WINGED POST
THE HARKER SCHOOL
Nonprofit Org. US Postage PAID San Jose, CA Permit No. 2296
500 SARATOGA AVE.
SAN JOSE, CA 95129
THE UPPER SCHOOL STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF THE HARKER SCHOOL
500 SARATOGA AVENUE, SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA 95129
UPCOMING DATES SPIRIT KICKOFF SATURDAY, AUG. 26 LABOR DAY MONDAY, SEPT. 4
VOL. 25 NO. 1
FRIDAY, AUG. 25, 2023
Matriculation welcomes community to new school year
BACK TO SCHOOL SATURDAY, SEPT. 9
inside the
opinions ........... 10
features ............ 04
stem .................. 12
a&e/lifestyle ..... 06
sports ............... 14
Library construction delayed, receiving final repairs kinnera mulam
With the library construction continuing into the school year due to delays, students, faculty and staff will utilize Nichols Auditorium as a temporary quiet study space while reconstruction finishes. As the library undergoes additional repairs, the school awaits final inspections of the library to take place in the coming weeks, according to Head of Upper School Paul Barsky. Damage to the library occurred due to a tree falling from in front of Dobbins Hall on March 21.
Rise and shine: Class of 2024 attends Senior Sunrise kinnera mulam
The senior class gathered on Davis Field for Senior Sunrise from 6 to 6:45 a.m. on Monday. Harker provided donuts, fruit, yogurt and hot cocoa for students to enjoy as they watched the sunrise together. During the event, the class of 2024 also participated in bonding activities like decorating a class canvas. At 7 a.m., administration allowed students to either leave campus and return only when the school day began or stay on campus until the start of class at 8 a.m. Visit harkeraquila.com for full article.
Link Crew kicks off year with advisory meetings felix chen 48 members of Link Crew gathered on campus on Aug. 16 to undergo training, meet their Link Crew partners and eat lunch with their assigned advisers. Arriving at 11:30 a.m., Link Crew members gathered in Dobbins Hall to discuss their duties and the format of future meetings. Members of the leadership team then spoke about how to communicate with advisors and engage with advisories. Then, students ate lunch with their assigned advisers, getting to know each other and preparing for the year ahead.
TAKING AN OATH The class of 2027 recites the matriculation oath, which signifies their pledge to uphold Harker’s values, in the Zhang gym during the matriculation ceremony on Aug. 18. Associated Student Body Vice President Ella Lan (12) led all four grades and faculty in reading the oath before the frosh signed the Harker Matriculation Book.
ella yee, brandon zau & aishani singh
U
pper school students, faculty and administration honored the start of the 2023-2024 school year through the annual Matriculation Ceremony featuring music, speeches and skits in the Zhang Gymnasium on Friday. The class of 2027 and their advisers processed into the gym to applause at 9 a.m., and Head of School Brian Yager delivered opening remarks and emphasized the school’s support for the community. He introduced the alto and soprano choir Cantilena, who performed Rosephanye Powell’s “Still I Rise” with vocal music teacher Susan Nace directing. Head of Upper School Paul Barsky gave his Matriculation Address, focusing on “The Book of Charlie,” a novel that recounts the experiences of a 109-yearold man. Barsky related Charlie’s persistence and generosity to core Harker tenets. Then, Associated Student Body (ASB) President Daniel Lin (12) welcomed the Class of 2027 through a “get SINGING WITH SPIRIT ready with me” Cantilena singer Fern speech, comparing Biswas (11) performs makeup products “Still I Rise.”
04 features
New faces on our school block: Meet your new teachers
to aspects of Harker. Student Diversity Coalition (SDC) student leaders then introduced the coalition’s purpose and encouraged students to engage in events throughout the year such as Culture Week and Challenge Day.
LEADERS IN THE LIGHT Associated Student Body (ASB) President Daniel Lin (12) and Secretary Cynthia Wang (12) introduce each grade’s class council on the stage.
Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Brian Davis discussed the importance of community at Harker and emphasized the recent increase in student affinity groups in his speech. “The community here is very strong,” Davis said. “I want people to remember [that] there is a community here for you.” Afterward, Daniel introduced the student government for each class, with ASB Vice President Ella Lan (12) leading the rest of the school in reciting the Matriculation Oath. After, the class of 2027 signed the Harker Matriculation Book that recognizes them as official members of the Harker community who pledge to uphold the oath.
07 11 a&e/lifestyle opinions Barbenheimer: Blowing up summer with blockbusters
Editorial: Narratives distort affirmative action
15 sports
Women’s World Cup: New era for female athletes
SKITS AND SONGS (Top) The sophomore class council performs their “Upper School 101” skit. (Bottom) Joe Li (12) plays “Stay With Me” by Sam Smith on the violin.
Meanwhile, the Harker String Quartet, conducted by instrumental music teacher Jaco Wong, played “Stay with Me” by Sam Smith and “Viva La Vida” by Coldplay. Each grade’s student council and Honor Council performed “Upper School 101,” introducing ninth graders to upper school building details, spirit events, clubs and academic honor. “The skits were all funny; it felt like we were a unit,” Honor Council Representative Suhana Bandare (10) said. “I’m glad that we came together and put that show on.” Yager made closing remarks and dismissed students to join their advisers. Students then ate lunch, attended class assemblies and took student ID photos by advisory.
WARM WELCOME Head of Upper School Paul Barsky delivers Matriculation Address.
PHOTOS BY BRANDON ZAU
news ................. 02
ELLA YEE
ISSUE
BRANDON ZAU
BRANDON ZAU
CLUB FAIR TUESDAY, SEPT. 12
“I feel that through Matriculation and orientation, I was able to meet new people,” new Harker ninth grader Varun Kaushik said. “Everyone’s so chill here, especially after listening to Daniel’s speech where he was doing makeup, so I can’t wait to be part of it.” Visit harkeraquila.com for full article.
JOIN US ON SOCIAL MEDIA FOLLOW
@harkeraquilaDIA DESIGN BY KINNERA MULAM AND ARIANA GOETTING