THE LLA MIRROR
BANQUET ASKINGS
Thebanquetaskingseasonisaperiodthat lastsafewweeksbetweenThanksgiving andearlyDecember.Intheweeksafterthe theatrical SA banquet announcement, peoplerushtoasktheirspecialsomeone. From singing their favorite songs, to learningadance,toevenstagingachild’s birth,banquetaskingsareagreatandfun waytoaskthatspecialsomeoneoutfora night.Banquetalwaysbringsitsown excitement as well; people start to purchasetheiroutfits,planwhotheyare sittingwith,andmostimportantly,who theyaregoingtogowith.
AaronKim(‘27)shockedmanywhenhe wasbornagain!EthanRow(‘27)andJavet Wongkaren(‘27)camerunningacrossthe campus, Javet being pushed on a wheelchair,screaminginagonyandpain. TheylaidhimacrossthetableandDoctor MosesPantig(‘27)cameandbirthed Aaron.Hecameoutwithaposterand flowers,thepostersaying“IwasBORNto gotobanquetwithyou.”KaraFrancisco (‘28)cameoutofthecrowd,herhand coveringhermouthinshock,andsaidyes toAaron.Theysharedaquickembrace andposedforaphoto.
Writtenby:BillyLat0ur&RyanSeheult
JoshuaValdez(‘26)blewpeopleaway whenheshockedthemwithasaxophone soloforhisbanquetasking.Ittookplacein thegymandeveryonewastherewatching him.Hehadabunchofhisfriendshold lettersupaskingifAbbyCarreon(‘26) wantedtogowithhimtothebanquet. Joshuapracticedlongandhardforhis saxophonesoloandhediditwith perfectionandexecuteditlikeitwas nothing.
Fromchildbirthtosaxophonesolos,this year 'sbanquetaskingshavebeennothing shortofamazing!Thecrowdsofpeople watchingwereveryentertainedandthese askingsaresuretoberememberedby manyasacorememoryfromLLAAtthe Banquet,theyannouncedthewinnerof BestBanquetAsking.Thewinnerwas KaelieIgnacio(‘27)whohadaflashmob dancetoaskBillyLaTour(‘27).
WHATS THE RIGHT TIME TO GO CHRISTMAS SHOPPING?
Writtenby:OliviaAnilus&GracieHerrera
AstheChristmasseasonapproaches, storesstartstockingtheirmostpopular Christmasdecorations.Thebesttoysare ontheshelves,andwrappingpaperand stockingsarepreparedtobefilledwiththe most delightful surprises. Stores are stockedbeforeDecembersopeoplecanget aheadstartassoonasThanksgivingis over,orevenbeforehand!Othersshop closertotheholidayoratthelastminute. As you read through our heavily opinionatedpiece,reflectonwhenyou preparefortheChristmasseason.Have yourushedtothestoresalreadythisyear, orareyouwaitinguntilthelastsecond? Whenistherighttimetodecorate?
Olivia: I’m personally a big fan of Thanksgivingandbelieveitdeservesits ownseason.DecoratingforChristmas beforetheturkeyshavebeencarvedjust doesn’t feel right. Having time to appreciatethechangingfallcolorsbefore winterofferstimetorelaxbeforethe hustleandbustleoftheChristmasseason. Decoratingforfalland
Thanksgivingcanbejustasfunas Christmasdecorating.Whyrushwhen youcanwait?
Gracie:AnytimeafterOctoberistheright time.AfterOctober,wenowseethatrain, snowandwinterseemstobecoming faster,gettingridofthefallingleaves replacingthemwithcloudyandcolddays. Soinsteadofwarmcolors,weshould replaceitwithdecorationstofeelthe festivitiessoonerwithyourfamilyand enjoythemforaslongaspossibleuntilthe newyeararrives
Whendoyoustarttoshop?
Olivia:Idon’tmindtheideaofslowly collectinggiftsalittlebitbeforethe season,likemidtolateNovember.With thatsaid,combiningThanksgivingandfall
shoppingwithChristmasshoppingcanbe stressfulandfeelfast-paced.Manyfamilies feelthestressofshoppingforThanksgiving grocerieswhenthedinnerhappenstobe takingplaceattheirhome.Whereisthe timetothinkaboutChristmasintheexact moment?Takingeverythingoneseasonata timemayreducethestressthatcomeswith theholidaysandslowdowntherushof multitasking.
Gracie:Tostartshopping,Iwouldsuggest theyearbefore,rightafterChristmas.You haveallthedeals,andpricesaremarked halfoffonornamentsandwreaths.Thisis whatmyfamilydoeswhiledecoratingfor Christmas.Wetalkaboutnextyear'scolors toprepareforthatinstead.Thismaysound likehoarding,butIwouldliketocallit planningaheadandsavingmoney.
Whendoyoustarttodecorate?
Olivia:ImmediatelyafterThanksgiving,the Christmasdecoratingbeginsinmy
December19,2025
home.WeusuallyhostThanksgiving foranaverageof11people,soourfall vibesanddecorationshavetobe uphelduntilafterThanksgiving. Thanksgivingbreakleavesalittle roomtopreparebeforetheday,then immediatelyafter,wecanput everythingout.
Gracie:MyfamilyandIstartto decorateduringThanksgivingbreak toenjoyittogether,andweneedas muchhelpaswecan.Wewaitforthe perfecttimewhenallofusare availabletolistentomusic,bake cookiestogether,andtalktoeach otherabouttheupcomingseason.It's oneofmyfavoritepartssinceIdon't havetodoitduringtheweekdays afterschoolandactivities;insteadI’m well-restedandreadytodecorate withmyfamily.
AsyouenterintotheChristmas seasonthisyear,whetheryourhouse lookslikeanearlywinterwonderland ornot,appreciatethevalueofyour familyChristmastraditionswithfull stockingsandafullheart.Merry Christmas!
WHATS IS THE MEANING BEHIND THE ICONIC CHRISTMAS TREAT - THE CANDY CANE?
Writtenby:BruceCotton
AsChristmasapproachesanddecorationsbegin appearing,onesmallbutfamiliartreatoftenfindsits wayintoourhotcocoa:theCandyCane.Whilewe usuallyenjoyitforitssweetpeppermintflavor,the candycanecarriesalongtraditionofChristian symbolism,remindingusthatevensimpleholiday treatscanpointusbacktoChrist.
“AShepherd’sStaff,”thecurvedshapeofthecandy caneismorethanjustacreativedesign.Many Christiansviewitasareminderoftheshepherds whofirstheardthenewsofJesus’birth.Turned upright,itresemblesashepherd’sstaffsymbolizing ChristasourGoodShepherdwhoguides,protects, andcaresforHisflock.
“AJforJesus,”flipthecandycaneupsidedown,and theshapetransformsintotheletterJ,representing thenameoftheonewhosavedus.Thissimpledetail encouragesbelieverstokeepJesusattheforefrontof theChristmasseason,especiallyamidthebusyness ofschoolevents,exams,andcelebrations
“ColorsWithMeaning,”thecandycane’scolors aren’trandomeither.Traditionally,thebrightwhite backgroundrepresentsChrist’spurityandHis sinlesslife TheboldredstripessymbolizeHis sacrificeonthecross,remindingusofthelovethat formsthefoundationofourfaith.Someversions evenincludethreethinnerredstripes,symbolizing theHolyTrinity
“ASolidFoundation,”candycanesaremadefrom hardcandy,whichsomeinterpretasasymbolofthe solidrockwefindinJesus.Justasthecandycaneis firmandunchanginginshape,Christisconstantand unwaveringinHispromises.
“ASweetMessagetoShare.”Whetherornotevery partofthissymbolismishistoricallydocumented,
Thecandycanehasbecomeacherished Christianteachingtool!Manychurches andschoolsuseittosharethemessageof Christinasimple,joyfulway.Asstudents ofanSDAschool,we’reencouragedtobe remindedofthereasonfortheseason. So,thisChristmasseason,whenyou unwrapacandycane,letitscolorsand shaperemindyounotonlyofholiday cheer,butoftheSaviorwhosebirthwe celebrate.Sometimeseventhesmallest traditionscarrythesweetestmessage.
DASHING THROUGH DECEMBER!
Manypeoplebelievethatrunningishard andtiring,thoughrunningisafantastic exercisetobuildstaminaandoverall cardiostrength.GoodfriendSophie Munongo(‘27)andIenjoyrunningto stayhealthy.Togetherweran10k(6miles) onSunday,Dec.7.Wewantedtojointhe HolidayClassicRunheldbythe“Lopers” runclubinLomaLinda,butcouldn’t becauseoftheSAChristmasbanquet thatameweekend;still,wedecidedtorun around9amSundaymorning. Iamarunneronthegirls’cross-country teamandhaverunahalf-marathon.I foundthe10keasy,mainlybecauseofthe coldwinterweatherandgentlebreeze.I startedrunningmyfreshmanyearofhigh school,soIknewhowtopacemyselfand fuelproperly.However,Sophiehadn’trun a10kbefore,andatmostshe’donlyrun4 miles.“Iamexcited,becauseIhavenever ranthisfarofadistancebefore,butIam alsonervousandcautiousbecauseIdon’t wanttosetahighgoalIcan’tachieve.”
Sophie(‘27)stated. SophieandIbeganour10kat9amfrom myhouse.Thefirst5kwaseasy,justwith alittle
Writtenby:PriscillaAlao
elevation,butnottoosunny.Sophieagreed andbelievedifwecontinuedatourpace, this10kwouldbeeasy.Forthelast3k,we girlswererunningagainstthewindand withthesuninourfaces.Thiswasthemost challengingpartofourrun,butwepowered through.Wesloweddownatfirst,but pickedupourpacetowardstheend.The windwasstrong,sowehadtoreallypump ourarmstotryandmaintainourpace. Sophieagreed,saying,“Iwastryingtokeep up,butatsomepointsIsloweddown. However,runningwithmyfriendsmakesit easiertokeepgoing,becauseoftheir support.”Wewereabletofinishthe10kin underanhourand5mins.Afterourrunand brunchtogether,wereturnedhometoget readyforthebanquet.
INTERNATIONAL DAY
Writtenby:JiannaNation
InternationalDayisanannualeventat LomaLindaAcademy,wherestudents showcasetheircultureinvariousways. Somestudentsdisplaytheirculturesby walkingdownthegymcarryingtheflag fromtheirheritage,whileotherstudents performdancesuniquetotheirculture. Also,somestudentsdisplaytheirculture throughsongsorbyplayingmusical instruments.Forexample,studentsof Indonesian,Filipino,andJapanesecultures performeddances;JadeNgocPham(‘27) sangasongofVietnameseculture describingstudents’gratitudetowards theirteachers.
InternationalDaycantakealongtimeto preparefor,aseachstudentwantstogive theirbestperformancetohonortheir country.MaliaLove(‘26),Hana Enomoto(‘27),andLilaOms(‘29) performedhula,presentingtheirHawaiian culture.Maliastatesthattheyhad practicedtogetherforaboutamonthtobe preparedforInternationalDay.Everyhula performanceisuniquetoeachsong,and everychoreographyhasmeaning.Malia states,“We'reverygratefulourkumutook thetimetoeducateusonnotonlythe choreography,butthemeaning
behindthemele(song)andwhatit actuallytranslatesto.”Sheexpresses thathulaisaformofcommunication withouremotionsthroughourhands, andthattogethertheytellastory.Itis importanttoknowyouraudienceand whoyouareperformingfor,andtouse expressiontohelptranslatethelyrics tothem.Shestates,“Youshouldknow whatyou'redancingtosothatyouare communicatingitthebestway possible.”Maliasaysthather“kumu” firstteachesthemwhatthelyricsmean andshowsthempicturesofthe locationsmentionedinthemele(song) tobetterhelpthemunderstandhowto reachtheaudience.
Afteralltheperformanceswere completed,allthestudentsthen wentoutsideandenjoyedsome deliciousfood.Itwasalarge potluckwithfoodbroughtby studentsandparents.Mr.Desia wasthemainsponsorofthe InternationalDay.Hewasin chargeofgettingallthestudents towalkdownthegymwiththe flagoftheircountry,gettingall thefoodforthestudents,andso muchmore.Allinall,International Dayisanannualgreatexperience forthestudentsandfacultyof LLAbecauseitallowsthestudents toshowcasetheirculture,andin doingso,ithelpsfacultygetto knowmorethestudentsbetter, fosteringastrongerbondbetween studentsandfaculty.
LLA GIVES BACK - OPERATION
CHIRSTMAS CHILD
Writtenby:NolanJamison
Thisyear,LomaLindaAcademy’s highschoolparticipatedin OperationChristmasChildforthe firsttime.LedbyPastorLuke,the highschoolpartneredwith Samaritan'sPursetosendgift-filled basketsandthemessageofChrist tochildreninneedworldwide. Studentsworkedtogethertocollect donationsandassembleboxes.In theweeksleadinguptotheevent, eachhomeroomreceivedtwolarge cardboardboxes.Eachclasshad theirowndesignateditemsto bring:seniorssuppliedpersonal careitems,tissuepaper,andschool supplies,juniorsbroughtclothing, games,andtoys
andgamesforboysandgirlsages 10-14,sophomoresbroughtbooks andtoysforages5-9,andfreshmen contributedtoysandstuffed animalsforages2-4.Initially,the itemsarrivedslowly,buttheboxes ineachhomeroomeventuallyfilled asmorestudentsparticipated.The boxeswerepackedinthejunior highgymonNovember21stduring thescheduledchapeltime.All studentswereencouragedto participateingroupsof4androtate throughthestationscollecting itemsfortheirshoeboxes,including toys,personalcareitemsandmore. Oncetheyhadgatheredallthe itemsontheirrespectivechecklists, thegroupaddedahandmadecard ontop,eachindividuallymadeby theSAandclassofficers.Next, StudentstookaPolaroidphotoof
theirgrouptoincludeintheir box,sotherecipientcanseethe smilingfacesofthekidswho
giftedthemtheChristmasbox. Thefinalstepwastopraytogether overthefinishedshoebox,then addamarkonthebox’s whiteboardtopubliclyindicate thatitwascompleted.Operation ChristmasChildhasarealimpact onchildrenwhoreceivetheboxes. Formany,thegiftsinsideare itemstheyrarelyhaveaccessto. Theseshoeboxesareoftena child’sfirstpersonalgift,andthey bringthemgreatjoy.LomaLinda Academy’sfirstyearparticipating inOperationChristmasChildnot onlybroughtstudentstogether butalsoconnectedtheschooltoa missionwithglobalimpact.Bythe endoftheevent,theschoolhad assembled162shoeboxes,justshy ofthe200goal.Hopefully,thiswill becomeanewtradition,andLLA willcontinuetomakeagrowing impactoncommunitiesinneed aroundtheworld.
MIRROR TEAM
LOMA LINDA ACADEMY
EDITOR IN CHIEF
ETHAN CASTILLO
COPY EDITOR
NOAH KIM
MANAGING EDITOR
AEDAN PARSONS
LAYOUT EDITORS
ABI STYADI & REAGAN MASSEY
SECTION EDITORS
GRACIE BAHRI, LIZ MILLET, REAGAN MASSEY, KAILEY
PIPERSBURG, EZRA ENCISO, BRUCE COTTON, RYAN
SEHEULT WRITERS
BILLY LATOUR, RYAN SEHUELT, NOLAN JAMISON, PRISCILLA
ALAO, OLIVA ANILUS, GRACIE HERRERA, BRUCE COTTON,
JIANNA NATION
MEDIA MANAGERS
RYAN SEHEULT, NOAH KIM, ABI STYADI, GRACIE BAHRI