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

We can appreciate each others cultures by wearing and displaying it. Wrongly labeling actions as cultural appropriation can have negative consequences.

Cultural appropriation versus appreciation

by Isabella Lo, Co-Opinions Editor May 11, 2023

What’s the difference between cultural appreciation and appropriation? Based solely on the definition, appreciation is about honoring traditions while appropriation is the inappropriate adoption of aspects...

AI-generated illustration by Fotor AI with cutouts by Claire Zhao. I have seen a few pieces where the hands are actually decent, but then most of the time theyre kind of just like blobs; they look like sausages, Vika Gautham (10) said.

Not so handy: Why AI art can’t draw hands

by Claire Zhao, Co-STEM Editor May 4, 2023

“Wow, these look like real photos and people!” “I can’t believe they were drawn by AI!” “Where is society going with this?” These were some questions and comments that curious individuals...

For some, the feeling of stress helps motivate them into studying more. For me, it’s a ticking time bomb that’s ready to explode at any moment, which is why I look for ways to relax and reduce any nervousness.

Friday Five: Ways to relax before APs

by Vika Gautham, Co-Features Editor April 28, 2023

Advanced Placement (AP) tests. Standardized exams that quantify how well you’ve mastered certain content pertaining to a specific subject. To me, a nightmare that I don’t want to think about. As APs...

An illustration of the National Rifle Association of America logo. What questions should we be asking about the NRA and gun violence?

NRA and America: What questions should we be asking?

by Hima Thota, Assistant Sports Editor March 29, 2023

Content warning: This article mentions gun violence.  “Our Second Amendment is freedom’s most valuable, most cherished, most irreplaceable idea. History proves it. When you ignore the right of...

An illustration depicting the damage the two party system does to democracy. More than a quarter of Americans view both parties negatively, bringing into question whether constituent views are truly being heard on the political stage.

Failure of the two party system

by Isabella Lo, Assistant Opinions Editor March 23, 2023

In the 2020 election between Donald Trump and Joe Biden, my dad found that he could not support either candidate: both Trump and Biden did not align with his political views. My dad asked, “What do you...

An illustration demonstrating the cultural taboo on swearing. In today’s culture, so-called ‘swear words’ are simply words relating to the taboo, be it bodily functions, anger, madness or anything else deemed socially uncomfortable.

Tossing out the taboo: profanity’s prohibition preventing progress

by Jessica Wang, Assistant Opinions Editor March 23, 2023

As students slowly file into a classroom, grouping themselves into pairs and threes along a horse-shoe shaped table facing the blackboard, we start talking amongst ourselves, introducing who we are to...

When the main objective for an Advanced Placement (AP) course is completing a final exam, success no longer involves learning or curiosity; instead, success comes in the form of a number between one and five.

Editorial: AP courses undermine students’ learning

by Editorial Board March 8, 2023

When the main objective for an Advanced Placement (AP) course is completing a final exam, success no longer involves learning or curiosity; instead, success comes in the form of a number between one and...

An illustration representing various motifs in some of Edgar Allan Poes most famous poems. Many regard Poe as the greatest poet to ever live.

Friday Five: Poe(ms)

by Jonathan Xue, Humans of Harker Profiler March 8, 2023

Edgar Allan Poe died of consumption. But even a century and a half later, his works continue to gnaw at me; their biting twists and subtle nuance are truly captivating. Each poem he writes is layered with...

Raindrops splatter my windshield as I look out at the quickly darkening sky. Pen and journal in hand, I listen to the loudness of the natural world. I wonder, Who do I want to grow into this coming year?

The futility of New Year’s Resolutions

by Jessica Tang, Photo Editor February 7, 2023

How are the New Year's Resolutions going? Never mind, I’ll spare you from answering. New Year's Resolutions: glorified and rarely-reached goals set at the beginning of every year. From academic...

Although empty space during the day may not seem to help students’ productivity, it actually trains them to allocate their time wisely. In particular, the absence of a mandatory activity during the morning block can shorten the long list of tasks students must complete each day, lessening their burden bit by bit.

Editorial: Leave more open space in schedule

by Editorial Board February 6, 2023

Of the 75% of Harker Journalism Editorial Board members who voted, 92% agreed with the stance of this editorial. What was supposed to be a fun spirit event to celebrate student athletics at the end...

Parasocial relationships can be fulfilling, and involving ourselves with our favorite celebrities and characters is a normal part of our lives. We can admire the people on the screen, aspire to be them and connect with them parasocially.

Halting the spiral of parasocial relationships

by Yifan Li, TALON Reporter February 5, 2023

The bright glaring screen illuminates my drowsy face as I scroll past the umpteenth video and press on a smiling face, ready to launch myself into endless hours of video consumption. Over quarantine, I...

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