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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

“I wish people would care about others a little bit more. [In] martial arts, I try to teach our students the strength of character and how to become a good person in addition to developing their physical skills; I want to help them grow into better people because that’s what my coaches did for me when I was younger," Andrew Vodinh-Ho (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Strength in mind and body

by Katie Reed, Reporter April 20, 2022

Firmly gripping a polished naginata with both hands, Andrew Vodinh-Ho (12) lunges forward, face grim and unrelenting as he stares forward in concentration. His black belt, cinched around his waist, flutters...

“I don't really have grand aspirations to change the world. I just want to make something that will impact other people and make them reflect and think about their lives the way that media has made me reflect thinking about my life, whether it's a painting or it's a game," Gloria Zhu (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Blurring the lines

by Lucy Ge, Aquila Co-Managing Editor April 20, 2022

Carefully etching into a linoleum block with a sharp metal tool, Gloria Zhu (12) works deftly to make a sketch come to life in a matter of minutes using her latest artistic medium of choice — printmaking....

“Anything can happen in a tennis match. The score can flip really quickly. In that sense, I have to be really patient. So, in a match, if I’m losing a set, there’s still one more I can play. I have to reset, and I can continue trying," Shika Tseitlin (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Swinging into the present

by Young Min, Reporter April 19, 2022

Shika Tseitlin (12) remembers one of his first tennis tournaments after rebounding from quarantine. After playing two tiring matches and beating two people ranked higher than him on the same day, he finally...

“I can view [art] this [way] and another person based on their unique experience can view it in a completely different way. It’s because we have so many diverse perspectives, that makes art history subjective, but also really enriching because you can always gain new insights from talking to another person and hearing what they have to say about how they view a piece of art," Melody Luo (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Behind the canvas

by Angelina Burrows, Reporter April 19, 2022

Melody Luo (12) sits perched on the tables near Manzanita. The soft breeze pushes back her hair as she expresses her journey through high school. She speaks quickly, utilizing her broad vocabulary to illustriously...

“People think about debate as some holier than thou activity where two white dudes in suits talk really pompously and get out their points. Debate is high schoolers chugging Red Bulls at 10 p.m. because the tournament doesn't end until midnight, they both smell, [since] they don't have time to shower in the morning, and they probably haven't eaten," Deven Shah (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Just an academic game

by Emma Milner, Reporter April 18, 2022

From debating about building a space elevator to persuading others that global warming may benefit the planet, Deven Shah (12) has done it all. As an avid debater, he has taken on many different and sometimes...

Humans of Harker: Passion for positivity

by Medha Yarlagadda, Reporter April 18, 2022

Ava Lett (12) lights up as she talks about Unique, a nine-year-old girl who Ava has seen grow up through her club, Make-A-Birthday-Wish. Unique was four years old when Ava first met her, and seeing how...

“I’ve always been super self-motivated to reflect on and improve myself while also being curious, which is one of the things doing math has helped cultivate in me; Math is beautiful just like artwork or music," Alex Hu (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Curiosity larger than the universe

by Steven Jiang, Reporter April 17, 2022

Alex Hu (12) recalls studying his math research prompt closely, intent on trying to simulate a quantum computer on a regular computer. After attempting many ideas, a stroke of insight flashed into his...

“Supporting yourself in your endeavors and achievements is a big part of the feminist movement. Being the president [of FEM Club] is something I've had to grapple with. People ask me questions about certain topics that I don’t know, and it's okay if I don’t know. Whatever position you are [in], you’re always learning new things, and that's my favorite aspect of FEM club," Simone Merani (12) said.

Humans of Harker: On a stage of strength

by Olivia Xu, Reporter April 17, 2022

“Fight hard! Fight hard! Fight hard!” Cheers erupt from the crowd of protestors steadily walking forward, in a video of the Women’s March on Jan. 18, 2020. Drums beat, a slow rhythm transforming...

“Knowing how to work with people, knowing how to talk to people and understanding the whole teamwork aspect is really important, especially in robotics, where everyone has a job to do. If one of these units fails, the whole thing comes apart," Pranav Gupta (12) said.

Humans of Harker: The world inside the lab

by Saahil Herrero, Reporter April 16, 2022

Pranav Gupta (12) fondly remembers one of his first robotics competitions, the World Championship in 2019. The immense area that was laid out was astounding, with massive futuristic pillars and over 10...

“Being able to express yourself allows you to be your best self, and finding things that combine things you love to do, trying to further your passions as opposed to sticking to what you think you should do or what other people imply that you should do, it's really important for the best growth so you can be your best person," Nageena Singh (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Picture (im)perfect

by Lakshmi Mulgund, TALON Co-Sports and Social Media Editor April 16, 2022

As the setting sun shines down on the tables in front of Shah hall, Nageena Singh (12) pulls out her bullet journal and opens to a double-page spread dazzled with jewels and collaged with layers of papers....

“[Uplifting others] is hard for me sometimes because I struggle with bringing myself up sometimes, but when I do help them succeed it makes me feel better. And in the end, it helps me succeed as well," Kai Burich (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Ain’t no mountain high enough

by Chayce Milheim, Reporter April 15, 2022

Kai Burich (12) recalls the almost ethereal scenery of a morning hike: the rising sun glinting on the morning dew that adorns the patches of grass growing alongside the trail path, shards of rainbows forming...

“One of the lessons [the coaches] teach us is that when you're tired and when you end [feeling] like you want to quit, you need to work harder and give it 10 more minutes, and then you're going to be done. Put your all into every ball and focus on the current shot. And don't think about the future, right? Because if you hit a good current shot, the other person might hit the ball in the net," Anishka Raina (12) said.

Humans of Harker: Forging success

by Alison Yang, Reporter April 15, 2022

It’s hot out, Anishka Raina (12) recalls. As Charlize Wang (9) guards the net, Anishka waits at the service line, watching the Menlo pair on the other side. The referee’s whistle cuts through the darkening...

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