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 VOL. 26 NO. 6
500 SARATOGA AVENUE, SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA 95129
UPCOMING DATES AP WEEKS MAY 5-16
FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2025
Upperclassmen glow up at prom
GRADUATION THURSDAY, MAY 22 LAST DAY OF SCHOOL THURSDAY, MAY 29
inside the
ISSUE
news .................. 2
opinions ............ 9
features ............. 5
stem ................. 14
a&e/lifestyle ...... 7
sports .............. 17
Petting zoo brings relaxation to students before exams Students spent time with petting zoo animals from Friendly Pony Parties as a de-stressor activity on Monday in the quad. Animals included bunnies, pigs, chickens and a “unicorn.” The organization set up a pen, where students could enter and pet the animals or sit and cuddle with them. Open from advisory through the end of lunch, the petting zoo offered a relaxing break as students prepared for upcoming exams and finals.
Martha’s Kitchen fights hunger by filling bellies tiffany zhu Martha’s Kitchen Food Fight concluded on Wednesday. Harker competed to earn points against nearby schools. A nonprofit organization focused on combating food insecurity, Martha’s Kitchen created its Food Fight to encourage engagement from high school students. Beginning March 24, students competed against local schools to earn points through food donations, volunteer shifts, and monetary contributions. Harker students from various clubs held campuswide fundraisers on April 8 and 10 to draw further support for the cause.
GROOVE TO THE BEAT Senior Leo Sobczyn dances in the ground floor room of the Tech Interactive Venue. In the dance room, prom attendees bopped and sang along to tunes like “Party in the USA” by Miley Cyrus with their friends.
lily peng, chelsea xie & cynthia xie Juniors and seniors commemorated their year at prom with museum exhibits, photo booths, space-themed food and drink, casino tables and a raffle at The Tech Interactive for the first time on April 19 from 8 to 11 p.m. Attendees made their way down a pink and blue-lit hallway lined with curtains made of slinkies. On the dance floor, students sang along to fan-favorites like “Party in the USA” by Miley Cyrus and “Carnival” by Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign. As they danced, attendees launched transparent beach balls filled with glitter into the air while elevated lights lit up the space. Exhibits showcased a screen that cobbled together a collage made of student faces
5features
Eric Hengstebeck finds balance in paddleboarding, hiking and walks
LILY PENG
8a&e/lifestyle 13 opinions Orchestra principals lead by example
Editorial: Research funding cuts threaten students’ futures
18 sports
Club, school sports create split identities
XIE
and Arjen Sen play at the claw machine.
“When I first heard that the venue was going to be the Tech Museum, I was a little disappointed because it doesn’t sound super cool,” Sophia said. “But when I was there, I thought the exhibits were a great feature of the Tech Museum, and there were a lot of cool things you can do.” Students posed with friends and faculty at the photo booth donning cartoonish props like giant sunglasses and holding up text bubbles. Casino tables drew crowds as students competed in blackjack, poker and craps, gambling with a fake 500 dollar bill they received at the beginning of prom. “It’s a nice opportunity for us to get to look at some of the exhibits that are
A
GAME OF CHANCE Seniors Olivia Guo
DIRECTOR OF STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
HI
Near Mitra Scholars showcased their year-long historical research to students, faculty and administrators and welcomed the incoming Near Mitra Scholars on April 29 in Nichols Auditorium. The Near and Mitra Scholars Annual Recognition Event marks the conclusion of the scholars’ research that began last summer. Near Mitra director and mentor Donna Gilbert opened the ceremony with words of appreciation for the scholars. Each student shared their research and offered advice to the incoming class. The current scholars signed a document formally signifying the conclusion of their papers.
ERIC KALLBRIER
NT
tiffany zhu
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Students get to be truly present in the celebration of this moment in their lives.”
here because the tech museum may not be the first destination for like when we have free time with our friends,” senior Claire Perng said. “I’m going to make sure I get a lot of pictures at the photo booth and have a fun time.” Students and faculty ate foods ranging from sushi and fried ravioli to desserts like freeze-dried toffee and alien-themed chocolate-covered strawberries and candy like peach rings and Nerds clusters. Other food choices included three different space-themed mocktails and a cotton candy machine with Pop Rocks. Director of Student Organizations Eric Kallbrier appreciated seeing the seniors enjoy the rewards of their four years of high school during a night of relaxation and connection. “Seniors have spent all year making sure that they finish their senior year s t r ong , ” Ka l l b r i e r said. “They get to feel truly in the moment of celebration, this point in their lives.” DANCE AWAY Senior Tej Aswani dances CY
Near Mitra reception celebrates scholars
and a Mars rover experience and a roller coaster simulator. Though junior Sophia Ou initially had doubts about prom at a museum, she felt the novelty of the venue made the event more unique.
LILY PENG
tiffany zhu
to an upbeat song on the dance floor.
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