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

“I’m definitely not the person who’s a stickler for rules and who’s all about being strict—I like to get to know the people I’m leading. It’s a lot more interactive when you’re working with other people. You’re able to have a good time but also be productive. It’s just more enjoyable to be able to share an experience with someone else. You get to share stories and jokes and just have fun, Rahul Goyal (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Laughing and leading

by Katherine Zhang, Editor-in-chief February 28, 2019

Leaning back into the teal cushions, Rahul Goyal (12) spins a pair of plastic goggles in his hands, a placid smile etched on his face as he contemplates what to say next. It’s an odd place to be in —...

“At some point I was going through a hard time emotionally and then I started volunteering with the Palo Alto Art Center. Just being around the kids and seeing them discover new ways they could make their ideas concrete - that was just kind of what got me going again, knowing that I can be helping others in a way. “Art for me is a way to say things I really don’t say, so if I can show kids that they have that ability to speak out and just do whatever theyre imagining, that would be great,” Katrina Liu (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Expression without words

by Irina Malyugina, Photo Editor February 26, 2019

Like white fog, a cloud of paint drifts away from Katrina Liu (12) as she sprays a sculpture. Focused, she steps back to survey her work from every angle, her glasses catching the afternoon sunlight, and...

I think other people would describe me as fun. I’m not really a serious person, except when I have to be. I always try to have a joke or something relevant, Joshua Broweleit (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Friend and flyer

by Carter Chadwick, TALON Reporter February 25, 2019

Lines of smoke fill the air as Joshua “Josh” Broweleit (12) flies across the sky in his Cessna plane. Josh has been completing tests and other requirements to obtain his pilot's license. He flies mainly...

“I express myself through my energy and laughter, and that ties into the music I produce. The music that I make reflects the emotions within me. Whenever I play I’m always jumping on the keys. I put all my positive energy into it. That’s why I mostly play happy songs, not like sad slow songs, Ihita Mandal (12) said.

Humans of Harker: The energy of laughter

by Gloria Zhang, Features Editor February 22, 2019

Jokingly teased by classmates and computer science teacher Anu Datar about her height, Ihita Mandal (12) was determined to prove her physical ability. What’s a better way than to write on very top corner...

“I have certain passions that I sort of invest myself significantly in. Having passions is an important thing, to live life in a very substantive manner and to be an interesting person because its a pretty terrible fate to be boring, Alexander Young (12) said.

Humans of Harker: From poetry to plants

by Catherine Feng, Reporter February 21, 2019

If you were to search up Alexander Young (12) on Harker Aquila, you would find an entire page of results, the articles topics ranging from virtual reality to the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. As a...

Its important to keep going on in what youre passionate about because a lot of people have told me that I’m doing too many activities, and I should quit some of them and just focus on one. And Im glad that I didnt do that and I was able to stick with all of them, Pamela Duke (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Eye on the ball

by Saloni Shah, Asst. Humans of Harker Editor February 20, 2019

“It’s tennis.” Without hesitation, Pamela “Pam” Duke (12) proudly acknowledges that tennis defines her. Dressed in blue tennis gear and hair pulled back from her face with a blue headband, Pam...

“Moving to America, I was really scared in the beginning. It was like coming to an amusement park where there are a lot of people having a lot of fun, and then finding out that everyone is different from you. Academic challenges are easier to deal with, but making new friends—these kinds of things are more emotionally attached. I had to embrace the environment, and then the environment embraced me, Jessica Pan (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Turning barriers into stepping stones

by Helen Yang, Reporter February 19, 2019

Standing in the cool January afternoon atmosphere, with her feet shoulder width apart and an easy smile on her face, Jessica Pan (12) exudes an aura of comfort and content. Whether it be moving to a new...

“You have to take risks in life, and they don’t always turn out the way you expect. Whether it be for the good or bad, it will guide you in making decisions the next time, and you will always grow as a person since there is always room for improvement, Shafieen Ibrahim (12) said.

Humans of Harker: The art of risk taking

by Eric Fang, News Editor February 8, 2019

He leans forward in his seat, eyes focused on the glistening white chess pieces sitting before him. Now, perfectly still, his eyes dart to and from chess pieces, up and down the board, analyzing every...

“My life quote is from Up, because Im a giant Disney fan. Its ‘Adventure is out there.’ I love Up because its message reinforces that adventure, friendship and excitement dont really have an age on it, so it always pushes me to do better because I realize that. Hopefully Ill be 80 years old, and Ill still be able to push myself,” Allison Cartee (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Reaching higher

by Emily Tan, Reporter February 6, 2019

As the ball spins up into the air, Allison Cartee (12) bounces on her toes at the ten-foot line on the volleyball court as her long ponytail sways in front of the number 12 on the back of her jersey. She...

“[I feel best] when I see something that I either created or patched is pushed online, and I can start seeing the results coming off of it, making something positive. Even though nobodys directly benefiting, if I hadnt patched it and someone else was using it for some sketchy stuff, people are going to either get their identity stolen or get their email hacked. Its really just about creating a positive impact on the community, thats all that matters, Johnny Wang (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Life encoded

by Jessie Wang, Reporter February 5, 2019

With his large, round glasses, slim frame and the intense, focused look in his eyes, it’s easy to imagine Johnny Wang (12) in a dark room, sitting at a desk and tapping away on his computer at 70 words...

“I know when to buckle down and do my work, but I also know to put time aside to just hang out with friends or family and live life. At the end of my sophomore year, I realized it’s all about finding your balance and not focusing on just one thing, Julia Amick (12) said.

Humans of Harker: “Work hard, play hard”

by Sabrina Takemoto, TALON Reporter February 4, 2019

As captain of the Harker girls’ varsity soccer team and Business and PDA manager of the Talon yearbook, Julia Amick (12) can always be seen running around campus from one activity to the next. However,...

“Everyone has their own fears. For me, its being alone on stage and having all the attention specifically on myself. I think the thing with fears, whats important, isnt that they are all going to go away, its that you need to face your fears. Youre going to feel afraid, you just need to do it anyways,” Jacob Kim (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Conquering fear

by Muthu Panchanatham February 1, 2019

Eyes peering over the rocky precipice, he contemplated what the consequences of dropping from such a height would be. Jacob Kim (12) describes himself on top of a cliff in Hawaii, having known that the...

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