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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 first time you reach a mental block, you've barely used all your energy. A few laps in and you’ll be like, ‘Oh, I can't do this anymore.’ And that's when I know, ‘Okay, I can do more.’ Even if I feel tired, just saying, ‘If I did all this last time, I could do more than that,'" senior Gia Emelie said.

Humans of Harker: Acing athletics and appetizers

by Hima Thota, Aquila Managing Editor June 12, 2025

Hearing the name senior Gia Emelie may bring to mind many titles: skilled soccer player on Harker’s Davis Field, former teammate on the girls water polo team at the Singh Aquatic Center and a frequent...

“Robotics taught me to take the initiative a lot more. It taught me that with enough effort, you can basically get anything done as long as you just try, keep trying, and don’t back down. This sense of determination really comes out in other things if you just pick anything and just stick to it until you become really good at it. For robotics, it’s especially special since you also have other aspects like collaboration and managing a large team that you don't get with a lot of other activities," senior Aaron Chen said.

Humans of Harker: Crafting curiosity

by Ellen Zhang and Victoria Li June 12, 2025

While balancing academics with extracurriculars can be a formidable challenge, for senior Aaron Chen, it is a well-practiced routine, fueled by his passion for learning and unwavering commitment to...

Humans of Harker: Throwing touchdowns

Humans of Harker: Throwing touchdowns

by Ram Batchu, Senior Photo Editor June 12, 2025

The day is bright and hot in Los Angeles, California. Senior Rayan Arya rides his scooter through the busy streets, trying to arrive on time for his last day of his UCLA data science summer program....

"Over the years, I've become more willing to ask questions to admit that I don't know what's going on. Sometimes I ask questions that sound very stupid, but after having a more conceptual understanding of the basics of what's going on, it's much easier to grasp the harder concepts," senior Jacqueline Huang said,

Humans of Harker: Leading with logic

by Janam Chahal, Aquila Managing Editor June 10, 2025

Driven. Engaging. Supportive. Senior Jacqueline Huang is the kind of person who doesn’t just excel in a room — she elevates it. Whether in the classroom, at club meetings or simply in conversation,...

Humans of Harker: Takeoffs with travel

Humans of Harker: Takeoffs with travel

by Charlie Folk, TALON Organizations Editor June 10, 2025

Clank. Clank. Clank. The metallic sound gets louder and louder as the train approaches the station, eventually slowing down as it screeches to a halt. Senior Rei Binkley, clipper card ready and...

Humans of Harker: Rhythm and resonance

Humans of Harker: Rhythm and resonance

by Vivek Moorjani, Humans of Harker Managing Editor June 10, 2025

The stage lights darken as the silence fills the entirety of the Rothschild Performing Arts Center. The curtains suddenly open to the loud and clear voice of senior Grant Yang projecting throughout...

Humans of Harker: Jumping through hoops

Humans of Harker: Jumping through hoops

by Shaina Cohen and Mendy Mao June 9, 2025

A crowd of teachers, parents and students wearing pink t-shirts gather on the gym bleachers. They cheer on the varsity boys basketball team during senior Bowen Xia’s first ever senior night as a...

“Embracing perspectives is so important because none of us have all the answers. By listening and collaborating, we can find common ground and create something greater than ourselves. That’s what motivates me in everything I do," senior Jason Shim said.

Humans of Harker: Finding clarity through perspectives

by Risa Chokhawala, Opinions Editor June 9, 2025

Standing center stage in the Rothschild Performing Arts Center, senior Jason Shim commands the room with confident gestures and expressive facial cues, fully engaged in every note of Harker’s Downbeat...

Humans of Harker: In perfect harmony

Humans of Harker: In perfect harmony

by Sidak Sanghari, Humans of Harker Editor-in-Chief June 9, 2025

A piano fills the room with swelling crescendos. Notes cascade one after another in perfect harmony. But these delicate keys are touched not by one pair of hands, but rather two. This is the intricate...

“Bullet journaling for me is a way to have that creative outlet and express myself. It's a fun way to look back in the past and reminisce, like when I go and open my sixth grade stuff. I'm going to be able to look back on my journals in years and recall the experiences I had at the time that I had it, or when I was actively filling in a particular journal — it means a lot to me," Melody Yin ('25) said.

Humans of Harker: Crafts and communication

by Jessica Wang, Winged Post Managing Editor June 9, 2025

Lace, fixed to the ceiling, float above the bed like a canopy; a pair of freshly painted jeans hangs, drying, off a rack of clothes; and an assortment of posters, photos and artwork hang fixed to the...

“Tennis is such a mental game, where if you start to get down on yourself, then you end up playing worse. I feel a responsibility to always keep a positive attitude because I know that energy transfers to your partner as well. Whenever a younger teammate makes a mistake, I always reassure them by telling them that it's OK and reminding them that they're a very capable tennis player," senior Charlize Wang said.

Humans of Harker: Grace behind the baseline

by Young Min, Winged Post Managing Editor June 8, 2025

Senior Charlize Wang stands at the baseline of the tennis court, her grip tightening around the racket as the world narrows to a single match. The rally begins, each shot crisp and precise, the ball...

Humans of Harker: Batting with discipline

Humans of Harker: Batting with discipline

by Aiden Young and Victoria Li June 8, 2025

The stadium pulsed with tension as senior Sohum Arora walked onto the pitch for the final round of the national cricket tournament. His team had already clinched the first two games, but everything...

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