Photos By: Danelle Taylor Johnston and Shawn Weerawardana
Table of Contents And Jesus Grew... 4 Watching For The Future “Review” 6 Now You Know 7 Day In The Life 8 Mother’s Day D.I.Y. 10 Student Feature: Adam Basical 11 Meeting New People 12 Divergent Far Superior to Predecessors 14 Those Who Go The Distance 16 Reality Check: Perspective 18 In Fashion! 20
What are four days of the week that start with the letter “T”??? Guess the right answer, submit it to our website and win a prize!
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Loma Linda Academy has a reputation of changing its students towards a life closer to God.
(11) said.
A
are brought
nd Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with
God and man (Luke 2:52). Jesus, the Lord and Savior, the only one who knows beginning from end, grew in wisdom and stature. So many times, as Christians, people think that they are supposed to be perfect. However, Christians can fail. But the thing is that the Lord meets them at their failures, and guides them along. At Loma Linda Academy the students can harness the campus as one of these guides. Upon entering high school as a freshman at LLA, one can expect to grow closer to God in a very short period of time. Students have this opportunity from the very first day, and so many take this and run with it for the next four years that they are on the campus. Everywhere students can experience and feel the love and desire from teachers and staff to help students to experience this closeness with God. “It’s definitely chapels every Friday that highlight my week, and make me feel closer to God. When everybody is so involved in ministry it’s hard not to get involved in the spiritual hype,” Velerie Lopez
Whether it
in years either...I envy those that can go to a school where they can
be in Bible classes,
openly learn about God...I honestly
week of prayers,
believe that if I went to a Christian
vespers, and all
school, I’d be so much happier.”
the other things
Being at a school like LLA
done at LLA,
is truly a blessing, that if taken
students naturally
away might even take a toll.
closer to God.
“LLA gives you freedom of religion in the way that you have
When students graduate it is hoped
the opportunity to discuss religious
that they leave the school, not
beliefs with one another. You can pray
only with academic knowledge,
openly, whereas in public schools
but also the knowledge of Christ.
you can’t. I find that it is very hard
For years it seems as though
not to learn more, or get closer to
Loma Linda Academy has been
God when in every class the teachers
successful at doing this.
show us how God is involved in every
“When I came into the high
aspect of education.” Lopez (11)
school I told myself that I would
Come graduation, students
make a change for the better,
undeniably can say that they have
and very fortunately for me there
grown closer to God. This happens
were things here to help me on
because the mission of Christ is
that journey to be closer to God.
taught to students. Somehow this
And in time, I just became more
creates a huge change in students.
involved and just got a lot more spiritual,” Julian Rengifo (10) said. Whether students have this
Through the students of Loma Linda Academy, those who do not know God will experience Him
mindset to change or not, LLA
through these students themselves.
seems to have such a positive
The school teaches students about
effect on its students, and in
God, so consequently they can teach
the end it even changes them
others. Through these very students,
for a better life in general.
LLA hopes to show others who
Alyssa A. from Citrus Valley
God is, and what He can do. What
High School, a Christian herself,
LLA hopes for is for its students to
said, “It’s really sad how much I’ve
create a heaven on earth. For the
lost that connection with God in the
most part it has succeeded in that.
three years that I’ve been at Citrus. I haven’t had a religion class in years, and sadly I haven’t even prayed collectively with a group of friends April 2014
By: Shawn Weerawardana
The Mir ror
Volume 81 Issue 5
5
“Watching”For the Future The Samsung® Galaxy Gear: An innovation in communication and design.
R
emember the cartoon The
Jetsons where people could
watch television shows on
their watches? How about the Mighty
Morphin’ Power Rangers, where the main characters could communicate
of the features of your phone
720p at 30fps and can play video in
conveniently on your wrist.
MP4, and also has 2 microphones.
With the Galaxy Gear, you
So far, the Galaxy Gear has
Well, Samsung® has brought those
can now make and receive calls
gotten some good reviews with
dreams into reality with the Samsung®
without needing to take your phone
many people praising its design, and
Galaxy Gear, a smart watch with
out. This could make unnoticed
innovation. The main gripe, however
some seriously cool tricks. With its
missed calls a thing of the past.
is that there is no way to access social
just by talking into their wrists?
Some of the
sleek, unobtrusive
networks, something that people
design, its
different features
really wished would happen. Another
responsive touch
of the Galaxy Gear
drawback is that its compatibility
screen and stylish
are Bluetooth®
with other devices is limited.
stainless steel
connectivity,
frame, the Galaxy
4GB of internal
is an incredible innovation with
Gear, according
memory,
lots of potential. It and similar
Samsung®’s
accelerometer with
devices will most likely take the
website,
gyro-stabilizer,
world by storm. The Galaxy Gear
“Changes the
a 41.4mm
is truly the next big step in how
way we stay connected.” The watch is essentially an extension of the Galaxy S smartphone, the two devices being
display screen with 320x320 ability to become a watch. Another very interesting feature is its 1.9 megapixel camera located
makes it so that you have many
on the strap. The camera shoots in
The Mir ror
Volume 81 Issue 5
we communicate with others.
resolution, and of course, the
seamlessly linked together. This 6
The Samsung® Galaxy Gear
April 2014
By: Jason Frias
Photos courtesy of Samsung.com
Now You Know Cor
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April 2014
Th beene tea clu Wed meetin b has n g and esday fo every mak tea. Th r treats e spe ey a ls teaccial trips o hers. to
The Mir ror
Volume 81 Issue 5
7
Teacher Feature: Mrs. Elssmann Spending more than eight hours with several different classes of teenagers is not usually what comes to mind when thinking about a typical dream job. However, this is a typical day
to play with the physics toys after we make them,” Elssmann said. Between her morning classes and lunch time she has one period dedicated to preparation for her afternoon classes, which are all Algebra I classes. She also takes advantage of this time to eat lunch, because she gets
in the life of Loma Linda Academy
very busy as soon
Sounds pretty stressful, right? This
(LLA) math and physics teacher
as lunch time starts. “I always have
kind of a schedule is enough to
Heidi Elssmann. Getting to school
kids in here taking tests or studying,”
give anybody a cross attitude and
around 7:35 AM for faculty worship
she explained. “So, I try to eat lunch
aching head, but Elssmann actually
is the only chance she has to interact with adults. “From
“I really believe that God led me to work as a teacher.”
before then.” Even when
enjoys it. Since her own children no longer live with her, she said that it
after-school
makes her “happy to have so many
time is thought
teenagers [around] everyday.”
to begin,
Surprisingly, Elssmann had not
Elssmann is
originally intended to be a teacher.
still working on
“It was a providential thing. I really
then on,” she said, “I see
school related things. Sometimes it
believe that God led me to work as
nothing but kids.”
is with labs for her physics classes,
a teacher,” she remarked. Having
and at other times it is with projects
gone to school for engineering
occupied by her physics classes, which
in the LLA Robotics Club. Overall,
and pursued that career, Elssmann
have lots of fun experiments and
her day does not truly end until
had only taken up teaching as a
toys to interact with. “It’s always fun
about 5 PM when she goes home.
part-time job. She grew to like it
The morning periods are
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April 2014
understands something that they have been struggling with. It apparently happens quite often, which makes her happy. “I love it when it happens. What really helps them have that moment is when they do things themselves,” she said. “Mrs. Elssmann is one of the teachers I relate to the most because she’s so young at heart,” said Joshua Sihotang (12). Even Kevin Dockham (11), Christian Lott (12), Jonathan Thomas (12), and Heidi Elssmann
though they can drive her crazy,
more and ended up sending in a
ill with cancer. He had hand-picked
Elssmann loves to spend time
teaching application to LLA.
her to take over for him. She started
around the students and she enjoys
teaching at the high school full-
getting to teach them. “They
time after he passed away in 2011.
bring me so much joy,” she said.
Somehow the application made its way to Mesa Grande Academy, who then offered Elssmann a part-
In all the time that Elssmann has been a teacher, she said that the most satisfying feeling has not been when the whole class does well on a generally difficult
By: Adanna Okwandu Photos by: Matt Kim & Victoria Ico
test or when everybody in class behaves, but “when a student has the ‘Aha!’ moment.” The ‘Aha!’ moment, time job. Accepting the job offer
as defined by Elssmann, is that
resulted in her service there for
moment when a student finally
three years. After that, it was the late Gordan Day, the junior high principal at that time, who worked it out for her to come and teach at the LLA junior high full time. That lasted for three years before she quit so that she could take a break from teaching for a while. Elssmann was called back to LLA in order to be a substitute teacher for Dave Burishkin in 2009 when he became April 2014
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9
Mother’s Day DIY
Lollipop Flowers
Materials: • construction paper (two colors) • scissors • lollipops (min. 4) • scented wax beads • drinking straws • small vase
Step 1: Fill the vase with
Step 2: Cut out six hearts for
the beads. Be sure to
each lollipop. Those will serve
pack them down so that
as the petals of the flower.
they are really tight.
Step 3: Using the scissors, make a small hole in the base of each heart. Run the stem of a lollipop through the hole to make sure that it fits.
Step 6: Repeat steps 3 through Step 4: Slide the hearts onto
Step 5: Push the lollipop
the lollipop, one at a time, and
into the vase, and pack
arrange them like the petals of a
down the beads around it.
5 until the vase is full.
flower. Then cut the straw just a half-inch longer than the stem of the lollipop, and slide it on.
By Adanna Okwandu Photos By: Shawn Weerawardana
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April 2014
Student Feature: Adam Basical In indescribable heat, competitors dropping like flies, one man emerges victorious. His name? Basical—Adam, Basical.
Adam Basical (10), a student at Loma Linda Academy (LLA), finished his first full-length marathon on March 9, 2014. Coming in at a time of “five hours and thirty-something minutes,” he said, Basical ended the 26.2 mile race just steps before his father in the famous L.A. Marathon. The Los Angeles Marathon is one of the biggest and most prestigious races in the United States, boasts the marathon’s official site, with upwards of 20,000 contestants that participate each year. This year, it began at 7:25 A.M. (for the full field, or regular, marathon competition) at Dodger Stadium, running through tourist sights such as: the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Beverly Hills, and ended at the Santa Monica Pier. The marathon itself was in March, but the training began long before that Sunday morning loomed on the horizon. “I started training six months before,” Basical said, describing his routine. “I ran twice a week at 5:30 in the morning, with a long run on the weekends,” he said calmly. That would be a lot of running for anyone, but it didn’t seem to faze him. He said, “I run four minutes and walk one minute.” The race has become a huge event not only for the competitors and their families and supporters, but also for
the community. Often, locals and many others, line the road to cheer on the runners, holding up signs to inspire the tired athletes to keep pushing themselves. If a competitor’s name is easily visible, supporters on the side of the road can be expected to chant and cheer him/her on. Those who take time out of their
schedules to become official race volunteers, organize and support water stops along the route, often passing out snacks to the exhausted athletes. Some of the race course takes the competitors through residential neighborhoods, so sometimes the homeowners also pass out bottled water or food as the runners go by. The race on March 9th was a particularly difficult one for many competitors because of the extreme heat. Basical became animated at this point during the interview, saying, “It was so hot! Sometimes I didn’t even drink the water at the stops, I just poured it over my head to cool down.” April 2014
Local weather stations announced a record high temperature that day at 85 degrees (according to the L.A. Times). Also according to the L.A. Times, race officials noticed quite a few more people in need of assistance during this race, as compared to previous years. But more than staying hydrated (though very important) or knowing a safe pace to run at, a serious racer knows that the proper equipment is key. Special running shoes, and a pouch with protein bars, GUs (a popular energy gel), or cookies in Basical’s case, and electrolytes are the basic elements that each and every runner carries with him or her on a marathon run. Instead of running with an organized group, such as the Loma Linda Lopers, Basical said he runs with his family. “My dad and brothers run,” he said. In fact, Basical said he ran almost the whole race with his father, only breaking away near the finish line. This final push to the end was his favorite part, he explained, “Near the finish, people start chanting your name.” Can’t you hear it now? “Bas-i-cal, Bas-i-cal!” And the crowd goes wild!
By: Dominique Townsend The Mir ror
Volume 81 Issue 5
11
Meeting New People Meeting new people and making new friends is not the easiest thing to do.
I
t is not easy to be the new kid in school or the one trying to make new friends in a new environment. However, being the kid who watches the new kids come into their familiar territory is pretty hard too.
People often have a hard time making new friends because they don’t know how to go about doing so. Unfortunately, there is no official guide book on how to befriend someone, but here are some tips that can definitely help you take a step in the right direction. Besides, it is never too late to make friends.
Tip #1: Get out there. How are you going to find new
Tip #2: Make conversation. Talking with people is a
friends if you are not trying to look for them? This is often
good way to get to know them. It also provides ample
more difficult for the shy, self-conscious type of people
opportunities for you to look for common interests, which
than those who are outgoing and bold. “Most kids who
are great for beginning friendships. If you are not sure
are afraid to talk to new people just need to step out of
about how to start the conversation, you can begin with a
their comfort zone,” said Lynne Hattendorf, the Loma
compliment or question about school related things. If you
Linda Academy (LLA) high school guidance counselor
have joined a school sports team, you can absolutely take
and testing coordinator. “Don’t worry about being nervous
advantage of that by using it as a conversation starter.
because the other people are probably nervous too.” Grace Hutagaol (12) was very introverted when she
“Talking about [recent] events is a great way to start a conversation,” said Hattendorf, “or you could try [mentioning]
first came to Loma Linda Academy (LLA). “The people
sports or something. There are tons of things to talk about.”
came up to me first,” Hutagaol said. “That made me more
The only thing you definitely do not want to talk about
comfortable.” Even though that may happen occasionally
is yourself. Try not to ask questions or make comments
to some people, waiting for others to approach you does
that only center around you and your own abilities. It
not always work. Seeing that you are willing to befriend
makes you appear self-absorbed to others, and how other
others will encourage them to make an effort as well.
people see you is an important part of making friends.
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April 2014
Tip #5: Be yourself. There are many qualities that people look for in people whom they might befriend, and one of the most important ones is honesty. Being honest about who you are and what you like not only shows other people that great characteristic, but also gives them the chance to get to know you. “Everyone should know this: be yourself,” Emily Mejia (11) said. “If you’re not yourself [with them] the first time, what’s the point of being
Tip #3: Be careful. Make sure
Tip #4: Be friendly and
your friends will be friends with
approachable. Smile at people
you because they truly enjoy your
when they look at you instead of
company, not just because of the
only staring back, and laugh when
things you might have or do.
you hear a funny joke. Interacting
You want to be able to recognize
with other people will show them
why a person wants to befriend
that you are a sociable person,
you, and it should be for the
willing to make friends. However,
genuine want of friendship.
there should be a definite line
However, you should have good
yourself the second, third, or fourth time with them?” Changing yourself to fit the description of “cool” according to other people is not something that you should ever think is okay to do. People should accept you for who you are. Stay true to your own original personality so that people will like you for who you are.
between friendly and strange.
reasons for making friends with
“Don’t be too creepy. You
other people as well. Hattendorf
don’t want to scare your soon-to-
recommends that you figure out “why
be friends away,” said Janna Que-
you want to become friends [with
Albano (9), a new student to LLA
certain people] before you approach
this year. This piece of advice comes
them,” because you should treat them
from a personal experience that
the way you want to be treated. If you
she had when someone had tried
are not going to treat them with the
to befriend her when the school
same respect for their feelings that
year began. She had been a bit
you are expecting from them, maybe
weirded-out by the other person’s
they are not the best choice of friends
sudden approach and was unsure
that you could decide on. There are
of what to do. It took some time
many other people to chose from.
for her to become comfortable with
By: Adanna Okwandu
Photo illustration by: Elijah Hickman
them, but Que-Albano eventually understood why they had acted so and now they are good friends. April 2014
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13
MOVIE REVIEW: “Divergent”Far Superior to Predecessors WARNING: “DIVERGENT” SPOILERS AHEAD.
its way onto the big screen.
Well, Lionsgate and Summit Entertainment have done it again, another young adult series crashes the big screen this season.
of one young woman who refuses to
Following
This series follows the journey be categorized in America’s futuristic society. A society where individuals are separated
her very existence as a “divergent,” a person who cannot be contained by any
“faction [comes] before blood,” as
into any one “faction,” and
is first stated by faction (a group
therefore poses a threat to the
based on a set of characteristics
corrupt leaders of the society.
they live by) leader Marcus Eaton (played by Ray Stevenson).
hits such as “The Hunger Games” (2012) and the “Twilight” (2010-2013), “Divergent” is the latest dystopian film based off of a best-selling Retrieved from Lionsgate Website
April 2014
Under pressure and in danger of being found and killed for her
Directed by
ability to resist the influence of the
Neil Burger and
mind-altering drug called only “the
adapted from the
serum,” Tris and her new-found
book published
love interest Four (played by Theo
by Veronica
James) must decipher the reasoning
Roth (2011),
behind the conspiracy and find
the film pursues
out how to protect themselves,
the heroine in
before the unthinkable happens.
her struggle to
franchise
Volume 81 Issue 5
threatens
single characteristic or placed
blockbuster
The Mir ror
conspiracy in the government that
specific set of characteristics, and
footprints of
14
Shailene Woodley), discovers a
“Playing at two hours and twenty minutes long, my first thought was that the film had better hold up to my expectations.”
based on a
in the massive
novel to make
16 year-old Tris Prior (played by
Playing at two hours and twenty
survive being
minutes long, my first thought
different in a
was that the film had better hold
society where
up to my expectations. However,
abnormality
when the opening scene began
is feared and
with a realistically abandoned Navy
quickly wiped
ship resting just outside the most
out. The heroine,
wicked-looking gated wall I’d ever
seen, I was pleasantly surprised
But at other times, details
between the “divergent” Tris and the
at the digital art depicted in the
seemed unlikely or impossible,
rest of the people in her faction, was
film. The fact that the setting was
as if added only to allow pieces
her overwhelming determination
realistically an adaptation of a post-
to be cut out of the film.
to survive. She may have been able
apocalyptic Chicago made the film seem far more plausible than its
“Divergent. Your mind works in a million different ways. They can’ t control you.”
predecessors. With that said, I did feel as though sometimes the film left
However,
to resist the hallucination-inducing
I applaud the
(for the fear landscape) serum’s
casting choices
influence, but this ability is not
for this film,
explained in the film, other than
for once a bit
an offhand comment made by Tris’
of divergence
mother, who says, “Divergent. Your
(excuse the
mind works in a million different
pun) from the novel’s description of a character was welcome.
ways. They can’t control you.” Despite the screenwriting discrepancies, I thoroughly enjoyed this film. In fact, I went back to see it in theatres a second time. I would recommend this film for fans of both the series and dystopian storylines. Unlike “The Hunger Games,” you don’t need to have read the books to understand the story, and the acting was on point. I’d say “Divergent” is the
Faction Symbols: Retrieved from Divergent Official Facebook
best film of the season. A-.
out details that would have smoothed the
Playing the main characters
plotline out, creating a peculiar
Tris and Four, actors Shailene
feeling of the movie being
(of “Secret Life of an American Teenager”) and Theo (a better known British television star) gave an enthralling and nearly
By: Dominique Townsend
flawless performance. Their facial expressions portrayed the emotions and chemistry that their lines Retrieved from Divergent Official Facebook
lacked, particularly in the scenes involving the fear simulations.
unnecessarily extended, and yet
The biggest complaint I
emotionally truncated, as if the
have might be that the only real
characters weren’t fully developed.
difference I gathered from the film April 2014
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15
Those Who Go the Distance Such an effort, for such a long distance.
If getting up at 7:00 A.M. was
hard enough for most local residents, imagine the time that some students have to get up because they live anywhere from 15 to 50 miles away. That is just one of the many complications that about 36.2% of the student body have because they live far away (outside of Loma Linda, Redlands, San Bernardino, and Grand Terrace) from the school. Many of the students that attend Loma Linda Academy (LLA) come from cities such as Pomona, Riverside and Highland, and have to travel at least 30 minutes to school every
morning and home every evening.
up and leave, the less traffic I have
It takes a lot out of these students.
to drive through.” Traffic plays a big
They have to wake up much earlier,
role in what makes these students’
sacrifice homework time for travel,
commutes so complicated. Travel
and sometimes lose sleep because of
times can range from 30 minutes
struggling to get homework done.
to almost an hour and the times
This distance issue is a problem
only get longer as traffic thickens.
that is unique to private schools
Another complication that
such as Loma Linda Academy.
some students suffer because of the
Most students in the United States
distance is the strain on activities.
attend a public school, which has
Usually, students end up tired
a limit of being within 15 miles of
and sleep deprived because they
the school. The area limit is given
end up working into very late
because public schools also provide
hours. Others also find that the
bus transportation to these students,
distance can complicate attendance
which LLA obviously does not.
to sport practices and games.
When asked about how time
Academically, some students,
and traffic factors into his 12-40
like Elissa Giang (10) who travels
minute morning commute from
25-45 minutes from Yucaipa, find
Highland to Loma Linda, Darryl
it hard to be able to get homework
Magno (12) said, “The earlier I get
done in a timely manner. “I get home really late, so I have less time to do homework before I have to sleep,” Giang said. Distance also affects the social aspect of students lives as they find it harder to spend time with friends or even to stay in close contact with friends at all. Even school social event are a hassle. Marshay Horne (11), who travels 23 miles from Upland, finds it hard to attend school events because the start times are late for her and if she were to
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attend, she would end up coming Volume 81 Issue 5
April 2014
home at a very late time. With the
to be the number one reason why
distance comes some sacrifices.
so many students are willing to
For the students who live far
tolerate the distance and attend this
away, complications are something
school. The second highest reason
to be expected, but those who live
for attendance is that it is within the
far away also see some benefits to
parents work in the area, so it is not
their distance from school. Scotty
a hassle to bring their kids to LLA.
Weber (11), a resident of Pomona, 35
Not only do parents love
minutes away, finds that “living far
LLA, but the students as well.
from school is like being in a separate
Horne said, “I like it here. People
world,” and that it is enjoyable to
are very nice and the school has
not see certain people all the time
a good learning environment.”
or be within “the school area.” With all of these issues that
Traveling from 30 minutes to an hour every day just for school
come with living far away one
seems like a crazy idea. However,
might question “Why come to
students still enjoy coming to LLA
Loma Linda Academy at all?”
despite the sacrifices they make.
For the Shenouda sisters, Marina (11) and Alex (9), their parents chose this school as “Being one of the best private schools for education,” says Alex Shenouda (9). The reputation of LLA as a high-education level, private, Christian school appears
B y: Victoria Ico Photos By: Elijah Hickman April 2014
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17
What Do You See? “We’re going to ask you, “How do you view God?... Because that’s perspective,”
Jason Frias (12), codirector with Thomas Rauser, said during the introduction to “Reality Check: Perspective” program. Since their start in the fall of 2006, this was their second full length presentation. Their first was in the spring of 2010, which was
work, long rehearsals, and lack of sleep, the night had come. The Perspective performance first skit was called “The Lucifer
was about a little boy named Billy
Dilemma.” Marc Caballero (12)
(Aaron Ebuenga, 12). He was five
played the role of God in this skit
years old and in kindergarten at
and Aaron Ebuenga (12) played
a Christian school who loved his
Lucifer. The scene, set in Heaven,
teacher, Teacher Lily. One day he
started off with Lucifer talking
had a substitute, Mr. Carter (Marc
to himself. It moved on to a one-
Caballero,12), who was the teacher’s
sided conversation between the
husband. Billy gave him a hard time.
audience and Lucifer. Then God
substitute tried to do to make Billy
Lucifer begin their conversation.
happy nothing worked. He even
Lucifer: “I'm Lucifer I can understand anything!” God:
Mark, word for word. The first meeting about the idea of production for Perspective,
were revamped renditions of skits that Reality Check performed a few years ago. After months of hard 18
The Mir ror
Volume 81 Issue 5
suggested singing some Sunday school songs, like “My God Is So Big,” but nothing was working. Later on in the skit Mr. Carter
deep my love is
revealed that Teacher Lilly had cancer
for my creation."
and that is why she hadn’t been
One of
feeling well. He explained that the
Reality Check’s
Sunday school song was a favorite
original skits
of his wife, and it gave them hope.
that many
a full length
November, and a few of the skits
Regardless of what the
came into the scene and He and
“Except how
writing the skits and poems in
comical "Little Billy." It was their fifth skit in their line up, and it
entire Gospel of
in September. They team started
of the night was the touching yet
was on March 14 at 7:00 PM. The
a play of the
was last year
The possible crowd favorite
The skit was the perfect mix of a
people liked was
touching message and humor. There’s
"The Lazarus
no way to know about every problem
Alternative."
that everyone may be facing. They
It was a skit that entertained the
don’t need to be judged, they need
idea of Lazarus deciding not to
kindness, and to be reminded that
come out of the tomb when Jesus
they always have hope in Christ.
raised him from the dead. What
As well as the program went it
if Lazarus struggled with trusting
success was not just a coincidence
Jesus and had questions about God's
it came after many nights of the
plans, like so many of us do.
Reality Check team staying at school
April 2014
basics that I already knew.”
for up to six hours rehearsing the
really impressed me was how each
skits. The actors sacrificed time and
skit represented how our faith
The Reality Check team may
effort is displayed for everyone to
influences our outlook on life.
never know the full extent of the
see when they perform well. What
Our perspective,” Perkins said. The
impact that their performances
many may not realize is that the time
people in Reality Check hoped
had on many that attended that
and effort put in by the Tech people
that everyone in attendance walked
night. It changed many peoples
and everyone behind the scenes is
away with the theme of the skits. “I
view that they had of others,
revealed as well. Jonathan Thomas
hope that they experienced God’s
themselves, and God. In the
(12) worked with the tech behind
love and grace in a deeper and
end that was the goal, to change
the scenes. “Coordination between
more intimate way,” Calvert siad.
your perspective for the better.
tech aspects like the lights, spotlights,
Ana Ceballos (12) said “I really
mics, and behind the scenes people
hoped that it changed something
was the most difficult part.” Tech also
for them. Even if it’s a small thing.”
By: Tahira Ashley
started planning months in advance
Tania Magallanes (11) said,
for this night, even with help it still
“I hope that we actors were so
took four days just to set up the stage.
convincing that the message was
Jason Calvert, campus chaplain, said
conveyed. I hope they changed
the Reality Check team he is “proud
their perspective of themselves,
of the directors and cast, for hard
and that they’ll remember the
work, creativity and dedication.”
plays and allow it to actually
The hard work was worth
change them. For many of the
it. Students that went to the
students in attendance the program
performance were impacted greatly
made an impression on them.
and in many different ways by
Emiley Mejia (11) said,
the skits. Moriah Perkins(10) was
“Refreshed view of the stuff
impressed with the writing and
that I already knew. Like a
the execution of the skits. “What
different perspective on the April 2014
The Mir ror
Volume 81 Issue 5
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