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

“Initially you still have all these thoughts floating through your head, so you kind of distance yourself from them and draw your sphere of awareness to you and forget about the cars going outside or the ticking of the clock. That gives me a different perspective on how much things matter, Akshay Ravoor (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Finding awareness

by Nicole Tian, Reporter March 19, 2019

Dressed in a puffy, bright orange jacket, Akshay Ravoor (12) exudes an ebullient personality lighthearted enough to match the tones of his clothing. He speaks in a slightly lilting voice and expresses...

“At this point, its kind of hard to define what my comfort zone is because I dont spend much time in it. Im known for just going for things,” Cedric Nowatzyk (12) said. “I dont hesitate, and I feel like the idea of a comfort zone hasnt really been applied to me for a while, since I can hold true to statement that Ive never had an idea that I wouldnt just chase immediately.”

Humans of Harker: Passion beyond expectation

by Anna Vazhaeparambil, Reporter March 18, 2019

To different people, the name “Cedric Nowatzyk” means very different things. A writer to some, a therapist to others, he has impacted the people around him in countless ways. But as he sits on the...

“Change isn’t just an event that you can snap your fingers to make happen, but its also a process, and a part of the process is about starting that chain and creating a legacy. I know that sometimes what I’m working on right now might not be realized right now, it might not be realized in the future, but Im confident that I’ve kind of established it as a legacy that people will then follow through on, Enya Lu (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Broadening horizons

by Nilisha Baid, Asst. Business Manager and Social Media Editor March 18, 2019

The air filled with chatter and silverware tapping against plates, Enya Lu (12) describes how she rushes around a restaurant as a busser. Beginning at 5 p.m. folding napkins, drying dishes, and arranging...

“I don’t know a specific moment when I made the decision that I want to make change, but with everything going on right now, I just realized that I want to be the person that helps get people the opportunities they deserve. I want to give a voice to those who don’t have the ability to speak for themselves. Everyone deserves an equal chance to build themselves a life and build themselves a future, Meghna Phalke (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Cultivating communities

by Esha Gohil, Reporter March 17, 2019

Her highlighted hair glows in the sun, matching the bright smile that spreads across her face as she tells her friends a playful story that makes them all burst into laughter. It’s almost impossible...

“For me at least, I get this feeling when I know I helped out someone else where I’m like ‘dang, I made a difference.’ That’s important to me. Because I think I realize how much people have helped me get to where I am today. Teachers, parents, mentors. I think I want to give that back, Jason Huang (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Blazing a path forward

by Jessie Wang, Reporter March 16, 2019

Jason Huang (12) grew serious as he told a story of visiting a run-down little village in the depths of rural China. He was seven or eight years old, and the village didn’t really have running electricity,...

“The cars...give you a sense of satisfaction when you complete a job and get in the car like Oh! That thing doesnt squeak anymore. Or, oh, my oil isnt bursting out of the hood. Thats awesome. Its good to have a sense of accomplishment and working on cars really does that because its a tangible difference with every single thing you fix,” Oliver Doig (12) said. “With the vast majority of things, its a lot of just really simple, basic quality of life stuff that you are actually capable of improving for yourself, and thats awesome.”

Humans of Harker: Driving towards satisfaction

by Saloni Shah, Asst. Humans of Harker Editor March 16, 2019

Clad in a checkered blue shirt, looking relaxed and carefree, Oliver Doig (12) exudes charm and a laughter that fills the auditorium. His eyes twinkle with kindness, honesty, and loyalty as he leans back...

“One thing I’ve always believed in is the power of communication and just being honest and truthful in all respects. Communication, to me, is more than language in a traditional sense: it also includes communication in a nontraditional sense like body movement or painting or programming. The power of communication is inexplicable. I want to bring that love and apply it to a greater world purpose,” said Devanshi Mehta (12).

Humans of Harker: Steps and strokes

by Varsha Rammohan, Copy Editor March 15, 2019

“Marketing executive. New York City. Manhattan, proper Manhattan or Brooklyn Heights. Corner office with floor-to-ceiling windows.” Devanshi Mehta’s (12) dream career towers above her petite 5-foot-2-inch...

“For me, performing is absolutely magical. It makes me happy beyond anything else, and if you find something like that, and if that’s performing for you, it doesnt matter if you are going to get a lead or youre going to have a show-stopping number or something. If it makes you feel that way, then its 100 percent worth doing because theres so much room to grow in every aspect of life and I guess thats kind of how I approach life. Its that theres so many possibilities and theres so much out there that we haven’t even touched, Neha Premkumar (12) said.

Humans of Harker: More than just an act

by Anthony Xu, TALON Co-Academics Editor March 14, 2019

With a cheerful grin on her face and a twinkle in her eyes, Neha Premkumar (12) recounts one of her most distinguishable memories as a young child. Fifth grade Neha was enjoying her time at the Harker...

“Knowing [my friends] for that long, I always know what they’re going to say and how they’re going to act. And it’s great that I know them so well,” Nishant Ravi (12) said. “But I kind of feel that when I was in freshman year and middle school, I was a very one track-minded person. I didn’t really know what I wanted, so during the following years, I kind of expanded my views from only liking certain things to being a lot more broad.

Humans of Harker: Building chemistry

by Mark Hu and Katherine Zhang March 14, 2019

Nishant Ravi (12) reclines on a bench outside Shah Hall, his chin resting on the palm of his hand as he considers the question at hand. The morning air is crisp, almost biting, but he seems relaxed and...

The confusion I faced [in my art] was also reflected in my life in general. I didn’t know what identity I wanted to have. But, as my art became clear, I was also able to get a clear perspective on what kind of person I wanted to be, Rithika Devarakonda (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Beauty in complexity

by Olivia Guo, TALON Reporter March 13, 2019

Mixing bold colors together, Rithika Devarakonda (12) carves her palette knife across the blank canvas. Using the duality of the knife, she integrates both blended colors and edges within her work, creating...

“Thats the good thing about basketball; its very much like life. You make a shot, and you feel good; and you miss a shot, and you feel bad. Its a really sporadic but also you can depend on it happening. You know the oscillation between a climax and a low point is going to happen and its always like that. Whenever you feel proud, you always know you will feel down in the future, and you just have to ride that wave, Richard Wang (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Between the lines

by Helen Zhu, TALON Reporter March 13, 2019

Walking around campus, to and from the athletic center, Richard Wang (12) embodies the chill vibe with his carefree mindset. However, as he steps onto the basketball court, his demeanor shifts to one of...

“The feeling of performing, doing well, and being proud is the best feeling to have. Although at times it is really overwhelming to learn difficult music and play in front of large crowds, the feeling of doing a good job is rewarding enough, Arushee Bhoja (12) said.

Humans of Harker: In search of creativity

by Ritika Rajamani, TALON Reporter March 12, 2019

The chatter quiets down in the audience as the crowd settles in the Patil theater. Arushee Bhoja (12) feels the rush of adrenaline and calms herself with the thought of accomplishment. The feeling of pride...

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