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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

An illustration of W.N.B.A. Brittney Griner. The Phoenix Mercury player Brittney Griner was found guilty for smuggling illegal narcotics into Russia on Aug. 4.

W.N.B.A player convicted for smuggling illegal narcotics

by Katelyn Zhao, Sports Editor September 11, 2022

W.N.B.A’s Phoenix Mercury player Brittney Griner was found guilty for smuggling illegal narcotics into Russia on Aug. 4.  Griner originally traveled to Russia for the purpose of playing for the UMMC...

The Harker upper school welcomes new faculty members this year. Among them are the new head of school, the new Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, an athletics trainer and nine new teachers.

Upper school welcomes new faculty faces on campus

by Sabrina Zhu and Olivia Xu September 1, 2022

From bacon lovers to avid Beyoncé dancers, the new teachers and staff members joining the Harker Upper School for the 2022-2023 school year have so much to offer. With nine new teachers and a new athletics...

Harker Spirit Leadership Team (HSLT), led by president Sawyer Lai (12) and vice president Paulina Gicqueau (12), entered to the song "Classic" by MKTO.  Monday's school meeting included announcements by HSLT, TedX, Dance Club and other organizations.

School meeting recap 8/29/22: Student Diversity Leadership Conference, math competitions and spirit kickoff

by Ella Yee, Co-News Editor August 31, 2022

Associated Student Body (ASB) president Kris Estrada (12) opened the second school meeting of the year in the Zhang Athletic Center on Monday. Performing Arts Production Manager Brian Larsen reminded...

An illustration of the monkeypox virus and symptoms. After the first recent monkeypox case's confirmation in May, the virus has quickly spread to most parts of the world.

Monkeypox: Everything you need to know

by Edward Huang and Kinnera Mulam August 26, 2022

The monkeypox virus has reemerged this year with a global outbreak, and with around 15,000 recorded cases in the U.S. and 2,000 in California, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared it a global...

"Every single person I've interviewed for Humans of Harker has said one killer quote that has stuck with me even through four years of high school, and I think I really do internalize those messages. There are nuances in every single person's experience that makes it unique to them and also makes it a good lesson for everyone else. It's just amazing to see how much wisdom every single person at Harker has, and it's fascinating to learn about those stories," Erica Cai ('22) said.

Humans of Harker: Harmony in humanity

by Olivia Xu, HoH Managing Editor July 18, 2022

A musician seeking to understand the quirks of the world. A student activist expressing herself through mediums of art. An archer developing composure and resilience. What do they have in common? They...

"My favorite thing is being able to immerse yourself in [dance]. It's one thing where you can really see improvement if you put in the practice, and if you don't put in the practice you won't improve. The ability to sync into repetition and go into the same counts over and over again to see some improvement is really captivating, and always draws me back to it," Zeel Thakkar ('22) said.

Humans of Harker: Connecting with culture

by Vivian Chen and Michelle Wei July 15, 2022

Six months of practice. Eight hours per day. Four hours of performance. Fourteen routines. All of this commitment culminated in Zeel Thakkar’s (‘22) debut performance as a professional dancer. Completing...

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage month, which takes place in May, originated as a way to celebrate the different ethnicities that make up the American nation. Asian culture is commonly seen appearing at the upper school, especially with the large Asian population of the Bay Area.

Welcoming cultural differences with Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

When Karina Chen (11) immigrated from Shanghai in fifth grade, she had the unique experience of remembering life before America, keeping in touch with her Chinese side as well as immersing herself in American...

California history’s deep roots in Hispanic and Latinx culture

June 2, 2022

To celebrate the culture and contributions of the Hispanic population, then-president Ronald Reagan established National Hispanic Heritage Month on August 17, 1988. The month-long celebration commenced...

Harker’s efforts and projects to improve Latinx inclusivity and representation

June 2, 2022

“Sí, se puede!” exclaims a medley of green, orange and yellow student-made posters scattered across a bulletin board. Swooping calligraphy and bold fonts on each poster draw the attention of viewers...

Weaving together Hispanic culture and art in a lattice of traditional ideas and modern designs

June 2, 2022

Upper school art teacher Pilar Aguero-Esparza, who identifies as Chicanx, remembers placing leather strips on a table as she contemplated what color to paint them. Once she painted the pieces, traditionally...

Despite their small number, Harker’s Latinx population continues to display the rich layers of their culture. Through hosting events such as La Noche Cultural on March 11 and celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 with special dishes at Fresh Mex and paper decorations on bulletin boards around campus, they’ve allowed the larger Harker community to sample the vibrant art and accomplishments of Latinx and Hispanic people.

‘It’s about the culture, it’s about all we bring to this country’

by Kinnera Mulam, Emma Gao, Trisha Iyer, and Sarah Mohammed June 2, 2022

“Let’s head over to Manzanita!” As the last note of the bell rings, students pour out of second period, rushing from buildings across campus to the cafeteria. Chatter fills the air as a long column...

Members of Bel Canto perform at a dress rehearsal for the Choirs In Concert. The concert, themed Peace, Hope, Love, took place in the Patil Theater on April 21.

Bel Canto, Camerata, Cantilena, Downbeat dazzle in Peace, Hope, Love concert

by Ella Yee, Co-Asst. Multimedia Editor May 3, 2022

A song inspired by South African melodies, another dedicated to the war in Ukraine and a melody accompanied on the erhu, a Chinese stringed instrument. Members of upper school choirs Bel Canto, Camerata,...

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