Winged Post Volume 25, Issue 1

WINGED

THE UPPER SCHOOL STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF THE HARKER SCHOOL

500

UPCOMING DATES

LABOR DAY

MONDAY, SEPT. 4

BACK TO SCHOOL

SATURDAY, SEPT. 9

CLUB FAIR

Matriculation welcomes community to new school year

inside the ISSUE

Library construction delayed, receiving final repairs

kinnera mulam

With the library construction continuing into the school year due to delays, students, faculty and staff will utilize Nichols Auditorium as a temporary quiet study space while reconstruction finishes. As the library undergoes additional repairs, the school awaits final inspections of the library to take place in the coming weeks, according to Head of Upper School Paul Barsky. Damage to the library occurred due to a tree falling from in front of Dobbins Hall on March 21.

Rise and shine: Class of 2024 attends Senior Sunrise

kinnera mulam

The senior class gathered on Davis Field for Senior Sunrise from 6 to 6:45 a.m. on Monday. Harker provided donuts, fruit, yogurt and hot cocoa for students to enjoy as they watched the sunrise together. During the event, the class of 2024 also participated in bonding activities like decorating a class canvas. At 7 a.m., administration allowed students to either leave campus and return only when the school day began or stay on campus until the start of class at 8 a.m.

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Link Crew kicks off year with advisory meetings

TUESDAY, SEPT. 12 07

which signifies their pledge to uphold Harker’s values, in the Zhang gym during the matriculation ceremony on Aug. 18. Associated Student Body Vice President Ella Lan (12) led all four grades and faculty in reading the oath before the frosh signed the Harker Matriculation Book.

ella yee, brandon zau & aishani singh

Upper school students, faculty and administration honored the start of the 2023-2024 school year through the annual Matriculation Ceremony featuring music, speeches and skits in the Zhang Gymnasium on Friday. The class of 2027 and their advisers processed into the gym to applause at 9 a.m., and Head of School Brian Yager delivered opening remarks and emphasized the school’s support for the community. He introduced the alto and soprano choir Cantilena, who performed Rosephanye Powell’s “Still I Rise” with vocal music teacher Susan Nace directing. Head of Upper School Paul Barsky gave his Matriculation Address, focusing

to aspects of Harker. Student Diversity Coalition (SDC) student leaders then introduced the coalition’s purpose and encouraged students to engage in events throughout the year such as Culture Week

Meanwhile, the Harker String Quartet, conducted by instrumental music teacher Jaco Wong, played “Stay with Me” by Sam Smith and “Viva La Vida” by Coldplay. Each grade’s student council and Honor Council performed “Upper School 101,” introducing ninth graders to upper school building details, spirit events, clubs and academic honor.

“The skits were all funny; it felt like we were a unit,” Honor Council Representative Suhana Bandare (10) said. “I’m glad that we came together and put that show on.”

Yager made closing remarks and dismissed students to join their advisers.

BRANDON

ready with me” speech, comparing makeup products

features New faces on our school block: Meet your new teachers

a&e/lifestyle

Barbenheimer: Blowing up summer with blockbusters

Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Brian Davis discussed the importance of community at Harker and emphasized the recent increase in student affinity groups in his speech.

“The community here is very strong,” Davis said. “I want people to remember [that] there is a community here for you.”

Afterward, Daniel introduced the student government for each class, with ASB Vice President Ella Lan (12) leading the rest of the school in reciting the Matriculation Oath. After, the class of 2027 signed the Harker Matriculation Book that recognizes them as official members of the Harker community who pledge to uphold the oath.

11opinions

Editorial: Narratives distort affirmative action

“I feel that through Matriculation and orientation, I was able to meet new people,” new Harker ninth grader Varun Kaushik said. “Everyone’s so chill here, especially after listening to Daniel’s speech where he was doing makeup, so I can’t wait to be part of it.”

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JOIN

US ON SOCIAL

DESIGN BY KINNERA MULAM AND ARIANA GOETTING

LEADERS IN THE LIGHT Associated Student Body (ASB) President Daniel Lin (12) and Secretary Cynthia Wang (12) introduce each grade’s class council on the stage.

TAKING AN OATH The class of 2027 recites the matriculation oath,

SARATOGA AVENUE, SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA 95129

SKITS AND SONGS (Top) The sophomore class council performs their “Upper School 101” skit. (Bottom) Joe Li (12) plays “Stay With Me” by Sam Smith on the violin.

SINGING WITH SPIRIT Cantilena singer Fern Biswas (11) performs “Still I Rise.”

WARM WELCOME Head of Upper School Paul Barsky delivers Matriculation Address. FOLLOW @harkeraquila DIA

SPIRIT KICKOFF

SATURDAY, AUG. 26

DECA Launch welcomes frosh

medha yarlagadda

Hosted by the leadership team, Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) Launch featured bonding events, workshops and competition practice for over 60 attendees from Aug. 12-13 to introduce the frosh to DECA.

On the first day, students participated in a campus-wide scavenger hunt following a brief introduction to DECA as a whole. They then engaged in a deeper dive into DECA competitive topics, with

Back in session:

School kicks off the year with class trips and frosh orientation

eight cluster rotations led by officers.

“I thought the cluster introductions were really helpful because [they] helped me have an idea of what to expect from DECA as a whole,” Chelsea Xie (9) said. “The creative aspect really drew me in, so the entrepreneurship and marketing part was particularly interesting to me. I don’t know a lot about business in general, so I am excited to learn.”

The highlight activity of the weekend was the innovation challenge, where students gained more hands-on exposure to the DECA competitive experience by designing a product and innovation plan.

“The innovation challenge is like a DECA-written event but sized down,” DECA Co-CEO Claire Luo (12) said. “We are able to give students exposure to DECA events and help them gain experience.”

The second day of Launch familiarized ninth graders with DECA competitive events, which include testing, roleplays and written events.

“We like to simulate a full conference and DECA experience for all of our students,” DECA Chapter Advisor Juston Glass said. “We give them the opportunity to compete; we bring them here, and say ‘Hey you might be nervous; you may not even know how to compete, but we are going to give you the tools to get started and get launched into future business and entrepreneurship aspirations.’”

DECA Launch concluded with final presentations and judging of the innovation plan that students developed over the two days. The officers announced the winners from all competitive events during the concluding awards ceremony.

“People will recount DECA launch as a formative experience for them in their DECA journey,” Glass said. “They say that it is where they get less confused, they gain inspiration, they make friends, they meet their mentors and it’s overall a safe space for students to come and be with a group that is the same age as them and not be overwhelmed.”

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Frosh, sophomores and juniors attended orientation, a ropes course and a trip to Angel Island, respectively, on Aug. 17 to kick off the year.

The class of 2027 met with their advisories and Link Crew members on campus at 10:30 a.m. before heading to Davis Field for an introduction by APEX Activities, who led the day’s events.

The ninth graders participated in bonding activities and competitions throughout the day in the Zhang Gymnasium, the Singh Aquatic Center and Davis Field like relay races, water games and plank walks.

“I really enjoyed the ball activity where you try to get the tennis balls into the bucket because our group was really good at that, and it was nice to win something,” Joyce He (9) said.

After eating lunch by advisory in Manzanita, the frosh completed the rest of the APEX events before taking a class photo and meeting with advisories for the advisor and parent meet-and-greet.

The sophomore class started the day at 7:15 a.m. on campus before boarding

buses to drive to one of three different locations. Allison Hoang (10) traveled to the YMCA location where she participated in team games, archery and both low and high ropes courses. She appreciated her advisory’s support as she made her way through challenging ropes courses.

“They told me it would be fine and to get out of my comfort zone,” Allison said. “When I got to the top, it was really rewarding. My advisory was really encouraging on the way there, and they were always cheering me on. I just felt

ALLISON HOANG (10)

TRIP ATTENDEE OFFICEOF COMMUNICATION

really good because I overcame it.”

The junior class arrived on campus at 6:55 a.m. to travel via bus and ferry to

planned activities on Angel Island. The trip attendees divided into two groups based on their advisory: one went on a two-and-a-half mile hike around the island while the other participated in an advisory treasure hunt competition.

“It was pretty fun, and I got to see a lot of people after the summer,” Leo Sobczyn (11) said. “[My favorite part was] the hike, [and] I’m looking forward to school and what I’m going to learn this year.”

After the planned events, students enjoyed the beach from 2 to 2:40 p.m before returning to campus at around 5 p.m.

Altogether, the class deans designed the activities to allow students to bond and spend time together after summer vacation. For Allison, spending nonacademic time with her advisory and friends helped them grow closer.

“My favorite parts [were] getting to bond with my advisory because we haven’t seen each other all summer and also hanging out with other advisories [to do] something fun instead of school work,” Allison said. “We really learned how to work like a team.”

Additional reporting by Disha Gupta. Visit harkeraquila.com for full article.

HSLT prepares for year of spirit

New and returning members of the Harker Spirit Leadership Team (HSLT) bused to Santa Cruz on Aug. 9 to bond and plan events for the upcoming school year.

The retreat began at 8 a.m. on the Upper School campus with bagels provided by the kitchen staff. After brief introductions, HSLT spent time painting welcome-back posters for the first week of school while the HSLT retreat leaders, seniors Anish Jain and Arjun Moogimane as well as Chayce Milheim (11), practiced their speeches. Afterward, they came together again for a game of Guess the Song in their separate retreat groups.

At 10:15 a.m., HSLT set off for Twin Lakes Beach, arriving in time for lunch and games of tag football before the structured activities began. HSLT Advisor and Director of Student Organizations

Eric Kallbrier led a mindfulness activity to “remove their emotional armor,” which allowed them to share deep, personal parts of themselves with the group.

“It’s always cool to see people being open and feeling comfortable [being] open,” HSLT President Arjun Moogimane (12) said. “And then [see] how that causes other people to also feel comfortable.”

HSLT members received a talk from Arjun about discovering interests and his

with retreat

advice for enjoying high school. Before the next speech, the groups competed in a Protect Your Castle challenge where they built sand castles near the shoreline and waited to see which groups’ lasted the longest. After the competition ended with a win for Team Green, HSLT Athletic Committee Head Chayce Milheim (11) gave a speech about finding one’s place and overcoming challenges.

“It was really cool to see everybody’s different perspectives [and] the way that you could clearly see everyone had a specific motive on what they were talking about,” new HSLT member Kashish Priyam (11) said. “And then after that, the discussions just helped it sink in even further and made it more applicable to each person individually.”

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ARIANA GOETTING

FIGHTING FOR FIRST A frosh advisory competes against other advisories in a cup activity designed by APEX Activities on Davis Field for the class of 2027’s orientation on Aug. 17. Advisories from the frosh class spent the day participating in activities to bond with each other, their respective advisors and Link Crew members before the school year.

chayce milheim

ariana goetting, kinnera mulam & felix chen

PLAYING WITH SPIRIT Andre Lu (11) jumps to catch the ball in a game of tag football during free time at the Aug. 9 Harker Spirit Leadership Team (HSLT) retreat. Event attendees often played tag football during their free time on the trip.

LAUNCH TO LEARN Officer Lauren Lin (11) leads a cluster session to introduce the frosh to the DECA Marketing cluster on Aug. 12. The event helped the frosh strengthen their understanding of the program.

FELIX CHEN

DISHA GUPTA

COASTING AND CLIMBING (Top) Juniors Young Min, Charlize Wang, Claire Cheng and Arthur Wu relax beside the San Francisco Bay. (Bottom) Sophia Bagley (10) completes the high ropes course.

People will recount DECA Launch as a formative experience for them in their DECA journey

JUSTON GLASS DECA CHAPTER ADVISOR OFFICEOF COMMUNICATION

My favorite parts were getting to bond with my advisory because we haven’t seen each other all summer

MEDHA YARLAGADDA

Seniors unite for first ever Senior Retreat

andrew liang

Nigerien junta ousts president

Nigerien military junta National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland declared that they detained and deposed President Mohamed Bazoum on July 26.

The coup in Niger is the latest in a chain of uprisings in other sub-Saharan countries. Niger is a crucial supporter of Western countries’ security operations in the region, and the European Union (EU) partnered with Niger to counter terrorism in Dec. 2022.

The class of 2024 gathered on the upper school campus from 2:30 to 10 p.m. for Harker’s first Senior Retreat on Aug. 16.

The senior class council, Student Activities Board (SAB) and administrators planned the event, which featured an alumni panel, faculty-led workshops, fun activities and a movie night.

Head of Upper School Paul Barsky launched Senior Retreat to spark a tradition of welcoming seniors back to campus first so they build the skills necessary for their last year of high school and set an example for younger students.

“A lot of people had the similar idea of ‘let’s create something unique and special for the senior class,’” Barsky said. “Having seen the seniors during [the] senior trip, I thought, ‘Gosh, this is great. We should move this [to] the beginning of the year.’”

After a welcome from Barsky, who highlighted the significance of the day’s

plans, the retreat proceeded with a Q&A on navigating senior year with a Harker alumni panel, featuring Director of Alumni Relations Karan Lodha and Class of 2023 graduates Brian Chen, Lavanya Subramanian and Gwen Yang.

“It was definitely different from what I was expecting coming to a Senior Retreat,” Zentangle: Doodling for Peace workshop attendee Adrian Liu (12) said. “Zentangle was very calm, and we were all able to discover a new outlet for us to relax.”

Between workshop sessions, seniors reconvened in the Nichols Auditorium to listen to senior class dean Carol Green’s presentation titled “Envisioning a New Tomorrow Today.” Green held an exercise that asked seniors to visualize the upcoming year as she referred to pivotal moments in the months to come. After, seniors wrote letters to their future selves.

“There are going to be times this year when every single senior is going to run into something they didn’t expect,” Green said. “I’m hoping they’ll hold on to some of those tools and find a way to reframe, recover and respond in a positive way.”

Election candidate shot dead in Ecuador

Ecuadorian presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio was fatally shot as he left a campaign rally in the capital city Quito on Aug. 9.

Following the assassination, President Guillermo Lasso declared a state of emergency. Despite the turmoil, Lasso resolved to continue elections to ensure a fair transfer of power.

“Given the loss of a democrat and a fighter, the elections are not suspended. On the contrary, they have to be held, and democracy has to be strengthened,” Lasso said on Thursday.

Poland-Belarus tensions flare

Seniors attended workshops for two sessions, selecting from the ten available options that ranged from doodling to a nature walk to a variety of life skills.

Behind the bylines:

After a pizza dinner, seniors gathered on Davis Field to watch “Despicable Me,” huddling in blankets and warm layers as dusk arrived and the event drew to an end.

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Poland deployed 10,000 troops to its border with Belarus on Thursday in the midst of heightened tensions.

Polish officials blame Russia and Belarus for assisting many fleeing the Middle in crossing the border. The Wagner Group’s presence in Belarus and Belarusian military exercises performed near the border on Aug. 7 increased fears of a possible invasion.

American nurse saved from Haiti

American nurse Alix Dorsainvil and her daughter were released unharmed from their Haitian kidnappers on Aug 8. Haitian gangs are known for using violence against the people they abduct and demand ransoms for their release.

“Alix is a remarkably resilient woman whose walk with God guides her deep love for her family and her passionate commitment to the Haitian people,” El Roi Haiti, a Christian group seeking to build strong communities in Haiti, said.

39 Harker Journalism staff members

, Journalism Adviser Whitney Huang and Yearbook Adviser Kevin Oliver attended Editors’ Week from Aug. 8 to Aug. 11 in the journalism room to prepare for the year. Along with the advisers, the strategic teams began planning for Editors’ Week in early August. During the week, staff from the four publications — TALON, Humans of Harker, Harker Aquila and the Winged Post — participated in multiple bonding

activities as icebreakers to help the staff members connect after summer break. Students also worked on a storytelling project on Tuesday and Wednesday in which they visited various shops near Harker and told their stories through photos, videos, articles and digital designs.

“[Editors’ Week] has been really fantastic,” Co-News Editor Felix Chen (11) said. “The activities have been so fun, and it’s nice to meet everyone again.”

Throughout the week, the staff’s strategic teams set tasks for each day in

order to effectively prepare for the school year ahead. Harker Aquila kicked off its new cycle on Aug. 4 with pitching to assign each staff member assignments. The Winged Post team familiarized section editors with new design guidelines to prepare for the first issue releasing on Aug. 25. Humans of Harker focused on publishing profiles from last year and deciding on the class of 2024’s Humans of Harker magazine theme while TALON worked on determining a theme for the 2023-2024 yearbook.

A pawssible human bear?

A zoo in China denied allegations in July that one of its sun bears named Angela was a human in a bear costume.

In response to accusations, the zoo released a statement defending Angela’s identity as a bear.

“Some think I stand like a person,” zoo officials said on Angela’s behalf. “It seems you don’t understand me well.”

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DESPICABLE ME AT DUSK Seniors huddle in blankets and warm layers to watch “Despicable Me” during sunset on Davis Field.

kinnera mulam

alena suleiman, ananya sriram & kevin zhang

BRANDON ZAU

KEVIN ZHANG

A lot of people had the idea of ‘let’s create something unique and special for the senior class.’ I thought, ‘Gosh, this is great. We should move this [to] the beginning of the year’

PAUL BARSKY

HEAD OF UPPER SCHOOL

OFFICEOF COMMUNICATION

Harker Journalism staff gears up for the year ahead with Editors’ Week

FRUITFUL DISCUSSION Harker Aquila Co-Editor-in-Chief Ella Yee (12) discusses revising the journalism publications’ mission statement with journalism staff for the new school year.

BEACH BALL BONDING Aquila Managing Editor Kevin Zhang (12) prepares to catch a beach ball with questionss on it on Aug. 9. The ball featured icebreaker questions such as “What movie would you be?”

BRANDON ZAU

Tiny love stories: Summer edition

vika gautham

The hot summer breeze brushed against my face, despite it only being 7 at night. I walked along the streets of my neighborhood and ended up at the edge of a hill, overlooking the usually bustling city of San Jose. I sat on the rocks, watching the sky fade from its signature azure. Streaks of orange and yellow ran into the skylines, resembling a freshly painted canvas. Colors bled into one another, endlessly traveling as far as I could see — bold and brilliant, yet serene and calming. And then, it was gone. A midnight navy stood in place of the once intense hues that covered the skies.

Most of the world dictates the change of seasons by a date, determined by the Earth’s spinning axis. I prefer to tell it by the fruit of a stall at the farmer’s market. The mark of summer, decorated by large dazzling striped green watermelons, fresh berries in a turquoise cartons, crunchy green grapes, fuzzy yellow peaches and deep purple plums. All the fruits remind me of a sequence: bitter at the start of the season, sweet right in the middle, then bitter once again. Who knew fruit was so telling of time?

singh

Two lemons, half a cup of sugar and three cups of water. The scent of citrus floats around the room as I distribute the lemonade and beckon my parents to come into the kitchen. When the drink touches their lips, they spit it out. Taking a sip out of my own glass, I feel my taste buds explode when I taste the rush of saltiness and nearly drop my glass. I look back at the kitchen island and groan when I see the opened jar of salt next to the two squeezed lemon rinds. I look back at my family, and they can’t help but burst into laughter, their contagious joy causing a smile to blossom on my face.

hima thota

The blaring hot sun beats down on my face as I stand outside surveying the pool. Through the screen door, I can hear the sound of my cousins and sister running up and down the stairs. With the stifling California heat, we all ache for a dip in the pool, especially after waiting all day for the early evening. My sister and cousins jump in, splashing each other as they swim. My cousins yell at me to join them. Swimming up behind me, my sister grabs my leg. I yell at her while my cousins laugh, but as I resurface and the coolness of the pool drenches me from head to toe, I can’t help but laugh as well.

jonny xue

A rosy glow filters through glass panes, illuminating the classroom whiteboard. Equations and marked-up phrases line the space, but in a small corner hides the true treasure, Om Nom. Drawing Om Noms on the whiteboard at the front of the room, I stand entranced, wholly consumed in this one task. Marker in hand, I carefully outline the creature’s components: first, a pumpkin-esque stem. Then, four stubby legs. Lastly, three rounded triangular teeth. Over the course of the year, Om Nom flies through campus on notebook sketches, finding its way into the lives of all.

Meet our new teachers: 2023-24

AMBI BOBMANUELGEOMETRY AND ALGEBRA 2

VIKA GAUTHAM

HOBBIES:reading

FAV BOOK THIS SUMMER: broken earth

FUN FACT: used to be vegetarian

LOOKING FORWARD TO: advisory

MOTTO:do 1 thing that scares you

DAVID GOULETTE PRECALCULUS AND ALGEBRA 2

HOBBIES: playing with his son

FAV VACATION SPOT: thailand

ERIC HENGSTEBECK

HOBBIES: yoga/paddleboarding

FAV CITY: chicago

FUN FACT: has a siberian cat

LOOKING FORWARD TO:

BUCKET LIST:

GOALS FOR YEAR: explore new books

MOST EXCITED FOR: rich discussions

HOBBIES:

FAV MUSICAL: heathers

FUN FACT: has two rescue dogs

ADVICE: everyone has place in theater

LOOKING FORWARD TO: fall play

FAV LAB: flame test

CLASSROOM GOAL: be organized

STUDENTS SHOULD KNOW: chem is fun

LOOKING FORWARD TO: harker day

vika gautham & alison yang

sidak sanghari

aishani

ALI

Unraveling a tapestry of global voices

Immigration and tradition form a mosaic of intertwined global languages

Stressed by the bell: Getting over the start of school

gabe sachse & steven jiang

It only takes one sense to know that school is back in session at Harker. Anything from the feel of the post-summer dust in classrooms, shaken off by eager learners, to the smell of pizza wafting from Manzanita, are dead giveaways that a new year has begun at the upper school campus. While these new sights and sounds inspire hope in the hearts of many students, some feel their spirits dropping at the inception of a new academic year, like the colors on the leaves fading from vibrant green to dry brown as summer turns to fall.

“Café”—Is it Spanish or English?

What about “appa”? The word finds itself in both Korean and Tamil dictionaries. Meanwhile, “arigato,” or “thank you” in Japanese, possesses similarities to “obrigado” or “obrigada,” a Portuguese expression of gratitude. Although these languages find themselves rooted in different parts of the world, they display a tapestry of communication throughout history, each thread connecting seemingly unalike cultures.

Languages form the cornerstone of human connection, allowing populations to express thoughts and knowledge via writing, speaking and reading, regardless of the location.

Approximately 147 family languages currently exist, with the Indo-European family being the most widely spoken family language, utilized by 44.78% of the world population. Indo-European languages encompass a collection of 445 living languages, yet the cluster splits into 10 branches.

The Sino-Tibetan family follows the Indo-European family and thrives across

China and Southeast Asia and covers 22.28% of global speakers. Yet, while the branch has origins in China, various Sinitic languages spread to various corners of the globe. For Eric Zhang (11), Chinese forms memories of learning the language growing up through local institutions.

glish, where in a single sentence, I’d keep switching back between Chinese and English.”

According to the 2020 U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, approximately 21% of the population over the age of 5 spoke a language other than English at home. Spanish, Chinese, Tagalog, Vietnamese, and French were among the top non-English languages spoken, reflecting the multicultural tapestry woven by immigrants.

“ [When] we would go back to China and visit all of our extended family, they [would] only know Chinese, so it’s definitely nice to be able to speak Chinese with them “

ERIC ZHANG (11) STUDENT

KINNERA MULAM

“There was just a classic story of every Sunday, I would go to Chinese school for a few hours,” Eric said. “[We] just start from a young age. Our friends would always speak Chinese to us, [and] sometimes you have cases where our parents do Chinese testing, we would just respond to them in English, which was fun or is like Chin-

In indigenous communities, languages often embody centuries of wisdom and knowledge. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) estimates that 43% of the world’s languages are endangered, highlighting the urgency of preserving linguistic heritage. Shared languages safeguard indigenous cultural legacy and foster intergenerational bonds.

“I have a few friends who are Chinese, … and then if a Chinese grandma comes out to you and starts asking you things, you just like look lost because you don’t know [how to respond,]” Eric said. “[But] I feel like it’s ultimately a way to still connect to my Heritage.

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Part-time jobs: Summer of experiences

Beneath the beating summer sun, a lifeguard overlooks the pool deck, warning running children as their feet pound on the poolside deck.

People seek icy drinks inside of a cafe as a barista works to prepare orders, or visit the air-conditioned haven of a library to find their latest read. From boba shops to blue pools, Harker students serve in a wide variety of summer jobs, earning pay and meeting new people. Junior Mirabelle

Feng has worked at her local YMCA as a lifeguard since June, and looks upon her time there fondly. She chose lifeguarding as a summer job due to her extensive swimming experience,

“The Northwest YMCA has been a pool that I used to visit a lot when I was a child so it felt really nice going back there and revisiting from a different perspective,” Mirabelle said. “It was something between wanting to help people and also just the convenience of already having been lifeguard trained. That drove my decision to choose lifeguarding as the job.”

Through her job, she has met and bonded with colleagues through shared hobbies and experiences.

“At the end of every month, the last Friday before the month ends, all lifeguards are required to come in Friday night, and we run through practices called in service,” Mirabelle said. “It’s the bonding while we review important lifeguard topics that I really love. It’s surprising how close you can get with the people you work with, while you’re strapping them to a backboard.”

Other students also returned to places they previously spent time enjoying when they were younger, in an effort to serve their communities.

James Blenko (12) began as an intern at Santa Clara City Library last year and worked as a page this summer. He enjoys all parts of the job, from shelving to helping patrons to tutoring young kids.

“I love the library,” James said. “I spent a lot of time in the library, especially as a kid, but I would never want to give up the chance. Even if [I’m] doing normal work stuff, just being around books puts me in a better mood.”

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For many, this existential dread carries with them throughout festivities like class trips, matriculation and the first days of new classes. Initially, fighting off this lingering dark cloud of emotion can prove difficult. However, as the years go on, many experienced staff and students develop methods to settle into the school year stress-free. Counselor Hui Hui Chang uses concrete routines to help prepare herself for big shifts from the less structured time of summer, like modified sleep schedules.

Especially as an underclassman, joining random clubs, talking to people you wouldn’t usually talk to — it definitely improves your mood to have those new experiences

ANISH JAIN (12) STUDENT

“It’s great to be preparing yourself,” Chang said. “I always think about my own personal experience of trying to get my sleep back on schedule, trying to work on you know, taking care of that back to where it was [before]. Maybe even just a week or a few days beforehand, trying to get to bed a little bit earlier and waking up a little bit earlier to try to get that routine back on schedule.”

Time management is a massive concern for students. From the aforementioned sleep schedule issues to the burden of large amounts of homework, some students come into the year not knowing how to maximize their time. As a result, there is a constant struggle between making routines efficient and keeping each day enjoyable. To manage this, many students use the smaller things in life to keep themselves happy while simultaneously staying busy with schoolwork.

“For me, it’s the simple stuff,” senior class council member Anish Jain (12) said. “Like playing video games, talking to my parents, calling my brother or even relatives halfway across the world, and having a TV show to binge. The little things are what make [school] seem more survivable and more enjoyable as well.”

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ILLUSTRATION BY ANANYA SRIRAM

ananya sriram

felix chen & sid sanghari

OFFICEOF COMMUNICATION

ILLUSTRATIONS BY HIMA THOTA

edward huang

After over five years of silence, Travis Scott is finally back. Releasing his fourth full-length studio album “UTOPIA” on July 28, the hip-hop artist marked his longawaited return with yet another recordbreaking project. Featuring collaborations with artists like 21 Savage, Beyonce, Drake, The Weeknd and more, “UTOPIA” is a sonic rollercoaster that takes listeners on a wild ride through the mind of one of hiphop’s most enigmatic figures. This starstudded album is a musical kaleidoscope, filled with lyrics and production that dazzle and perplex. As such, the album has received mixed reviews from critics, with some hailing it as a masterpiece of innovation while others such as Pitchfork see it as a “shiny, empty spectacle.”

THE BEE IS BACK:

25th Annual Putnam Country Spelling Bee Buzz-y at Edinburgh Fringe Festival

To cheers and applause, the cast and crew of ‘The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’ bows again. But it isn’t March 2023, nor are they surrounded by the wood panels of the Patil Theater. So where are they making a buzz?

Harker attended the annual Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland, a quadrennial Harker tradition. ‘Spelling Bee’ was one of 33 high schools selected to perform at the festival. They stayed in London from July 29 to Aug. 1, then arrived and performed four sold-out shows in Edinburgh until Aug. 11.

Cast and crew spent the festival exploring the city, watching other shows and busking on the Royal Mile to sell tickets for their own. Jason Shim (11), who plays William Barfée, reflects on the artistic immersion.

“I gained a new perspective from all forms of storytelling at the

Fringe,” he said. “Experiencing and taking over Edinburgh with a wonderfully talented group has made this trip the most magical thing I’ll be part of for a while.”

The final show featured graduate goodbyes from Class of ‘23 members Harper Brada, Kris Estrada, Lucy Feng, Jacob Fernandez, Samvita Gautham, Alan Jiang, Zubin Khera, Sawyer Lai, Jasmine Li and Anthony Zhao.

“We have bonded incredibly well as a cast,” Jason said. “It was quite poignant giving our seniors their final time to shine under the Harker banner, and we showed our gratitude through the pandemonium of four electric and synchronized performances.”

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“UTOPIA” showcases Travis Scott’s ability to blend outstanding production with different musical styles. The Kanye West-inspired production is top-notch, with tracks like “Modern Jam” and “Circus Maximus” drawing heavy inspiration from his spontaneous and creative style. The clever collaborations in “UTOPIA” also highlight Travis Scott’s attention to detail, with Sampha and Bon Iver’s dreamy riffing in “My Eyes” and Playboi Carti’s unique vocal tricks in “Fe!n.” The album’s collaborations add depth and varietyto the intriguing production throughout.

Despite its star-studded lineup, “UTOPIA” has also been criticized for its lack of emotional depth and originality. Pitchfork’s review describes the album as a “big, empty rap blockbuster” that lives in the shadow of Kanye West’s works without capturing any of the emotional appeal. The album’s ambition to be a global hit makes it feel, at times, disconnected and inauthentic.

Overall, “UTOPIA” is a complex album that delights in some areas and disappoints in others. Its innovative production and collaborations, while pleasant, are overshadowed by its lack of emotional resonance. Unlike previous projects like “ASTROWORLD,” this album’s over-the-top attempt at appealing to the masses has instead led to a loss of authenticity, making it feel hollow at times. “UTOPIA” proves that Travis Scott can still create a spectacle, but it falls short in delivering a truly groundbreaking experience. It’s an album that will please some fans but will undoubtedly leave others wanting more.

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3.5/5 eagles

Fame to shame: Navigating celebrity cancellations

The days when celebrities’ stellar PRs could shield them from the consequences of their actions are long gone — the rise of social media platforms has ushered an era of transparency that has exposed stars to public scrutiny like never before, and alongside it grew “cancel culture,” a formidable force that can dismantle the most stellar reputations and successful careers.

Lizzo, Doja Cat and Ariana Grande

scandal prompting fans to take a look at her past controversies, the internet has seen its fair share of celebrity cancellations in the past month.

“For Lizzo, it’s silly how she got canceled and then everyone was being super fatphobic,” Lera Vaisburd (12) said. “Then, it turns out it wasn’t even her doing the stuff and everyone turned around really fast. It just shows how, if society as a whole has decided to cancel a person, then other people will just go with it no matter what they think.”

Yet, this phenomenon is nothing new — the annals of entertainment history are rife with instances where public fascination intertwined with the downfall of beloved figures, whether it be Elvis Presley’s scandalous hip-shaking performances in the fifties or Michael Jackson’s child sexual abuse allegations

scale at which information spreads, making it crucial for today’s celebrities to navigate the treacherous waters of public perception with utmost care.

“Cancel culture is based on a foundation thats too fragile,” Lera said. “You need to have more tolerance. They do one thing wrong and then they’re receiving so much negative attention.”

While the court of public opinion can be swift and unforgiving, a nuanced

ariana goetting

EDIN-HELLO (Top) Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital city, hosts Fringe. IT’S A WRAP (Left) All members of the production pose for a group photo before a show. GREENER GRASSES (Bottom) Cast and crew embark on a hike of Edinburgh’s hills. Not just a thespian experience, the trip also provided bonding oppurtunities as they explored the United Kingdom together. PROVIDED BY ETHAN GUAN SHAREEN CHAHAL

SELINA XU

ILLUSTRATION

alison yang

It’s an album that will please some fans but will undoubtedly leave others wanting more

BLOWING UP SUMMER WITH BLOCKBUSTERS

‘Frances Ha’ to ‘Little Women.’

We decided one night to join forces and go to [the double feature] — and it was a trend on TikTok.”

As the release date drew near, the concept of watching both films as a double feature gained momentum, viewers promoted discussions on the order in which to view them. Cast members of both films joined in, encouraging experiencing both on the same day.

Hold On! Memories of Eras Tour

michelle wei

Fans. Literally. Six dancers holding enormous fans splashed with pink, orange, and purple enter the stage as instrumental music begins playing. The names of each album float from the speakers in distorted audio. The dancers gather their fans into a pile, then release to reveal a figure — Taylor Swift, who begins to sing her opening song, “Miss Americana and the Heartbreak Prince.”

As fans found their seats in the stadium, waiting for the concert to begin, many excitedly traded Taylor Swiftthemed friendship bracelets with others, a tradition inspired by a lyric from “You’re on Your Own, Kid.” One girl gave me a bracelet with purple beads and letters reading “Drop Everything Now,” a line from “Sparks Fly,” which I absolutely loved. One of the most special aspects of the Eras Tour is just feeling the friendliness and incredible excitement of countless others, all gathered at the stadium for the same reason: .

“Are you ready to go back to high school with me?” Taylor Swift shouted. Donning a gold fringe dress reminiscent of a similar dress she wore in her 2009 and 2010 “Fearless” tour, Swift shimmered in the bright lights, twirling while holding her guitar just as she did over a decade ago. She sang all the classics from the album: “Fearless,” “You Belong With Me,” “Love Story.”

Selina Chen (12) considers how different the movies are while still complementing one another. Though their friends mainly went for “Barbie,” Selina saw both movies on opening weekend.

“I love thrillers, so I anted to see how good of a thriller ‘Oppenheimer’ was,’” Selina said. “And the ‘Barbie’ movie has been hyped for a very, very long time — and it has Margot Robbie in it, so I had to watch it.”

Although the initial humor behind Barbenheimer lay in the differences between the two productions, one seeming all things sparkles and pink polka-dots while the other about a bomb — and not of the glitter sort — the films draw striking parallels about learning one’s humanity. ‘Barbie’ acknowledges the bitterness of womanhood and femininity while celebrating every step through. Oppenheimer, an atomic-era Frankenstein, embodies devastation so desired by, and so detrimental to, mankind.

Barbenheimer’s unexpected success provided much-needed revitalization to movie theaters post-pandemic and demonstrated the power of crosspromotion marketing, debunking the notion of bitter rivalry between competing blockbusters. “Barbie” earned 1.03B dollars at the box office, making Greta Gerwig the first solo female director with a billion-dollar movie. “Oppenheimer” grossed over 500M dollars at the box office, already surpassing the lifetime grosses of Christopher Nolan’s previous two movies, “Tenet” and “Batman Begins.”

“Watching the double feature was the best night of my summer; I’d recommend it to anybody.” Gabe said. “Both movies are phenomenal individually, but when you put them together, it’s such a unique experience. It’s fun for almost anybody, whether you’re into movies or not.”

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At each concert, Swift played two special “surprise songs,” unique to each night. These felt more intimate, with Swift appearing at the front of the stage with just a guitar and piano as fans tried to guess which songs she would play.

I will spend the next decade wishing I brought a battery pack to the concert so that I could have recorded every song (wish I had read a “concert-going tips” article or something). Seriously, not a minute of the concert was boring.

As someone whose life spans as long as Taylor Swift’s 17-year musical career, hearing songs live that I’ve listened to since I was a child and meeting the mastermind behind them was like reexperiencing each chapter of my life. With every pose and facial expression revealing her emotion, Swift’s live performance proved just as expressive and captivating as her lyrics.But the magic of the Eras Tour lies not just with the music, but with being surrounded by 70,000 people who all emptied their wallets and came together for one night, waving light-up bracelets in the sky to the beat.

I will hold on to the memories, and they will hold on to me.

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I love thrillers, so I wanted to see how good of a thriller ‘Oppenheimer’ was. [‘Barbie’] movie has been hyped for a very, very long time and it has Margot Robbie in it, so I had to watch it

SELINA CHEN (12) BARBENHEIMER VIEWER

OFFICEOF COMMUNICATION

16 FOR THE SHOW Each show featured 16 costume changes. Swift pulled from Versace, Roberto Cavalli and Zuhair Murad.

BEJEWELED Taylor Swift seranades crowd during “Lover.“ Apart from the three-hour setlist, Swift also performed ‘surprise songs.‘

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY KIANA MARK

Chasing dreams across borders

Immigrants narrate their tales of courage and change

aishani singh & sally zhu

In a country founded nearly 250 years ago, with settlers dating back four centuries, new faces and families arrive in America every day. Immigrants convene from around the globe with unique and diverse hopes and dreams.

With the Immigration Act of 1965 opening the U.S to immigrants from all

over the world, many came to California. Settling down with families in the Bay, they sent their children to the Harker School in San Jose just a few years later.

Harker embraces its own uniquely high proportion of students and faculty coming from immigrant families, whether they were the first to migrate to the U.S, or their parents or grandparents.

In a survey conducted by Harker Aquila sent in late March, 55 out of 60 respondents, consisting of both faculty and students, identified as either an immigrant themselves or as having immigrant parents or grandparents. Their original homelands scatter across the globe, from China, India and Korea in Asia to Ukraine, Ireland and Germany

in Europe to Brazil and Peru in South America.

Harker celebrates every culture’s unique background, with diversity, equity and inclusion efforts like affinity groups and Culture Week connecting nation to nation and culture to culture.

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Finding new rollercoasters, embracing new lives

vika gautham & ananya sriram

“The American Dream.” It’s the belief that anyone, regardless of their birthplace or background, can find the upward mobility to lead a life of comfort through risk-taking and hard work. To many, the dream represents something as simple as owning a couch and eating pizza. For others, the dream represents finding a new life of comfort, education and new job opportunities.

Upper school math teacher Dr. Anu Aiyer moved to the U.S. as a seventh grader, following her father’s appointment at a faculty position at a company. Aiyer’s father first moved to the U.S., while she and her mother joined him later.

“Communication was a big deal on end, and … [calling] internationally was also expensive,” Aiyer said. “Just figuring out what you need to take, [as] you’re only allowed two suitcases of things [was challenging.]”

Before coming to California, Dr. Aiyer stayed in Las Cruces, a town located on the edge of the Chihuahuan Desert in New Mexico. Coming from Kerala, a state located along the west of India, Aiyer encountered difficulties regarding the lack of infrastructure for newly immigrated Indians, along with adapting to the U.S. education system and English, her second language.

Yet while Aiyer immigrated with her parents at a young age, Jessica Zhou (‘23) flew across the world from Hong Kong to attend high school in California without her parents. An agency paired her with a homestay family at Harker for two years at the beginning of high school. With her school in Hong Kong following the British system, Jessica found that Harker’s approach and teaching style varied from her previous experiences.

“I had never heard of the word ‘homecoming’ before, until I watched the ‘Spider-Man’ movies,” Jessica said. “I didn’t even know what varsity meant, until I started on teams. I didn’t understand a lot of different things. [Even] though English was an everyday thing for me, there were these small little things that you don’t know of until you get here.”

The new traditions and lives that immigrants bring to the U.S. often serve as motivation to

persevere through a puzzle of unfamiliar society. Immigrants created over half the startups worth more than $1 billion, promoting the economic growth of the nation. Immigrants also make up more than a third of the workforce in multiple fields according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

I was probably one of two Indian kids, ... and given that English was not my first language, ... it was very hard for me to communicate with the students and for them to understand

Immigration composes a substantial part of U.S. history by enriching U.S. culture and introducing new values and traditions that reshape the existing moral landscape.

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BORDERSUNBOUND AnikaMantripragada’s(12) fatherposesinfrontofKillian Courtwhileworkingonhis PhDattheMassachusetts InstituteofTechnology(MIT) afterimmigratingfromIndia. Immigrantsfromvarious nationsoftenmovetotheU.S. seekinghighereducation, alongwithjobopportunities andopeningsforinnovation andentrepreunership.

“

It seems discussion ends up being your singular a complex

40% of respondents

seems like a lot of discussion about culture here being held in terms of singular culture, rather than interaction of multiple cultures

NEO ALPHA (12) SECOND GENERATION IMMIGRANT

citizenship, the conceptualization of an “American” became a manifestation of racial hierarchy. Laws like the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 prohibited Chinese immigrants from entering the U.S., and attitudes around immigration remained exclusionary until the 1960s.

Today, American immigration remains highly debated. Several policies enacted by the Trump Administration mirrored this xenophobia, such as his campaign promise to build an anti-

38.2% 40% believe their culture is somewhat well represented believe their culture is well represented believe their culture is not well represented

migrant wall on the southern border, the “Muslim ban” and his attacks on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), a program designed to aid children of illegal immigrants facing deportation. During the coronavirus pandemic, Trump ordered international students transitioning to online learning to return to their home countries or face the threat of deportation.

Jia Jia Jiang (110), a Canadian citizen and Harker student during the pandemic, discussed the difficulty of navigating the

“Immigration policy was really difficult, especially during [the pandemic] because all international students had to go back to their country.” Jia Jia said. “When I came back [to the U.S. from Canada] it was really difficult, because I had to send proof that my school was going to be in person. It was just a very tedious process, and I would not want to repeat that.”

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Innovation overdrive and global minds

52 years ago, journalist Don Hoefler caught the eyes of many with the printing of the nickname “Silicon Valley” in the newspaper, and the nickname was aimed to hint at the blooming semiconductor industry in the Santa Clara valley. Today, the area is known for its hightech industry, but it has also become a center for innovation in biotechnology, renewable energy, aerospace and more.

However, despite its reputation for innovation and wealth, living in Silicon Valley is not without its challenges. The area has some of the highest living costs in the world, and its success has created significant income inequality. The top 1% of households in Silicon Valley hold nearly 50 times as much wealth as the bottom 50%.

Despite the significant financial weight that living in Silicon brings, the region remains a vital center of technological innovation and entrepreneurship. The Center for Strategic & International Studies has named Silicon Valley as one of the most prominent

50% of survey responders experienced xenophobia

59.6% of respondents have been associated with stereotypes of their culture

technology hubs worldwide. Major technology firms such as Apple, Google and Meta are also based in the area, with more than three million residents in the region and millions more in surrounding areas.

The mindset regarding education and life following educational completion is widely different in the U.S. compared to other nations. For many in countries such as India and China, standardized testing and limited spots in universities apply great pressure for students to meet a certain standard.

“As I understand it, if you grew up in India, there’s one test you take, and that says [whether] you go to IIT or you go to the next level down college in India or the same in China,” Hargreaves said. “There’s so much pressure. It’s very easy to fixate on grades as the only thing that’s important, but in the long run, you’re going to need a lot of other skills and development and character to be successful out in the world. During these four years [at Harker], it’s so important to become a really responsible, well adjusted adult.”

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40% of respondents somewhat identify with their culture’s

36.4% of respondents said they moderately partake in their family’s cultures and traditions

with us for a long time’

jessica wang, hima thota & gabe sachse

winged post

School bathroom ranking: The toilet-bowl

gabe sachse

As the adage goes: when you have to go, you have to go. This list should gives the entire community a comprehensive list of which bathrooms should be looked for, or avoided. This list will be divided into three groups: those best avoided, those mediocre but inoffensive, and those to seek out.

The last group consists of the Main Hall group bathrooms, the Dobbins downstairs restrooms, and the Manzanita bathrooms.

The Main Hall group bathrooms are consistently dirty in a number of ways, and many of the stall doors often don’t lock. The Dobbins downstairs restrooms come next to last for one simple factor: privacy. It is solid, except for the massive gaps between stalls. Just ahead of the previously mentioned restrooms are the Manzanita bathrooms. The cleanliness of these bathrooms is questionable.

Bathrooms that are unassuming in nature, knowing their place and their use without attempting to stand out, are Nichols group and individual bathrooms, the RPAC restrooms, Shah Hall restrooms, and the Dobbins upstairs restrooms. The Nichols group and individual restrooms are mostly clean, with good privacy, and semifrequent usage, but they both sport one major flaw: the foul odor. RPAC restrooms are the most volatile of any on campus. They are either clean and stench free as can be, or absolutely soiled and unusable, landing this set towards the middle of the list. Shah Hall’s only set of restrooms are clean, with good supplies and adequate privacy, the only downside to these restrooms are their extremely high usage among students. The Dobbins upstairs restrooms are clean with consistent supplies, do not suffer from overuse, and are some of the most private group bathrooms on campus.

Finally, we’ve reached the good part: the best restrooms this campus has to offer are the Front Desk bathrooms, the Athletic Center bathrooms, and the Atrium restrooms. The bathrooms may be among the least used on campus and excel in accessibility, privacy, and supply quality. The Athletic Center has two sets of good bathrooms, the upstairs individuals and the downstairs group ones. All of these excel in every category, with the upstairs a little ahead in privacy, as they are the roomiest individual bathrooms on campus. The hidden-away Atrium restrooms are arguably the best feature of the beautiful space, which features a pendulum and plenty of natural light, the bathrooms are clean, with an oftentimes pleasant smell, private, stocked with the best supplies campus has to offer.

We hope this overview of the facilities offered on this campus can be of use next faced with the ever-relevant question: “Which restroom should I use?”

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Power of arts-based education

jessica wang

Art is an essential part of the human experience: from the earliest cave paintings to modern abstract works, art develops ideas and emotions that cannot be simply put in words or expressed by numbers. In a school such as ours, with a Silicon Valley-influenced STEM focus, artistic development is an often overlooked aspect of our education.

It is important to cultivate creativity and originality, skills that are essential in almost every field, in a world that is increasingly focused on technology and efficiency. Experience with art enhances a student’s ability to communicate effectively: whether through visual art, music or performance, the arts offer a unique platform for selfexpression and creative growth.

A study sponsored by the National Science Foundation found that arts-based innovation training, or the use of artistic skills, processes and experiences as educational tools to foster learning in non-artistic disciplines and domains, in high school students. The students in the study improved their creative thinking skills, critical thinking, problem identification and problem solving. When creating art, individuals must consider factors such as composition, color

can transcend cultural barriers and bring people together, allowing students to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for different cultures. Besides expanding one’s world-view, this can also aid in making one more open-minded.

There is also significant therapeutic value to be found in art. Many forms of art, such as painting, drawing and sculpture, help individuals process and express emotions, particularly beneficial for those who struggle with mental health issues such as anxiety or depression. Art therapy may aid people in becoming more self aware and psychologically resilient. We also increase neural connectivity in the area of the brain that controls introspection, memory and self monitoring through expression in creative outlets .

and texture, requiring them to think critically and unconventionally. This emphasis on the skill of risk-taking an experimentation can be useful in other aspects of one’s life, such as entrepreneurship or research, both in the sciences and the humanities.

Art also plays a vital role in promoting cultural awareness and understanding. Students gain an appreciation for different cultures through exposure to such, of which they may not have been able to gain without the arts. This exposure leads to increased empathy and understanding, promoting a more inclusive and diverse society. Art is a universal language that

Creating and experiencing art serves as a source of joy and fulfillment; by providing an outlet for self-expression, art can enhance one’s overall well-being, including aspects of critical thinking, cultural awareness, and its inherent therapeutic value. In my personal experience, art in both visual and writing forms has helped me better understand both myself and the world around me. I’ve found the world of words to be a safe haven, somewhere that I can always return to when need be. In my drawings, I find relaxation and contentment; the feeling of creating with my own two hands is something irreplaceable. Visit

Complexity of diverse representation

yifan li

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 to know what happens next, and soon, I’ve finished an entire show while laying in bed. This is my guilty pleasure: absorbing clip after clip of a TV show on YouTube that I will never watch in its entirety. I find myself laughing and crying alongside these fictional personas, and although I can relate to the story intensely, I always seem to feel an equally tremendous amount of disconnect.

While developing my own identity, I often turned to the stories on television that intimately portrayed the journey of the characters as a source of comfort and escape.

One of the films I felt a connection with was “Turning Red,” which explored the complex

relationships between a mother and daughter and the weight of expectations. Seeing my experiences reflected in a show or a movie that we enjoy is a source of validation and joy.  For someone whose only exposure to a certain identity is through a stereotype from a show, the person could develop harmful misconceptions and prejudices against people of that identity.

For the people in the community, the constant portrayal of a character in a certain way is demeaning. The stereotype of the socially awkward and nerdy East Asian character makes me feel patronized and uncomfortable. I saw people who looked like me being depicted as outlandish and weak. I heard the accents of my parents exaggerated for comedic effect, and I wondered if that was what others thought of me and my family.

There’s no greater joy than to see a part of myself being represented in a show that I enjoy. It makes my experiences feel real and appreciated, and it’s validating to see other people simultaneously feel the same

connection to a piece of media. Diverse representation is and will always be something that can be improved. Unfortunately, no magic formula exists to perfect diversity and craft a perfect representation of every experience.

Practicing awareness and reflection is essential as we consider how to create media that is able to capture the diversity of our communities. Visit harkeraquila.com for the full article.

Experience with art enhances a student’s ability to communicate effectively: whether through visual art, music or performance, the arts offer a unique platform for self-expression

ILLUSTRATIONS BY JESSICA WANG MARGARET CARTEE;

OPINIONS

Editorial: Narratives distort affirmative action

Editors-in-Chief

Kinnera Mulam

Ariana Goetting

Managing Editors

Edward Huang Ananya Sriram

Shareen Chahal

News Editors

Felix Chen Andrew Liang

Features Editors

Vika Gautham Hima Thota

A&E/Lifestyle Editors

Alison Yang Young Min

Opinions Editors

Jessica Wang Isabella Lo

STEM Editors

Claire Zhao Victor Gong

Sports Editors

Emma Milner Katerina Matta

Copy Editor

Saahil Herrero

Photo Editor Brandon Zau

Video/Podcast Editors

Aishani Singh Anwen Hao

Sports Columnist

Gabe Sachse

Adviser

Whitney Huang, CJE

Aquila Editors-in-Chief

Alena Suleiman

Ella Yee

Aquila Managing Editors

Margaret Cartee

Desiree Luo

Medha Yarlaggada

Emma Gao

Kevin Zhang

Selina Xu

Humans Of Harker Editors-in-Chief

Olivia Xu

Katelyn Zhao

Humans of Harker Managing Editors

Jonathan Xue Michelle Wei

Sidak Sanghari

Humans of Harker Profilers

Aryana Bharali

Reporters

Disha Gupta Angelina Hu

Steven Jiang Yifan Li

Chayce Milheim

Claire Su

Visit The Winged Post online at www.harkeraquila.com

Follow us on Instagram @harkeraquila

The Winged Post is published every four to six weeks except during vacations by the Journalism: News and Advanced Journalism: News courses at Harker’s upper school, 500 Saratoga Ave., San Jose, California 95129.

The Winged Post staff will publish features, editorials, news, sports and STEM articles in an unbiased and professional manner and serve as a public forum for the students of The Harker School. Editorials represent the official opinions of The Winged Post. Opinions and letters represent the personal viewpoints of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Winged Post. All content decisions are made by student editors, and the content of The Winged Post in no way reflects the official policy of The Harker School. The opinions expressed in this publication reflect those of the student writers and not the Harker board, administration, faculty or adviser.

Letters to the Editor may be submitted to Manzanita 70 or emailed to harkeraq@gmail.com and must be signed, legible and concise. The staff reserves the right to edit letters to conform to Post style. Baseless accusations, insults, libelous statements, obscenities and letters that call for a disruption of the school day will not be considered for publication. Letters sent to The Winged Post will be published at the discretion of the editorial staff.

The Winged Post is the official student newspaper of Harker’s upper school and is distributed free of cost to students. It provides a student voice forum for members of our community. Students hold the copyright to work published in Harker journalism publications.

NSPA Pacemaker Winner: 2019-2020, 2017-2018

NSPA Pacemaker Finalist: 2020-2021, 2018-2019, 2016-2017

CSPA Gold Crowns: 2023, 2019, 2018, 2016

CSPA Silver Crowns: 2022, 2021, 2017

EDITORIAL: THEOFFICIAL OPINIONOFTHE WINGEDPOST

editorial board

In an environment as dedicated to hacking the college admissions process as Harker, every policy and factor matters. Affirmative action always stood in the limelight, and prosecutors brought the issue to center stage in June. Some mourned its loss, some celebrated a ‘sure shot’ to college, but everybody had an opinion.

Affirmative action as we know it today originated in the 1960s in order to create equal opportunity for people regardless of race or ethnicity. More recently, colleges used affirmative action “as one element in a range of factors” for the purpose of “achieving the benefits to be derived from a diverse student body.” In this same case from 1978, the Supreme Court forbade colleges from using race-based admissions to correct past discrimination and from creating race-based quotas. On June 29, the Supreme Court struck down affirmative action in 6-2 and 6-3 decisions,

citing that affirmative action is a form of racial discrimination.

In a 24-hour survey conducted on the Harker Aquila Instagram, posted on Aug. 14, 34% out of 118 respondents agreed with the Supreme Court ruling, with an additional 23% who strongly agreed. A sentiment especially prevalent at Harker, opponents of affirmative action characterize it as forms of “reverse racism” and “reverse discrimination” which undermine the idea of a meritocracy.

At Harker, we are fortunate to learn from qualified teachers, meet with college counselors, utilize resources to pursue a variety of activities and many other privileges. Many students lack access to resources like AP classes or qualified teachers, and narratives like the myth of model minority success are used as a way to shrug off the inequities of the system. All demographics have success stories, but their existence does not negate greater trends and barriers certain groups face.

The narrative of college admissions serving as a zero-sum game only drives further wedges between minority groups, as the internalized model minority myth correlates to anti-affirmative action and anti-Black sentiments. Even though it provides the illusion of success and of upward mobility, minorities pushing each other down only preserves a system which maintains the status quo of inequity. Additionally, this competitiveness pervades the environment at Harker, where many students have a similar cutthroat notion of college admissions.

Affirmative action has transformed into a buzzword, ironically leaving behind the nuances of the policy and transforming into a reason to blame others. We must aim to look past generalizations and towards nuance in order to ground ourselves in the real world and other people, not hypercompetitive anxiety and narratives like the model minority myth. Visit harkeraquila.com for full article.

Corrections TO ISSUE 6

FRONT PAGE 1:

Prom article should say 330 people attended, not 400

• Prom photo caption should say April 22

FEATURES 6: Vaisakhi photo taken by Sidak Sanghari not Jasleen Hansra

A&E 7:

• "Gave" should be "have" in Putnam article "Premied" should be "premiered" in Artstravaganza caption

A&E 8:

• Anika Mantripragada in Prom outfits article is a junior not a sophomore

• Cassie May performed Violin Concerto in

D Minor, Op. 47 by Sibelius

ariana goetting, kinnera mulam, shareen chahal, edward huang & ananya sriram

Welcome to the first issue of the Winged Post for the 2023 to 2024 school year! Our hard-working staff came together in early August for Editors’ Week to write in-depth pieces and design pages for the paper in front of you. We want to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the paper, highlighting our commitment to delivering quality journalism to our readers since 1999.

For this issue, we’ve curated diverse content that resonates with the various communities on campus. In the paper, you’ll discover back-to-school guides

scattered throughout, featuring a ranking of school bathrooms in the Opinions section and a comprehensive list of afterschool eateries on the back page. Dive into the feature profiles of our new teachers or delve deep into the Barbenheimer phenomenon in the A&E/Lifestyle section.

Elevating our community’s voices is our foremost mission, and we invite you to share your thoughts with us at harkeraq@ gmail.com. Feel free to submit comments by scanning the adjacent QR code to complete the anonymous Google Form. We strive to improve the Winged Post with every issue, so we anticipate your engagement with our forthcoming issues in the exciting year ahead!

Peter Shin did not perform, but was a guest composer

• Sawyer Lai only conducted the last piece

DOUBLETRUCK 10: Ritu Raj's quote should say "mom" not "mm"

STEM 16: STEM Scene subhead headline cut off

CORRECTIONS POLICY:

Our staff strives to represent our community fairly and conduct accurate, truthful storytelling. We list all errors of an issue, along with the page number of that error, in the next issue’s corrections box.

Feel free to provide feedback via the adjacent QR code.

Driving towards a greener future

victor gong & claire zhao

President Joe Biden announced plans on April 10 to transition the U.S. to electric vehicles in cooperation with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The “EV Acceleration Challenge” strives to ensure that two-thirds of all passenger vehicles and a quarter of all trucks sold are allelectric by 2030.

CONSERVING RAINFORESTS

Eight countries pledge to protect Amazon Rainforest

Eight countries signed an agreement on Aug. 8 to conserve the Amazon rainforest. Organized by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the pact aims to reduce deforestation by industrial companies. Besides housing thousands of animal species, the Amazon rainforest also plays an important role in reducing carbon emissions through its trees and plants. Brazil and its collaborators hope to combat further destruction of the Amazon and preserve the natural wonder.

RUSSIAN LUNAR EXPEDITION

The mission strives to explore the moon’s south pole for water

Russia launched its first mission to the moon in 47 years at 11:11 p.m. UTC on Aug. 10 from the Vostochny Cosmodrome in eastern Russia. The mission, named Luna 25 aims to explore the moon’s south pole to locate potential sources of water. On Aug. 16, the uncrewed spacecraft will enter a 100-kilometer orbit around the moon before touching down near the south pole. Luna 25 will then use a robotic arm to collect samples of the crater’s floor and search for any traces of water ice.

victor gong, andrew liang & claire zhao 80%

Gas vehicles have long been a preferred method of transportation. Drivers only recently began to recognize the extent of their environmental damages. Regular gas-powered vehicles emit around 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year, according to the EPA. In comparison, an average car only weighs around 1 metric ton.

Electric vehicles don’t release harmful pollutants because they utilize an electric motor rather than a classic combustion engine. On average, EVs have higher fuel efficiency and cheaper refuels.

“If you converted the amount of kinetic energy of a gas car and the kinetic energy of an electric car, electric cars would have better gas mileage,” upper school environmental science teacher Jeff Sutton said.

Electric vehicles also hold special privileges on the road. EV owners in California can drive solo on carpool lanes for a period of time. Trips are relatively smooth and quiet. Many parking lots provide charging stations for EVs. The Harker Upper School recently installed charging stations for EVs in the front parking lot.

Yet, electric vehicles leave environmental footprints. Although the vehicle itself doesn’t contribute to emissions, the manufacturing of the car’s battery and core parts still releases

BACTERIUM CURBS MALARIA

Scientists discover a natural microbe that inhibits malaria

A new study published in the magazine “Science” discovered a natural bacterium that can inhibit malaria contraction. Researchers found the bacteria in the guts of certain mosquitos. In the past, researchers have used genetically-modified microbes to control malaria, which often induced skepticism due to the risk. The discovery of this natural, malaria-combating microbe resolved this issue. Researchers hope that it will limit malaria cases around the globe.

FIFTH FORCE OF NATURE

Researchers find evidence for a new fundamental force

Researchers at Fermilab conducted experiments that could indicate a possible fifth fundamental force. Physics currently acknowledges four fundamental forces: strong nuclear force, weak nuclear force, electromagnetic force, and gravity. In their experiments, researchers analyzed subatomic particles called muons. Although standard physics can predict the wobble frequency of muons, Fermilab’s latest results found flaws in the standard model and could be evidence of a fifth fundamental force.

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BY MIRABELLE FENG

greenhouse gases. The production of a single Tesla Model 3 lithium battery emits anywhere between 2,400 and 16,000 kilograms of carbon dioxide. That is the equivalent of a gas-powered car driving for 2,500 miles.

JEFF

To support the large influx of electric vehicles, hundreds of thousands of expensive charging stations must be built.

Encouraging car owners to choose electric vehicles over gas vehicles also poses a challenge, as on average, EVs sell for over $10,000 more than standard gas vehicles.

“It’s going to be a lot of shifting around,” upper school economics teacher Matt McCorkle said. “We’re going to take some stuff away from you, give it to somebody else.”

Although it doesn’t come without its tradeoffs, Biden’s plan may be one step closer to a cleaner atmosphere. From an environmental perspective, electric vehicles still outcompete gas vehicles in terms of emissions.

“If even 10% of the cars on the road are EVs, and they aren’t polluting, that would make a big difference,” Green Team Vice President Siddi Jain (12) said. “But at the same time, if you go back to the source of how they’re made, it’s a bit of a trade off, but it’s a step in the right direction.” Visit harkeraquila.com for full article.

FDA approves postpartum depression pill

zhao

Content Warning: This article mentions the topic of suicide

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved on Aug. 4 the world’s first pill to treat postpartum depression (PPD), called Zuranolone and marketed under the brand name “Zurzuvae”. Pharmaceutical company Sage Therapeutics collaborated with another company, Biogen, in creating the medication.

Annually, PPD affects one in seven new mothers and one in 10 new fathers in their first year following pregnancy or childbirth. Possible symptoms include extreme mood swings, fatigue, irritability, sleep changes, appetite changes, loss of interest in family or even suicidal ideation and thoughts of harming the baby. Suicide makes up approximately 20% of postpartum deaths and 63% of pregnancy-related deaths due to mental health conditions, a staggeringly high number.

“You’re dealing with all the adjustments of a new infant and lack

of sleep and all of that,” upper school psychology teacher Dr. Julie Turchin said. “When you add postpartum depression on top of that, it can be so much more overwhelming.”

Though the exact causes of PPD remain unknown, some likely factors include genetics and mental health conditions. Doctors usually diagnose the condition when symptoms persist for over two weeks.

“With postpartum depression, it’s pretty obviously hormonal and chemical,” Dr. Turchin said. “We know that hormones fluctuate massively during pregnancy and postpartum, so it is plausible to say that changes in hormone levels cause postpartum depression. And having a specific medication for it will hopefully help people understand: this is not your fault; there’s a solution here.”

Zurzuvae isn’t the first medication specifically directed towards treating

PPD. In 2019, Sage Therapeutics, the same company behind Zurzuvae, developed a different antidepressant treatment for PPD, costing a hefty $34,000 to administer through an IV over a period of 60 hours. However, due to its inconvenience and potentially dangerous side effects, the medication isn’t widely implemented. Some other antidepressants normally prescribed for major depressive disorder (MDD), including Zoloft and Prozac, also help with PPD symptoms but take eight weeks to do so. And here’s where Zurzuvae comes in. The pill is taken orally once a day for two consecutive weeks, and it can be prescribed by a midwife or obstetrician gynecologist instead of needing to rely on a psychiatrist. All in all, Zurzuvae promises more accessibility and reliability than its predecessors.

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CHARGING AHEAD A row of charging stations built over the summer in Harker’s front parking lot. Students and faculty can charge their electric vehicles while parking here.

If you converted the amount of kinetic energy of a gas car and of an electric car, electric cars would have better gas mileage

SUTTON ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE TEACHER

ILLUSTRATION BY KINNERA MULAM

Global Reset: Heatin’ up or meltin’ down?

In Maui, wildfires ravage the cityscapes, a trail of destruction in their wake. In Phoenix, record heats torment citizens, bringing arid highs of over 110º F. Even across the globe in Europe and Asia, the situation is no better, with millions succumbing to the hottest weather in recent history. But unfortunately for us, just like the rising temperatures, this climate crisis has only begun to heat up.

Yet despite the seeming recency of these phenomena, the impacts of global warming come from a ways back. From California being plagued by major fires almost every summer starting from 2001 to the planet warming by an average of 0.32º F every decade since 1981, climate change is nothing new. But recently, the rate at which such processes take place

70,000

wildfires on average per year since 1983

“The single biggest factor in climate change speeding up is the emission of greenhouse gases like CO2, methane, and others,” Green Team Vice President Shreyas Chakravarty (11) said. “It makes it so that we are retaining much more heat than normal.”

Within the past three years, six of the seven largest wildfires in California history have occurred, amounting to a total of 3.5 million acres burned. The rapid increase in such natural disasters

Member Kaitlyn Wang (12) explains the significance of such a phenomenon and how that interacts with the changing climate.

We have to stop thinking of ourselves as just individuals and start thinking of ourselves as part of this group that does have power

OFFICEOF COMMUNICATION

CHRIS SPENNER UPPER SCHOOL SYSTEMS SCIENCE TEACHER

“Heading into an El Niño event, it’s natural that you’ll get more wildfires in North America,” Kaitlyn said. “How that connects to climate change, we don’t actually know the mechanisms for it, but we do know that El Niño events and these climate oscillations are getting more intense, and it could have to do with human factors.”

Categorized as the most devastating fire in the past century for Hawaii, the blaze has spread through much of Maui, and completely razed the coastal town of Lahaina. In addition to the declining rainfalls and rising temperatures, strong winds from Hurricane Dora in the South Pacific Ocean contributed to the cataclysmic event. As of Aug. 15, officials have found 99 victims dead due to the fire.

0.32 °F

average increase in Earth’s temperature every decade since 1981

3.6°F

predicted increase in average global temperature by 2050

This summer, the potential ramifications of global warming have become increasingly apparent with widespread heat waves and frequent wildfires. For many, despite awareness of climate change’s severity, tackling the issue itself seems an impossible task. Upper school system science teacher Chris Spenner has often considered this question, but believes that people should focus on the things they can actually control.

“We have to stop thinking of ourselves as just individuals and start thinking of ourselves as part of this group that does have power,” Spenner said. “It’s not just about my action. It’s also about me doing the natural human thing [since] we don’t know for sure what our impact

warmest years record:on (up to 2022)

2016

2020 2019

7,000,000

acres burnt on average per year since 2000, over twice the average acres burnt in the 1990s

Guide to PE credit options A PEX

kevin zhang

It’s important to not overlook that Harker requires students to fulfill two physical education (PE) credits in high school to graduate, which students can accomplish by participating in four seasons of sports, each tallying 0.5 credits to their PE report. For those not interested in the additional commitment to Harker sports, there’s no need to fear! This article will teach you how to graduate with the necessary PE credits and avoid having “the talk” with the athletic department about falling behind on PE requirements.

Harker offers a variety of daytime and after-school classes. These classes each run over the course of one semester and earn students 0.5 credits upon completion.

Students can enroll in fitness classes as part of their course plan, where they work out on the field and in the weightroom with strength and conditioning trainer Lauren Brown. These classes take place during periods three, four and seven. With access to locker rooms and showers, you can conveniently store your change of clothes in the Zhang Gymnasium lockers and you don’t need to worry about showing up to your next class sweaty. The showers are doing both you and your classmates a big favor in that regard. Similar to the daytime classes, students can also take part in after-school fitness with Coach Brown in the weight room, but they are only available in the first semester.

Coach Brown also teaches yoga, which is another popular year-round class that fills up quickly. Due to its high demand, the class is divided into four sections with time slots from either 4 to 5 p.m. or 5 to 6 p.m. Sessions occur on Mondays and Wednesdays or Tuesdays and Thursdays.

As for some of the more niche sports offered as PE options, they are very welcoming to students regardless of their experience. Pranav Sukesh (11) recalls what first drew him to try fencing and capoeira for the first time at Harker.

Deep dive into swimmer’s success

Ashley Hong dominates breaststroke and medley events while forming invaluable relationships with teammates

Gliding through the water, her fingertips touch the wall and her head bobs up out of the water, hearing the last of her teammates’ cheers. The timer stops, and she quickly turns around to see a ‘1’ next to her name on the results board. Ashley Hong (12) just won the 100-yard breaststroke race.

Following in her two brothers’ footsteps, Ashley started swimming for local club team Sunnyvale Swim Club at ten years old. However, Ashley later moved to Palo Alto Stanford Aquatics Club (PASA), where she trains three hours each day, seven days a week. Although the rigorous training schedule seems intimidating, her tight-knit team provides a positive and effective environment for her, as she cherishes her teammates above all.

or through competing in relays, Ashley acknowledges the individual side of swimming. Her stronger events include the 100-yard breaststroke and 200-yard breaststroke, but she also competes in the 200-yard and 400 individual medleys (IM).

competition that took place last October. Although it was different from competing on the national level due to the higher level, she embraced the opportunity and became closer to her teammates.

Although competing alongside Olympic and professional swimmers seemed daunting at first, Ashley overcame the mental barrier in order to perform her best by believing in her capabilities.

“Usually I go up and confidently swim my race because I feel like worrying about it just makes me feel worse. I know that I’ve swum my race a lot of times before and I know how to swim it, so I feel [that] worrying about it doesn’t change anything.”

PROVIDED BY PRANAVSUKESH

“I just like being with my team,” Ashley said. “I made a lot of really good friends on my team and I think we just really enjoy each other’s company. During practice, we don’t make it all about swimming — we tell stories that are kind of whack and we do funny things.”

Along with valuable moments with her teammates, either during practice

PRANAV SUKESH (11)

PE CREDIT STUDENT

Having gone through a semester of each sport, Pranav also reflects on his experiences taking fencing and capoeira classes. He provides some personal insight and suggestions that can help one decide if either option is right for them.

“I would recommend taking a semester of [fencing] to learn the basics.

[Although] I went into capoeira not knowing the full extent of the sport, I was surprised at how engaging it actually was. The atmosphere was amazing, and I had fun learning new techniques with my friends.”

Self-defense is a new after-school PE option this year at Harker, and assistant athletic director Alfredo Alves explains what led to the introduction of this class. He also describes what self-defense at Harker will feature for the upcoming school year.

“Coach Lauren Due, our capoeira teacher, has taught [self-defense] classes in recent years” Alves said. “We’re starting to see more kids interested, and Coach Lauren Due is very passionate and excited to teach this class.”

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“I like that swimming is a team sport but also kind of individual,” Ashley said. “I also really enjoy relays — I feel [i]t’s super fun [because you] work with your team. So I [think] that [is] really unique and cool.”

Ashley recalls an unforgettable experience at the FINA Swimming World Cup in Berlin, an international

Similarly, the Winter Junior National Championships in December posed another opportunity for her to observe Olympic swimmers, from which she not only took away inspiration but also new techniques.

“It was interesting to see them be so professional,” Ashley said. “They swam a lot of races in one day and they were able to recover and go race to race. So [I was able] to learn from that and know how to prepare myself and take care of myself .” Visit harkeraquila.com for full article.

Athletes ramp up skills during off-season

biggest things.”

In order to reduce the risk of injuries, many athletes take part in weight training during the off-season. Runner Anjali Yella (12) describes how physical strength is crucial for track and field athletes.

“[Track and field is] a sport where it’s not so much based on your skills like playing with a ball — it’s based on maximizing your physical performance on a given length or distance,” Anjali said. “We lift weights to make ourselves stronger and be able to put more power down.”

From winning records to invaluable learning experiences, all seasons come to an end. But with every final hit, run or shot comes a new era: the off-season.

For sports like football, the game’s intensity calls for non-stop preparations. Running back Jackson Powell (10) notes how the Harker football team’s off-season training add up to their performance on the field during the season.

“We practice almost year-round

to prepare for the season,” Jackson said. “While our coaches are flexible, everything from the team lifts to the walkthroughs are important. It’s what prepares us for the grind of the games.”

Injury prevention is another major aspect of the off-season. Jackson explains how head coach Sid Krishnamurthi’s offseason training plans include certain measures to limit injuries.

“We almost always play with low numbers and make sure everybody is in the best shape possible,” Jackson said. “To stay safe is one of [Coach Krishnamurthi’s]

Anjali believes that the brevity of competing during the regular season calls for more reliance on the off-season to improve, as the off-season ultimately paves the way for success during competitions.

“In-season, there’s only a certain amount of time where you can increase your speed or increase your power — most of that comes from the off-season,” Anjali said. “You want to have a progression within the season, and if you don’t have a good off-season, you’re limited to just those few months to actually get faster, which is pretty difficult.”

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Competing on an international scale is really interesting — it allowed me to gain experience competing at a higher level

ASHLEY HONG (12) SWIMMER

DIVING INTO SEASON Safety Daniel Lin (12) charges at a wheel during a tackling drill. Daniel joined the varsity team freshman year and serves as one of the captains this season.

emma milner

BRANDON ZAU

I learned a lot in fencing about the intricacies and rules of the sport and also got a workout

Women’s World Cup ushers in new era for female athletes

Your alarm clock blares to life. Its neon digits read “3:00 A.M,” the sun has yet to rise and summer vacation is in full swing, but no matter. You drag yourself out of bed. After all, the United States’ Women’s National Team (USWNT) is playing.

Millions of viewers tuned in to watch the lauded team’s performance in the recent Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) Women’s World Cup 2023, with a reported 1.35 million viewers streaming its match against Portugal despite it airing at 3 a.m. Eastern Time. Throughout the team’s highly-anticipated run, the women repeatedly garnered several million viewers, a historic increase from its past viewership.

Being able to see that there [are women] at a really high level that are playing and doing well is really powerful. It makes you say ‘Wow, I can do this”

OFFICEOF COMMUNICATION

NATALIE BARTH (10) SOCCER PLAYER

“The group stages and how it was set up, particularly for the United States, intrigued me,” varsity girls soccer player Cynthia Wang (12) said. “There was a lot of news about how the USWNT was going to perform, for example, the one commercial where the U.S. team was portrayed as confident. I wanted to see whether they could back up their confidence with actual results.”

Despite the unexpected show of mainstream support for the USWNT, the U.S. women’s performance fell short of expectations. The USWNT cleared the group stage of the tournament in second place with five points, the lowest group stage total in their World Cup history, after narrowly securing a win over Portugal

with Gabe:

It’s a tale as old as time. As the summer draws to a close, and football season begins, fans and analysts alike speculate about teams’ and players’ coming campaigns, especially for individual awards like the Most Valuable Player (MVP) honor. Although most predictions end up off the mark, historical trends may reveal the upcoming season’s foremost candidates.

BREAKING BARRIERS The U.S. Women’s National Team’s (USWNT) fame brings benefits to female sports. “It is really inspiring to see that increase in popularity, attention [and] brand deals with female players,” varsity girls soccer player Sara Glusman (11) said.

in their final game of the round. In the USWNT’s next game, the first round of elimination, a strong Swedish team knocked the USWNT out of contention. Sweden’s victory marked the first time ever that the USWNT was eliminated before the semifinals.

Although the U.S. women did not take home the top prize, many still consider their tournament a success for its impact on female sports’ visibility. The team’s viral accomplishments have shone a new spotlight on its star players, with headliners like Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan and teenage sensation Alyssa Thompson enjoying new fame. Varsity girls soccer player Sara Glusman (11) spoke to the rising popularity of the USWNT and its impact on female-identifying athletes.

“The popularity of women’s sports has been increasing recently, and I do

think it’s going to continue following that trend,” Sara said. “It is really inspiring to see that increase in popularity, attention [and] brand deals with female players.”

Even as the USWNT bows out, the buzz surrounding the tournament continues, with such popularity showing girls and women around the world that, despite the traditional narrative, they too can achieve their athletic dreams.

“A lot of the time, when you’re growing up playing sports, even just when you go out at recess there would be so many boys playing — it would be intimidating,” varsity girls soccer player Natalie Barth (10) said. “Being able to see that there [are women] at a really high level that are playing and doing well is really powerful. It makes you say ‘Wow, I can do this.’ They’re doing it, and they’re setting the way for us.”

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Fall sports teams prepare for new season

talk with the

captains

katerina matta & gabe sachse

water polo

“This season I’m one of two seniors on the team, so [I’ll be] taking on that new challenge, leading by example”

- Lachlan Rossi (12)

cross country

“The team has changed up a bit, but [...] we still have the same spirit”

- Adam Sayed (12)

“We have a lot of new, very fast freshmen, so I’m excited to see the way the team comes together”

HARKER

tennis golf

“I’m excited for the upcoming season because our team has a lot of potential”

- Keren Eisenberg (11)

“[One of my goals is] to be in the moment during golf season and savor it”

- Emi Fujimura (12)

“I’m excited to see all the incoming freshmen and bond with the other girls”

- Charlize Wang (11)

For starters, this prestigious award rarely features defensive players, so the winner will likely be in an offensive position, although no offensive lineman has won in the award’s history. Since the 2000s, football has become increasingly reliant on passing due to new, innovative offensive strategies, so we can also safely rule out running backs – only an incredible year could return a “back” to the top of the league hierarchy. Similarly, as passing numbers trend up, a historic season could have receivers like the Minnesota Vikings’ Justin Jefferson or the Miami Dolphins’ Tyreek Hill be the first to receive the honor.

Unlike every previous position group mentioned, quarterbacks have no trouble claiming MVP awards. Some criteria are obvious: due to the eye-popping statistics needed to catch voters’ attention, any quarterback that starts the season injured, on the bench or splitting play time cannot truly contend for the award, like the Arizona Cardinals’ Kyler Murray or the San Francisco 49ers’ Trey Lance. Back-toback MVPs are rare, so, while Mahomes and Rodger will be excellent, they will probably not generate enough award buzz to win. While superstar quarterbacks can emerge suddenly, most players have some pedigree before their MVP season, and a rookie has never won the award, reducing our list to several of the most elite players in the league, so players like the Houston Texans’ CJ Stroud and the Carolina Panthers’ Bryce Young are off the table. This list can be further pared down given that almost every first-time winner was within six years of entering the league, eliminating many remaining contenders.

I’m excited to see how far our program grows and to play my final season with such a great group of kids”

- Juhi Madala

(12)

volleyball football

“The best part is rebuilding those familial bonds and team camaraderie”

- Daniel Lin (12)

BY VIKA GAUTHAM

Now, the list gets a little more subjective. For a variety of reasons, including injury, collective team performance and age, our final three candidates will be: the Philadelphia Eagles’ Jalen Hurts, the Bears’ Justin Fields and the Jacksonville Jaguars’ Trevor Lawrence. While all three players make excellent cases for the honor, closely examining their resumes leads us to a clear winner. Although Hurts enjoyed careerhigh success last year, leading the Eagles’ to a Super Bowl run, it will prove difficult to maintain such a high level of play. Unlike Hurts, Fields has only played well in flashes given his lower-ranked team. Depending on the quality of the revamped Bears’ offensive personnel, he could either excel or crash and burn. Lawrence takes a different route. He narrowly won his division through strong play, especially late in the season, and even won a playoff game. His team also improved in a weak division that worsened, padding his stats. His talent is undeniable, and he has shown the work ethic and ability to adjust needed to stay consistent over the course of a 17game season.

For these reasons, close analysis proves that Trevor Lawrence is the best bet for 2023-24 NFL MVP.

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ILLUSTRATION BY MIRABELLE FENG

saahil herrero, katerina matta & gabe sachse

FULFILLING YOUR AFTER SCHOOL

You

may leave campus if...

- the academic day is over

- your parents have contacted the front office to excuse you

- your junior or senior class adviser allows you to during advisory

ariana goetting & kinnera mulam

Has your stomach been grumbling all throughout your last class of the day? If you’re ready to conquer your post-class hunger, take a look at Harker journalism’s guide of places to eat after school that lie within walking distance of campus. Feeling thirsty? Our surrounding area offers a variety of coffee,

boba and refreshment shops to quench your thirst. Feeling hungry? We’ve got a list of restaurants serving food ranging from tacos to ramen. Feeling like you deserve a sweet treat after a long day?

The shopping complexes across the street boast delicious desserts to satisfy anyone’s sweet tooth. As you peruse the options presented below, take abovet to see a key of each place’s location and the rules for traveling off-campus.

A SWEET TREAT

Certainly, the occasional chocolate chip cookie from Aux or ice cream sandwich from Manzanita may be able to satisfy your sweet tooth, but by the end of the school day, a treat may seem like a mere necessity to carry you through the rest of the day. Thankfully, the upper school’s location conveniently allows for easy access to a diverse array of bakeries and cafes, all poised to cater to your every dessert desire.

If convenience and proximity are of importance to you, a short trip across Saratoga Avenue will satisfy your needs.

Tasty Donuts will greet you with the sweet smell of donuts. BiBi Bakery & Cafe serves as another great choice, serving a variety of treats all freshly baked at 4 a.m. the same morning. Out of all the pastries and drinks in the shop, customers specifically enjoy the tiramisu, mango mousse and lavender white mocha.

If you’re willing to walk a bit farther — or burn some extra

Saratoga Square

1-minute walk

Strawberry Park Plaza

3-minute walk

↴ ↴

FOR A SIP take a little trip across the street

calories — for your sugary treat, consider taking a trip to Strawberry Park Shopping Center, which has Paris Baguette, Mitsuwa Marketplace and Coffee & Water Lab. If you’re looking for Korean-inspired baked goods, iced coffee or cake sold by the slice, Paris Baguette is the place to go. Items to look out for include their tiramisu bites, bear shaped madelines and mini croissants.

Mitsuwa Marketplace hosts J.sweets, which sells a variety of modern and traditional Japanese desserts, and Mochiya Ren, which serves fresh, handmade mochi and white bean paste wrapped around fruits like strawberry, kiwi and peach. Mochi-ya Ren also offers soft serve, crepes and lattes in traditional Japanese flavors like matcha, hojicha and black sesame.

Whether you’re sipping on a revitalizing Watermelon Freeze from N7 Draft Tea + Coffee during the summer, indulging in the iconic Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks in the fall or treating yourself to the luscious Silky Mango Boba from Teaspoon in the spring, discovering a drink in close proximity to Harker is easy any time of the year — the challenge comes in choosing from the myriad of flavorful options.

Starbucks is undoubtedly the most frequented post-school destination. You can swing by any day just a smidge past 3 p.m., and you’re practically guaranteed to stumble upon a bustling congregation of students awaiting their drinks. The hype is justified, as Starbucks consistently delivers in quality, taste and caffeine with its location just steps away from our campus.

tasty donuts

A BITE is right in sight

flavors of Hawaii to your taste buds. Customers can choose from a wide assortment of fish, toppings, and sauces to build your very own poke bowl in under five minutes.

modak korean chicken

However, most of the options lie in Stawberry Park Plaza, just a smidge further. There, you can find N7 Draft Tea + Coffee, the first nitrogen infused tea shop in the Bay Area, offering a variety of nitro teas and coffees, as well as traditional milk teas and smoothies.

“Every small thing is important here,” N7 cashier Ryan Boie said. “All our teas are infused in nitrogen gas constantly, and that makes teas have a smoother texture.”

A cult classic, Teaspoon offers handcrafted tea and boba with unique flavors. Lastly, Coffee & Water Lab operates as a coffee shop and alkaline water bar that uses cutting edge technology to create exceptionally high quality drinks.

“We have the best coffee in the whole bay area,” Coffee & Water Lab Barista Jasmine Gentry said. “I am a coffee connosseir, and I’ve never had a place better than this.”

Also in the plaza is Poke Paradise — a seafood oasis that brings the vibrant

Kahoo Ramen and Flamingo’s are also great options: Kahoo offers signature Japanese ramen soups, while Flamingo’s serves authentic homemade Mexican food using the best fresh and local ingredients.

STEVEN JIANG

coffee & water lab

ALENA SULEIMAN

coffee & water lab

ALENA SULEIMAN

KINNERA MULAM starbucks

paris baguette

mochi-ya ren (mitsuwa marketplace)

bibi bakery & cafe

AISHANI SINGH KEVIN ZHANG flamingo’s

MARGARET CARTEE PROVIDED BY SANIA GUPTA kahoo ramen

Perhaps you’re on the prowl for a hearty meal to power you through afterschool fitness or you’ve begrudgingly skipped lunch due to the long line. Whatever the motivations are, you can cross the street to eat a meal after the school from the myriad of local restaurants, fast food places and taco trucks.

Just across lies Modak Korean Chicken, an authentic Korean casual eatery. You’ll encounter fairy lights dancing along the walls and Korean pop music upon entering, but the expansive culinary repertoire truly steals the spotlight.

N7 draft tea + coffee

FULFILLING YOUR AFTER SCHOOL appe t i t e