Loma Linda Academy Newszine | Established 1940s | Volume 81 Issue 1 | Sept./Oct. 2013
Sept. / Oct. 2013
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Volume 81 Issue 1 1
Handshake & Senior Entrance
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The Mir ror
Volume 81 Issue 1
Sept. / Oct. 2013
22 August 2013
Table of Contents Editor in Chief Shawn Weerawardana
4 Editorial
Shawn Weerawardana
Reporters
5 Fire at Pine Springs Ranch
Julian Aveling Abry Gittens Shawn Weerawardana Joyce Zheng Elijah Hickman
Abry Gittens
6 Meeting New Faces
Joyce Zheng
8 Class Officers 10 Franz Hall Update Julian Aveling
Photos by: Danelle Taylor Johnston Shawn Weerawardana
Mirror Staff
Publisher Robert Skoretz
Sponser Danelle Taylor Johnston
Contact Loma Linda Academy 10656 Anderson St. Loma Linda, CA 92354 Mirror@lla.org
14 Those Pay-cuts Though Shawn Weerawardana 16 Sports Contributions
Elijah Hickman
18 Campus Ministries/SA/
Yearbook Staff/Film
12 Five Ways to Make Your Life a Little Easier
Abry Gittens
13 Briefs
Sept. / Oct. 2013
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editorial
Editorial
C’mon guys... Really?
You’re killing me. Everywhere I
go on this campus I am guaranteed to see trash! The sad part is that it isn’t just at the end of the day! I come in for zero period, trash, end of lunch, trash, after school, trash. Don’t get me started about after school. I mean I get it. I’m a student here too. You may not always have time to throw away trash. Things happen—but really? It’s gotten really bad and it needs to stop. Do you know how many trash cans we have on campus? We have over sixty trash cans on campus not including the ones in teacher’s rooms and bathrooms. So using 4
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this information, you mean to tell
ANYTHING, let me know. Just
me that during the course of your
take a second and look around, look
day you don’t pass one of these trash
and see if you see any trash. If you
cans? Do you really mean to tell me
do, please pick it up and throw it
that when you have trash, you can’t
away. Please. Make this place a better
find a trash can to throw it away in?
place to go to school. Yes, do that in
Instead, you just throw it away on
other ways too, but if you physically
the floor? NO! Please find a trash
make the school better, even in the
can! For goodness sakes find a trash
aspect of aesthetics, it automatically
can and throw away your trash.
becomes an even better place to be.
I have literally seen people that leave trash, with a trash can two feet away from them...TWO FEET! For years now the school, all the teachers, parents and multiple students, have tried to fix this issue. Yet, it’s 2013 and the problem is just as bad, if not worse, than when it started. So how can we fix this. I am asking you straight up; what do we do? Please if you have Sept. / Oct. 2013
By: Shawn Weerawardana
Fire at Pine Springs Ranch
Community
Fire at Pine Springs Ranch causes damage that cuts close to home.
to hear about the damages to the
at all. The camp store had been
camp. As soon as it was safe, campers
destroyed, along with several other
from previous years rushed up the
buildings in the camp ground.
mountain to see what they could
Once the damage was
to do to lend assistance. Volunteers
accounted for, camp counselors
worked to clear out debris and
were left to pick up the pieces.
find other ways to help. Older
Fortunately, they were not alone.
campers created pages online, such
This statement was released by
as an account on wepay.com, as
the camp after the incident, “We
campers from past and present
thank God that none of the staff,
appealed to their friends and
campers or animals were injured.
through the San Jacinto Mountains
family to help the camp that had
But the camp will be closed until
and into Pine Springs Ranch (PSR),
given them so many good times.
extensive repairs and rebuilding
On July 15, the Mountain Fire tore
a Southeastern California Conference
Heather Grable, an ‘13
are finished, and we will need your
alumni and the older sister of
help to rebuild. The largest costs
junior Heidi Grable, was on the
will be covered by insurance, but
had to evacuate. The journey was slow
mountain working at PSR during
many smaller expenses, such as
going because of the amount of cars
the time of the fire. Luckily, she
environmental restoration, personal
going down the small winding road
came down the mountain safely.
losses and facility improvements will
summer camp. About 179 visitors
on the side of the mountain. Campers
Students at LLA have fond
require additional donations... It
memories of Pine Springs Ranch.
is estimated that no functions will
Some may remember going up for
be possible at the camp for some
with nothing but the clothes on their
Bible Camp during 7th and 8th
time, possibly several months.�
back, due to the extreme smoke.
grade or during their junior or senior
and counselors had to leave the camp
Currently, PSR is closed until
year. Other students may remember
further notice. As they work to
in 1961, has a long-standing legacy
the food from the cafeteria or
get back on their feet, we can
in the Adventist church. From their
maybe during summer camp when
all say a preyer that they will get
summer camps, to hosting retreats
all the campers lined up in front
back to where they once were.
for schools and churches year-round,
of the flagpole. During this whole
PSR has done a lot for servicing
ordeal, people have really banded
countless amounts of people. As an
together to show support for their
unfortunate consequence of the fire,
beloved Pine Springs Ranch.
The 480-acre facility, purchased
all these activities have been halted.
During a brief inspection the
News traveled quickly and soon
day after the fire, the home of the
people all around heard about the
camp facility manager and his family
tragic fire. Local churches joined
had been burned to the ground. The
together in prayer as they awaited
sewage plant was unable to work Sept. / Oct. 2013
By Abry Gittens
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Meeting New Faces Starting on August 22nd, Loma Linda Academy ushered in a brand new 2013-2014 school year.
God and we have the same goal.” Speaking of cultural backgrounds,
for high school students every week. Victoria Pacheco (10) and
LLA has two new Chinese
Mariam Jenkins (10) are both
international students this semester:
sophomores. Jenkins loves music;
Yichen (Peter) Wang (10) and Yuchen
She loves to sing and she likes to
(Jim) Yang (9). As a Freshman, it
laugh and talk. She went to Redlands
is Yang’s first year in the United
Adventist Academy before she came
States. Although still struggling for
to LLA. She has always known LLA
language barriers, he has already made
and Loma Linda University (LLU),
Some changes on campus
include the construction of the new library and the planned demolition
(Yuchen Yang)
of Franz Hall. The most significant
(Mariam Jenkins)
difference is that many new students
many friends in school. According
since both of her aunt and uncle
joined the school and two teachers
to Yang, his friends are willing to
went to LLU. She said, “People
joined the faculty. Among the
help him with his classes. He loves
have strong and long friendships.”
transfer students, eighteen of them
sports and is an excellent swimmer.
are in the freshmen class, and the
Yang is also greatly interested in golf
School. She likes sports and would
other three classes each have four
and looks forward to joining the
like to join the girls volleyball and
new students. Erica Rantung is the
school golf team. After two weeks of
basketball team. She has a very open
new English as a Second Language
studying in LLA, he has experienced
mind and enjoys helping people and
(ESL), geography and Bible teacher.
a completely different type of
experimenting new things. What
The school also has Lucio Camacho
school system compared to that in
is unique about Victoria is that she
as the new athletic director.
China. “In China I used to have all
hangs out with a lot of celebrities;
classes with exactly the same group
since she has friends whose parents
about new people in campus. They
of people.” But in LLA, he meets
are producers of TV series including
may have different personalities,
different people in each period. He
Austin and Ally, Vampire Diaries,
specialities and cutural backgrounds.
also added, “ Here I have P.E. class
The Secret Life of the American
However, just as Rantung said,
almost everyday.” In China only one
Teenager, True Blood, and Pretty
“In LLA, we are serving the same
or two P.E. class periods are provided
Little Liars. Dr. Sandiford is her
It is interesting to get to know
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Pacheco went to Providence High
student life
favorite teacher. Pacheco enjoys
to handle all classes. She loves the
also loves the food, especially
Sandiford’s class very much because
diversity of the students, and she
Asian food for every Wednesday.
she thinks his style of teaching is
said, “I grow as I teach.” Rantung
very unique and self-explanatory.
also suggested some effective
loving the school. “Everyone is so
ways for foreign students to learn
fun to talk to and it’s so easy to
ESL and Bible classes as her part-time
English. “Learn through daily basis,”
make new friends,” said Jenkins.
job for the last school year. This year,
She said, “One helpful way is to
Erica Rantung actually taught
she
communicate with native speakers.”
All interviewees found themselves
“I love how we are so connected like a community,” said
The new athletic director, Lucio Camacho previously worked for Mesa Grande Academy for 16 years. Camacho said that LLA has very nice facilities as well as good (Erica Rantung)
sports programs.He also wanted to work with Gary Eggers. This year Camacho’s goal is to “continue
becomes a full-time teacher. Rantung
moving things forward,” and “keep
has an international background.
all the sportsmanship good.”
She graduated with a B.A. in Foreign Language (English) Education in
Throughout the interviews,
(Kasey Harry) Pacheco. She said that the school “makes you feel more at home.” “LLA makes me feel welcomed,”
LLA cafeteria was favored by all
Taiwan in 2005. She obtained her
said Harry. Yang said that everyone
M.A. in Religious Education from
is very friendly. It can be seen
Andrews University in 2011. She
that all new students quickly
also completed the TESOL (Teachers
integrated into the new campus.
of English to Speakers of Other
by
Languages) certificate program
Joyce Zheng
through Anaheim University in 2013. When Skoretz was looking for an ESL teacher, Rantung happened to have what the school was looking
(Lucio Camacho)
for. Rantung teaches four classes:
interviewees. “Pretty good! It’s better
ESL, Introduction to Christianity,
than La Sierra,” said Kasey Harry
Geography and History of Religion
(11), a new Junior from La Sierra
I & II. She said that she is thankful
Academy. Jenkins also showed her
for the opportunity to teach multiple
love for the school cafeteria. She
classes. She tries to balance her time
said, “I love the food.” Rantung Sept. / Oct. 2013
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Campus Leaders
2017
Freshmen Officers & Sponsors
2016
Sophomore Officers & Sponsors
8
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Sept. / Oct. 2013
student life
2015
Junior Officers & Sponsors
2014
Senior Officers & Sponsors
Sept. / Oct. 2013
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Franz Hall Update ‘What is happening with Franz Hall?’ This is a question that has been
that the first option was not cost
through Franz Hall to North
effective. The second option is
Hall, adding that while she would
unfeasible because the plans for
prefer it not to be torn down, she
a new building have not been
understood that it is necessary.
finalized, and imposing a constraint before then would be restrictive. Skoretz stated that the school’s
Franz Hall also contained the Library which has been temporarily moved into the heritage room.
asked by many students since
The new library is currently being
the plans for deconstruction
constructed within the four old former classrooms in West Hall.
were first revealed.
According to Mark Holm, vice
Franz Hall itself has a number
principal, the library is due to
of problems. Its foundation is old
be finished any day, possibly by
and the building needs structural
the time this is published. The
reinforcement. The school plans to begin main demolition around Christmas break, per the approval of the city, according to Robert Skoretz, principal. Loma Linda’s Historical Commission, an advisory group to the city council, is not entirely agreeable to Franz Hall being torn down. The Historical Commission wishes Franz Hall to be memorialized in some way. One suggestion is for the front third of Franz Hall to be saved and incorporated into a new building. If that is not possible, the Historical Commission would like for a new building to have a facade that resembled old Franz Hall. Unfortunately Loma Linda Academy administration felt 10
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LLA students and staff Spring 2013
ideal plan would be for the new
cafeteria is still located on the north side of the building. On a recent tour of the library,
building to be an auditorium, so
Holm explained that the library
high school students would no longer
will have, among other things: a
need to walk to Chan Auditorium,
combination of a study hall and
on the elementary campus.
computer lab room, as well as two
Even if the front third of the
smaller study rooms and special
building cannot be saved, plans are
UV ray blinds that will block
still being made to memorialize
sunlight and protect the books.
Franz Hall. Plans include making
Skoretz added, “I am sad to see
a detailed photographic record and
it [Franz Hall] go. I was a student
placing a memorial to Howard
there myself, but my duty to the
Franz at the northwest corner of
current students outweighs the
the Student Services Building.
sentimental value of the building.”
Student opinions on what is happening to Franz Hall were in general hopeful for the future. Tahira Ashley, (12), recalled fond memories of having a shortcut Sept. / Oct. 2013
By Julian Aveling
School Life
Franz Hall now
Sept. / Oct. 2013
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5 Ways To Make Your Life A Little Easier High School is a rough time for anyone. Here are a few tips to make your experiences 1)Start the day off right Make sure you eat a healthy breakfast. Your brain needs food to keep running. It is true what
3) Get Involved
A great way to have fun
during the school year is to get involved with school activities. If you’re a little shy and want to branch out, joining a club or trying out for a sport is a great way to meet new people and get out of your comfort zone a little. Just be careful not to pile too much on to your plate!
4) Follow the Rules
Not following the rules doesn’t
they say, breakfast really is the
make you cool. A simple way not
most important meal of the day.
to create unnecessary problems is to
2) Get your priorities straight
stick to the book. Whether it’s the dress code, or not parking in the visitors parking, doing what you are supposed to can make life a lot easier.
5) Devotionals
This is something that can be a struggle for some high school students. Between our friends, family, sports, and that great show on TV, we sometimes get a little too caught
It’s easy to get caught up in all
up. Don’t forget what’s important.
the things we have going on, but
It is easy to get distracted in the
don’t forget to spend time with
short-term fun, but don’t forget
God. He’ll always motivate you
about your long term success.
and keep you on the right path.
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Sept. / Oct. 2013
Extra
You dont know? Now you know
Sarah
28, 2013 Mica r e b h
Henderson, English teacher, has
Ch
begun the Graduate
arl
On Se
em pt
Certificate Program in
rmann was Her b o rn
d. l i h
es
h is .T
tc
Briefs
Mind, Brain, and Teaching at John Hopkins University.
The Last Of the 90s Kids! This year will be the last year that
Go to the mirror
most of our students who were born in the 1990s will totally populate the school. After the incoming freshmen
r. is M
Herr
mann ’ s fir s
arrive, we will be in the midst of the kids of the new millenium.
website! www.llamirror.org
McDonalds opened in Loma Linda near the intersection of of Mountain View and Barton Rd. How do you feel about this? Let us know at llamirror.org/news at the brief called McLomaLinda on
A full list of clubs and their descriptions are on the mirror website!
Robert Skoretz, high school principal, has commenced his PhD in Practical Theology with an emphasis in Religious Education at Claremont Lincoln University.
the site.
Sept. / Oct. 2013
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Those Pay cuts Though! Surprising pay cuts strike a chord with the community of LLA.
For many years, the school has
been the source of income for a countless number of students. At the start of this school year a limit of two hours of student work per teacher
Pastor Skoretz said, "Due to
for myself, because where else am
lower enrollment this year, we have
I going to get it from you know? I
made school-wide budget cuts in as
can’t depend on my parents forever.”
many areas as possible. Fortunately,
Other students, like Josh Stange
we did not have to lay off any faculty
(11), did not mind the hours cut.
at Loma Linda Academy. However,
He says, “Well, the only reason is
we did need to cut back the amount
that I’m fine with it, I don’t really
of hours of paid student labor given
need to get paid. I just like to help
to each teacher, from five to two
out Ms. Elsmann. Other than that
hours per week. We realize this
I'm fine with being able to just
is difficult for both students and
earn some money. I mean that’s
teachers and we are continuing to
a gift from the school, they don't
hunt for ways we might be able to
HAVE to pay us, but they do.”
restore some of the lost hours. In
workers were asked to work a
was set in place. It left many students
maximum of two hours a week.
searching for other sources of income.
Students had the option to continue
LLA had cut student’s work
working for just the two hours or
hours to two hours a week at
working for community service hour.
the beginning this school year in
Students were, and still are, not
attempt to save the school’s money,
allowed to switch over to community
as opposed to the prior limit of five hours. Enrollment went down from the expected 460 students to this year’s enrollment of approximately 440. There was a budget for this year based on more students than are actually here, and the pay cuts to student workers were placed in order to reduce expenses in order to balance the budget. This cut happened so suddenly that students were at the crossroads as to whether they should continue working or to quit their jobs. 14
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Due to these changes, student
service hours once their work hours the meantime we appreciate those
for the week are complete. They
who have been able and willing to
must choose to do one or the other.
help teachers on a volunteer basis." The whole situation had become
Valerie Lopez (11) explained, “Instead of getting paid more I work
a problem that affected the student
for community service.” For a clearer
community at LLA. Jordan Roberson
example, if a student had worked
(12) said, “I think it has affected me
during fourth period, and this
but in ways that don’t necessarily
student worked his or her two hours
affect me now. Like since this has
for the week, once this was done,
happened I have a cap on how
he or she does not have the option
much money I can make, and like
to switch over to Work Education
I’m not gonna lie, I need money
Experience or community service
Sept. / Oct. 2013
School Life hours. If the student continues to
full five hours students had before
work for pay he or she still had to
but to 200 minutes per week.
go to work until the period is over and was not allowed to work. The change had not only affected
For now this will have to work. But starting on July, 1, 2013, the minimum wage in California will be
students but teachers as well. Many
increased from $8 an hour to $9. And
teachers are behind on grading and
even after this happens, 18 months
it affected the way they spend their
later, the minimum wage will rise
time. Students in general are noticing
to $10. These raises in minimum
grades on PowerSchool are appearing
wage will seriously affect the student
later than usual. These appear to
labor budget in the following years
be the consequences not having
to come. But for now we will have
the availability of their workers at
to make due with what we have, and
various times during the week.
students seem, for the time being,
Valerie Lopez said, “ I don’t
happy with what has happened
think its fair, not only for students
in the end of this whole ordeal.
but for the teachers. It affects everybody. Less students helping
By: Shawn Weerawardana
with the work means more work for the teachers, and that affects grades and effectiveness in a sense I guess.� This does not only affect workers at the high school, but also workers at both the elementary and junior high. The LLA community was in
Do you ever find yourself out of the know on school events? Not to worry, the mirror staff has your back! Go visit... www.llamirror.org
distress, and many teachers and students were left in confusion as to what to do, until October came along. The administration had found some money in the budget that could be used. Obviously student labor had become a huge issue among us, so it was inevitable, that this money, at least some, would go to this cause. The administration had a meeting with the faculty to discuss how to use the money that was found. What has been done is that the student labor budget has now been restored. Although not to the Sept. / Oct. 2013
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School Life
BEEP BEEP! Loma Linda Vollyball
Wins & Losses FROSH (freshmen/sophomore) As of Oct. 17 Wins 4 Losses 1
Junior Varsity (J.V.) As of Oct. 17 Wins 5 Losses 1 two scores are unknown Varsity As of Oct. 17 Wins 11 losses 3
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School Life
BEEP BEEP! Loma Linda football
Photos by: Diane Bradley
Wins & Losses Girls Flag Football As of Oct. 17 Girls Varsity Wins 7 Losses 0
Guys Flag Football As of Oct. 17 Guys Varsity Wins 7 Losses 1 Sept. / Oct. 2013
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Campus Leaders Campus Ministries
Student Association
Yearbook Staff
Film/Replay
Journalism/Mirror
18
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Sept. / Oct. 2013
Senior Coming Out
Sept. / Oct. 2013
9 September 2013
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Picnic/Beach Vespers
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4 October 2013