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

“Art classes create a community with other artists. Its much easier for me to talk and be more outgoing when Im talking about something Im passionate about. Even when we’re working on projects, everyone’s talking or having conversations. Looking at art also starts conversations. Its a way to start talking, Avery Olson (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Symphony of colors

by Desiree Luo, Co-Features Editor January 28, 2023

A white sailboat rests atop a tranquil sea, its reflection shimmering on the dark navy surface. Behind it lies an island with lush green hills, on top of which sit white houses with bright red rooftops....

“[In] golf, I realized that there’s only so much you can control through technique. If you can really just focus on feeling the club and getting your shot and executing something you visualize, you have a much more productive and enjoyable experience. I tend to view a lot of things like that. Even in the way I study, the way I approach the classes, I try to make them as artistically enjoyable as possible, always trying to find a way to sort of visualize an outcome and play around with things until I get it, Athreya Daniel (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Athletic artistry

by Jonathan Xue, HoH Profiler January 27, 2023

A painter perfecting their latest masterpiece. A violinist performing a soulful sonata. A singer sustaining a flawless high note. All these vignettes could be described as artistic in nature. But the definition...

“I got a job as a gymnastics coach that I really enjoy. When Im coaching and I see a kid make progress on a skill, that makes me happy. And when you build a bond with little kids, its really something different, Pelin Unsal (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Gold medal, gold heart

by Anwen Hao, Asst. Multimedia Editor January 26, 2023

A smile radiant with pride and exhilaration. A sigh of relief as a gold medal finds its way onto her neck. Pelin Unsal (12) cannot hide her satisfaction, finally witnessing her years of effort in gymnastics...

“I live by ‘Everybody does things for a reason. Why Im interested in psychology is that, no matter how out of it someone else might be acting, you dont know whats going on and you really cant judge how someone acts just off of your first impression, Sophia Shan (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Ardor for art

by Ariana Goetting, Co-A&E and Lifestyle Editor January 25, 2023

When Sophia Shan’s (12) teacher at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) insisted that she find the “coolest” place to paint from observation this summer, she did just that. In the 90 degree heat...

“I find my mom inspiring just because she does what she wants to do. I find it really inspiring that shes able to jump and do what she likes. She was a lawyer, and when that wasnt fun, she became a teacher. When I graduate, she wants to go into film. I always find doing new things really scary. I want to be able to go through my life, do what I love, try new things and be able to feel satisfied at the end of my life, Kyra Hawk (12) said.

Humans of Harker: ‘Master of her own destiny’

by Gabe Sachse, Asst. Sports Editor January 24, 2023

The thud of the round, rubber lacrosse ball flying back and forth between players rings out in a memory from Kyra Hawk’s (12) junior season of the sport. It was a cold night, and Harker was playing at...

“When Im surfing, it brings me a lot of happiness and peace. I can escape the stress of my weeks, my academics, the college apps that I have to do and the tournaments I have to attend. Since Im not [surfing] at a competitive level like many of my other extracurriculars, I just go to be in the water, where I love to be, Lexi Nishimura (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Crave the wave

by Gemma Chan, TALON Reporter January 22, 2023

Waves crash against Alexis “Lexi” Nishimura’s (12) back as she lies on the surface of her surfboard, the sun glimmering against her skin. Ripples carry her further and further away from shore, into...

“The journey of exploratory academics is supposed to be finding stuff you enjoy or trying something new. I want to be remembered for enjoying teaching, trying out history for the first time and finding out that I enjoyed it and as someone who enjoys sharing knowledge. Because just as I pass down what I know to the class of ‘24, ‘25, ‘26 and now ‘27 and ‘28, I want them to do the same for ‘29, ‘30 and ‘31, Stephen Xia (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Integrating interests

by Emma Gao, Co-News Editor January 21, 2023

On a whiteboard at the front of the middle school math classroom, Stephen Xia (12) writes down four columns in red marker: Old, New, Extra, Schedule. Impending tasks, new ideas, possible initiatives and,...

“What I felt being on stage used to be nervousness. Now, when Im on stage, I’m empowered, especially when there’s an audience — its motivating. I enjoy having many performance opportunities, because I get to experiment with different musical choices. A good performance is almost cathartic, and I get very carried away on stage, lost in the moment. And when it ends, it feels like I have released my burdens, Alan Jiang (12) said.

Humans of Harker: The beat goes on

by Shareen Chahal, Asst. News Editor January 18, 2023

The distant chatter of students hustling around the middle school echoes in the background as Alan Jiang (12) taps his microphone, rehearsing the choreography and music in his head. He hums the opening...

“I used to think that I shouldn’t try if I’m not already good at it, which hurt me because I didn’t put my best effort into some things. If I go in with an ’all or nothing’ mindset, it helps motivate me to try my best at the things that I do, Ananya Bammi (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Pinpointing passions

by Claire Su, TALON Conservatory Editor January 17, 2023

Colored thumbtacks dot the wall, piercing through the fabric behind them. White, jagged outlines trace around labeled regions of land and water: North America, Europe, the Atlantic Ocean. Thinner lines...

“Ive always been really grateful for my education. Im grateful to be able to learn and be able to help at least a small community. Ive always been the kind of person who cannot leave without making a change. I want to focus on driving change and working on something that will help people, leaving the world better than you found it, Radha Mehta (12) said.

Humans of Harker: The art of learning

by Sidak Sanghari, HoH Profiler December 7, 2022

Radha Mehta (12) remembers the first time she picked up a camera in her junior year AP Studio Art class with nothing but a desire to capture the world around her in a versatile way. What she didn’t realize...

Being able to have a physical product from my art kind of gives it a sense of permanence, Ashley Ruan (12) said. Its something I can give to my family and my friends as a gift, and I feel like it feels more personal because its something that, I guess reminds them of either me or just my art.

Humans of Harker: From figure skater to figure creator

by Sally Zhu, Co-Editor in Chief November 29, 2022

Ashley Ruan (12): I started skating when I was five or six, after my first lesson. I mean, it was hard, but it was really fun. So I guess I just continued skating since I really enjoyed the feeling...

“Singing is a catharsis for me. When I sing, I’m able to bond with the people I sing with, and I’m able to forget about the daily stresses of everything. At school, I don’t think I’ve felt more free than when I’m singing. It’s the way I express myself: sing with friends and have fun, Anthony Zhao (12) said.

Humans of Harker: From chorus to course

by Vika Gautham, Assistant Features Editor November 8, 2022

Anthony Zhao (12) recalls the joyful tune of “Deck the Halls” as Downbeat sang in front of Pier 31 for their annual holiday tour, the music flowing through the numbing air. Smiling brightly, he sang...

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