2026
REFLECTING ON LOMA LINDA ACADEMY SINCE 1940
ISSUE 5
THE MIRROR Senior Advice Column -Maia Bilbao
Some people say that high school is the most formative part of your life. Friendships change, relationships come and go, and school only gets more and more difficult, but how do we balance all of this? Most of all, what can we learn from the hardships we face? Before the seniors prepare to leave, a few of them offer advice based on their experiences that will last them a lifetime. They hope that you can learn and grow from the lessons that they have learned on and off campus.
Amora Mangunsong
What was your biggest fear when coming into high school, and how can you reflect on that now? The biggest takeaway from their reflection was not to have any regrets. When dealing with the fear of missing out (FOMO), Ancel Magnaye (‘26) says that FOMO pushed him to do everything. He is happy about the opportunities he pushed himself to take, despite the busyness it brought to his schedule, and says, “It’s never really that serious…unless it is. But Y.O.L.O., so just go for it.” Stephen Boyce (‘26) also emphasizes avoiding regret by stating that you should not make a single scenario too big. To anyone struggling with Ancel Magnaye anxiety or fear, he encourages you to “focus on the things that you can control.” How do you keep a healthy relationship of grades, relationships, and experiences? Stephen Boyce and Kendall Collins (‘26) both agree that although grades are important, they should not take over your life. Kendall finds that grades can only give you so much validation. Once she began prioritizing real connections with her friends, she found a “true sense of purpose”. Stephen agrees that grades should not be your top priority all the time. He enjoys experiences over grades and advises everyone to “enjoy yourself and the things that bring life to you.” What’s one quote you live by? Kendall - “My dad always told me growing up about the 'OFLAG,' which means Opportunity For Learning And Growth. I live by this saying because it humbles me, reminds me that there is room for improvement even when I do well, and it helps me be less hard on myself when I make mistakes. There is always something we can learn from every situation.” Ancel - “You never know your full potential until you reach for it.” -My Father, Ivan Magnaye ;)