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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 love you,” my dad said, radiating warmth and alacrity before his cheery smile, with the scruffy beginnings of a beard, disappeared from the screen. In those short minutes, he never once mentioned the demoralizing experience of complete isolation for two weeks, pacing back and forth each day in less than 300 square feet of space with just a small window overlooking a measly freeway.  

Pandemic journal: Heart to heart, mind to mind 

by Alysa Suleiman, A&E Editor January 15, 2021

“Qi Qi!” My dad’s beaming face fills up my small phone screen, a tiny beacon in the post-sunset gloom of an early November evening.  “Hello?” I said, happy to see him, but nonetheless surprised....

But regardless, there's one thing I now know for sure: every time I walk out into the crisp autumn air, the wind playfully lifts and blows the knot-free strands around my face, and I'm reminded that I have no regrets, only a happier state of mind. And when I step back inside and face my reflection, the girl in the mirror smiles widely back.

Smiling back at the girl in the mirror 

by Alysa Suleiman, A&E Editor January 3, 2021

Rough, dry, prickly. My eyes travel down a straight line of hair, pulled taut from root to tip.  As I roll the semi-bleached strands between the pads of my fingers, more uneven bristles twist outwards,...

My pandemic workspace consists of my table, binders, laptop, earbuds, water bottle, pens and pencils, pencil case, my iPad that I use for drawing, my journal to keep me organized, whichever book I'm reading and other various small items.

Stories from quarantine: Our pandemic workspaces

by Emily Tan, Winged Post Features Editor December 2, 2020

From when the Harker community first left campus in March until now, students have adapted to the challenges of remote learning, such as long hours of screen time and sitting, by modifying or even completely...

This year, students preserved the Halloween spirit through their costumes, many of which were homemade, transforming themselves into movie characters, fairies, and even a Christmas tree.

Spooky sightings

by Emily Tan, Winged Post Features Editor November 2, 2020

Each year on Halloween, trick-or-treaters laugh as they dash up driveways to front doors, sounding doorbells and sing-songing out, “Trick or treat!” before scrambling for the most coveted pieces of...

A collection of flat lays taken to share the outfits student journalists would have worn these last three months if not in quarantine.

Stories from quarantine: “The outfit I never wore”

Over the last week, members of Harker Journalism dug through their closets to pull out outfits and accessories they haven't touched since quarantine started—a glimmer of normalcy in a time of uncertainty...

Even though I spent every day at home with them, the only time my family congregated, if ever, was for short dinners. These game nights made me appreciate my family more and realize that a 15 minute dinner is not a sufficient amount of time with them. 

Stories from quarantine: A game night to remember

by Lavanya Subramanian April 28, 2020

Faded primary colors fill the different pictures and numbers on the six cards in my hand. In front of me, more cards lay stacked on top of each other, each with a different word written in a black graffiti...

I found the perfect route that gave me the right amount of exercise and provided the most scenic views. It made me feel closer to my neighborhood. 

Stories from quarantine: A rainy spring

by Olivia Guo, Humans of Harker profiler April 22, 2020

Glimmering drops of water hang off the bottom of my clear umbrella as I walk along Villa Drive, leaves crackling under my shoes. This was a street I had grown accustomed to on my many walks during spring...

Hiking is a family tradition: whether we are away on vacation or right outside my house, my family and I frequently explore our surroundings. Wildlife takes the opportunity to come out, and I see more creatures than I ever have before.

Stories from quarantine: Hiking into the woods

by Anika Mani, TALON Reporter April 21, 2020

Surrounded by the tall, lush green redwood trees, I stroll through the empty woods. The sun peeks out of one of few clouds in the sky and warms the crisp air. Swarms of bees buzz, and a soft breeze rustles...

A collection of flat lays taken to share the essential items keeping student journalists safe, healthy and happy during their time at home.

Stories from quarantine: Our pandemic essentials

Both yearbook and newspaper staffs spent time creating their own pandemic flat lays, an array of the essentials that are keeping them safe, healthy and happy during this time. Take a peek at student journalists'...

In quarantine, we just have ourselves. So I used my time in isolation to see if I could do it all: be both model and photographer.

Stories from quarantine: Euphoria

by Anoushka Buch, TALON Student Life and Conservatory Editor April 19, 2020

Dappled in yellow lighting and adorned with chunky sparkles, a face looks up to a point beyond the camera. The expression is hard-to-read: it’s not emotionless, yet it lacks the extremity of the banal...

Students have found creative outlets to spend their extra time stuck inside during quarantine, ranging from playing an instrument to BMX biking.

Finding a new fun: discovering hobbies during quarantine

by Sabrina Zhu, Reporter April 17, 2020

As she gently presses on the strings with one hand, Arissa Huda (9) strums her acoustic Hohner guitar with the other, playing a version of Selena Gomez and Kygo’s “It Ain’t Me.” She smiles and...

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