Intelligence (AI), I’ve seen its benefits firsthand, from explaining calculus questions to...

Trick-or-treating offers high schoolers a chance to interact in their neighborhoods. Those small conversations about the type of candy we liked or the costumes we wore, I felt a stronger sense of connection with the surrounding community, 

Too old for Halloween? Think again.

by Aishani Singh, Aquila Managing Editor October 31, 2024

“Aren't you too old for trick or treating?”  As my sister innocently asks me this question, I turn around and give her a confused look. When did Halloween ever come with an age limit attached to...

Prop 47's weak punishment of crime reduces the effectiveness of the rehabilitation policies it makes available and exacerbates the plight of homelessness.

Proposition 47 negatively impacts homeless population

by Charlie Wang, Multimedia Editor October 31, 2024

California is facing the nation’s largest battle against homelessness. Despite throwing billions of dollars at the issue, the state government has not addressed core issues that hinder aid to the homeless....

Gen Z’s reliance on social media for news reflects a growing trend of their subpar media literacy. With information constantly being fed to us with infinite scrolling, many of us do not feel the need to actively go out and search for valid news sources.

Generation Z struggles with media literacy

by Suhani Gupta, Co-A&E/Lifestyle Editor October 24, 2024

As many teenagers do, I spend a lot of time scrolling on my devices. The other day, I was perusing my Quora feed, and I came across a post that claimed elephants think humans are cute in the same way humans...

What can be burdened by what has been

What can be burdened by what has been

by Jessica Wang, Winged Post Managing Editor October 21, 2024

Kamala Harris’s policies, particularly those that appear to cater to moderates or adopt conservative stances, warrant scrutiny about the consistency of the values that her progressive platform supports...

Eliminating the death penalty means that America’s judiciary would never kill an innocent person again — not that criminals would walk free. While wrongful prison sentences are tragic, they can be revisited and resolved unlike capital punishment.

Capital punishment is guilty. America should kill it.

by Mihir Kotbagi, Co-Opinions Editor October 14, 2024

In three days, America will execute an innocent man. Despite the many fundamental flaws in the evidence used to convict him, Texan Robert Roberson is currently on death row after being convicted of killing...

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