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

“At school, we all have tests, and were all comparing ourselves constantly. We have all these different measures of comparison that we use against each other. But when it comes to spirit, I feel like it really unifies the classes together in a way that no other discipline can do. Spirit is the one time we can come together and celebrate high school, Anja Ree (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Pointe perfect

by Sabrina Zhu, Winged Post Co-Editor-in-Chief February 8, 2023

The panels of mirrors in upper school performing arts director Laura Lang-Ree’s room sparkle under the afternoon sun, reflecting the energetic movements of dozens of seniors. With Celine Dion’s “My...

“I want to be remembered as a person with varying interests that might not always align but I hope that [people] can see that this is what is important to me. When people look at me I hope they know the things that I value,” Aria Jain (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Transcending tradition

by Anika Maji, Copy Editor February 6, 2023

A couple of years ago, during one of her first weeks as a yoga instructor, Aria Jain (12) found herself facing a class of middle schoolers. Only, her new pupils seemed indifferent to her efforts to teach....

“Any process of introspection challenges what you already hold to be true. For example, you can argue whether global warming is a threat to human civilization or whether were going to get killed by asteroids. Or you can figure out what moral philosophy you believe in, like in the trolley problem: would you pull the lever and kill two people or let three die?” Rahul Santhanam (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Jazz it up

by Jessica Wang, Asst. Opinions Editor February 4, 2023

The Duke of Illyria, Orsino, once proclaimed, “If music be the food of love, play on.” Rahul Santhanam (12) mirrors this sentiment as a saxophone player in the upper school Jazz Band, enriching the...

“With collaboration, you can expand your insight, you can expand your own knowledge. Sometimes the coolest ideas come from pooling ideas from different people together. Your peers are your biggest tool. They have their own experiences that they can draw from, and theyre just a good tool to collaborate with and to learn from, Nupur Gupta (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Fusion of styles

by Aishani Singh, Asst. Multimedia Editor February 4, 2023

Silence and darkness fill the Patil Theater as the audience quietly waits in anticipation for the next routine in the upper school’s 2023 Dance Production. Suddenly, Macklemore’s “Can’t Hold Us”...

“I like considering the viewpoints of people who I disagree with. I’ll go to the Heritage Foundation to read news articles even though I expressly disagree with their views. [In debate], I can’t tunnel vision into one side of the argument; I have to understand not only how to make my own claims, but also the intricacies of the other side, Muzzi Khan (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Finding the middle ground

by Arjun Barrett, Managing Editor February 3, 2023

There aren’t too many people who are willing to confront global issues head-on. Most of us would rather let political leaders make the decisions that will shape our future. But instead of standing by...

“In Esperanto, you have the example of a group of people who have an amazing idea and want to share it with the world. Regardless of the obstacles that they face along the way, regardless of the challenges that they encounter, they continue believing in Esperanto’s mission and they continue working towards their goal. I find that really inspiring. Optimism and hope have a lot of power, Rupert Chen (12) said.

Humans of Harker: A journey through time

by Felix Chen, Asst. News Editor February 2, 2023

Flipping through yellowed pages, reading words written hundreds of years ago and leafing through archival sources, Rupert Chen (12) peruses the lines of faded print. As he peers through this written window,...

“Science is intimidating. This is where the word conduit comes in: its acting as a teacher to bring the information such that they’re prepared to seek it out for themselves. But the thing about teaching is it comes down to how well you can captivate the audience. Can you make sure that theyre listening to you, that they understand you? Thats the essence of learning: just going out, absorbing information without a purpose, having fun exploring by yourself, Rohan Bhowmik (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Critical thinker, community builder

by Angelina Hu, TALON Student Life Editor January 29, 2023

As lunch approaches its peak, a group of students congregates at the chocolate milk machine — only to realize the dispenser is clogged. A buzz of disgruntlement grows among the crowd as they wonder what...

“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...

Load More Stories