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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

“To me, [creating music] is freedom to do what I want. Because I used to play, of course, like everyone else, [music] from the 1700s. It was almost like you weren't playing what you wanted to play, and even if you played it with your own touch, someone's telling you that you're wrong. So now, I do what I want to do, and I control every step from beginning to end," Arnav Dani (12) said.

Humans of Harker: De-beats and debates

by Alena Suleiman, Assistant A&E Editor March 18, 2022

Immersed in his computer, Arnav Dani (12) rearranges and layers melodies from a variety of instruments on top of a vocal sample, his newest song in the process of gestation. He then focuses on the drums...

“What is more important [to me] now is enjoying yourself and doing the technical stuff if you have the patience for it but not forgetting what music actually is. I accepted music as a hobby and not something you have to compete with other people for," April Zhang (12) said.

Humans of Harker: The technique behind the art

by Rachel Ning, TALON Organizations Editor March 17, 2022

As she recalls her first experiences and exposure to music, senior April Zhang’s eyes light up with hints of reminiscence and appreciation of the lessons it has taught her. She reflects back on her maturation...

“At the end of the day, you're communicating something to your audience. You need to play for your audience, you need to play for other people, so don't keep the sound contained in the case of piano. If you're performing for the sake of performing well or performing for yourself, your audience is not going to enjoy it; they'll be able to tell," Daniel Wu (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Performing with a purpose

by Emma Gao, Copy Editor March 16, 2022

Moments after taking a seat in front of the piano, Daniel Wu (12) launches into a song, his fingers flying across the keys with surety and skill. Eyes closed, he moves in tune with the swooping cadence...

“I want to leave an impact where I can show that it's okay to make mistakes. It's okay to stumble as long as you pick yourself back up and learn from what you've done, and it's possible to continue growing as a musician no matter what," Anoushka Khatri (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Upbeat off stage, Downbeat on stage

by Sally Zhu, A&E and Lifestyle Editor March 15, 2022

A bright smile, jazzy dancing feet. A twirling golden dress, curly brown hair in a cozy black scarf. A lit-up stage, further illuminated by the joyful spirits and lively singing of upper school show choir...

“[My favorite moments] in some sense are those general feelings of conversation. They open your mind just as much as those competitions where you're really studying or working hard. In every facet of your life, you're trying to find ways to broaden your way of thinking," William Zhao (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Expanding new horizons

by Margaret Cartee, Assistant Opinions Editor March 14, 2022

Leaning attentively over a navy blue desk as he listens to a Science Bowl question, William Zhao (12) grasps his pen in his right hand with intent, ready to start writing at any moment, and holds his buzzer...

“The golden rule is important — treat others the way you want to be treated. But [we] also need to understand that sometimes, people act out of anger. People have things going on in their own lives that they don’t talk about. [We] all deserve to be respected the same way and all need to respect other people in the same way,” Saumi Mehta (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Taking center and back stage

by Desiree Luo, Assistant Sports Editor March 13, 2022

She walks onto the stage with elegance and aplomb, dressed in a shimmering magenta dress sprinkled with specks of gold. Her hair is tied into a graceful knot, and earrings dangle next to her expressive...

“It's very valuable to be confident in your own ideas. But at the same time, I think people should recognize their limitations. Especially when working with other people, it’s very valuable to get ideas from many perspectives," Rohan Rashingkar (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Devil’s advocate

by Sydney Ling, Reporter March 12, 2022

Imagine running on the green expanse of Davis Field, your eyes tracking a bright orange frisbee soaring through the air. It’s a sunny day with a slight breeze. “Here, over here!” It’s Rohan Rashingkar...

“Whether it be debate, DECA, or teaching, I have to make sure that, yes, I have these ideas, but how do I give these ideas out? Everyone I've met has brilliant ideas, but it's about how you express those ideas so that people will think it's cool, and that's something I'm still trying to learn," April Sun (12) said.

Humans of Harker: To teach with trust

by Katelyn Zhao, Assistant Sports Editor March 12, 2022

Standing in her mellow, mint-green room, clad in a loose, navy T-shirt, with the glare of a fluorescent light behind her, she begins her speech with the quiet confidence of a seasoned speaker, even in...

“I like creating things — it's very nice to know that for what I made, nobody else in the entire world has made the exact same thing. It's uniquely my own product that I'm making," Ayan Nath (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Jokes and jamming

by Sarah Mohammed, Features Editor March 10, 2022

Head bobbing to the bass of his first tune, Ayan Nath (12) remembers the earliest song he made, an announcement to keep backpacks within green lines so that students would not trip over them. Middle-school...

“Not everyone can relate to everyone even within the same community. I know that my experiences as an Indian American are different from my friends. There are definitely things that we have in common, but each person's perspective is different and important. With every book I've read, I get a bigger and better visual of that," Sriya Batchu (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Search, grow and identify

by Tina Xu, TALON Co-Sports Editor March 9, 2022

Immersing herself in the aisles of Barnes & Nobles, Sriya Batchu (12) searches around for her next read. Inheriting her mother's affinity toward books, Sriya perused the Magic Tree House and Geronimo...

“My mom tells me, ‘Always remember those who have served you.' Whenever I'm upset or frustrated with menial things throughout the day, I remember how good my life is. It's always good to put things into perspective and remember all the people who have done so much for you," Kailash Ranganathan (12) said.

Humans of Harker: The calm beneath the chaos

by Olivia Xu, Reporter March 8, 2022

“Hello from the outside…” Adele’s voice reverberates throughout the quad, where dozens of students and teachers gather, their eyes fixated on Kailash Ranganathan (12) as he catches a bright...

“Sports are very symbolic of real life: you have a team and people who need to work together in order to complete a goal. That translates into life in a lot of ways. You need to have trust with the people you’re working with and be able to take leadership. With soccer, that’s something that’s helped me," Sarah Leafstrand (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Adventures just for kicks

by Rachel Ning, TALON Organizations Editor March 7, 2022

As she walks toward the uphill slope, senior Sarah Leafstrand squints her eyes to look up at the sun just beginning to beat down on the muddy grass of the serene Saratoga Gap. Tucking her hair behind her...

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