Loma Linda Academy Newzine Established 1940s Volume 83 | Issue 5 March-April 2016 The MIRROR Art Edition
AR TI ST RY
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Jr./Sr. Banquet Announcement
March 14, 2016
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Table of Contents 04 Delayed but Not Gone
05 More than Just a Sound 06 Aspiring Music Artists 08 Fashion Shoot 12 Gallery CONTACT
LOMA LINDA ACADEMY 10656 Anderson Street Loma Linda, CA 92354 mirror@lla.org
Editor In Chief Victoria Ico
Reporters Aimee Blair Evan Lopez
13 Renaissance Ad 14 Traditional Medium 16 Week of Prayer 17 Lovement Over Judgement
Photojournalists
18 Capture the Moment
Megan Napod
19 Photographic Art
Emily He
Designers Daniela Mejia Blake Walker
Videographers Bhavisha Desai
Elijah Hickman Elly Lee
Archivist
Corey Bom (project lead) Alex Arnott
Adviser
Danelle Taylor Johnston
Publisher Robert Skoretz
Find us on the Web
20 Robo-Runners to S.F. 21 Brain Week 22 Lost Classes 24 Reality Check 25 In Remembrance
26 Briefs
www.llamirror.org
Instagram @lla_mirror
Front cover by Madison Field. Back cover by Michael Lowe
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Delayed but Not Gone March 30 to April 2 marked the long awaited date of the annual junior senior Bible camp. However, this date is a bit unusual as it is significantly later in the year than previous years. Adding to that, the location of Bible camp had been moved as well to Camp Cedar Falls instead of Pine Springs Ranch (PSR). So what happened? Why were so many things about Bible camp changed? It all began on June 20, 2015 as Pastor Mark Holm received a call from the Southeastern California Conference saying that the 2016 Bible Camp had been cancelled. The reason being that the Just Claim It Youth Conference would be taking place in the conference around the usual Bible Camp dates, so the conference assumed that everyone would just attend that. However, having had 35 years of experience with this camp, Holm knew that it would be a huge blow to all
the students who were so excited to go. He and the rest of the twelve leaders of Bible Camp knew that by some
return to the Bible Camp atmosphere and even more excited to be a leader. As the leaders scrambled to put
miracle, Bible Camp had to happen.
together the bits and pieces of Bible
They first went to the conference to
Camp, it was clear that a wonderful
express their feelings and intentions
experience was to come to fruition.
to have Bible Camp and, after much
Holm knew there was “no way God
discussion and listening, the conference
would let this [event] not happen.” As
gave them full support for it.
an experienced leader and participant
The next roadblock was to find
of this yearly event, Holm knows
lodging. Normally Bible Camp has been
how much impact this Camp has
hosted at PSR. However this year, PSR
on the spiritual growth of a student.
was hosting another large event during
The adults work hard to provide the
the new dates the leaders requested,
students with an opportunity to meet
according to Alyssa Cosejo (12). She
God. Over the years, he hears how
recalls Pastor Jason Calvert turning to
Bible Camp had been a highlighted
Camp Cedar Falls, where the event ended
moment of alumni’s junior or senior year.
up, and hearing him compromise with
According to the stories he has heard,
another church group that were to occupy
it is an experience they never forget.
the campgrounds as well that weekend. In the midst of this chaos, one of
Every leader that was involved in Bible Camp 2016, student or adult,
the leaders, Pastor Craig Hadley, decided
knows that this event was a true miracle.
to start his own non-denominational
God had worked His hand to bring
church called Paradox. Because starting
this experience to the classes of 2017
a new church takes so much time and
and 2016. It was truly fitting that this
planning, Hadley had to step down from
year’s theme, proposed by Bible Camp’s
his music leadership position. Searching
first female speaker Somer Knight,
for a replacement was not hard for Holm
was Unfailing. Neither God nor the
and the rest of the leaders. They quickly
leaders failed to create and experience
called Jo Cordero, alumni of Loma Linda
of a lifetime. If there was any fear of a
Academy Class of 2012. Cosejo said
repeat situation, Cosejo has words of
that her cousin was more than happy to
reassurance. “Satan is always going to try hard to make something like this happen again but we just need to keep firm and know that God is on our side.”
Written by: Victoria Ico
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more than just a sound “Music is more than just a pleasing sound,” as Kaitlyn Mamora (9) said. The art form of music has a purpose and it takes hard work and passion, Mamora, Brandon Shin (12), Dara Salamante (11) and Douglas Lau (10) share those same attributes. Shin said that the purpose of music depends on the individual, many people may need an “escape,” and some just enjoy playing; both applies to him. Salamante explained that the purpose of music for her is to “convey what you feel into sound, expressing the emotions you feel.” She said that music relates to people depending on who you are and it can bring peace of mind. It is very “therapeutic.” Lau said, music is all about “having fun and enjoying the music whether it be with yourself or with others and share it with God.” And Kaitlyn Mamora (9) says that the form of music can tell a story, and, “It can be a form of praise to God and sharing his message to others.” The artform of music is a lifelong learning experience with many challenges in between. Shin explained, ”It didn’t really come super naturally. I’ve taken lessons my whole life. I honestly think it is pretty necessary. There is always more that I can learn.” Shin added,
“Up until about four years ago, I
whether it’s playing an instrument,
hated playing cello with a passion.
or even just singing in the shower.
It was a fight with my parents
It’s up to the individual to motivate
to practice, or even go near it.
themselves and just have fun with it.”
So that wall was a huge struggle
Salamante simply stated,“if
in my musical development.”
they really love music, they will
Mamora started violin lessons
put time and effort into being
when she was three years old and she started to learn piano at four.
successful and doing their best.” Lau expressed nearly the same
“I have struggled with many things
words, “anyone can play music
while learning music, but the very
it just depends on whether they
first struggle that I can remember is
want to put the time and effort
having stage fright, but I overcame
into their process of success.”
that quickly.” She also struggled
Mamora applies a quote that her
with expectations. “I felt like I
dad has always told her and that is,“If
was being compared to my older
there is a will, there is a way.” She
brother, Jonathan, who was a great
goes on to explain that, “Learning
musician, but it really doesn’t bother
music takes passion and dedication.”
me as much. I really enjoy it now.” Although there are struggles,
Music is more than just a sound, and that cannot be better explained
everything will resolve in the end.
than by Mamora in this quote:
Shin said, ”If you, in your heart really
“Music is a form of expression. It
love what you’re doing and would
can express different feelings through
continue doing it, you’re successful.”
notes and lyrics. It can show a form
Shin continued, “If you’re confident
of communication that humans
and happy with what you’re doing
long for, but cannot show. The right
and accomplishing with the music
music that suits you, can put your
you produce, that is success.”
mind at ease. It can make you feel
Lau said that being successful can simply mean to be good in your own
different emotions, and can put you in a whole different perspective.”
eyes, possibly while making money. Mamora expressed nearly the same thing. “It can simply mean to
Written by: Megan Napod
enjoy what you are doing,” she said. Music takes years and years to develop and finally perfect. Although it may be difficult at times, it all depends on motivation. Shin said,“I think that if you really want to, anybody can do music,
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aspiring music artists says Chinchay. “I strictly only
saying, “Facing writer’s block and
very passionate about music, and
went to Dallas just for that, like
being scared of how people will
are also very talented in regards
three days I recorded. So what
think of my music is tough.” This is
to music. It is a blessing here to
happens is you record it multiple
something that is not uncommon
have such talent and gifts. Here
times and then certain parts that
in any musician or artist.
we willl look at a few musicians
you think you can fix, you can go
who enjoy making music.
back and fix that part and re-sing
Magazine, singing recording
that line.” Chinchay is a singer/
artist Beyoncé Knowles said, “I
I think it’s a very expressive and
songwriter and writes Christian
think it’s healthy for a person
creative art form,” says Elijah
music. It is a passion that she has
to be nervous. It means you
Mopera (11). Music is indeed a very
and wants to use it to minister to
care…” It is amazing to think that
expressive form, and is a positive
others. Isaac Gonzaga (9) has a
somebody of such huge success
example of displacement. Music
similar purpose for his music.
still can get nervous about public
Many people here at school are
“I really enjoy music because
can be a way to release or escape
“In my own opinion I would
In an interview with Vogue
opinion, just as we see with Rho. Another aspect of difficulties is
from the negative things going
mostly wanna make like religious
on in your life, whether it’d be
type songs,” says Gonzaga. He
listening, or creating. Mopera enjoys
adds, “If I’m gonna make a song
Hip Hop/ Rap and works in that
about God, I wanna do a rap about
making music usually depends
specific genre in his down time.
the bible.” It is evident that there
on how busy I am with school
“My process usually goes
is much time and effort involved
and such,” says Mopera. With the
something like: I find an
in this. This begs the question:
exception of literature, in which
instrumental, then I write, then
What obstacles are there in this
Mopera makes rap songs for as
record, then finally I mix & master
music process?
the track.” Here we see that there is clearly a process in creating music. About a month ago, LLAs very own Kaylee Chinchay (12) flew out to Dallas to record an album out of a music studio. “It’s really a long process,”
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David Rho (10) talks about difficulties
the issue of having time to do it. “What keeps me from
“if I’m feeling
“It takes a lot of time, it costs a lot of money, that’s for sure,” says
somewhere however. Chinchay’s inspiration was
a really strong
Chinchay. “And also the fact that I am
described like this, “It’d probably
also growing up so like I’m going to
be whatever I’m going through in
emotion about
college so right now I have to kind of
my life or whatever things that are
lead this on my own and do it myself.”
happening around me. That’s like
something, then
I will
most likely write about that.”
-Kaylee
Chinchay projects, it is definitely an obstacle for him make time for his music. When asked what obstacles he faces, Gonzaga says, “I would say just mostly life and school. It kind of puts up a really big block. And I don’t have a lot of time for it currently.” Having not enough time is common among high school students, making it especially hard for such a time consuming hobby, such as music.
We can see the present life
the only way I can write a song.
of all these musicians. However,
Like if I’m feeling a really strong
what are their future aspirations or
emotion about something, then I
ultimate goals, if any, in music?
will most likely write about that.”
When asked this question,
Here we can see music providing
Mopera says, “I wouldn’t say that
an “escape” so to speak for things
I have a career in music. Talking
going on in a person’s life.
about music as a hobby; well, then
Gonzaga says in regards to
I’ve just barely scratched the surface.
music, “I wouldn’t say that I got
But hobbies do turn into careers
inspired by like all these celebrities,
so I suppose I’ll have to wait and
I kind of got inspired by my brother
see what happens in the future.”
Nick Gonzaga.” This is very special
Music benefits many people whether
because Gonzaga’s inspiration
they use it their future or not.
was very personal to him.
On the flip side Chinchay says,
These artists have an obvious
“Hopefully I wanna start my own
passion for music and that is
ministry with that ‘cause I’m thinking
very apparent. Their love for
of becoming a theology major student.
this specific art is something
[Music] can help with my ministry.”
very special and valuable.
Here we can see how music benefits people long-term throughout a career.
Written by: Even Lopez
These interests must come from
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Live the revival. May 7, 2016 Doors open 5:30 PM Begins 6:00 PM Crosswalk Main Sanctuary
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traditional m
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As kids, lots of people
u
m
his parents are
love to draw and paint. Trinity
very artistic so she
Tanner (11), Ciara Rader (10),
was around art a
Ariel Rocha (12) and Rachel
lot of her life.
Specht (11) have continued
As a kid, Ariel Rocha (12) had always been entertained with
this passion to this day. Trinity Tanner (11) still has
the arts. She even remembers
a drawing that she did in 2005
creating countless paintings
at age 7 hanging on the fridge
and drawings for her family.
in her garage. She even recalls
Rachel Specht (11) has
getting an easel that same year
always loved arts and crafts
and being so proud of a tree
growing up. She began to take
she drew. Tanner said that she
art seriously in Jr. high and
always wanted to be an artist.
came across a few art sites such
However, she never knew what
as deviantART. Specht states “I
kind of artist to be so she just
saw the amazing creations people
tried everything she could.
could make with digital canvases
Ciara Rader (10) states that she’s been drawing ever since she could remember. Her dad and
and decided to give it a try.” People learn in all different ways, some can learn a lot from figuring it out by themselves, but some other people learn more when they are guided and instructed by someone. Tanner has learned a lot from tutorial blogs, but said she never really got the hang of it until she took Mrs. Gillespie’s class. She stated that “She really taught me the basics and helped me discover my style and learn new techniques that helped me in the long run.
Ariel Rocha
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While tutorials were endlessly
Rachel Specht helpful, you can’t discount a good teacher to literally be next to you and [help] you learn.” Rader learned a lot from her grandparents and from other artist’s work that was mostly on Instagram. Other than that, and a few things she learned from drawing and painting class this year, she stated that she was pretty much on her own. Specht is mostly self-taught also and sometimes watches speedpaints online or studies how a person accomplishes a certain style or look. Specht however takes private lessons as well as being in the advanced art but her lessons are mostly casual with no assignments given like art class. She is given motivation and pointers along the way, she says it’s just a lot of practice, hard work and dedication. Drawing and painting are both incredibly enjoyable but some people prefer one more than the other, this is what the artists had to say about the “conflict” between drawing and painting.
For Rocha she truly does not have
Specht enjoys drawing the most,
a preference. It all depends on how
she typically focuses on drawing
she is feeling at the time. “As of right
women because she finds the
now, I’ve been on a painting craze!
female form elegant and beautiful
So much inspiration!” Rocha said.
with its natural flow and curves.
Tanner prefers painting
Rader said “I’ll usually draw
because she loves the texture and
anything that interests me, which
how the colors mix together on
varies a lot.” Sometimes she will pull
the canvas. Another thing she
ideas from other artist’s subjects,
enjoys about painting is sticking
yet she does have a soft spot when
her hands in extra paint to add a
it comes to drawing superheroes.
little flair of sorts to the painting.
Trinity Tanner
Tanner prefers not to draw
Spect enjoys drawing over
people. She loves nature and
digital mediums she said she uses a
painting because she is more used
is really good at backgrounds.
Wacom Intuos5 small drawing tablet
to it and because of the convenience
Typically she does landscapes,
with the program PaintTool SAI
and accessibility. For her, she can
but lately she has been drawing a
as well as the program Mischief.
sketch anywhere as long as she has
lot of flowers, trees and such.
paper and a pencil or pen. In her
There are tons of materials out
Not only do artists need materials to paint or draw,
experience painting takes more time
there for artists to use, these following
they need inspiration to start
than drawing, and requires many
are a couple of the artist’s favorite
or continue an art project.
more specific settings. . Although
types. Tanner prefers acrylic paint
she enjoys both very much it is just
because of the thickness. Something
gathers inspiration from a beautiful
more convenient for her to draw.
she likes to do after finishing an
picture online or a random photo
especially textured painting is to just
blog. Also her environment and her
a favorite subject or something
feel it, for her it’s really an experience.
classmates inspire her to be a better
that they love to paint or draw.
For Rocha, “You can set me
Artists almost always have
down with a good brush, one
For Tanner, sometimes she
artist and to paint what she feels. Rocha said that, as an artist you
color of paint, and some water and
are always going to run into a dry
I’ll be set!” Her favorite painting
spell. She believes your environment
medium is watercolor, although
really has an affect on your mood.
she does also enjoy oil painting.
She said “Me as a person, I don’t get
Rader says that plain mechanical
inspired when I’m upset. So having
pencils work fine for her when she is
a happy and positive environment
sketching, but she also uses sharpies,
is what’s important for me!”
Micron pens, colored pencils, and sometimes protractors and rulers.
Written by: Aimee Blair
Specht typically uses plain white paper and a mechanical pencil. She doesn’t use traditional
Ciara Rader
mediums as much as digital. For
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Ap
ri l
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Shots of “Your Road”
Photos by Rubydeb Ramirez
Week of Prayer 16
More importantly, it said what
know where you stand on certain
Danelle Taylor Johnston’s College
we needed it to say. Lovement is
issues, whether they be political
English class; “How can you apply
a movement out of love, one that
or personal. We are not here to
Martin Luther King’s message
encompasses anyone and everyone,
judge or condemn, but to love.
to today’s society?” Together the
regardless of their cultural affiliations,
class came up with an idea for an
personal history, or anything that
not easy, but it is a decision that each
organization that would portray
leads to someone being judged or
of us needs to make, every single day.
the same concept: to fight current
persecuted. We decided we wanted
injustices in the same way MLK
to create a movement that taught
at “Lovement over Judgement” in
fought against past injustices: with
others to love instead of judge.
showing how to love in the midst of
It started as a class project for
love. It would try and organize people via social media in an effort to care
Lovement Over Judgement was born. A movement supporting the
Loving and accepting others is
Join us on Facebook or Instagram
the suffering of this world, because in the end, we are all in this together.
for one another in this most*Visit Lovement
definitely messed up world. Of course, this was originally
Over Judgement on
just an idea for assignment,
Facebook and Instagram: @
but it was the beginning
LovementOverJudgement If you have any
of something bigger.
questions, contact us at
The idea panned out. The class made a plan
LovementOverJudgement@
and committed to it.
gmail.com
Coming up with a name was a lot harder than it might seem. We came up with at least 10 names before we started narrowing them down, and for a while, the plan was: “What sounds good?”
idea of loving others whether or
which turned out a lot more positive
not their viewpoints or lifestyles
results than you would expect. Our
lined up with one’s own. It was
thoughts were jumbled in the process,
created with the idea that people
so we switched our methodology.
are intimately interconnected.
We stopped thinking about what
With poems, visuals, quotes, and
message we wanted to communicate,
our own life stories, we show that
and started thinking of messages
each of us is fighting through his
that we didn’t: Judgement, hatred,
or her own struggles, experiencing
animosity. Then we thought of
unique things, and ultimately, trying
the opposites, which is where
to survive in the same crazy world
Lovement appeared. It rhymes with
that you and I see every single day.
Judgement, which is a big plus.
Written by: Brandon Shin & Amalia Goulbourne
&
So, what about you? We don’t
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capture the moment Look around you, there is the beautiful sky, the woody trees, and the sun shining over LLA, but those things do not stay for long. Luckily, in this world today we have amazing people who do the artforms we call photography and film, the art or practice of taking and processing the world around us. Brandon Larsen (12) said that the purpose of photography is communication. Photography is a way of expressing yourself and telling stories through an image. He said that people enjoy photography because it helps you clear your mind and allows people to have “creative expression.” Chloe Elias (11) explained that the purpose of photography is, “To convey a message of some sort, or to evoke a particular feeling or emotion in whoever sees the picture.” She believes people like photography because it is art. She enjoys contrasting colors and it is something she is interested in. Shantel Guzman (10) mentioned that for her, “the purpose is to show people a [...] different perspective and vision, and hold memories.” She likes to create and sees photography as an opportunity to do that, and says that people may like photography because it is “cool,” or trendy and also that people like to use photography to tell stories. Kallan Kunihira (10) said the purpose of photography is to express ourselves. “Sometimes what we take
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pictures of often portrays our mood
Guzman explained that,
and how we feel,” he said. He said
“Photographers should be friendly,
that it gives us the “capability of being
adventurous, curious and detail-
able to capture the beauty that’s in the
orientated because that is how you’ll
world and being able to look back at
make a good composition and you won’t
it.” He continued, “I personally enjoy
miss anything that could be important.”
photography because I focus on what
Kunihira said that photographers
I’m trying to take a picture of instead of
should be, “Willing to do anything
all the chaos that’s in my life.” He also
for the shot. You have to be creative
does it for the enjoyment of others.
and find different angles.”
Jadyn Antonio Valdez (9) believes
Valdez mentioned, “to be a successful
that the purpose for photography
photographer, one must tolerate their
is to share and capture a scene,
inevitable errors, be open to new points
sometimes from a new point of view.
of view, and have an active imagination.”
He thinks people enjoy photography
Ramirez gave a different perspective
because it either allows them to
on success and said that, “As long as you
preserve the sights they love, or to
are passionate, and as long you do your
view it from a new perspective.
best, you are bound to be successful.” She
Videographer Ruby Ramirez (12)
summarizes her passion for videography
liked the fact that she could record more
and photography in these words: “I truly
in a video than she could record in a
enjoy it and it’s my form of art. Videos
picture and that is why she continues to
can change someone’s life and I want
do it today and mentions that, “Videos
to be able to change someone’s life in a
are there to inform and entertain. To tell
positive way. I love God and if this is a
a story in a more personal way, a way in
way for me to share his love and wonders
which it is easier for the viewer to relate.”
of the world, that is exactly what I’ll do.”
She continued, “There are different
So go outside and use your iPhone
reasons why people love films, but for me
and take a photo, you might just start
it’s because I love the magic and beauty
only using your phone for photos.
behind the scenes of making a film.” When asked about success in photography, Larsen said that, “Photography takes patience. The perfect photo takes time.” He also said that people need to be willing to accept critiques. Elias said that a successful photographer should be “creative and open to new ideas,” and of course, have the necessary equipment.
Written by: Megan Napod
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robo-runners to
S.F. Seventy two teams and over 150
experience the
to take place that day from 8am
volunteers got together in Oakland, California
amount of work it
to 6:30pm. In between breaks
for three days to attend the annual FIRST
takes to organize
the RoboRunners went out
Tech Challenge (FTC West) Super-Regional
and host a robotics competition.
Championship. FTC teams are challenged to
On March 24, the team went down to
and explored Oakland, that was walking distance from the convention center.
design, build, program, and operate robots
the conference center where the competition
to play a floor game in an alliance format.
was being held and went straight to work.
finals of the competition the RoboRunners
With the help of mentors and coaches,
Some work options were photography, which
decided to drive over the San Francisco Bay
junior high and high school students develop
was to assist with team pictures, pit runner,
Bridge into San Francisco and spend the
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering,
which was to get teams to their designated
day relaxing and touring the city. Worship
and Math) and practice the value of hard
location as to where they were to compete,
was held at the San Francisco Botanical
work, innovation, and sharing ideas while
and field reset, which is to reset the field for
Garden, and after worship the RoboRunners
becoming a team. Teams are required to raise
the next match to come in and compete.
explored the different types of gardens.
money for parts, travel, and other things
That same night there was an FTC
On March 26, instead of attending the
From there they went to the tulip gardens,
needed. They must also branch out to the
social party on the USS Hornet, an aircraft
to the beach, to walking the Golden Gate
community, for which they can win awards
carrier from WWII & Apollo 11 recovery
Bridge, to riding cable cars, and ending the
for. Participants in FTC have access to
mission now turned into a museum in
day with ice cream sundaes at Ghirardelli.
tens of thousands of dollars of scholarships
Alameda, California. There were tours set
to many colleges and institutes.
up to look around the ship, and hands-on-
On March 23, Loma Linda Academy’s
activities for many of those with interest.
Robotics team (RoboRunners) took time
Music and activities were also held on the
off of spring break to drive about 8 hours
ship, making it a great opportunity for
up to Oakland and volunteer for FTC.
participating teams and volunteers to get
The RoboRunners got the opportunity to see what it was like at Super-Regionals, to get ideas for designs for their robot, and
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to one another and make new friends. On March 25, the actual competition took place. Over 50 matches were scheduled
Written by: Bhavisha Desai
Brain Week find a safe space to come
During the week of
in, go through each
March 7-11, Loma Linda Academy high
station, or just pray
school joined the Dana
for special requests on the prayer wall.
Foundation in celebration of international Brain Awareness Week, a global recognition of the progress of brain research. The event was planned by English teacher, Sarah Henderson, along with a team of teachers and students. The week’s focus was on developing positive habits for longterm brain health, specifically sleep, nutrition, and exercise, under the tagline: Healthy Brains for Life.
Each day, school began
one hour later than normal to encourage additional sleep. While some students were getting extra sleep, others came for the morning activities such as yoga, badminton, running and basketball. On two mornings, the teachers served a healthy breakfast for the students. Halfway through the morning classes, Home and School parents prepared and gave out healthy snacks to go along with mid-morning activities such as yoga or strength workouts. There were three assemblies
during Brain Awareness Week. As a kick-off event the Friday before, Dr. Ernie Medina from the Loma Linda University School of Public Health spoke to students in chapel about the impact of exercise on brain health. On Tuesday was the Brain Bowl where the students came together for a friendly competition between grades. It was a competition, not only of knowledge, but also of the fastest to buzz in. The final assembly ended the week with a special presentation by Dr. Bryan Tsao, a neurologist from Loma Linda University Medical Center. Lunchtime brought a different sport activity each day which all students were invited to participate
The evenings were for families to spend time together in optional activities. There was a faculty verses students basketball game one night. Another night there was a family cooking class led by LLA culinary arts instructor, Lori Holm. Wednesday night was set aside as family dinner night; a night for families to eat together with recipe suggestions from the LLA culinary arts students. Thursday evening, Sarah Henderson gave a brain development lecture for parents. All week long, the students were encouraged to sleep more, exercise more, and eat healthier. Changing your daily routine, even in small ways, can impact your brain in a great way. Anybody can do it, so get out there and help your brain!
in. These included games such as ultimate frisbee, basketball, and
Written by: Rubydeb Ramirez
badminton. The prayer room was also open every lunch period. In this special room, students could
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lost classes
At Loma Linda Academy (LLA), we have many class options for students to take. Music and Athletics are just some of our many programs that excel at Loma Linda but what about Art? In the rest of the departments there are Honors and AP Courses for those who are passionate about the chosen subject.. In the past LLA, also offered classes such as sewing, graphic arts, british literature, 20th Century literature, French I & II, ceramics and drama. However, classes such as computer programming, and web design, have never been offered here. Hannah Sitanggang (10), is about to start her driver’s education, which is an activity that all teenagers are required to go through to eventually get a driving license. The state of California requires thirty hours to complete for a permit and six additional hours of driving to get a license. In the surcey taken by 285 students, 34.8 percent would definitely like to take a part of the class here. Kaitlyn Etzweiler (11), is a dedicated member in our school ministry, Reality Check, a drama group that performs during chapel. She would like LLA to have a drama class. Drama is one
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of her many interests she would love to practice and perform in hit plays such as West Side Story and MacBeth. “It would give students an opportunity to be leaders and to show that they have confidence. Also it would add activities to a college application for those who are not into sports and other things,� Etzweiler said. She also added the idea of how a literary discussion class would help her and interest her more in English. The surveyed showed that there were seventytwo people who were interested in taking a drama class here. Tyler Corrales (12), is a committed believer of the STEM Program. (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.) Tyler is currently applying to many schools around the country and one of the few regrets he has in high school is that he has not taken a class based on computer programming. Many jobs in the job market are now much more computer based than they were fifteen years ago. There are machines that take over jobs in the food industry, warehousing, auto industry and even the medical industry. Knowing how to program computers is showing more and more on job applications
and college applications that has a deep concentration in computer science jobs, and certainly gives applicants an edge for the position. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in these type of fields usually make around $80,000 a year. Unfortunately, a computer programming class is not enough to keep up with our public rivals who has the state funding to keep up with the trends. For those who know how to code, scholarships and grants are offered as well to those who have been able to take STEM classes and do well in them. In a recent interview with Robert Skoretz, principal, about how classes get offered and how students can impact it, he said class sizes, school-wide budget, teacher interest, and conference requirements are just some of the reasons why we have the options we have. On campus, we have a team that works on curriculum that considers new ideas about curriculum and talks with the North American Division about changes they way to implement. Freshmen earth science class, taught by Hans Figueroa, started by wanting to strengthen the science program and to make sure this is no gap between
eighth grade physical science and sophomore biology class. There are some classes are simply being rotated around departments of each subject such as english, and religion, and science. Multicultural literature was offered to us this year because the English department wanted to bring it back for students. The next step in getting a class offered after the curriculum committee, is trying to find interest within the student body. Classes that receive support from the student body will get more of a thorough look at within the committee members. After the administration tries to find a period where the class can be taught where students can take it. Honors and AP classes are offered as strategic classes during the day so it does not conflict with other interests. A survey was given to the high school science classes of LLA. In this survey it was shown to be that 43.8% percent were interested in a psychology class as an elective. Other classes that received high interest were graphic design, video game design, and a mock trial class, each having about 108 to 112 of the 285 surveyed.
Even though these classes may not be added next year, these classes could hopefully be added to the high school curriculum soon. Written by: Blake Walker
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When people typically think
The History of
skits and pantomimes, in early
about a drama club, their minds
2000 Reality Check did a few large
fill with images of dramatic kids,
productions. One was a five part
strenuous rehearsals, and even High
series about how the devil and
School Musical. On the Loma
his minions interacted with the
Linda Academy (LLA) campus, the
human world. The actors would
drama is not considered a club, but
take current events of that week
rather is one of the many ministries
and incorporate them into the
the high school has to offer. Its
skit. Another production was a
beginnings involve a new pastor, eager students, and new way to worship. Pastor Jason Calvert came to LLA in 2006 and was placed in charge of the drama class. At that point in time, the drama class would put on a few, cliche skits and learned the reasonings of having a drama ministry in a church. Calvert was then approached by a few of the kids in the class who had a vision to revamp drama and turn it into an exciting ministry. He then sat down with the entire drama class and they conjured up a vision of a drama team that would tackle the common problems the students face. “We actually began by sitting down and talking about our lives,” Calvert said, “and we let out all our fears, problems, joys and anything we were comfortable with sharing, myself included.” As the students threw around the topics they would like to cover in a drama, a phrase kept coming forward. Reality check. This notion of taking a step back and re-evaluating what one’s reality is to them was the vision that the students wanted to put forth. The phrase eventually became the
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name of the new drama ministry. Because it was still a class period, Calvert had four days out of the week to help the students produce and refine skits to perform. They wrote and produced everything they performed. Not only would they perform at school, but they would go out to the local church and other schools and perform there as well. Calvert said that the majority of their work was all done by the students themselves. “They were very hardworking and passionate about it, which was why every production was great,” Calvert said. What completely revamped the drama was the style of their skits. Because they wanted the messages to connect with the students emotions, they had an edgier tone to their plays. Calvert recalls doing a bunch of powerful pantomimes to the music of Skillet and Evanescence. The new style grabbed people’s attention and soon everyone was always excited and looking forward to Reality Check skits. Aside from normal chapel
pantomime to the entire sound track of the film Passion of the Christ. They acted out every major part of the movie corresponding with the music, but without any lines at all. The only line said was when Jesus was hanging at the cross and the play ended with “It is finished.” The biggest production of Reality Check was the 2009 play called Mark. It was the entire book of Mark acted out and every line was taken from the scriptures. They ended up selling out three shows. Since the early 2000s, Reality Check has become more localized to the LLA campus, but has not lost its drive to minister to the students. Its members strive to be great storytellers. This year, their motto is to tell stories just like the Master Storyteller, in hope to reach out to someone. Their purpose has not changed and the current students bring a fresh feel to the ministry. With a student driven background, who knows where future LLA students will take it next. Written by: Victoria Ico
P Fen “Shirley” Pan
Fen “Shirley” Pan passed away on March 28, 2016, in a
car accident along Deer Park Rd. She and her six other friends were heading towards the Pacific Union College campus when they struck a boulder on the road. Pan
was ejected from the car and died from injuries. The
remaining passengers were taken to local hospitals to
be treated and later on released. A memorial service was held on March 31 at PUC, with her father, Mr. Pan, and her host family from Redlands, CA present. It was also live-streamed to her mother and 14 year
old brother in Beijing. On behalf of Loma Linda
Academy, the Mirror expresses our deepest condolences
to her family in Beijing as well as her host family here in America. We will miss our beloved 2014 graduate.
Information and photo courtesy of Pacific Union College.
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Briefs
Daniel Lara and Joshua Holtz,
creators of the recently popular “Dang Daniel” meme donated their lifetime supply of Vans shoes to the children at the Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital. The supply was given to them by Ellen DeGeneres after
At school, on March 29, 2016,
the class of 2016 celebrated 2,016 hours of high school left, adjusting the schedule to
inviting them on her talk show and Vans supplies 100 more pairs after learning about the generous visit planned by Lara and Holtz.
accommodate to the events that occurred during lunch, with food stands, games, and fun carnival like activities for the seniors.
On March 30 and 31 Various Juniors and Seniors went up to expierence God at SECC Bible Camp Conference 2016 at Camp Cedar Falls in Angelus Oaks, California. They had fun experience their family groups, general sessions, praise music and the drama and tech teams.
The gym gala on Sunday April 20, 2016, kicked off funding for the new gym locker rooms and installation of air conditioning, a project of $---. The gala included a silent auction, food made by Lori Holm and her culinary arts students, and a hall of fame recognizing Coach Sue, Coach Hall, former Coach --- and honoring coach David Burishkin. The event raised $----.
The Photography Club took
9 students on a trip to Zion National Park in Springdale, Utah on March 4-6 2016 for the yearly weekend trip.
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SPRING ‘16
BREAK
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RR LOMA
LINDA
T H E
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ACADEMY’S
M I R R O R