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

Friday Five: Non-coffee Starbucks drinks

Friday Five: Non-coffee Starbucks drinks

by Disha Gupta, Reporter September 15, 2023

As soon as school ends, Harker students trek to the Starbucks at the corner of the Lion Food Center in flocks, filling the cafe with streams of constant conversation. If you are like me, your parents...

“Affirmative action” has transformed into a buzzword, ironically leaving behind the nuances of the policy and transforming into a reason to blame others.

Editorial: Narratives distort affirmative action

by Editorial Board September 12, 2023

In an environment as dedicated to excelling in the college admissions process as Harker, every policy and factor matters. Affirmative action always stood out, bringing the topic to center stage this June....

The limit imposed on the number of House seats by Congress from a century ago is outdated and no longer serves a practical purpose in today’s time.

A House confined by size cannot stand

by Jonathan Szeto, Reporter September 11, 2023

When your representative decides how to vote on an upcoming bill in the House, how do they decide? Do they pay attention to calls and messages from their constituents to make up their mind? Or do they...

The average student is still left with a crucial question after they decide to venture to the loo: which restroom is the best?

The Toilet Bowl

by Gabe Sachse, Sports Columnist August 29, 2023

The raise of a hand, followed by the ask of a question. The teacher grants you permission, whether through a cheery verbal approval or a simple nod. You get up from your seat, a hopeful feeling in...

The media we consume also serves as an educator. The world is a diverse place, and movies and television shows should strive to reflect the ways in which it is distinct.

Complexity of diversity in media

by Yifan Li, Co-Conservatory Editor August 25, 2023

Characters flit in and out of my computer screen, their stories blossoming in each frame that passes. I scroll up endlessly, engrossed in a show and wanting to know what happens next, and soon, I’ve...

Not only should we accept when others disagree with us, we need to actively seek out other opinions and encourage the sharing of different perspectives. To accomplish this, we need to acknowledge the gaps in our own knowledge and use the resources and people around us to gain a better understanding of our community.

Editorial: Diversity of thought promotes inclusivity

by Editorial Board June 6, 2023

Can schools be places of free inquiry while remaining safe harbors for learning? Schools across the country grapple with the balance between promoting ideas reflecting the beliefs of their student body...

We can appreciate each others cultures by wearing and displaying it. Wrongly labeling actions as cultural appropriation can have negative consequences.

Cultural appropriation versus appreciation

by Isabella Lo, Co-Opinions Editor May 11, 2023

What’s the difference between cultural appreciation and appropriation? Based solely on the definition, appreciation is about honoring traditions while appropriation is the inappropriate adoption of aspects...

For some, the feeling of stress helps motivate them into studying more. For me, it’s a ticking time bomb that’s ready to explode at any moment, which is why I look for ways to relax and reduce any nervousness.

Friday Five: Ways to relax before APs

by Vika Gautham, Co-Features Editor April 28, 2023

Advanced Placement (AP) tests. Standardized exams that quantify how well you’ve mastered certain content pertaining to a specific subject. To me, a nightmare that I don’t want to think about. As APs...

An illustration of the National Rifle Association of America logo. What questions should we be asking about the NRA and gun violence?

NRA and America: What questions should we be asking?

by Hima Thota, Assistant Sports Editor March 29, 2023

Content warning: This article mentions gun violence.  “Our Second Amendment is freedom’s most valuable, most cherished, most irreplaceable idea. History proves it. When you ignore the right of...

An illustration depicting the damage the two party system does to democracy. More than a quarter of Americans view both parties negatively, bringing into question whether constituent views are truly being heard on the political stage.

Failure of the two party system

by Isabella Lo, Assistant Opinions Editor March 23, 2023

In the 2020 election between Donald Trump and Joe Biden, my dad found that he could not support either candidate: both Trump and Biden did not align with his political views. My dad asked, “What do you...

An illustration demonstrating the cultural taboo on swearing. In today’s culture, so-called ‘swear words’ are simply words relating to the taboo, be it bodily functions, anger, madness or anything else deemed socially uncomfortable.

Tossing out the taboo: profanity’s prohibition preventing progress

by Jessica Wang, Assistant Opinions Editor March 23, 2023

As students slowly file into a classroom, grouping themselves into pairs and threes along a horse-shoe shaped table facing the blackboard, we start talking amongst ourselves, introducing who we are to...

When the main objective for an Advanced Placement (AP) course is completing a final exam, success no longer involves learning or curiosity; instead, success comes in the form of a number between one and five.

Editorial: AP courses undermine students’ learning

by Editorial Board March 8, 2023

When the main objective for an Advanced Placement (AP) course is completing a final exam, success no longer involves learning or curiosity; instead, success comes in the form of a number between one and...

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