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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

“The most satisfying part of playing piano is when I’m working on a really difficult passage for a long time, and then, for the very first time, I can play it through without stopping or mistakes. Even though the process of getting there can be really frustrating, at that one moment, it feels like everything before was worth it," Yvan Grinspan (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Keys to compassion

by Lakshmi Mulgund, TALON Social Media and Co-Sports Editor January 20, 2022

As he sits down on the piano seat, Yvan Grinspan’s (12) fingers hesitate for a second before resting on the keys. He waits a few seconds before he lets his fingers sink into each key. Yvan’s smile...

"[Painting] makes you feel like you're the only person in the world. The idea that I could do it for fun for myself has been the reason I like getting into it. [It’s] the idea of independence and doing things that you want to do. If you can't come up with a reason for [your decisions], then you should reevaluate how you've been living your life," Jackie Hu (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Reshaping escape

by Smrithi Sambamurthy, TALON People Editor January 19, 2022

Jackie Hu (12) reflects on fond memories of Saturdays spent at the library as a kid. Surrounded by the vibrant covers of the Geronimo Stilton and Rainbow Magic series, Jackie immersed herself in the endless...

“Do what you want to do and explore what you want to explore. Don’t feel the pressure to fit others' expectations. If you have an interest in something, pursue it. You don’t need anybody to teach you how to do it. Go after it yourself,” Kaden Kapadia (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Pedal to the metal

by Muthu Panchanatham, Opinions Editor January 18, 2022

A pink glow blankets the horizon, filling the blue sky with a lively glow. As the shimmering sun sinks below the clouds, a figure emerges from below, gliding effortlessly onto the precipice overlooking...

“I remember being interested and attracted to the idea that I could create something that I didn't see anywhere else. I didn't see anything [that] made adoption easier for the people who are trying to adopt, so that was the idea I was going forward [with] and that I wanted to develop [with Lucky Paw]," Ysabel Chen (12) said.

Humans of Harker: A dog’s best friend

by Lavanya Subramanian, TALON Student Life Editor January 14, 2022

Shaking a bowl of treats in her right hand, Ysabel Chen (12) beckons her dogs, Blaze, Tommy and Almond, across her backyard. Immediately, three blurs of white fur rush towards her, eagerly jumping on her...

"I want to be remembered as someone in the community who is willing to talk with everybody, someone who connects with the underclassmen. Especially at cross country, I’ve made lots of friends, [from] freshman to seniors, and it was really awesome. I want to be remembered as someone who is open to everybody and is friends with everybody," Aidan Lincke (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Crossroads and connections

by Alena Suleiman, Reporter January 13, 2022

Gripping the edge of his frisbee, Aidan Lincke (12) bends his knees at a slight angle and curls his wrist inwards, preparing to throw the plastic disk. The moment he lets go, the frisbee soars into the...

“Something I try to think about whenever I do things is helping other people. It might seem cliche, but I’ve realized that everything I’ve been really passionate about revolves around helping others.”

Humans of Harker: Growth of a star

by Katie Reed, Reporter January 12, 2022

Thresia Vazhaeparambil (12) perches on a gnarled tree in her backyard, a peaceful expression adorning her face. A sweet-scented garden of vegetables, flowers and various shrubbery surrounds her — a subtle...

“The way I choreograph tends to be listening to music a whole lot, and not even necessarily dancing to it, just listening to music, knowing the music. Then, it's freestyling and whatnot, and freestyling is where most of the creativity comes out," Brandon said.

Humans of Harker: Free flow

by Julie Shi, Reporter January 11, 2022

"Roses" by The Chainsmokers blasts through loudspeakers on the makeshift stage in the quad as Brandon Park (12) and his dance partner Kai Due (12) perform their self-choreographed hip hop piece for Harker’s...

"Sometimes I feel like it's inevitable for everyone to think in some way they're inferior to everyone else, but for me, success is more like being satisfied with what I've done and what I have accomplished to get to where I am at that moment and overall being happy and joyful. I don't know when that time will come, but when it does, I feel like I’ll know that I've achieved some kind of success," Emily Zhou (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Wisdom in WiSTEM

by Angelina Hu, Reporter January 10, 2022

Gesturing with her hands, Emily Zhou’s (12) eyes light up as she raves about the boundless beauties and mysteries of outer space with animated passion. Occasionally studying something in the distance...

“[Investing] allows me to think a lot more through my decisions, and it's given me a lot of restraint in decision making. [In investing,] you can't be too emotional about your decisions: you have to look through things very analytically. That transfers to my everyday life, where I try to think things through very thoroughly,” Ethan Huang (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Investing towards more

by Emma Gao, Reporter January 7, 2022

For many high school students, the daunting and complex finance world of stocks and investments seems light years away, an issue to tackle as adults. But Ethan Huang (12) has immersed himself in this world...

“In football, every single play you've got to run full speed, you’re hitting guys, you’re making a play on the ball, all sorts of stuff is going on. It’s pretty crazy. It’s pretty fun," Adheet Ganesh (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Tackling the game with tenacity

by Julie Shi, Reporter January 6, 2022

The crowd in the bleachers holds in a collective breath of excitement and anticipation as Adheet Ganesh (12), co-captain of the varsity football team, races towards the end zone, football soaring through...

"You have to be able to take those [equations] and develop your own mindset and your own perspective, and be able to take those in ways that other people might not expect, because that's what makes you unique. That's what creativity is," Rishab Parthasarathy (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Curiosity, creation and community

by Sabrina Zhu, STEM Editor January 5, 2022

harkeraquila · Aquila Audible of "Humans of Harker: Curiosity, creation and community" Dozens of smooth, cream-colored tiles spill onto the bare floor, and a pair of young hands frantically...

“[Gardening] gives me a little bit of control over something. Sometimes I feel like I can do all this studying, but I still can’t control the grade or know the questions. But I can take this weed out. I will beat this crabgrass, and then I can listen to music or relax," Ann Ryan (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Purposeful planting

by Irene Yuan, Co-Managing Editor January 4, 2022

With a small, lightweight backpack slung over her shoulders, Ann Ryan (12) strides across the empty parking lot of her elementary school, heading purposefully for the metal gate of the school’s garden....

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