Harker Aquila

Harker Aquila The official student-run online publication of The Harker School. Read more at harkeraquila.com!

11/15/2025

We’re back with another Friday Fit-check! As the weather changes, check out what these students are wearing to soak up these last few weeks of fall.

Videography by Lily Shi, Chelsea Xie and Cynthia Xie
Editing by Eva Cheng

Across the United States, recent federal funding cuts are weakening government organizations nationwide. President Donal...
11/14/2025

Across the United States, recent federal funding cuts are weakening government organizations nationwide. 

President Donald Trump issued emergency executive orders aimed towards rerouting or freezing existing funds that were almost immediately implemented, constituting a mass withdrawal of millions of dollars from a variety of programs supporting initiatives from child protection to food stamps.

“This government has voiced that they feel like some of this money is being mismanaged or not going to something that is fully representative of all of the American people,” History and AP Government teacher Bronwen Callahan said. “The general idea of the government spending less could be seen as, ‘Great. That’s less taxes for me.’ People usually only start thinking about cons if they’re economically minded, or if all of a sudden the services they have relied on are getting cut.”

Certain executive orders are being challenged by lower courts, many of which believe Congress should have approved the cuts first. California itself has been pushing back against the executive orders on the Department of Education, with the state and multiple school districts suing the government for taking away grants and firing education staff. 

Full article: https://harkeraquila.com/92294/features/pulse-of-the-people-federal-funding-cuts-immediately-affect-everything/

Reporting by Mendy Mao and Wenjie Zou
Illustration by Emma Li

Meet the performative male. In a white tee and baggy jeans, adorned with wired earbuds and a colorful Labubu, he walks c...
11/09/2025

Meet the performative male. In a white tee and baggy jeans, adorned with wired earbuds and a colorful Labubu, he walks confidently, matcha latte in one hand and his latest light reading — a feminist book — in the other. His unique appearance begs the question: is this genuine self-expression or manufactured compassion?

Over the summer, social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram exploded with references to the “performative male,” a stereotype coined for men who engage in “feminine” activities, from liking artists like Laufey’s music and enjoying matcha. They usually present themselves in a less dominant, softer light to attract the female gaze. On TikTok, videos about the topic have gained over 28 million views. The trend has even inspired “performative male” contests at colleges like Columbia and NYU. 

Full article: https://harkeraquila.com/92376/arts-entertainment-lifestyle/supportive-or-performative-how-the-performative-male-impacts-gender-dynamics/

Reporting by Lily Peng and Saria Lum
Illustration by Lily Peng

11/03/2025

Varsity girls water polo player Alana Brill (12) shares items from her sports bag, including her swim suits, swim cap and slides.

Reporting and editing by Lily Peng
Videography by Liana Barooah

11/02/2025

Varsity girls tennis player Angela Li (9) shares items from her sports bag, including a new cap, sunglasses and two tennis rackets.

Reporting and editing by Liana Barooah
Videography by Lily Peng

11/01/2025

Happy Halloween everyone! Take a look at how students put together their costumes in our latest Friday Fit-check!

Looking around campus, two trends seem to dominate all others — either a tight top and baggy sweatpants or an oversized ...
10/30/2025

Looking around campus, two trends seem to dominate all others — either a tight top and baggy sweatpants or an oversized hoodie and baggy jeans. Fashion usually serves as a tool for self-expression, but for teens, it often reflects collective trends rather than individuality.

When those choices are dictated by what’s popular online and among peers, self-expression begins to blur into imitation. Sophomore Amber Wang believes that wearing the same clothes as everyone else is an easy solution for students who want to fit in rather than develop a distinct style. 

“Especially for our age group, when we’re still trying to find our style, we tend to lean towards whatever is popular at the time instead of trying to figure out what really interests us,” Amber said. “Everyone sees something that a lot of people are wearing, and it’s just a tendency to want to buy that.”

Social media amplifies that instinct to conform. The moment a new style starts trending on Tiktok or Instagram, it spreads instantly. The resurgence of Y2K fashion, known for its low-rise jeans, cropped tank tops and playful colors, has seen a 40% increase in global sales compared to 2024. Algorithms push the look, and within weeks, brands like Shein fill their racks with copycat pieces of whatever just trended online. The rapid cycle of trends leaves little room for personal exploration, replacing genuine creativity with the pressure to keep up. 

Full article: https://harkeraquila.com/92185/arts-entertainment-lifestyle/copy-and-paste-conformity-in-fashion/

Reporters: Chelsea Xie and Aileen Jang
Photographer: Aileen Jang

10/29/2025

Varsity volleyball player Aline Grinspan (12) showcases items in her sports bag, like clips with positive messages and volleyball shoes.

Videography by Charlene Li
Editing by Tiffany Zhu

10/28/2025

Take a look at the essentials in frosh squash player Sarah Thiru’s sports bag, like rackets and Icy Hot.

Videography by Tiffany Zhu
Editing by Tiffany Zhu

Varsity football destroyed Pinewood 44-8 in their senior night game on Oct. 17. Before the game, the frosh and sophomore...
10/25/2025

Varsity football destroyed Pinewood 44-8 in their senior night game on Oct. 17. 

Before the game, the frosh and sophomores faced off to determine third place in tug-of-war rankings. The sophomores won in 10 seconds. In the following final matchup, the seniors defeated the juniors in 14 seconds, claiming the tug-of-war championship. 

Announcer and cross country head coach Jorge Chen recognized cheer seniors Christy Ma, Sophia Bagley, Taylor Summers, Ollie Masoni and Sofia Vasquez-Perez and football seniors Henry Fradin, Jackson Powell and Siddharth Sundar. Each senior walked to the center of the field with their family members and shared their favorite memory from the season.

“It felt very special knowing that I put so much time and dedication into this team for the past three years,” Sophia V. said. “There was so much love and support from every teammate, and we’re such a tight community that being called up tonight meant a lot, not only for me, but knowing how much, as cheerleaders, we’ve come this far.”

Full article: https://harkeraquila.com/91973/sports/varsity-football-crushes-pinewood-44-8-in-tailgate-game-on-football-and-cheer-senior-night/

Reporting by Mihir Kotbagi, Lily Peng, Wenjie Zou and Kanav Gupta
Photography by Kairui Sun, Cynthia Xie, Wenjie Zou and Chelsea Xie

10/23/2025

This is part two of how to make apple pie potstickers with Aquila. With your filling prepared, follow along for the final steps of putting together this cozy treat!

10/23/2025

As the hot summer cools down into breezy fall, a perfect way ease into the “-ber” months is making cozy fall recipes. Bring some spice into your fall season by following along Aquila’s tutorial for warm and sweet apple pie potstickers.

Videography by Chelsea Xie
Editing by Chelsea Xie

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