Winged Post Volume 25, Issue 5

WINGED

THE UPPER SCHOOL STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF THE HARKER SCHOOL POST

UPCOMING DATES

JUST DANCE

FRIDAY, MARCH 29

SPIRIT RALLY

FRIDAY, MARCH 29

SPRING BREAK

MARCH 30 - APRIL 7

Spring Musical marries comedy and chaos with “The Wedding Singer”

Record-high 405 participants attend Harker Math Invitational

The 23rd Annual Diana Nichols Harker Math Invitational (HMI) attracted its largest crowd of all time on March 9 at the Harker middle school campus.

Participants first competed in a 45-minute individual round, which included 20 questions for sixth graders and 25 for both seventh and eighth graders, along with five bonus questions and an estimation problem for all contestants. After a break, students formed groups of six for a 45-minute team round.

Inappropriate messages sent during frosh LIFE assembly

felix

Several ninth graders submitted denigrating comments to an open Q&A chat interface accessible to the class at their LIFE assembly on March 15.

All attendees could see the messages, which included derogatory phrases about the assembly. During the frosh class meeting on March 18, dean Jeanette Fernandez and Head of Upper School Paul Barsky expressed their disappointment and the possible cancellation of Frosh Week and Spirit Week. Barsky closed by encouraging the grade to do better.

DECA competes in State Career Development Conference in Anaheim

12 chaperones and 194 students attended the 2024 California DECA State Career Development Conference (SCDC) in Anaheim from March 7 to 10.

Throughout the conference, students had the opportunity to take tests associ-

with their competitive events, com-

in roleplay and written presentation events, attend workshops with business

and spend time exploring Anaheim and Disneyland.

emma milner & alison yang

Awedding. A ditching at the altar. A bar mitzvah. A last-minute breakup. Another wedding. Witty lines and harmonious melodies lamenting and celebrating the unpredictability of love. All in two hours.

The Conservatory hosted this year’s spring musical “The Wedding Singer” in Patil Theater last Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Tickets were $8 for students and seniors and $15 for adults.

Ian Ogden’s (12) Robbie Hart makes a meager living singing at weddings

played by Leo Sobcyzn (11) and Luke Mehta (12), respectively. Electric dance numbers, heartfelt duets and celebrity impersonations carry the narrative through Robbie’s messy breakup with Bhavya Srinivasan’s (11) Linda, feud with Jason Shim’s (11) Glenn Gulia and slow burn romance with Shareen Chahal’s (12) Julia Sullivan.

“

The musical shows that no matter who you are or how you act, true love will end up finding you.

IAN OGDEN (12)

ROBBIE HART IN “THE WEDDING SINGER”

“It took me a while to get to know my character and all his mannerisms,” Ian said. “Once I immersed myself in the mind of Robbie Hart, it was so fun to experiment and have fun with that character. Those final moments interacting with my friends’ solidified characters are what makes theater.”

Preparations began in December, with vocal and choreography rehearsals taking place almost daily. Featured dancer Charlotte Ludlow (10) appreciated the initial focus on the score of the show. Learning the story through the music set a foundation for the next two months of

jessica hu

chen

ALL ABOUT THE GREEN Varun Bhupathi (11), Sophia Zhu (9) and Ananya Das (11), who play office workers, sing to Ian Ogden’s (12) Robbie Hart. Robbie ditched his job as a wedding singer to pursue a corporate position from employer Jason Shim’s (11) Glenn Gulia.

EMMA MILNER

EMMA MILNER

EMMA MILNER

(Left) Shareen Chahal’s (12) Julia Sullivan talks with her fiancé Jason Shim’s (11) Glenn Gulia about registry gifts like pots and pans for their wedding.

(Right) Luke Mehta’s (12) Sammy strikes a pose with Sonya Apsey’s (12) Angie Sullivan during the finale.

winged post

Intel executive speaks to Women in Business club members

felix chen & jonathan szeto

Technical Assistant and Chief of Staff to the Vice President of Operations at Intel Foundry Services Inbal Kavaler spoke to members of the Women in Business club during lunch on March 19.

Kavaler, who has worked for Intel for the past three years, highlighted the progress as well as the ups and downs of her career. She discussed the effect of her time in the Israeli military on her mindset, especially learning the importance of being able to influence others. Kavaler emphasized the importance of building strong relationships with superiors and coworkers, drawing examples from the club members’ high school experiences.

“

I hope the audience learned that there’s an art to communicating with people around you, which is very present in the business world.

YIFAN LI (11)

WOMEN IN BUSINESS CO-VICE PRESIDENT

Women in Business Co-Vice President Yifan Li (11) enjoyed hearing about the variety of skills that contribute to success in business.

“I hope [the audience] took away that [business] is not just about knowing the math or knowing the economic concepts,” Yifan said. “I hope they learned that there’s an art to communicating with people around you, which is very present in the business world. Making personal connections with as many people as possible is very important. I thought that was probably the biggest takeaway from [the meeting].”

Kavaler also explained the different kinds of personalities in business, including the “director,” who prefers to be in control; the “analyzer,” who analyzes data to produce solutions; the “visionary,” who views the big picture and makes decisions with their gut feeling; and the “supporter,” who focuses on building strong connections with others.

Women in Business club member Suhana Bhandare appreciated Kavaler’s speech, particularly when she explained the principles needed for problem solving in work environments.

“Overall I learned a lot from [Kavaler],” Suhana said. “I learned that to be a successful person or woman in business, you need to have a lot of diverse perspective and experience. You need to understand all the sides of the problem and everyone that you’re addressing to correctly address or diffuse the situation.”

After asking the audience which group they felt they belonged to the most, Kavaler answered questions from students at the end of the event. Yifan asked about an important moment in her career where she applied the skills she discussed, and Kavaler recalled the challenges she faced forming relationships after joining Intel in the midst of the pandemic.

Journalism staff tour and triumph in New York

PROVIDED BY

NEW YORK — Seventeen Harker journalism staff attended the 100th annual Columbia Scholastic Press Association Spring Convention at Columbia University in New York from March 13 to 15.

During the convention, 1,599 participants from across the country attended the convention at Columbia University. Over the course of three days, attendees had the option to visit 221 sessions focused on a variety of journalistic topics including designing, interviewing and storytelling.

“I attended a session on Friday morning, and it was with the Rolling Stones photo editor,” Talon student life editor Shiv Deokar (11) said. “I’m really into music, and the Rolling Stones is primarily a music magazine. Hearing him talk about how he’s shot for concerts and judge street artists was really cool. Everything about the different thoughts behind these shoots and photography sessions and hearing more about music journalism and business was great.”

Harker attendees arrived on the evening of March 12, and the convention began the next morning with registration and sessions. They presented “Let’s Eat: How to make your illustrations, infographics and photos COOK!”

“Humans of [Your School]” on March 14.

“

Everybody on staff poured a lot of hard work, time and effort into all publications, and I think it’s great that we’re able to get selected.

BRANDON ZAU (12) PHOTO EDITOR

After a pizza dinner at Angelo’s Pizza, students and chaperones watched the Broadway musical “& Juliet” in Sondheim Theater on March 13. The next evening, the group visited the High Line and Chelsea Market where they dined and shopped.

“My favorite part of the trip was [visiting] the High Line,” co-opinions

editor Isabella Lo (11) said. “It’s really cool to see artist’s displays on the tops of roofs, and it’s interesting how they converted an old subway track into a nice walking path: it’s a quieter part of New York that I didn’t expect. We had a lot of fun together on this trip and made a lot of good memories.”

The awards ceremony to honor the 2023 CSPA finalists took place Friday afternoon. CSPA recognized Harker Aquila and Winged Post as CSPA crown finalists, as well as Harker’s literary magazine, Harker Eclectic Literature & Media (HELM). Harker Aquila and HELM received Silver Crowns, and The Winged Post received a Gold crown.

Following the awards ceremony, trip attendees visited the Riverside Church before a gala dinner at the Empire Steakhouse Midtown West location. On March 16, one group explored Central Park while another visited the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building branch of the New York Public Library.

Harker Journalism looks forward to attending the Journalism Education Association/National Scholastic Press Association Spring Journalism Convention in Kansas City, Missouri from April 4 to 6.

Robotics team reaches finals at Sacramento Regional

Harker Robotics competed at the 2024 Sacramento Regional hosted at Pleasant Grove High School from March 13 to 16.

The competition brought together 38 teams from across the world, with participants representing both China and Taiwan in addition to America. In this year’s challenge, dubbed “Crescendo,” each alliance of three teams was tasked with shooting rings into a speaker element to score, slotting them into an amplifier to boost point generation and climbing a chain at the end in order to gain points.

“

By the end of the qualification rounds, we were tied for dead last. Saturday evening, we walked away as an award winning finalist.

ERIC NELSON ROBOTICS TEAM MENTOR

In the first two days of the event, Harker Robotics encountered mechanical and software faults, leading to the team falling to last place in the qualifying

rounds. However, a fortunate selection by the second-seeded alliance combined with an overhaul of the robot’s intake and indexer resulted in a stronger showing in playoffs and a second-place finish overall.

Computer science department chair and robotics team administrator Dr. Eric Nelson managed bookings and payments for the Sacramento Regional. He was surprised by the sudden resurgence of Team 1072 after their shaky start. ☠

“The team came in knowing that thre were some hardware issues, but they passed the bench level testing that they’ve been doing in some of the early field testing,” Nelson said. “By the end of

the qualification rounds, which occur all day Friday and Saturday up until noon, we were tied for last. Saturday evening, we walked away as an award winning finalist.”

The alliance, composed of Citrus Circuits from Davis Senior High School and Berkeley High School’s Berkelium in addition to Harker Robotics and backup team Rambots from California Crosspoint Academy, cruised through the quarterfinals and semifinals of the event without a single loss. However, the first-seeded alliance ultimately secured its own victory, with Harker and its alliance taking a second-place finish in their first tournament of the season.

NUTS AND BOLTS Mechanics and Machining Co-Director Akul Goyal (11) speaks with other members of the robotics team regarding necessary repairs following a round. Harker reached a second-place finish after being tied for last in the qualification stage.

felix chen & vika gautham

CHARLIE

WANG

mihir kotbagi & charlie wang

Kavaler.

JONATHAN SZETO

CHECKING IT OUT Journalism students and advisers stand in front of the Low Memorial Library at the Morningside Heights campus of Columbia University on March 14. During the CSPA Convention, staff visited various places in New York City including the High Line and Chelsea Market and attended the Broadway musical “& Juliet” at Sondheim Theater.

AT WORK (Top) Juniors Felix Chen and Katerina Matta interview CSPA Director Jennifer Ha. LET THEM COOK (Bottom) Jessica Wang (11) and Brandon Zau (12) present “Let’s Eat.”

Students reach ‘New Heights’ at BEcon

Over 150 students attended BEcon, Harker’s annual business and entrepreneurship conference, themed “New Heights,” in Nichols Hall on March 15.

BEcon officers invited students who founded startups in the Incubator class and industry professionals from companies like Apple and Microsoft to present at booths from 3:30 to 4 p.m. Attendees flocked to interactive stations where they could try new tech products like the Apple Vision Pro, explore the inside of a Tesla Cybertruck or film a spinning video with friends.

Software engineer Chengling Qiu, who showcased some of Xbox’s demo games, enjoyed interacting with and teaching Harker community members about Xbox.

“The most magical thing about Xbox as an ecosystem is that it’s welcoming to all the new players and new developers,”

Qiu said. “I tried to make [attendees] feel interested in playing Xbox games and working in the gaming industry. I definitely got a chance to inspire others who might have similar interests in AI and technology today.”

“

We had a girl come in, and she was like, ‘All of these products are amazing.’ That was the best interaction I had.

SHAILA TANDON (11) CURLOSOPHY COFOUNDER

Harker Incubator students also showcased their diverse startups to attendees. Curlosophy cofounder Shaila Tandon (11) shared her curly hair product kits.

“Our goal is to have people with curly hair embrace their waves and be confident,” Shaila said. “We had a girl come in, and she was like, ‘All of these products are amazing.’ That was the best interaction I had.”

Keynote speaker Ya Xu, Head of Data and AI at LinkedIn, gave an address in the Nichols Auditorium at 4 p.m. She spoke about her background, the path she took to be in her current job position, the presence of AI in her industry and her stance on ChatGPT. Co-executive director of BEcon Sanaa Bhorkar (11) interviewed Xu and later opened the discussion to live audience questions. As Xu closed her address, she offered advice to the students.

“When I think about my career, I didn’t plan ahead,” Xu said, “Sometimes, when you plan too much, you constrain yourself and lose sight of what other possibilities there may be. My advice is that after finishing school, it’s okay to just keep your options open and learn your interests and your passions as you go.”

LIFE Board promotes nutrition with snack bar

LIFE Board introduced students to the importance of nutrition with a speaker event on March 11 and a snack bar on March 14.

Dietitian Sara Leung, RD hosted a discussion with students about making wise food choices during the “Lunch ‘n’ Learn: Nuanced Nutrition” speaker event in LIFE Board adviser and mathematics teacher Bradley Stoll’s room during lunch.

“

I’m glad to see that the Harker community is interested in having healthier choices for snack options.

SRITEJA KATARU (11)

LIFE BOARD MEMBER

Leung answered questions about authentic eating, preconceptions about nutrition and unhealthy relationships with food, and she also encouraged students to understand their personal values and choose the foods they ate from those beliefs.

LIFE Board also held a snack bar after school on March 14 in front of Manzanita Hall. Students who scanned a QR code to follow the LIFE Board’s Instagram account could choose from multiple food options such as orange juice, bagels with cream cheese, croissants and vegan muffins provided by Stoll. The snack bar completely ran out of food in just 45 minutes. LIFE Board member Sriteja Kataru (11) appreciated the alternative options the snack bar offered to students.

“I’m glad to see that the Harker community is interested in having healthier choices for snack options,” Sriteja said. “Instead of going across the street to Starbucks and getting unhealthy food and drink, you can just come here and get more nutritious snacks.”

LIFE board adviser and assistant upper school division head Kelly Horan also emphasized the importance for students to eat healthy, the main message of the LIFE Board’s initiative in March.

Eagle Buddy groups reunite

young min,

Harker juniors and sophomores spent time with their Eagle Buddies on March 15 at the Bucknall and Saratoga campuses, respectively.

The juniors took school buses to the Bucknall Campus, meeting their Eagle Buddies in lines outside the Bucknall gym. After a quick lunch consisting of corn dogs, chips and salad, the Eagle Buddy groups dispersed to participate in a variety of activities around campus including wall ball, arts and crafts, soccer and ping pong. The juniors returned to the upper school just before seventh period began.

The sophomores met their Eagle Buddies in the Zhang Athletic Center and then headed in groups to Davis Field, where they started the session by eating lunch on the field with them. Afterwards, staff hosted outdoor activities on the field, including sports, parachute games, large connect four and games such as bean bag tossing.

“

My favorite moment was taking photos with my Eagle Buddy in the RPAC. They took a Polaroid of us, and she got to dress up. It was really cute.

AUDREY DAGUM (10)

EAGLE BUDDY

Sophomores then dispersed with their buddies around select spots on campus and gave them a tour. Groups visited areas like the library, where librarians put out St. Patrick’s Day crafts, and the Rothschild Performing Arts Center, which featured a photo booth.

Eagle Buddy groups also had the opportunity to play with the large chess set outside of Nichols Hall. and groups had the opportunity to receive a complimentary eagle shaped stuffed animal from the Eagle Store located on the upper level of Nichols Hall.

“[My favorite moment was] taking photos with my Eagle Buddy in the RPAC,” Audrey Dagum (10) said. “They took a Polaroid of us, and she got to dress up. It was really cute.”

The Eagle Buddy program has been a pillar of the Harker community for over a decade and is designed to provide younger students with mentorship from their older peers. Every year, groups of two to four third-graders are matched with a similar number of sophomores, creating “families”.

As students who spend both their elementary and high school years at Harker age, they often find being a mentor and a mentee equally valuable. For Eagle Buddy Haden Andrews (11), this much is true.

“My favorite thing about Eagle Buddies is talking to the kids,” Haden said. “[I like] figuring out how their school is going and reflecting back on when I was their age. It’s fun to see how far I’ve grown and to see the future of the youth.”

ASHLEY MO

POLAROID PICS Sophomores Mindy Truong and Tanvi Sivakumar pose for a photo. Several large companies and student-run startups hosted booths at BEcon, which provided the community insight into emerging technologies and the upper school’s B&E department.

A HEALTHIER CHOICE Students gather to eat a variety of snacks outside a table hosted by Sriteja Kataru (11). LIFE will focus on encouraging healthy nutrition habits in March.

jonathan szeto

ashley mo & tiffany zhu

vivek moorjani & gabe sachse

FUN AND GAMES Nolan Chen (11) and his Eagle Buddy play at the Bucknall Campus. YOUNG

JONATHAN SZETO

andrew liang

Sweden becomes NATO’s 32nd member

Sweden officially joined NATO on March 7. Hungary, the last nation to approve Sweden’s bid for NATO membership, did so on Feb. 26 while also passing a defense deal. Sweden submitted a formal application to join NATO in May 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Most NATO member countries quickly approved the bids, but Turkey waited until Jan. 2024 to support Sweden. NATO members criticized the Hungarian government for curtailing media freedoms and possible corruption.

Haiti’s Prime Minister resigns amid crisis

Haiti’s Prime Minister Ariel Henry resigned after facing intense pressure during an internal security crisis on March 12. Gangs in Haiti’s capital Port-au-Prince stormed two large prisons on March 2 and 3. Police in the city quickly responded, but struggled to overpower the gangs, who control most of the city. As a result, almost all of the 4,000 inmates in the country’s National Penitentiary escaped. The Haitian government declared a curfew and 72-hour state of emergency.

Israeli troops fire on Palestinian civilians

Israeli troops fired on Palestinian civilians who were rushing to take food from a shipment of aid in Gaza City on Feb. 29, killing 100 and injuring according to witnesses.

Arab nations widely criticized the killings. Neighboring countries demanded the international community to compel Israel to agree to a ceasefire. Israeli military officials stated that the troops only fired on the crowd when they believed the stampede would reach them. President Joe Biden also expressed concern over the shootings.

Egyptian pound value sinks by 60%

The value of the Egyptian pound sunk by 60% as the Central Bank of Egypt floated the country’s currency on March 6.

The Central Bank moved to slow inflation in the long term and attract foreign investment. Egypt has also struck a deal with the International Monetary Fund to increase its bailout loan. The Egyptian economy has struggled with government mismanagement and global

Senegal announces date of next election

The Senegalese government set their next election to occur on March 24 after delays.

President Macky Sall said in early February that he would postpone the elections by up to 10 months. This announcement outraged citizens, who took to the streets in protests. The Constitutional Council, the highest election authority in the country, blocked the move. Sall justified his decision by pointing out that many of the other candidates had been disqualified, but his opposition accused him of trying to retain presidential power for longer.

Colleges reinstate SAT, ACT requirements

Universities reverse their pandemic test-optional policies in light of new grade data

jonathan xue & charlie wang

In the last month, Dartmouth, Yale, Brown and University of Texas at Austin have all rejected a previously held standardized test-optional policy that originated four years ago due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Beginning on Feb. 5 with Dartmouth’s ACT and SAT policy reversal, a slew of colleges have joined suit since, with the University of Texas at Austin most recently adopting the change on March 11. The earliest school to require standardized testing after COVID-19 was MIT in March 2022.

Before 2020, many schools began shifting away from requiring standardized test scores, citing inequity among lowincome and minority students. Such groups often have access to fewer resources, which caused the ACT and SAT to be unrepresentative of academic merit, universities stated.

“

I think it’s honestly less about academic knowledge and more about someone’s ability to deal with stress during standardized testing.

ANDREW TRAN (10) SAT TEST-TAKER

In 2022, 85% of colleges were testoptional. Now, 80 percent are still testoptional. Dartmouth researchers found that SAT scores explains around 22% of

80% of schools are still test-optional

variation in first-year GPA, compared to high school GPA, which accounted for only 9%. Their study also found that the SAT predicted around 14% to 21% of the variation between disadvantaged students. 43% of students submitted their test scores in the 2022-2023 application season, a large drop from the nearly 75% before the pandemic.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, ACT and SAT testing sites were moved online, furthering concerns about the integrity of the tests. As a result, near the start of 2020, around 1,600 colleges across the country removed the standardized testing requirement. Though in-person ACT and SAT exams have resumed, most colleges have maintained their testoptional policy.

However, some colleges now view standardized test scores to be more indicative of student success. Dartmouth, Yale and Brown recently conducted a study that found that standardized test

75% of students submitted their test scores pre-COVID

scores outperformed grades, essays and recommendation letters.

A primary argument against standardized testing is that scores can be improved through test preparation, which often only benefits economicallyprivileged students due to their prohibitive prices. However, SAT-reinstating schools concluded otherwise. The SAT and ACT also serve as standardized variables of academic ability for college admissions.

Sophomore Andrew Tran, who took online SAT prep classes prior to his exam, found them somewhat useful for the actual SAT test. However, he believes that standardized testing is not an accurate measure of academic performance.

“I think it’s honestly less about academic knowledge and more about someone’s ability to deal with stress during standardized testing,” Andrew said. “Which is important, but it’s not as accurate to phrase SAT and ACT testing as academic tests.”

43%

of students submitted their 2022-23 test score

House passes legislation that could potentially ban Tiktok

Former U.S. Head of Engineering at ByteDance Yintao Yu asserted in a legal filing that the Chinese Communist Party pinpointed Hong Kong protesters through TikTok’s data and alleged that the company could view U.S. data as well.

TikTok has denied allegations that it has censored or otherwise manipulated content unfavorable to the Chinese government as well as claims the Chinese government could bring its influence to bear on the company.

Opponents to the ban object on the grounds of freedom of speech as well as assertions that the ban is xenophobic and fails to address root issues regarding data privacy.

The House voted to pass a bill that could potentially ban popular social media app TikTok due to national security concerns on March 13 by a 352-65 margin.

Should the bill pass into law, it would force ByteDance Ltd., TikTok’s China-

based owner, to sell its stake in the app and give up its control over its algorithm or face a total ban of TikTok in the United States. If ByteDance Ltd. decides not to sell the app, TikTok would no longer be available in any app store or web service.

TikTok currently has attracted over 170 million users nationwide of a variety of ages, professions and experiences.

Sophomore Eden Kelly, who estimated that she spends roughly 3 hours weekly on TikTok, noted that the ban would be beneficial for her productivity but is not the most relevant issue that the government is dealing with.

“On one hand, my screen time on TikTok is way too high, so the ban will let me focus on homework,” Eden said. “On the other hand, there are many other more relevant issues that the government could be worrying about. I’m not sure why this of all issues is one that gets bipartisan support.”

AISHANI SINGH

JANAM CHAHAL

NEW STANDARDS Junior Robert Fields completes his AP U.S. History quiz. Some schools are reinstating requirements for standardized test scores following the pandemic.

felix chen & janam chahal

FEATURES

Meet your staff: revive the past

Silence. A few taps on the keyboard, a click and another silent pause.

Suddenly, the door swings open and a student enters, rushing into their college counselor’s office for a check-in. Before they rush off, a woman smiling warmly across the front desk never fails to greet them.

Her name is Rae Ann Prado, Harker’s college counseling support specialist of 10 years. And unbeknownst to most students, she spends her hours outside the college counseling office diving into the rhythmic, pulsing art of Aztec dance.

Aztec dance immerses audiences in a rich sensory experience. A resonant drumbeat lays the rhythmic foundation upon which a flute or a voice provides a melody. The choreography mirrors the pulse of the music: dancers attach hard shells from the ayoyote tree to their ankles, creating a resounding, percussive beat.

Flowing headdresses, traditionally made from quetzal feathers and gold, sway elegantly in unison with the dancers. Lastly, members of the dance group stride around the circle holding a pot of smoldering incense that diffuses smoky herbal scents into the air.

winged post

Live action remakes evoke mixed reactions

mendy mao

“I started dancing in my 20s, but it was a huge commitment,” Prado said. “I was dancing for a while and then stopped to raise my family and my kids. It had been about 15 years before I went back and started again because all my kids were out of high school.”

Rae Ann Prado rediscovers her Mexica heritage through dance and ritual PROVIDED

Prado dances with a group called Calpulli Ocelocihuatl, which she cofounded in late 2023. Her previous dance group, Calpulli Tonalehqueh, performs for public events like protests at City Hall as well as for private events such as quinceaneras, weddings and parties.

“Forming my own group has been something that I had wanted to do for a long time and creating more opportunities for other people,” Prado said. “So we thought that, by starting a new group, we could give more inclusion to different groups that weren’t being offered with my older, bigger group.”

As co-founder, Prado leads the group as the second in a line of six leaders. When recruiting new members to join their fledgling organization, Prado and her coheads kept the Calpulli open to all ages. They wanted the group to hold a sense of community almost akin to family.

“My group is women-led, but we also have men, elders and young children,” Prado said. “We have four elders and our youngest member right now is four. So it’s a well-rounded, family-oriented community that we build.”

As the fellow members of the calpulli share common cultural roots, they also gather to rediscover elements of Mexica lifestyle that faded away as Spanish conquistadors colonized the Yucatán peninsula.

“My teacher lives in Mexico City and comes and visits my dance group and gives workshops roughly quarterly,” Prado said. “Once, he was covering the herbs we use: mint, tobacco, basil, rue, rosemary, cinnamon and sage. We break these down into a prayer mix, put our hands in there and mentally put our intentions in there, and each person that attends the ceremony can grab some and send their intentions as well into the fire.”

Besides receiving tutelage from her maestro, Prado also attends traditional Mexica sweats several times a year. Under a frame covered with canvas, spiritual leaders bring red-hot stones into the center and douse them with water, filling up the tent with hot steam.

The sweat lasts multiple rounds, with

several additional stones introduced each round and intensifying the heat. The leader of each sweat designates focuses to each round such as song and prayer, uniting the participants in spiritual harmony.

“Singing the songs and beating the drum brings healing in itself,” Prado said. “Music

“

RAE ANN PRADO

An eight-year-old girl stands up proudly on the couch, singing at the top of her lungs to Mulan’s “I’ll Make a Man Out of You.” She belts out the lyrics with practiced ease and acts out every trial that Mulan faces, flopping back down with a satisfied grin when she finishes. Later, as an adult, she hears of a new Mulan liveaction and brings her own children to watch it at the movie theater.

With the recent release of the liveaction remake of classic Nickelodeon cartoon Avatar: The Last Airbender and the upcoming live-action remake of Disney animated movie Moana, 2024’s live actions have started out strong.

But many have mixed opinions about these remakes or even outright dislike them, citing their lack of creativity and blatant money-grabbing. Disney Renaissance Era film lover Christina Rex (12) agrees. She discussed her opinion on live-actions in the film industry.

Amazing ideas are getting shot down in favor of remaking things that they’re guaranteed to make money on. Write a new character who the new generation can claim is theirs

CHRISTINA REX (12)

“Innovation is really important in that industry,” Christina said. “Amazing ideas are getting shot down in favor of remaking things that they’re guaranteed to make money on. Write a new character who’s really interesting and who the new generation can claim is theirs, instead of appropriating one that was made 40 years ago.”

RAE

ANN PRADO

SUPPORT SPECIALIST I’m working to reassimilate myself and bring my culture here. Something just keeps really tugging at my heart to dig deep, find out more.

is healing. Song is healing. The round of prayer too: you’re not only able to express yourself, but others hear and feel and know that they’re not alone. A lot of times, we’re sharing similar experiences that someone else in there could be going through or relate to.”

This tradition rids the body of toxins and relaxing the mind. However, the spiritual cleansing is often just as impactful to participants like Prado.

Through these contemporary experiences of a rich ancient culture, Prado slowly rediscovers her own roots. Dances and rituals performed by her ancestors generations past weave themselves into Prado’s daily life and imbue a sense of cultural pride and belonging.

“Something just keeps really tugging at my heart to dig deep, find out more,” Prado said. “I wasn’t raised this way: I’m more culturally involved than even my mom. But I’m trying to break the lack of culture and bring back what was alive.”

Similarly, history department chair Mark Janda disliked the 2017 Beauty and the Beast remake. Although he praised the rich visuals of the film, he felt the plot to be too similar to the 1991 film. He views live-action remakes as an opportunity to provide audiences with a new perspective

on beloved stories.

“The Mulan remake wasn’t so bad,” Janda said. “It was very much a remake but it was a little bit more grown-up. We didn’t have Eddie Murphy as the dragon running around being silly, so it was more mature, and that I tolerated. Let’s reimagine this a little bit. That’s a good thing.”

Film club member Sophie Pellet (10) appreciates live-action films for their ability to revive nostalgic memories of films she enjoyed as a child.

“Sometimes it is well-made,” Sophie said. “And it’s kind of enjoyable because you have a film that you used to see as a kid, and you have another opportunity to revisit it and see it in a different light.”

Disney remakes also face criticism for replacing white characters with people of color for the sake of diversity.

REVERENCE (TOP) A girl donning a representation of Huitzilopochtli, the Aztec sun god, kneels to the ground in prayer. UNITY (BOTTOM) The banner of Calpulli Tonalehqueh, Prado’s former dance group, stands tall above a sea of headdresses. Over 25 groups from across the country gathered in Emma Prusch park on March 16 to celebrate Mexica New Year.

kairui sun

SPIRITUAL HARMONY Rae Ann Prado reaches for the skies as part of her dance routine. She has performed for public events like City Hall protests as well as private gatherings.

CLASH Sophomores Claire Yu and Jessica Hu react to a live-action remake.

KAIRUI SUN

KAIRUI SUN

MENDY MAO

winged post strategic

I don’t know how to connect with my culture

Feeling a bit disconnected from your cultural roots? That’s totally understandable — it’s easy to feel disconnected amidst the bustle of daily life. Reconnecting often comes down to understanding what makes your culture unique and special.

Dig a little bit into it’s history or what it means to your family by taking some time to talk to your family. Maybe even try out some special dishes from your culture, whether they’re homemade or from a restaurant nearby. if you’re up for it, why not brush up on the language too?

Take the process one step at a time, at your own pace, embracing what resonates with you and understanding what you connect with. It can be hard at first, but remember that cultural connection is multifaceted, and it can be anything you make it, from a love for food to family history.

Why is individual identity important?

Imagine your identity as a puzzle made of all the people you’ve met and all the experiences you’ve had. They’re all part of making what makes you, you.

Understanding your individual identity is like peering into a mirror and truly seeing yourself for the first time. It’s about recognizing what makes you tick or what makes you smile. Understanding your identity also allows for authenticity. Embracing your identity is about honoring your own voice, even when you feel washed out by a world you don’t necessarily identify with.

Your unique perspective, talents, and experiences can make a profound impact on someone else, whether it be inspiring them to try something new or reflect on themselves. Embrace the journey of discovering and celebrating your individual identity for every facet of it. Take a look into the mirror and reflect on who you are.

Non-binary teen’s death spotlights queer hate

Anti-trans violence garners coverage after Nex Benedict’s passing

katerina matta & charlize wang

On Feb. 8, 2024, non-binary highschool student Nex Benedict passed away, 24 hours after sustaining severe injuries in a fight with three classmates. The altercation came after Nex endured months of severe bullying for their gender identity, leading many people to assume possible antiLGBTQ+ motivations behind this incident.

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It was really scary because they shared a similar gender identity to me. It’s sad to say that you expect this sort of thing from adults.

OLLIE

MASONI (10)

TRANSGENDER AFFINITY GROUP LEADER

The violent, hateful nature of the attack garnered an unprecedented amount of national attention, a moment of immense grief for LGBTQ+ communities and allies amid a rise in anti-LGBTQ+ hate.

For those who identify outside the male-female gender binary, like Transgender Affinity Group student leader Ollie Masoni (10), the violence of Nex’s death, especially at the hands of their peers, hits close to home.

“It was really scary because they shared a similar gender identity to me,” Ollie said. “What’s scarier to me is that it came from other people from our generation. It’s sad to say that you expect this sort of thing from adults, or from people in other generations. Gen Z would like to think of ourselves as more accepting than others, but the fact that this was by their peers was really scary.”

Nex’s death has received an increased level of coverage from major mainstream publications like the New York Times and Washington Post. Despite the high rates of murder, violence and political targeting against trans and gender-nonconforming individuals, challenges faced by their community typically go unaddressed. Nex’s death also came among record amounts of hate against LGBTQ+ communities in recent years within the United States alone.

Trans and gender-nonconforming rights have developed into a major ideological battleground, with more than

100 anti-trans bills introduced in a few state legislatures since 2020. The leading anti-LGBTQ+ states, Alabama, Florida and Tennessee, alone introduced 16 bills, hotspots of anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric.

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Trans people are used as scapegoats and their identities become a wedge issue. They’re presented in a way that people get scared.

Certain aspects of trans and genderqueer identities, such as protections for transgender youth, have fallen under scrutiny as a record high of over 500 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have made it to state legislatures.

Visit harkeraquila.com for full article.

“There’s all this backlash right now on the political level,” upper school Spanish teacher and Gender Sexuality Alliance adviser Abel Olivas said.

Visit harkeraquila.com for full article.

Normalized jokes blur border between humor and harm

ashley mo

“It’s just a joke.” “You’re too soft.” “Stop being so sensitive.” These commonly heard phrases dismiss the effects of hurtful humor and imply that it’s normal to “laugh off” problematic remarks. Whether it be talk shows or stand-up comedy, comedians often push the boundaries of

acceptable humor. When jokes veer into topics of gender stereotypes, sexuality or misogyny, it’s easy to question: how far is “too far” in the realm of comedy?

Throughout comedy’s history, humor has been used as a way to reinforce power dynamics, with women usually being the target of sexist jokes. Despite strides toward gender equality in the

entertainment industry, the belief that “men are funnier than women” persists, solidifying comedy as a male-dominated field where women struggle to gain visibility. In stand-up comedy, where men make up 89% of comedians, stereotypical jokes about women are frequently heard.

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There are clever ways, thoughtful ways to make a political statement if you want to talk about gender.

RITU BELANI (12) STAND UP COMEDIAN

The trend of sexual humor continues into Generation Z, with comedians like Matt Rife crafting jokes with harmful tropes like domestic abuse. In his Netflix comedy special “Natural Selection,” Rife joked about a restaurant hostess with a black eye, implying that better cooking skills could have prevented her injury.

Visit harkeraquila.com for full article.

WAVE YOUR FLAG “Transphobia is something that’s learned, it’s not inherent,” Ollie Masoni (10) said. “It’s what we are being taught.”

STAGE Throughout comedy’s history, humor has been used as a way to reinforce power dynamics, with women usually being the target of normalized stereotypical jokes.

charlize wang

Shop like a billionaire…”

The TV emits a catchy jingle as Temu’s signature orange color floods the screen. From kitchen gadgets to fashionable attire to tool kits, a single theme connects these disparate items: affordability. Online retail giants like Temu and TikTok Shop entice customers with their astoundingly low prices, with Temu drawing particular attention in recent weeks after airing numerous advertisements during the Super Bowl commercial breaks. As consumers grow accustomed to such low price points, their perceptions of more sustainable yet pricier goods grow increasingly skewed.

Temu first launched in the United States in Sept. 2022 and quickly rose in popularity after promoting its products through popular social media influencers and pop-up ads. Offering various opportunities for discounts and coupons, the app increased in traffic due to its inexpensive products. Aman Singh, a Temu user, discovered the site from a pop-up ad and was surprised by unusually cheap prices.

“If you want something cheap, it’s good. But if you want something good quality, it’s not going to be quality.

OSKAR

BAUMGARTE (11)

TEMU BUYER

“That’s what basically hooked me, and I thought ‘how can shoes be this cheap and have free shipping?’” Aman

said. “At first I thought it was stolen items or something, so I clicked on the pop-up ad and the website seemed legit, and it said it’s coming from China. The price was around three or four dollars for these shoes.”

Shopping platforms like Temu shed light on the unsustainable business practices of established online retailers like Amazon. Temu makes “trendy” products more accessible to lower income consumers, which especially caters to teenagers as they often have less money than their older counterparts. The rise of these online shopping platforms reveals the new shopping preferences of Generation Z.

In fact, some customers also noticed how Temu often carries products identical to what they would find in-store, except for much cheaper prices. This trend reflects a common business practice known as dropshipping, where the seller acts as a middleman between the warehouse and the customer. Singh also noticed similarities between products sold on Temu and established brands.

AmazonCompare pricesandTemu ofa: NAMEYOUR PRICE

Of course, the low price point comes at the cost of quality. In fact, Temu has received over 3,500 complaints in the past 12 months and currently has a 2.5 out of five-star rating on the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Most complaints address lengthy shipping times, mysterious credit card charges and poor customer service.

Oskar Baumgarte (11) recently ordered from Temu and agrees with the lacking quality of Temu products.

“I guess the ordering was fast considering it’s from China, but the products were not very good,” Oskar said. “If you want something cheap, it’s good. But if you want something good quality, it’s not going to be quality.”

Visit harkeraquila.com for full article.

Relive magic with ‘All the Young Dudes’

isabella lo

Click!

Picture a row of students beaming at the camera, poised in perfectly curled hair, ironed suits and a colorful tie or a long, cascading dress with just enough sequins for a hint of sparkle. In this moment, prom fashion seems effortless.

Are you finding yourself stressed over picking the perfect outfit? Not to worry — find every part of your fit down to the shoes in this list of prom store recommendations.

Starting off strong with suits, although there are limited options in this category, your suit can still be classy and stylish. If you’re looking for a standard suit that is still fashionable, Macy’s and Nordstrom are always reliable. However, if you’re willing to splurge a little on prom night, check out Suit Supply

or Brooks Brothers, both of which have stores located

Whether you’re a princessball-gown or a sleekwe’ve got you covered with a dress suit your tastes. If you’re the former, stores such as Sherri Hill, Trudy’s or Stacee will bring all the glitter and sparkles needed. For a classy, modern look, hop over to Meshki, House of CB or Revolve. Now, if you’re someone in between the two styles, try browsing through Lulus, Nordstrom or Windsor.

for suits and dresses, here are two tried and true stores that won’t dissapoint: Nordstrom and Designer Shoe Warehouse, both of which offer reasonably-priced shoes from high heels

Lastly, to complete your dream outfit from head-to-toe, you’ll need a great pair of shoes to finish off the look. While you can buy them at any of the store recommendations

In the grand hallways of Hogwarts, before Harry Potter’s time, a group of friends finds their way together.

From the captivating Wizarding World, MsKingBean89 presents the fanfiction “All the Young Dudes,” revisiting old characters like Remus Lupin and Sirius Black and presenting a unique perspective on the original series.

Usually, each time I take a chance and read a fanfiction, I’m disappointed by how the style fails to live up to the canon text. However, I found that “All the Young Dudes” surpassed my expectations, and I felt as if I was once again transported into the world of Harry Potter.

Narrated mostly from Remus’s perspective, “All the Young Dudes” expands the story of the Marauders, the group of pranksters consisting of James Potter, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew. The story explores the deep bonds formed between each of the Marauders at their time at Hogwarts and examines themes of societal expectations and pressures.

The greatest strength of this fanfiction comes from its character building. MsKingBean89 turns likable characters from Harry Potter like Sirius Black and Remus Lupin into beloved people with depth. They’re humanized, and their flaws are depicted beautifully. I felt deeply invested in Remus and Sirius. I loved how they matured over the course of the story.

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I felt deeply invested in Remus and Sirius, and I loved how they matured over the course of the story

From his childhood at St. Edmunds, an institution for troubled children, Remus dealt with abuse and a harsh Muggle life. In contrast, Sirius grows up among the prideful Black family, often taking his wealth and status for granted. In their similarities and differences, Sirius and Remus find love together.

In my opinion, this fanfiction does a better job than the original series of depicting the deeply ingrained hate between purebloods and mudbloods and sets the stage for the civil war that later tears the wizarding world apart.

“All the Young Dudes” does justice to the grandness of Harry Potter. It bolsters an already beautiful narrative and explores themes that the canon text glossed over.

“All

SOURCE:

ELEVATE YOUR STYLE (Middle) A pair of black platform heels from DSW. SUIT UP (Right) A black suit jacket from the store “Brooks Brothers.”

SAY YES TO THE DRESS (Left) A red dress from the popular dress website “Lulus.”

Creativity builds cultural bridges

tiffany zhu

Every step to a dance, every stitch for a keychain, every note from an instrument and every lyric in a song form a vibrant tapestry of cultural expression, weaving a connection between artists and their diverse backgrounds. Communities around the world maintain a connection to their roots and celebrate their identities through traditional music, dance and crafts.

Tulip Day in San Francisco draws crowds

young min & katerina matta

SERENADE

For many second-generation high school students and immigrants at Harker, the arts allow them to express and connect with their cultures despite living in a different country.

Before immigrating to the United States, upper school Spanish teacher Isabel Garcia lived in Spain, where she was immersed in the rich culture of Spanish folk songs. Now, she draws from her connection with music and dance that originated in Spanish-speaking countries, such as salsa and tango, to help her students learn the culture.

Amidst the monotony of San Francisco’s concrete jungle, red, orange, yellow, purple and white hues sprawl across Union Square as long lines of people snake around the center endlessly. People flood the aisles, picking tulips to fill their paper bag bouquets. Tulip Day, which took place on Mar. 9, brought 80,000 tulip bulbs from the Netherlands to San Francisco as a celebration of both International Women’s Day and Dutch-American relations.

friends’ bouquets and all the people with their friends,” Brooke said. “It was really nice, just a happy moment. Some of the weather has been sad lately, but today was nice.”

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Once the people are in the field, everybody’s just smiling because that’s what flowers do. They make people happy.

Around 40,000 people waited to receive free tulips, with some arriving as early as 5 a.m. Marking the sixth year of this tradition, various San Francisco public figures like District Attorney Brooke Jenkins began their speeches thanking their Dutch co-organizers around noon. Head of Communications for the San Francisco Netherlands Consulate Sietze Vermeulen said the tulips symbolized Dutch-American relations.

“The bulbs come from the Netherlands, but they grow here in California,” Vermeulen said. “It’s a great example of collaboration between two nations, and the beautiful flowers and events are the result of it.”

Although some spectators found the long wait tiring, Amy Handler, a first time visitor to Tulip Day, said she enjoyed the atmosphere.

Not only do the tulips brighten the community, but they also help revitalize the struggling Union Square economy. The once-popular shopping district steeply declined in recent years, with many businesses shuttering their doors in the post-pandemic downturn. Last month, Macy’s announced plans to close its store in the square. Tulip Day increases foot traffic in the area, potentially offsetting these effects.

“Especially now, Union Square

VICTORIA MA CULTURATOR FOUNDER “

Getting to share my embroidered works with other people keeps me motivated to embroider because I see how happy it makes other people

“Music and dance are an important part of our courses because we don’t only teach language,” Garcia said. “We teach culture, and we teach history, and we teach literature altogether. Students need to put a context to the language since just knowing grammar and vocabulary is not enough. It’s one way to teach the language right.”

Sophomore Victoria Ma embroiders and crafts bookmarks with traditional Chinese designs as part of her non-profit, Culturator. To her, embroidery is not only a cherished connection to her grandmother but also a means to help others reflect on their roots.

“I learned embroidery with my grandma, who I’m very close with,” Victoria said. “Getting to share my embroidered works with other people keeps me motivated to embroider because I see how happy it makes other people, and I love sharing my culture with other people.”

“I like seeing everybody come out together and get some free flowers,” Amy said. “I’m excited to see what all the hype is about, and it always looks so pretty when people post it on social media. Everyone’s just in really happy spirits despite the really long lines.

is having some challenges, but Tulip Day is here,” Vermeulen said. “People come for Tulip Day, and they go shopping and have some nice food. That’s why it’s

COLLABORATION

METICULOUS

Harshini Chaturvedula (12) sings the akistani pop song “Pasoori” at the cultural showcase during culture week. She invited the audience to clap along.

MARGARET

CARTEE

(Top) Two visitors examine a white tulip. Visitors picked a total of eight tulips to create a bouquet. VIBRANT (Middle) A dog poses against a backdrop of brigh orange tulips. The event supplied red, orange, yellow, pink and white flowers.

(Bottom) A visitor pulls out a pink tulip. This year marked the sixth rendition of San Francisco Tulip Day.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A WOMAN?

In celebration of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, Harker Journalism reached out to our community and invited members to share their perspectives on the question, “What does it mean to be a woman?” We sought to amplify the voices of those within our own community, recognizing the essence of womanhood as multifaceted and deeply personal.

Through their voices, we delve into the complexities of womanhood, acknowledging the intersectionality of gender, sexuality and more. We welcome the opportunity to celebrate diversity and inclusivity within our community.

marjorie hazeltine

What is a woman? She is a body. She is a mind. She is a voice. She is a cluster of chemicals. She is long-haired or balding or bald altogether. She has all sorts of faces: plain, freckled, long-nosed, round-faced, chiseled, hairy or smooth. She might have a uterus or maybe she doesn’t. She might have glands that produce milk or maybe she doesn’t. She might want to be an astronaut or a chef or a model.

A category necessitates boundaries and qualifiers. And for many, many years, the idea of “woman” was restrained to one who could bear children, to one who had a certain hormonal profile, to one who was expected to stay in the home, to one who couldn’t vote or own property: to be controlled, managed, judged, scrutinized and frequently deemed unworthy.

And now, thankfully, the idea of “woman” has proliferated and morphed to such an extent that the word is barely able to (and maybe no longer can) hold the vastness and complexity of our lived experiences. So now, when someone asks me, “What is a woman?” my answers go on and on and on and on…

In sixth grade, I joined a small robotics team where we built an electric scooter. Attending the first meeting was one of the moments early in my life that I was hyper-aware of my perceived gender — standing as the only female-presenting person in a room of young boys. Even among girls, I never quite felt seen or included. With time, I realized that this largely resulted from my experience of womanhood differing from those of others, as I navigate the world as a genderfluid lesbian who happens to often be treated as a young woman.

For a long time, I resented being raised and percieved as a girl, as it meant being constantly undermined, underestimated and devalued in spaces maledominated. As I grew older, I realized it also led to rampant objectification and deepseated discomfort in my own body. It wasn’t until many years later that I began to celebrate my experience of being perceived as a young woman and learned the power contained in that.

The greatest influences that have shaped my life, particularly in my formative years, have been from the presence of strong women: my grandmother, my aunts, my mother, and my sister. Among them, my grandmother stood as a beacon of wisdom, firmness, strength and tenderness. Emulating her became my initial understanding of womanhood.

My womanhood encapsulates a sense of pride in fulfilling diverse roles.

In Indian mythology, the depiction of Devi (female divinity) like Kali and Shakti with multiple arms symbolizes the multifaceted nature of women, capable of embodying numerous roles and responsibilities simultaneously. To me, my womanhood encapsulates a sense of pride in fulfilling diverse roles and taking on many forms such as daughter, wife, mother, aunt, sister and especially motherhood, which is my most rewarding experience.

Surrounded by the gleeful giggles of students, I search for my sisters at the lower school. I spot one instantly, her confidence radiating. Next, I scan the sidewalk to find my tween sibling. Eager to head to tennis, where she will spend ages practicing and perfecting before middle school tryouts. Sometimes I wonder how I’m older than her as I admire her discipline.

abigail sachse

As I’m attached to one sister and following the other, my anger and stresses slowly melt. My sisters find joy in every moment, whether playing lava monster on the monkey bars or practicing volleys for their tennis matches. Watching them bloom into young women, I want to show my sisters what it means to succeed in a world where everyone tries to nudge me in one direction or another. I want to be the role model they can look up to and the rock they latch onto for support. And yet, the more they grow, the more I find myself learning from them in a way that I never expected.

Our collective definition of gender has evolved in the last decade in positive ways. Gender is ours to explore, define and experience, a lifetime journey and not a singular assignment at birth. I identify as a cisgender lesbian and use she/ her pronouns, but categorical labels can be limiting. What I have come to believe about being a woman is that it is a complex and lived individual experience.

donna gilbert

Our collective definition of gender has evolved in the last decade in positive ways.

Defiantly tomboyish for most of my childhood, my mother reacted equally defiantly. While shopping, I would gravitate to the men’s/boy’s clothing, find some items, and my mom would replace them and walk me over the women’s/ girl’s section. This journey played out internally and externally throughout my life; the gender identity that felt authentic was shameful. It took time to find the perfect balance for me and allow for missteps along the way.

anu datar

fern biswas

SPRINGING INTO SPRING

Celebrating cultural festivals of the new season

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It allows a lot of families to come together and celebrate.

- Reshma Kosaraju (12)

In the season of fresh starts, the world blossoms with the arrival of spring, cultures around the globe uniting to celebrate traditions of vibrant colors and rich traditions.

RAMADAN

Millions across the world turned to the sky tonight, awaiting the first sighting of the new crescent moon. As the pale white glow emerged from the clouds and replaced the setting sun, cheers erupted, and people rushed to make preparations for Ramadan.

Ramadan, the holiest month in the Muslim calendar, will take place this year from Mar. 10 to Apr. 9. Over the thirty days, those who are physically able will fast from sunrise to sunset, fulfilling one of the five pillars of Islam, sawm.

Sophomore Judi Abdelrazik, who fasts every Ramadan, speaks to hurdles for observant, fasting students at Harker. “It’s always been really easy for me, prayers and fasting, until [high school],” Judi said. “With a lot more schoolwork, it’s harder to pray taraweeh at night. With tests, I have to fast accordingly. Tests take priority over fasting, because I can’t retake tests.”

Upper school English teacher and diversity leader Susanne Salhab recommended students communicate with teachers regarding these challenges.

“Teachers should let their students know that if anyone plans to fast Ramadan they should reach out to their instructors,” Salhab said. “If a Muslim student comes forward, teachers could ask how they could best support the student during

From an explosion of colors with Holi, a month of community and compassion with Ramadan, a welcoming of a new year with Nowruz and a festival of deliverance and unity for Purim, these celebrations serve as a reminder of the diversity that our beautiful community celebrates.

Spring into spring with our exploration of the cultural and religious holidays around our campus.

Across cultures, this season is heralded as a time of renewal, symbolizing hope, growth and the opportunity for positive change within us and our communities.

Community shares personal Ramadan experiences

the month and perhaps consider allowing fasting students to take assessments in the morning and offer some leniency.”

The month contains many significant Muslim events in the Muslim calendar, like Laylat al-Qadr, the “Night of Power.” The holiday, which occurs midway through the time period of Ramadan, commemorates the day Gabriel revealed the Quran to the Prophet Muhammed. Salhab said she celebrated Laylat al-Qadr for the first time while living in Jerusalem in as a junior in high school.

Ramadan culminates with Eid alFitr on the final day of fasting, one of the most important holidays in the Islamic calendar. People celebrate Eid differently all over the world, but common themes center around community, family and charity, a pillar of Islam. Muslim Students Association Co-President Reza Jalil (12) celebrates Eid each year.

“It’s more than a family, it’s a community event,” Reza said. “A lot of these people we only meet at events like these, so it’s really fun to get to see them. After all the fasting, and all the hardship, you get to celebrate together. Everyone is always looking forward to the party.” Visit harkeraquila.com for full article.

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If a Muslim student comes forward, teachers could ask how they could best support the student during the month.

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After all the fasting, and all the hardship, you get to celebrate together. Everyone is always looking forward to the party.

SUSANNE SALHAB UPPER SCHOOL ENGLISH TEACHER

katerina matta

ananya sriram

HOLI

ananya sriram & vika gautham

As spring blooms across India, vibrant hues dance in the air, marking the arrival of Holi, the festival of colors. Water sprays throughout the air, and colored-powder, or gulal, dusts white garments. Amidst laughter and joy, communities gather to celebrate the ancient Hindu festival.

Holi, a time-honored tradition deeply rooted in Hindu mythology, marks the victory of good over evil and the onset of spring. Observed primarily in India and Nepal, it’s a day where people of all backgrounds come together to revel in the kaleidoscope of colors.

The festivities begin with the Holika Dahan, named after an evil demon, where bonfires are lit to symbolize the triumph of virtue. On the main day of Holi, streets transform into a riot of colors as people smear each other with bright powders

PURIM

Hindus celebrate religious festival ‘Holi’ with colored powder and food

called gulal and splash water, spreading joy. Traditional sweets like sweet dumplings called gujiya and spiced milk, or thandai, add to the festivities, creating an atmosphere of indulgence and unity.

“Like a lot of other Hindu festivals, it allows a lot of families to come together and celebrate a common occasion and usually the way they do this is by throwing colored powder,” Reshma Kosaraju (12) said.

As an annual tradition, Harker is hosting a Holi celebration at 3:30 p.m. on Friday behind Nichols. The event, only available to upperclassmen, was organized by the newly-formed Indian Student Association, advised by upper school mathematics teacher Dr. Anu Aiyer. The group is also planning other future cultural events such as a Bollywood movie night.

Purim is a festival of joy, as the Jewish faith celebrates Queen Esther’s courageous spirit in saving the Jewish people from mass execution by their Persian rulers.

Mordecai, Esther’s cousin and her guardian, refused to bow down to Haman, an official in the empire of Persia, which led to Haman’s hatred towards the entire Jewish population living in in the area. With pressure from Haman, King Ahasuerus approved a decree on the execution of the Jewish people on the 13th of Adar.

Esther, who became queen under Ahasuerus’ rule, risks her life for the Jewish nation and speaks out about Haman’s evil plans to eradicate the Jews. With some convincing, Ahasuerus orders Haman to be hanged in place of Mordecai, who becomes promoted to a position within the king’s court.

‘Purim’ celebrates joy of Jews and honors Queen Esther

The day serves as a victory for the Jewish people, and centuries later, we celebrate Purim in their name.

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Such a profound story left a mark on my identity, and I learned to be proud of who I am.

SARA GLUSMAN (11) JEWISH AFFINITY GROUP CO-FOUNDER

“Purim has always been one of the most special holidays to me because of all the fond memories I have celebrating it. I remember in Sunday school every year relearning the story of a strong Jewish

woman, Esther, who would not leave her community behind,” Jewish Affinity Group Co-Founder Sara Glusman (11) said. “Such a profound story left a mark on my identity and I learned to be proud of who I am.

During Purim, Jews often read from the Book of Esther, commemorating her courage and bravery. Whenever Haman’s name is mentioned throughout the reading, it is customary to make banging or stomping noises as a way of showing the Jewish people’s hatred towards Haman.

DEFINITION

Hamantaschen (n): Threecornered baked cookies served during the ceremonial meal.

For the ceremonial meal, plates of three-cornered baked cookies called Hamantaschen, or in Hebrew, oznei Haman, sit atop the table. The Hebrew

name translates into ‘Haman’s ears’, and so the baked goods’ shape and meaning correspond to the scene of Haman’s hanging.

PERSIAN NEW YEAR

Iranians across the globe joined in the celebration of “Nowruz,” the Persian New Year, on March 19. Nowruz celebrates the spring equinox, 8:06 p.m. this year, which heralds a year a year full of promise and renewal. More than 300 million people participate in this 3,000-year-old festival. Although celebrations vary from country to country, common traditions include spring cleaning, family

‘Nowruz’ commemorates spring and rebirth

reunions, gift exchanges and a dinner of “Sabzi Polo ba Mahi,” herb rice with fish.

Nowruz has also changed in recent years to reflect the political tensions in Iran, with women’s celebratory dancing becoming a symbol of defiance against the patriarchal society.

A highlight of Nowruz is the preparation of the “Haft-Sin” table. HaftSin, meaning “Seven S’s,” refers to the arrangement of seven items starting with the Farsi letter “Sin” on a table, each symbolizing hopeful wishes for the coming year.

This tradition encapsulates the essence of Nowruz, celebrating the cycle of life and the rebirth that the new year brings. The items typically displayed on a Haft-Sin table include symbols like “seeb” (apple) for beauty, “seer” (garlic) for health and “serkeh” (vinegar) for age and fertility.

While these seven items are central to the Haft-sin setup, families often add

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personal touches with additional elements like “mahee” (goldfish), symbolizing life, or “ayeneh” (mirror), symbolizing truth and self-reflection.

ariana goetting

emma milner

COLOR SHOW Seniors from the class of 2023 celebrate Holi during last year’s Harker Holi event.

Goetting’s (12) family members gather to celebrate Persian New Year.

five friday

Toilet-bowl part two: Ranking school bathrooms from a girl’s perspective

kinnera mulam

True love? Couples should dump dating shows

main front desk (left)

While this bathroom itself is perfect due to its ideal amount of lighting, ample space and lack of a musty smell, there is one major flaw: the button for the door. Although I appreciate having a button for improved accessibility, it’s a little awkward waiting for the doors to close while people walk by, especially in a busy building.

shah

Because the Shah building is so far out of the way from the center of campus, these bathrooms are often empty, and as a result, are also usually clean. However, the Shah restroom’s upside is also its downfall as the building is too far away to use frequently.

upstairs dobbins

The upstairs Dobbins bathrooms are what I would deem the cleanest bathrooms on campus. Additionally, these stalls are typically empty as more students use the ones on the first level of the building. The one major con of this restroom is that its location can’t be easily accessed since it’s on the second floor of the building.

rpac

The RPAC bathrooms are both spacious, extremely clean and as an extra benefit, the bathroom stalls are separate from the sink. However, this bathroom frequently smells musty, a deciding factor that placed it in second place.

5 4 3 2 1

main front desk (right)

Coming in first place, the rightmost individual bathroom near the front desk in Main takes the cake for its perfect lighting, large amount of room and accessible location in the center of campus. Whether I’m looking for the right place to touch up in the day or need an easily accessible area to use the restroom, this bathroom serves its purpose everytime.

charlize wang

One word. Four letters. A world of meaning behind it. For some, it’s embodied in their high school classmate, admired secretly from across the classroom. For others, it’s sought through online dating apps and direct messaging on social media platforms. And when conventional methods fail, some fall for the allure of reality dating shows: a spectacle of drama and competition that promises the elusive dream of finding true love. Except, there’s one small catch — this “true love” rarely lasts.

Capturing the attention of viewers across the world, dating shows have risen in popularity due to the endless petty drama, emotional conversations and of course, countless swoon-worthy moments. The seemingly perfect relationships appear too good to be true and in most cases, they are. In fact, popular American dating shows like “Love Island” and “Too Hot to Handle” have yet to produce a couple lasting over one year, which is ironic

considering these programs promise the discovery of true love.

Contestants on dating shows spend every moment of their day with their potential partner in an isolated, paradiselike environment, leading them to grow detached from the realities of the outside world. After transitioning from

The short duration of dating shows prevents participants from genuinely learning about their love interests

this secluded setting back to their daily lives, couples struggle to balance their newfound relationships with everyday responsibilities and challenges, leading seemingly strong relationships to crumble.

The return to reality also poses another question: can love endure the distance? Looking at the common trend

among previous dating show couples, the answer — more often than not — is no. For American dating shows, staying together after the show proves particularly difficult given the sheer expanse of the country. Couples often struggle with long distance and remain unwilling to move for one another for a plethora of reasons, ranging from wanting to stay close to their family to simply feeling that their partner is not worth the sacrifice. Again, couples’ unwillingness to accommodate one another testifies to the ineffectiveness of these dating programs, as they shelter contestants from real-world issues like long-distance dating.

The short duration of reality dating shows further heightens the fragility of the relationships, preventing participants from genuinely learning about their love interests and instead only allowing for surface level conversations. Such an approach also forces contestants to choose their partners based on superficial details like physical attraction.

Visit harkeraquila.com for full article.

“Integrity, truth should come before personal gain or fame”

mihir kotbagi

Science, long held as the epitome of truth and objectivity, is facing an integrity crisis, with a growing number of retractions calling into question the reliability of published research and shaking the foundations of trust upon which science is built.

In 2023 alone, over 10,000 research papers were withdrawn, setting a new global record. Journals subject papers to stringent review processes facilitated by expert peer reviewers, but many errors still manage to slip through the cracks due to inattentive editors, threatening to damage the reputation of other legitimate scientific research.

Science’s reputation hinges on the fact that it is perceived as objective. The scientific method is based on a system in which everyone involved seeks the truth as opposed to superficial headlines.

While science as a branch of knowledge is exact and objective, those who practice it are far more fallible. This human element is not just a side effect but a crucial component of scientific progress. Without the unique insights and creative thinking of researchers, there would be no innovation or discovery.

The scientific method cannot be carried out by machines and algorithms, but that also means that imperfections and biases will be present.

Problems arise when researchers are unable to find the results they are looking for. The scientific method would suggest that they should report a nonresult and continue investigating the topic. However, scientific publications are

The entire scientific method is based on a system in which everyone involved seeks the truth as opposed to flashy headlines. “

far less likely to publish “null” findings, meaning that fabricating results becomes a tempting option. Furthermore, tenuretrack researchers often have a “publish or perish” mentality due to career progression and funding being tied to output, further incentivizing data mischaracterization.

One case that exemplifies this issue is Andrew Wakefield’s notorious retracted paper linking the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine to

autism in children. This paper led to widespread chaos as it shook the public’s trust in vaccines and the larger medical establishment, showing how twisted and inaccurate data can deeply impact the scientific community.

A CLOSER LOOK Over 10,000 research papers were withdrawn in 2023 due to questions of academic integrity.

FROM LOVE TO LOSS

The superficial focus of dating shows leads to weak relationships that crumble after the show ends.

Editors-in-Chief

News Editors

Editorial: Careless driving endangers community

Edward Huang Ananya Sriram Shareen Chahal

Felix Chen Andrew Liang

Assistant News Editors Janam Chahal Gabe Sachse Jonathan Szeto

Features Editors

Hima Thota Vika Gautham

Assistant Features Editors Minal Jalil Kairui Sun

A&E/Lifestyle Editors

Alison Yang Young Min

Assistant A&E/Lifestyle Editors

Emma Li Suhani Gupta

Opinions Editors Isabella Lo Jessica Wang

Assistant Opinions Editors

Charlize Wang Disha Gupta Mia Tang

STEM Editors Claire Zhao Victor Gong

EDITORIAL:THE OFFICIALOPINION OFTHEWINGED POST

Tiffany Zhu Eva Cheng Claire Yu

Assistant Photo/Multimedia Editor Charlie Wang

Copy Editor Saahil Herrero

Jeremy Peng

Assistant Copy Editors Mendy Mao Jessica Hu

Sports Columnist

Gabe Sachse Managing Editors

Adviser Whitney Huang, CJE

Aquila Editors-in-Chief Ella Yee Alena Suleiman

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 Ariana Goetting Kinnera Mulam

Humans of Harker Managing Editors

Michelle Wei

Sidak Sanghari

Jonathan Xue

Humans of Harker Profilers Aryana Bharali

Ella Guo Vivek Moorjani

The

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

NSPA

NSPA

Each weekday, the final school bell chimes at 3 p.m. Within minutes, students flood Harker’s loading zones, and traffic slows while cars fill the exit lanes. As the traffic lights switch to green, a turning car suddenly merges onto the highway, almost clipping a passing car.

An email sent to all students by Dean of Students Kevin Williamson on Feb. 26 highlighted this near-collision at the Saratoga Avenue intersection. In recent months, similar incidents repeatedly occurred at the intersection, representing a larger trend of irresponsible driving within the Harker community.

Last-minute merges at the entrance before school or improper turns onto the highway and Saratoga Avenue as students and parents leave school constitute a danger to the community. With only one entrance and exit to campus, drivers often make unsafe decisions to save time. Heavy

traffic due to the proximity of I-280, as well as the high volume of inexperienced student drivers and pedestrians at the intersection further contribute to the danger.

According to a Google Form shared with the Harker upper school community on March 7, 25.9% of the 108 student and staff respondents reported seeing “irresponsible driving” “frequently,” with 38.9% selecting “sometimes.” Although careless driving does not always result in accidents, it creates unnecessary risk for our school community.

Addressing driving and traffic issues at Harker requires a two-pronged approach. We must emphasize to students, staff and parents that they bear a responsibility to keep our community safe. In practice, however, this approach largely fails, with accidents and nearmisses like that of the Feb. 26 email continuing to occur. Structured support like monitoring improper driving and

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

Dear readers, welcome to the fifth issue of the Winged Post for this year! As the seasons change, flowers bloom and we approach a time of fresh starts, so does Winged Post leadership — the next issue will be led by a new team of designers and writers as journalism transitions to new roles for the next academic year.

a peek at our opinions piece on what it means to be a woman or read our advice column on identity and culture. For a more lighthearted topic, learn about holidays celebrated at Harker via our doubletruck piece on Spring celebrations or read a rerun of our campus bathroom rankings.

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 Sports Editors Emma

We hope you all enjoyed reading our spring-inspired issue, with hues of green and pink to brighten up the pages before you. As we close off our time on the publication and embrace a season of change, we bring to you a series of meaningful pieces that highlight fresh starts and celebrating our community. Focusing on the theme of identity, take

Thank you for your support over the past year — whether you voiced your story in an interview or simply took some time to flip through our paper. Your feedback and reception has been a guiding light in our journey to improve the paper, one story at a time. We hope you show the same support to our rising leadership team and welcome them with open arms. As always, feel free to send your feedback to harkeraq@gmail.com or scan the QR code to the right.

Signing out, this has been your 202324 Winged Post leadership team.

clear communication about protocol from our administration will help make our campus environment safer for all.

20.3% of surveyed respondents said in an optional free response that parents seem to be the ones driving the most irresponsibly. Creating a more rigorous system that monitors instead of just directing traffic at the entrance, where drivers tend to make the most last-minute maneuvers, could diminish the frequency of these incidents by holding parents accountable.

Further, mandating a tailored drivers’ orientation for students that clarifies driving courtesy and traffic rules at the Saratoga Avenue intersection will ensure our student drivers are educated about driving protocol within campus. Steps like adding markings to divide the loading zone into more efficient lanes or ensuring the stop signs are not covered by shrubbery can improve clarity about traffic flow.

NEWS A2: “varisty” should be “varsity” in kicks for cancer caption

NEWS A4: “servicemember” should be “service member” in photo caption

OPINIONS A9: error in second paragraph of editorial

STEM A10: “native” should be “native american”

FEATURES B2: “homeschooled student” should be “former homeschooled student”

FEATURES B2: “SeniorTrisha” should be “Senior Trisha”

LIFESTYLE B8: “Ashley” should be “Ashley Mo (10)”

SPORTS B10: “electrical muscle stimulator” should be “electric muscle stimulator”

editorial board

AISHANI SINGH

CHARLIE WANG

lily shi & mihir kotbagi

NEW GENETIC MARKERS

Genomic survey uncovers new variants

The All of Us Research Program Genomic Investigators revealed on Feb. 19 that their longitudinal study discovered millions of previously unknown genetic variants connected to common medical conditions. This research is particularly important due to its focus on studying population segments that are underrepresented in medical research. Researchers noted that the lack of access to diverse datasets meant that many people made health-related decisions without comprehensive information. This data has the potential to improve treatment and care for those suffering ailments ranging from diabetes to Crohn’s disease.

FINDING ASTROID PROPERTIES

NASA’s DART mission unveils astroid traits

Researchers at NASA published a paper on Feb. 26 announcing that the 2021 DART (Double Asteroid Redirection Test) mission managed to dent the asteroid Dimorphos in addition to dramatically shifting its orbit. The DART mission served as a test run for the system meant to deflect celestial objects headed toward Earth, and it was highly successful. By measuring the ejecta, which is the plume of debris emanating from the impact site, scientists determined many of Dimorphos’s properties, including density and cohesive strength.

EAST COAST SINKING

Land on U.S. East Coast is gradually sinking

Scientists at Virginia Tech’s Earth Observation and Innovation Lab found that many parts of the U.S. East Coast are sinking, posing a further threat to coastal areas in addition to melting ice and rising sea levels, in a paper published in Nature on Feb. 28. The researchers used satellite data and ground-based sensors to study the movement of coastal land to confirm that land in major cities like New York, Baltimore and Virginia subsided by 1 to 2 millimeters per year, while land in other counties in Delaware, Maryland, South Carolina and Georgia sank at double or triple that rate. Additionally, 8 percent of coastal forests have been displaced due to sinking land and saltwater intrusion.

GALACTIC WAVE IS “WAVING”

Radcliffe wave is found to oscillate

Astronomers at the Center for Astrophysics at Harvard & Smithsonian (CfA) published a report on Feb. 19 that found that the Radcliffe Wave, a chain of dense gas clouds in the Milky Way stretching about 9,000 light years, not only resembles a wave but also behaves like one, similar to the “wave” seen in stadiums of fans. The Radcliffe Wave creates clusters of stars in the spiral arm, an arm-shaped region of stars, where Earth is located. Researchers analyzed the motion of stars born in the Radcliffe Wave through new data from the European Space Agency’s Gaia and innovative mapping techniques. Visit harkeraquila.com for full article.

Alabama IVF ruling sparks discourse

The Alabama Supreme Court issued a ruling on February 16th, 2024, that declared that embryos used in the medical process of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) should be considered as children. The ruling raised concerns across the nation on the ability to carry out treatments like IVF. If embryos are to be considered children, steps in the process of IVF, such as pre-implantation genetic testing and embryo transfer, become a legal liability.

There’s the reality of what that technology is doing. It is providing people with access to science that will enable them to have a family.

ERIC JOHNSON BIOLOGY TEACHER

Biology teacher Eric Johnson elaborated upon what the process of IVF offers to families.

“I’m talking to you about this point of view as a detached scientist,” Johnson said. “I think that point of view is important to capture. If you have the ability to access that treatment, those families can have a child. Oftentimes those families, prior to them seeking IVF, were not finding success in starting a family.”

The ruling by the Alabama Supreme Court invokes the ever-expanding conflict of science and medicine versus government authority. In this specific case, Alabama’s Supreme Court has now hindered families from being able to access the precise and rigorously studied process of IVF, which provides them with the possibility of having a child.

“There’s two things going on,” Johnson said. “There’s the state of Alabama issuing a policy to its constituents that says don’t do this. And then there’s the reality of what that technology is doing. That technology is providing people with access to science that will enable them to have a family.”

AP Government teacher Carol Green offered an additional perspective on why government ruling may frequently come into conflict with scientists in the U.S.

“We don’t have a lot of scientists sitting in legislative seats,” Green said. “We have a lot of people who have been elected from a variety of walks of life, who are legislating without that same background and knowledge.”

The long, rigorous process of IVF contains several steps. At every point in the treatment, quality checks of the eggs and the embryos provide insight into the chances of a successful treatment.

Visit harkeraquila.com for full article.

SOURCE: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

FACILITATING FERTILIZATION Approximately one in six couples face problems with fertility, motivating alternative options to conception such as in-vitro fertilization. California currently leads the U.S. in infants born through IVF, over 11,000 in 2024.

Building boundaries with bioethics

ILLUSTRATIONS BY ANANYA SRIRAM

Throughout history, scientists have utilized many different methods to expand the human understanding of how nature operates. These processes have helped cure diseases, discover species and map DNA. Yet questions and concerns about the inhumane nature of experiments often

arise. The Biomedical Ethics elective, or simply Bioethics, is taught by biology teacher Dr. Thomas Artiss and serves to analyze these scenarios and promote critical thinking among students.

The story behind the class began three years ago when Food Science and Marine Biology, two biology electives, were discontinued. Dr. Artiss had been

thinking about teaching an elective, so he offered to teach Bioethics as a new elective. Aside from this year, he plans to offer the class next year as well.

Before diving into the biological side of bioethics, students first learn how to approach and answer ethical questions and are also introduced to basic ethical principles. Next, students explore various bioethical topics such as the use of animals and humans in research, reproductive technologies and revival of extinct species.

“There’s a heavy emphasis on a lot of reproductive biology this year because of the recent Supreme Court decisions including the State Supreme Court in Alabama,” Dr. Artiss said. “Sometimes there are issues that are timely and topical and so we’ll pivot and discuss those that we might not might not have focused on very much or at all in previous years.”

Bioethics classes usually consist of group discussions touching on various ethical topics and principles. Dr. Artiss starts each class with a daily ethical dilemma, which he projects on the board as a warm-up for students to ponder. Then, he moves into more detailed case studies to bolster students’ understanding of a concept through a real-world lens.

Visit harkeraquila.com for full article.

CASE STUDY Biology teacher Thomas Artiss engages his Bioethics class in a group discussion on a bioethical case study. Before diving into the biology, students first learn how to approach and answer ethical questions.

victor gong & claire zhao

CLAIRE ZHAO

hima thota

REAL IMPACT U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra listens to the story of IVF patient Stephanie Perry, who has a 3-year-old son because of IVF. The Alabama ruling directly impacts many people who are now unable to have a child.

Blooming from the STEM: Pulses of change

Simar Bajaj (‘20) covers stigmatized diseases with medical journalism

desiree luo & claire zhao

When Simar Bajaj (‘20) penned an article for the Boston Globe in 2022, he explained how pulse oximeters overestimated bloodoxygen for patients with darker skin and made them less likely to receive treatment for COVID-19. One year later, plaintiffs aiming to preserve affirmative action cited his article in a Supreme Court brief.

Simar has written for the Guardian, NPR and the Washington Post while studying chemistry and the history of science at Harvard. From recounting pig heart transplants to covering lung cancer in underprivileged neighborhoods, his work aims to destigmatize commonly misunderstood diseases.

“We live in a time where facts are under attack, and the foundation of science itself is being questioned,” Simar said. “We saw this during the pandemic with the scope of hesitancy over masks, vaccines and other public health tools. Why I write is to address some of these misconceptions.”

As a child, Simar wanted to become a physician. When he was nine years old, his uncle, who served in the United States

“

I was deeply struck by the beauty of the physician’s beliefs. I wanted to follow my uncle’s footsteps and live up to those ideals.

SIMAR BAJAJ (‘20) MEDICAL JOURNALIST

Air Force as a physician, was deployed to Afghanistan. Over Skype, Simar learned his uncle treated al-Qaeda and Taliban

members in addition to Americans.

“I was like, ‘Why are you treating the bad guys?’” Simar said. “His response was so simple and so beautiful. It was, ‘Simar, as a doctor, I’m treating whoever is in front of me. It’s not about good or bad. It’s about the fact that they’re human.’ I was deeply struck by the beauty of the physician’s beliefs. I wanted to follow my uncle’s footsteps to be a physician and live up to those ideals.”

Simar also discovered a knack for explaining concepts. In fifth grade, he distributed copies of his study guides to friends prior to tests. During recess, they sat in a circle to review the guides together.

“It sounds like the nerdiest thing you can imagine,” Simar said. “But that was

sort of fun, how we studied and created a community in a weird, nerdy kind of way.”

Despite these impressions, Simar moved his study guides online in middle and high school. Many Harker students still use his “SimarGuides,” which compile material for over twenty courses on a shared Google document.

Simar also ran a blog updated every two weeks with thousand-word articles about topics in medicine.

“Probably only two people would read it, and one of them might have been my mom,” he said. “But the point was not so much about the blog having traction. It was a way for me to hone my explanatory abilities more than anything else.”

Visit harkeraquila.com for full article.

NVIDIA’s record earnings call solidifies successes

victor gong & mihir kotbagi

With artificial intelligence advancing at a rapidly increasing rate, the demand for processing power has become higher than ever. That’s where graphic processing units (GPUs) come in, able to perform calculations on large datasets simultaneously which makes it especially useful in training AI models. They are also the driving force behind the success of semiconductor company NVIDIA as well as its recent stock boom.

They reported fourth quarter revenue that exceeded analyst predictions by over 10%, despite Wall Street already expecting massive growth from the tech giant. Compared to Q4 2022, their net income increased by over 700%, owing largely to high demand for their high-performance

computing chips. In particular, the GH100, one of the most capable AI chips for servers contributed to strong sales.

NVIDIA holds a virtual monopoly in the high-performance GPU market, so they are able to exert pricing pressure on their customers. Their gross profit margins have risen from just over 60% last January to nearly 80% as of the earnings call, revealing the extent of their market power.

Sophomore and tech enthusiast Sahil Jain has purchased NVIDIA’s graphics cards, and he feels that their unique innovations really set them apart from rivals like Intel and AMD.

“No one else really is competing with NVIDIA because they’re just the highest up and they have the best technology,” said Sahil. “There’s a lack of competition since other companies are so far behind compared to them in the AI game and the

Regeneron Q&A with Michelle Wei

victor gong

Q: When and how did you get started on your project?

PROVIDED BY SIMAR BAJAJ

GPU game. NVIDIA is really the only good seller, and that’s allowed them to get so big.”

NVIDIA GPUs are especially unique compared to competitors such as AMD. Hardware and chips built into each processing unit are extremely fast, and users can also customize their GPUs, tailoring the internal settings to specific applications. This feature contributes to the versatility of NVIDIA’s product, adding optimizations that can speed up processing. Upper school economics teacher Dean Lizardo comments on how AI may impact the technology industry in the future.

“

I think you will see tech find a way to make many, many use cases out of AI. It’s just a matter of time.

DEAN LIZARDO ECONOMICS TEACHER

“As AI continues to grow, my guess is that you’re going to see a lot of industries or a lot of businesses crop up to try and fill this gap if there is any,” he said. “And so, I think you will see tech find a way to make many, many use cases out of AI. It’s just a matter of time.”

Visit harkeraquila.com for full article.

A: “I started my project around January last year, like January 2023, and I was doing it at a math research program called PRIMES USA run by MIT.”

Q: How long did it take you to finish the project?

A: “It’s hard to estimate, but I think I was working on it very consistently week after week, and PRIMES is a year long research program.”

Q: What did you do in your research?

A: “My research is on something called second order cone programming, which is a type of mathematical optimization. What I did was develop a faster algorithm to solve a second order cone problem.”

Q: What is one of your favorite moments in your Regeneron research journey?

A: “I think the week long event that they had for the finalists was super memorable.”

Q: What’s one tip that you would offer to other students who are interested in research?

A: “This doesn’t just apply to research but in general, don’t be afraid to set big goals because you can really surprise yourself with what you’re capable of.”

INNOVATIVE INSIGHT Simar Bajaj (‘20) accepts the Foreign Press Association’s 2022 Science Story of the Year Award for his insightful story on pig to human heart transplants.

SOURCE: STATISTA, DATACENTERDYNAMICS

Are you plagued with allergies?

victor gong & claire

zhao

Watery eyes, sneezes and itchy rashes. With springtime dawning upon us, allergy season is back once more, filling classrooms with nose blowing and emptying tissue boxes. So what are the causes of these irritating symptoms? Allergies mainly occur when some foreign substance, like dust and pollen, enters the body through inhalation, ingestion or physical contact. When the immune system detects this allergen, it produces antibodies like immunoglobulin E, and releases the signaling chemical histamine to combat this seemingly threatening intruder. This overreaction can inflame the airways, sinuses and skin, resulting in increased mucus production as well as itchy red spots.

“

The one that we see most often in the nurse’s office is seasonal allergies, wihch is allergies to pollen.

DEBRA NOTT DIRECTOR OF HEALTH SERVICES

“

Since many common allergies like wheat or fish appear in so many foods, it requires making a lot of dietary adjustments and careful choices.

Energy use sparks climate concern

Overconsumption of electricity amps emissions

ashley mo & claire zhao

JUSTIN CHEN (12) PUBLIC HEALTH CLUB CO-PRESIDENT

“

I’m allergic to so many things, so my doctor recommended allergy shots. I want to be a vet so I’m trying not to be allergic to everything, including animals.

utilize “rolling blackouts,” or purposeful power shutoffs, because of the high demand of electricity. In California, rolling blackouts are almost routine, as there is a shortage of power needed to keep electricity running. Upper school computer science teacher Marina Peregrino says that during the summer,

ALINE GRINSPAN (10) STUDENT

Debunking common social media beauty myths

social media. With social media feeds often filled with perfect faces and bodies, many turn to whatever means possible to appear more like these beautiful influencers. The prevalence of procedures and practices for physical enhancement has risen dramatically in recent years, in large part due to the wealth of knowledge and experience available through social media. Are these popular practices, many of which lack a medical basis, actually effective?

their drastic changes to their jawline in “glow-up” tutorials make mewing seem all the more infallible and accessible.

However, mewing lacks scientific credibility. Jawline and postural problems typically require surgery or orthodontics. Even if mewing were effective, its low impact means it would take years to more personal and thus trustworthy.

The dissemination of trends, such as “glass skin” or use of different active ingredients like retinol, creates a paradox of information. Retinol boomed in popularity at the start of the pandemic, advertised as a cure-all for everything from acne to discoloration. While products like retinol, masks and peels are beneficial for adult users, they are too severe for teenagers, the main targets of online

Dermatologists advise forgoing online influence and instead seeking professional consultation. Adolescents should focus on moisturizing products

winged post

Breaking ice, shattering barriers

Iris Wang chases victory through ten years of ice hockey

Wind whips at Iris Wang’s (10) face as she stickhandles the puck, deftly weaving through defenders. She glances at the scoreboard, Two Nations Tournament.

Iris’ team, the 16U AAA Girls San Jose Junior Sharks, recently traveled abroad to Toronto to participate in the tournament, facing elite North American teams. Not only did the Californian team compete against teams from Canada, where hockey champions most of its popularity, but they

Before the championship game, logistical challenges, such as rebooking flights to later dates, exacerbated the team’s nerves. But through the team’s camaraderie and teamwork both on and off the ice, the girls were able to come together and pave the way for their victory.

“When we went onto the ice, I felt everything just went away, and we just

I’ve learned hockey is the importance of teamwork. It’s okay to rely on other people and also when other people need me, I can lift them up. “

continued to play our game,” Iris said. “In the end, even through all the complications and all the stress, it was really worth it. It was a moment where we proved ourselves not only to our coaches and our parents, but also the teams in Canada who thought they would have easy wins over us. That moment of triumph — I don’t think I could ever forget that moment.”

Iris’s story first began at the age of six, when she joined a 6U (6 and under) girls San Jose Sharks hockey team. As her skills progressed, she joined a boys team when she was nine to experience a more competitive environment.

A few years later, she joined the highest level of competition within hockey, the girls 14U AAA team, or Tier 1. The key difference between men’s and women’s hockey comes down to the defensive play of body checking — where players forcefully use their upper body to try and steal the puck from their opponents. While this move is common in men’s hockey, it is considered an illegal move in female hockey teams.

“People usually associate hockey with a lot of hitting, violence and fighting,” Iris said. “But what I find really interesting is that in women’s hockey, a lot of it is more about the smaller techniques and more finesse. Shooting the puck, passing and skating isn’t really from your body and physicality.”

Stepping into the world of shoe culture

Wander

1984 revolutionized people’s perceptions of shoes and athletic endorsements, as their collaboration saw immediate success in their earliest releases of the Air Jordan sneaker line, an iconic collection still relevant and admired by many fans to this day. The Jordan Brand set the stage for future partnerships between NBA players and shoe companies, as virtually every

walls in every direction you look. Whether a casual customer or an avid collector, anyone is bound to discover a pair of shoes that fits their taste among the endless variety. But how and why did the realm of footwear reach its cult-like popularity and grow to such prominence?

The emergence of modern American sneaker culture owes much of its rise to the growing popularity of basketball footwear since the late 1900s, propelled by the influence of celebrity athletes such as Michael Jordan. Jordan’s groundbreaking partnership with Nike in

Yankees set to contend in 2024

New York, New York. Usually, it is a wonderful town for sports. For last year’s Yankees, though? Not so much. Coming off a 99-win season, the 2023 squad underperformed, missing the playoffs by seven games with an 82-80 record. For such a storied franchise, this paltry finish could not stand. Ahead of 2024, the Bronx Bombers now sit poised for a potential championship run, thanks to both the big and small moves made by the team’s front office.

THEN vs. NOW

the Yankees 2009 championship season compared to 2023

total bases

2,703

want to be able to run easily, make quick movements, and support yourself.”

Once sneakers cemented themselves as prized commodities in the general markets, the hobby of shoe collecting gained traction. Economics teacher Dean Lizardo had his first encounter with this fervor through Nike’s digital SNKRS app, where consumers purchase exclusive shoes available only for a limited time. Lizardo credits marketing tactics like artificial scarcity as main contributors to the popular demand for sneakers, and as an avid shoe collector himself, Lizardo points to his Nike Air Max 90s and his J. Balvin x Jordan 3s as some of his most cherished sneakers, as they showcase infrared orange hues and a sunset gradient pattern.

aesthetics are one aspect to consider, Haden values a shoe’s performance capabilities above all.

“I look for style of course,” Haden said. I want ones that look nice, but comfortability and traction are the most important things for me because you

The Yankees made their fair share of big-name splashes this winter. First and foremost, the team traded for Juan Soto, the young superstar who spent the past year playing for the San Diego Padres. Despite an underwhelming statistical performance with the team so far, onlookers expect Soto to have a big 2024.

“

In all honesty,

this

“I like what a lot of people would consider uglier shoes, ones that have strange colors or are really bright,” Lizardo said.

year’s Yankees team is no slam-dunk World Series winner; however, the skillful combination of big trades like Soto with smaller acquisitions teach an important lesson about patience.

The young outfielder fits perfectly into the New York lineup, providing muchneeded baserunners for a team that took an all-or-nothing approach in the past. Starting pitching also took a priority spot in the Yankees’ offseason strategy, with the return of Frankie Montas from injury after spending the entire last year out and the signing of Marcus Stroman.

midsole

COURT PURPLE This release pays tribute to Kobe Bryant’s two jersey numbers.

GRINCH The Nike Kobe 6 shoes released in 2010 now have a resell value of $3,000.

SKATES SECURED Iris Wang wears her full hockey uniform and tightens her skate’s laces.

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Athletes tackle concussion recovery

Watch out for these watches

You’re browsing the market for a sports watch. But which watch? And what even separates a sports watch from your standard wrist watch? Well, fear not. With our handy explainer, you’ll be a sports watch expert in no time. No more wishwashing over which watches.

Even as one of the oldest contenders on the sports watch market, the Garmin has managed to stay relevant among athletes. From accurate time and distance tracking to recording exercise history, the Garmin series provides all the necessary metrics of an athletics watch. Garmin’s user base consists primarily of runners due to specialized metrics, but athletes of all kinds can use a Garmin. If you’re looking for a versatile sports watch primarily for athletic activities, a Garmin may be the choice for you.

“

I like the Garmin because it accurately tracks my real-time pace when I’m running, and it’s also tracking distance.

EMILY BRYAN (10)

CROSS COUNTRY AND TRACK ATHLETE

Another option in the health watch market is the FitBit, offering more of a focus on general fitness than sports. The FitBit tracks measures like heart BPM, breathing rate and oxygen saturation, all useful for personal health. While less tuned for sports, the FitBit can still can measure athletic performance effectively. For those searching for a more minimalist watch, the FitBit may be what you’re looking for.

The Fitbit is good because of features like the health metrics and activity logging. “

and beginning the recovery process.

The most common symptoms for concussions include headaches,

“

Personally, the hardest part was trying to get out of bed each morning because I always felt tired.

ALICIA YAN (10)

CLUB BASKETBALL ATHLETE

two days to quicken her recovery.

“Personally, the hardest part was trying to get out of bed each morning

JONATHAN LI (9)

CROSS COUNTRY ATHLETE

The Apple Watch does not market itself solely as a fitness watch. With health features, athletes have turned to the Apple Watch as an alternative to traditional sports watches. Even providing the advanced athletics metrics that other sports watches provide, the Apple Watch remains a choice for any athlete.

To those hoping for a generalized watch that can serve fitness uses, the Apple Watch has the features provided.

“

Because the Apple Watch counts all your steps, it sometimes will encourage starting a workout.

WHITNEY

educate them about all these factors of concussions and are really encouraging teachers to take things away.”

Consumption of protein yields health benefits

New, innovative products with flashy branding line the shelves as buyers walk through the grocery store. Industrial-sized buckets of protein powder and bulk cases of protein shakes sit alongside protein cookies, protein pasta, protein cereal, and even protein tortilla chips.

As the latest diet that has taken the fitness industry, the high-protein diet skyrocketed in popularity for its claims of boosting metabolism and muscle mass. as the cure and wellness, “#protein” billion views

Today, 60% of adults report actively working towards increasing their protein intake, with 46% of Americans regularly consuming protein shakes and supplements. Protein, one of the essential macronutrients alongside carbohydrates and fat, is critical for cell and body growth. Since the body itself cannot be the sole contributor to these developments, nine of the 21 amino acids that make up protein must be accessed through an outside diet.

Consuming protein after a workout or sports practice helps build muscle, which not only increases one’s physical strength but also maintains bone health. Above all, weightlifting for adults is crucial for “healthy aging,” as the muscle helps with functional ability and mobility in daily environments.

Speech and debate teacher Greg Achten regularly utilizes Harker’s weight room during the morning, consuming a fair amount of protein before teaching his first class for the day.

“Once I started weightlifting, I started researching about the relationship between muscle development and protein,” Achten said. “That profoundly influenced the way that I thought about my diet and caused me to search for ways to increase my protein intake. So I've definitely found a very strong correlation between hypertrophy and protein intake.”

While failing to meet the dietary guidelines for daily protein intake can cause health concerns, such as a weakened immune system. In reality, though, most people are not at risk of under-consuming the food group. An average person in the US and Canada consumes 90 grams of protein per day, which is a fifth more than the recommended amount for an average adult, according to 2015 data from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization.

“Personally for me, I've always just instituted a well-balanced diet,” Business and Entrepreneurship teacher and frequent gym goer Juston Glass said. “It’s important to make sure that you're maintaining certain protein levels. It's typically about 1 g of protein per pound of body weight and that helps you to maintain the muscle and maximize your productivity and just be at optimal health.”

CONCUSSION SCHEDULE The steps of recovering from a concussion and returning to high school sports are labeled from left to right.

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katerina matta & kairui sun

24-21. Bellarmine, down three points, repeatedly hammers the ball across the court, willing it to the ground. Yet each gritty defensive touch by the black-clad Eagles somehow manages to return the ball across the net. Finally, the Bells miss wide on a set, ending the rally and sending the crowd into jubilant cheers. The Eagles win their first set of the 2024 volleyball season: the first set of many, team cocaptain Zachary Blue (12) hopes.

“After winning the CCS Championship last year, we hope to surpass our abilities this coming season,” Zachary said. “We’ve gotten so much better over the club season. Every practice I notice that our connections are getting so much better, whether it’s the setter setting to our pins or to our middles or just our passers getting better in serve receive.”

Sailing undefeated in league play, the team is a strong contender for a

“Our biggest goal as a team for this season is finding focus and our identity as a team. Once we have that down and can play as a unit, we’re gonna have a lot of success from that. When we come together, it’s really special.

deep playoff run in May. Four weeks ago, the Best of the West volleyball tournament invited the boys to San Diego to compete against the best high school teams in the country, where the Eagles went 3-3, led by Zachary and co-captain Spencer Mak (12).

“At Best of the West, we saw a lot of errors in ourselves through our losses and our wins as well since they weren’t always the cleanest,” Spencer said. “In the future, as we rise in the ranks and play tougher teams, they’ll push us exactly like the teams at Best of the West. Overall, going 3-3 was pretty big for us since we got the aspect of winning but also learned from those tough losses.”

Ranked first in the CIF central region and 15th in state, the boys wear a target on their backs going into the Bellarmine tournament on April 5. With hopes of reaching the Open Division of the CCS playoffs, in the face of the battles ahead, the team resolves to continue fighting, learning and growing their game.

EDIS MESIC (12) MIDDLE BLOCKER

DETONATE (TOP) Teammates Rahul Yalla (11) and Adrian Liu (12) react to outside hitter and cocaptain Zachary Blue’s kill. The swing pushed them ahead in the final set against Mountain View on March 22. POINT AND SHOOT (LEFTMOST) Setter and co-captain Adrian sets a tight ball. He successfully tricked the opposing middle blocker into anticipating an attack, leaving no blocker up for his hitter. ANGLE TO TARGET (LEFT) Libero Topaz Lee (10) receives a serve. This year marks his second season on varsity. BOW AND ARROW (MIDDLE LEFT) Middle blocker Edis Mesic (12) sets up to swing off of a quick set. The Eagles’ defensive presence against Mountain View on March 6 allowed them to create opportunities out of the middle. SHUT THE DOOR (MIDDLE RIGHT) Middle blocker Rahul Yalla (11) stretches to close the block. As a middle blocker, Rahul must defend against both outside hitters, middles and opposites. ON THE LINE (BOTTOM LEFT) Setter and co-captain Adrian Liu (12) stretches to complete the pass. When setters make the first contact, the libero typically steps in to set up the hitter. HUDDLE UP (BOTTOM RIGHT) Outsider hitter Liam Jeffers (11) listens to assistant coach Kevin Chamberlain during a timeout. The Eagles maintained momentum throughout the match to sweep Mountain View 25-17, 25-17, 25-20.