![“[Building nerf blasters] became this outlet of creativity for me that hasn't been matched by anything else. The process [of] making a build complete to your desire is such a painstakingly difficult process, but I've had to learn from [the skills needed from] soldering to proper painting. There's so many different options for everything, if you think about it, it exists. The best part is [that] if it doesn't exist, you can build it yourself," Ishaan Parate said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/DSC_8149-900x604.jpg)
![“When I came into high school, I was ready to be a follower. But DECA was a game changer for me. It helped me overcome my fear of public speaking, and it's played such a major role in who I've become today. To be able to successfully lead a chapter of 150 students, an officer team and be one of the upperclassmen I once really admired is something I'm [really] proud of,” Anvitha Tummala ('21) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-25-at-9.50.05-AM-900x594.png)
![“I think getting up in the morning and having a sense of purpose [is exciting]. I think without a certain amount of drive, life is kind of obsolete and mundane, and I think having that every single day is what makes each day unique and kind of makes life exciting,” Neymika Jain (12) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Screen-Shot-2017-06-03-at-4.54.16-PM.png)
![“My slogan is ‘slow feet, don’t eat, and I’m hungry.’ You need to run fast to get where you are–you aren't going to get those championships if you aren't fast,” Angel Cervantes (12) said. “I want to do well in school on my tests and in track and win championships for my team. I live by that, [and] I can do that anywhere: in the classroom or on the field.”](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/DSC5146-900x601.jpg)
![“[Volleyball has] taught me how to fall correctly, and another thing it taught is that you don’t have to be the best at something to be good at it. If you just hit the ball in a smart way, then it still scores points and you’re good at it. You could be a background player and still make a much bigger impact on the team than you would think,” Anya Gert (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AnnaGert_JinTuan_HoHPhotoEdited-600x900.jpeg)
![“I'm not nearly there yet, but [my confidence has] definitely been getting better since I was pretty shy and timid coming into Harker my freshman year. I know that there's a lot of people that are really confident in what they do, and I really admire them. Everyone's so driven and that has really pushed me to kind of try to find my own place in high school and be more confident,” Alyssa Huang (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AlyssaHuang_EmilyChen_HoHPhoto-900x749.jpeg)
49ers begin 2015-16 season after tough offseason
The 49ers defeated the Dallas Cowboys 23-6 at Levi’s Stadium on Aug. 23. This was the first preseason match of the 2015-16 at home.
Coming off an offseason filled with many structural and roster changes, the San Francisco 49ers have started the 2015-16 preseason with a 1-2 record, defeating the Dallas Cowboys on Aug. 23 in their first preseason game of the season at Levi’s Stadium.
On Dec. 28, 2014, 49ers owner Jed York decided to part ways with head coach Jim Harbaugh and replaced him with Jim Tomsula, who was previously the team’s defensive line coach. Harbaugh now coaches University of Michigan’s football team.
A few players from the 49ers also retired this offseason; while some players had been contemplating retirement for some time, others who retired were a complete shock.
Linebacker Patrick Willis, who played with the 49ers for his entire eight-season career, retired in March, and a week later, 24-year-old linebacker Chris Borland, after playing only one year of professional NFL football, announced his retirement as well. Borland decided to retire due to the danger of head trauma. Throughout the year, however, he etched his name in 49ers history, becoming the first rookie in franchise history to catch two interceptions in one game against quarterback Eli Manning from the New York Giants.
Defensive end and five-time Pro Bowler Justin Smith also retired in May after playing 14 seasons in the NFL, while 25-year-old offensive tackle Anthony Davis decided to take one year off from the NFL in order to heal before returning to professional football.
The team’s star running back Frank Gore also left the Bay after nine seasons to join the Indianapolis Colts. He holds two major records for the 49ers franchise: all-time rushing touchdowns leader and all-time leader in rushing yards. In a unique turn of events, the 49ers signed Jarryd Hayne, an Australian rugby player, to be Gore’s replacement. Because he had only played professional rugby before, Hayne faced lots of skepticism, but he rushed for the 49ers in the first three games of the preseason. In his NFL-debut game, he ran for over 100 yards total.
As a result, due to the many changes that took place this past offseason, the 49ers needed to rearrange and reorganize their roster to prepare for the new season. In spite of some major losses, Colin Kaepernick and his freshly put-together team will play their first regular season game on Sept. 14 at home against the Minnesota Vikings.
Freshman Timmy Chang believes that the 49ers will bounce back with their restructured roster this season.
“I think [Kaepernick’s] going to be back,” Timmy said. “He had some good plays during preseason, and I think that will carry over in the normal season.”
Next year in February, Levi’s Stadium will host Super Bowl 50. In the hopes to compete at the Super Bowl on home turf, the 49ers prepare to match up against the San Diego Chargers on Thursday at 7:00 pm at Levi’s Stadium.
Trisha Dwivedi (12) is the Managing Editor of Harker Aquila. She was a reporter her freshman year, Business Manager of the Winged Post her sophomore year...
Ria Gupta (10) is a reporter for the Winged Post. This is her second year on staff. Besides journalism, she likes to bake and cook. Ria loves to play soccer...
Kshithija “KJ” Mulam (12) is the Winged Post Editor-in-Chief. Serving as the Winged Post News Editor in her junior year, Winged Post Photo Editor in...