Loma Linda Academy Mirror '15-'16 I4

Loma Linda Academy Newzine Established 1940s Volume 83 | Issue 4 Jan.-Feb. 2016 The MIRROR Revelation Edition

RE VE AL

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Feburary 8 2016

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Sophomores

Freshmen

Valentine’s Dinner

CONTACT

LOMA LINDA ACADEMY 10656 Anderson Street Loma Linda, CA 92354 mirror@lla.org

Editor In Chief

04 F ree Aimee Blair Gise Me by 05 M lle N Evan Lopez eani joh-N Photojournalists the ng Be joh Emily He 06 D Mon Megan Napod th hind iffer Sam ent Re 08 T estif e Uniforligion, Test y Your m 10 U imo 11 S nder P ny 12 Oports S layed utsid tandi e Lo ngs In okin 14 F g acul t Out y Live side 16 T s Designers h u Daniela Mejia W s, the Blake Walker 17 S idens Road Videographers ome Bhavisha Desai Didn things Elijah Hickman Abo ’t Know You Elly Lee Polic ut The Publisher Drug 18 B y Robert Skoretz riefs Sponsor Victoria Ico

Reporters

Danelle Taylor Johnston

Find us on the Web www.llamirror.org

Instagram @lla_mirror

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Free Me (for Black History Month; told from the point of view of a female slave on the run (she is near the end of her journey))

Breathe Inhale Exhale Never stop Your heartbeat thunders, Your stomach drops The ground is black beneath your feet Your throat goes dry Your fear runs deep Of beatings The lashes ripping skin Small hands stretched out in innocence Gripping gentle, blistering fingertips.

Empty, hollow, lifeless eyes, Of those who’ve cried a thousand times From horrors of watching, of waiting, Of hearing the wailing, the screaming, Merciless begging and pleading, The cries of the dying.

Ones from now and ones from then, All the same, time and time again.

You’re taken now, they were taken then, Helpless to be taken, the cycle never – No Not now Now you run Hope burns like the coming sun, Brighter than the guiding light above Despair is swallowed; fear is withered Your joyous tears float down the river The gates have opened, this race is won.

But the path beyond has just begun.

Exhale Inhale Breathe And free me.

by 4

Giselle Njoh-Njoh

Meaning Behind the Month “What does Black History Month mean to you?”

A question asked to the population of Loma Linda Academy. In regards to a month that celebrates history, stuggle, perseverance, and hope, what the African Americans think is crucial in spreading the history that it hopes to preserve.

Amalia Goulbourne (12) “It represents a culture that gives me an identity. It gives me pride and a sense of purpose knowing people will look back and recognize what African Americans have done for America. There are a lot of Civil Rights leaders I look up to because of their work and part of their work was creating this culture.”

Michael Lowe (11) “Some people think it is silly because some other people don’t take it seriously. We should be aware of the problems [that are talked about in this month] all year round. People should really learn what they are ‘celebrating.’”

Karyn Clayton (12) “It represents the history and challenged African Americans faced. It’s dedicated to leaders of the Civil Movement such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks. I’m really thankful for them because I didn’t have to fight through their challenges and I appreciate that.”

Dylan Lafonteant (9) “[It is a] Month to recognize the great people of a revolutionary time.”

Alivia Lespinasse (9)

“It is a chance to look back on all the accomplishments that African Americans have make. It gives me a sense of confidence to be black because I see all the achievements blacks have made and I feel in awe. When you think of amazing people like Martin Luther King Jr., you can’t help but feel inspired. But most of all, it encourages me to stand up for what I believe in.”

Kenda Ukiru (10)

“It means a time that my people and I are given a chance to embrace our culture and past.

[It celebrates] Black Power.”

Alexis Townsend (11) “Although February is called ‘Black History Month,’ it never feels that way. Even at this school, there is little mention of the events and people that are supposedly celebrated in this month.

This month is not just to appreciate black people’s accomplishments, although it is a big part of it. It is also to shed light on the racism and injustices that occur from the past and to today.”

Andy Sandiford, English Teacher “Black History Month gives the USA an oppertunity to remember its race history in an attempt to fulfill its constitutional ideals of ‘All men are created equal...’ This month also allows organizations to focus on positive contributions of African Americans in an attempt to balance the traditional negative images associated with people of dark skin”

Brent Huggins (12) “I think it is important because some people forget their past and leave it behind instead of embracing it. Many people today say racism is dead and I think that they should remember their part and see the many parallels in today’s society with yesterday’s. I’m not saying everyone is a racists, but we should all aim for a future where we can tell our children that there is no racism.

Nadeen McFarlane (12) “It shows what happened in the past and the struggles we have faced.

I like that I get to share our history with others as a positive thing that happened. Without it, there would have been no civil progress.”

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different religion, After this he felt comfortable to tell

about it [of God or of a god] at

is a Seventh-day Adventist (SDA)

others his religion and beliefs, “It

home, so I just started thinking

school, so normally you’d think

felt good to finally tell someone.”

for myself and what I wanted to

Loma Linda Academy (LLA)

It was the same situation with

that mostly everyone is SDA,

believe,” Zach Byrd Crawley (11)

correct? Well you are right, roughly

Samara Khasru (10). “I felt that if

said. Zach is an atheist but his

59 students out of 437 students

I told people I was Muslim they

parents are unaffiliated with any

of the high school campus are

would judge me or discriminate

religion. Byrd Crawley first came

non-SDA, that’s 13%. It may be a

me based on my religion and based

to LLA his sixth grade year, but

small amount, but it is still there.

on what they see on TV. So, I felt

was apart of SDA schools five

These 59 students may or

really uncomfortable and felt like

years before that. His parents first

may not feel out of place, I know

I couldn’t tell anyone till I trusted

enrolled him into an SDA school

Salomon Gallo (10) did. Gallo’s

people,” said Khasru. What made

because academically the SDA

family is Catholic. Fearing he

her comfortable with telling others

school system is a lot better than

might be judged by his group of

of her religion was the people she

public schools, as well as safer. They

friends, Gallo did not tell anyone

surrounded herself with when she

also felt that the SDA system was

he wasn’t SDA until a few years

first came to LLA. Khasru had a

better than other private schools.

later. When he finally told a friend

rough time at first but was glad

There are many criterion when

of his true religion and beliefs. He

that her friends’ reactions came

it comes to being SDA. ”I thought

out to be what she hoped for.

it was pretty cool and different. I

was surprised by the reply his

Gallo enrolled at LLA his sixth

learned a lot too which helped me

grade year. His first thoughts about

understand why things happened

coming to LLA, an SDA school,

the way they did in that sort of

were weird because everyone was

community,” said Vanessa Desai,

so nice. He thought this because

full disclosure: author’s cousin.,

in his perspective and experiences,

an alumni of LLA. One specific

public school was not filled with

example would be keeping the

nice people. When he first came

Sabbath. “At first, I was confused

he felt as if he “converted” to the

as to why people would not do

SDA denomination immediately,

anything on Saturday… Then I

for he didn’t seem to care about

saw a movie of his resurrection,

Catholicism. “I was brought up to

so I put the pieces together,”

believe that there was something/

Khasru said. The concept of the

you said was “okay”

someone there, of higher power.

Sabbath goes back to creation.

and it kind of just made me

They told me that there is a God,

God made the world in six days

but they didn’t go into depth.”

and on the seventh day he rested.

friend, which was me, gave him. “I guess I wasn’t nervous when I told you that I wasn’t SDA

and stuff because I told it to you and all

feel good and also because from what I know you aren’t SDA either.”

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“My parents never really talked

That day being the Sabbath.

same uniform that they respect her faith and the

my viewpoints, not everyone

community, it isn’t hard to be part of

people of Islam. They sometimes

was SDA, so I learned differently

an experience of SDA lifestyle. Gallo

even ask Khasru if they can join her

because some were Christian,

said, “I became comfortable enough

in Islam traditions and holidays.

Catholic, or whatever they were

Being part of an SDA

with Seventh-day Adventism to go to

Prayer and the differences of

and it was pretty different knowing about other people,” said Desai.

my friend’s SDA church. I thought

religions can cause many conflicts

that the community would be

to arise. Students either not pay

accepting just as my religion class had

attention to the prayer, make their

and experiences of life, many see

said they should be, but I was dead

own prayer, or go with the flow

the world differently than another

wrong. All I felt in the church, was

and pray the prayer being recited.

person and that’s okay. What makes

the feeling of being judged and not

“I do my own prayers, so I don’t

LLA so great, is it’s diversity of not

feeling wanted. I was discouraged.”

have to pray to the Christian

only consistent of race and ethnicity

His whole experience in the church

belief of a God, but yeah I just

but also of religion. There are

felt really uncomfortable and he

recite some things that mean a lot

Catholics, Buddhists,

wanted to leave as quick as he could.

to my religion,” said Khasru.

Atheists, Muslims,

Although Gallo’s one experience

Having your own viewpoints,

Everyone has their own opinions

Hindus, Seventh-day

may have seemed to be bad, Samara

and then hearing of others can

Adventists and

Khasru’s was a different story. She

really expand one’s experiences and

so many

had more than one experience having

perspectives. “Ever since I’ve been

more,

a fair share of both good and bad.

here, I’ve felt like I’ve become more

and it’s

“I used to be cyber-bullied here,

broadminded about Christianity

honestly amazing

about my religion and people would

and expanded my viewpoints,” said

on how many there

always call me names and say really

Khasru. There are many stereotypes

can be. Even though

mean stuff about it. For example this

when it comes to any religion.

there is a small minority

person told me that I wasn’t going

Stereotypes of being SDA include

of non-SDA’s at LLA, there is

to go to heaven, but that I was going

door to door evangelism. Because of

a majority of people filled with

“I became comfortable enough with Seventh-day Adventism to go to my friend’s SDA church.”

-Salomon Gallo (10) to hell and that my god wasn’t real

these stereotypes it is generally hard

or anything like that,” said Khasru.

for one to voluntarily listen and learn

Then after a while, the friend group

about what being an SDA is all about.

she became apart of makes her feel

“Coming to LLA really expanded

love. That love is what can get us all through high school and life.

By: Bhavisha Desai

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TESTI F Y Y OUR TESTIMONY with God and life in general has

and think about the development of

been really great. He believes

your relationship with God you will

relationship with Christ can be

that one could never reach full

start to question the involvement

challenging. Though, Rachel Barlow

“relational capacity” with God, but by

of God in your life and how he

(12), David Siahaan (12), and

continuing and committing to serve

has affected your life thus far.

Izabel Rengifo (10), have discovered

Christ “repeatedly and habitually” he

and developed a relationship with

continues to see the many blessings

she began bible studies, she didn’t

Christ that has brought peace

received and can say that God has

necessarily agree with everything

and harmony into their lives.

been very real and apparent lately.

being taught, so she had left. It is

Finding and developing a

Barlow said her relationship

However, it hasn’t always been

Barlow mentions that when

also difficult to fit a relationship with

with God is a growing process and

easy. There are always going to be

God in your life especially when it

there will always be “bumps in the

bumps in the road as Barlow said

comes to being a teenager in this

road.” However to her, having a

and things are not always going to

day and age as Rengifo says, “many

relationship with God has been

be smooth. Some relationships with

teens start to drift from their faith

life changing and it has definitely

be easier and some will be harder

because as a teen, you don’t really

been a learning experience.

for others but all in all, this is your

spent as much time thinking about

walk with God, something that

God, you think about your friends,

cannot be shared or duplicated.

who you like, and so on and thinking

Rengifo said her relationship with God is strong. She believes

Rengifo said that having a

about those things kind of puts you

there for us even though we do

relationship with God isn’t about

off track.” There are many obstacles

not ask for Him all the time. She

influential people telling you what

and challenges involved into the

believes that we can be better and

you should believe, but it is about

developing of your own personal

kinder people in general because

finding out things for yourself so that

relationship with God, although there

we trust in a God who has the same

this special connection with God

is light at the end of the tunnel.

character, but we need to have a

and this relationship that you have

personal relationship with God.

started to develop will be something

friends that God had brought in her

Siahaan said his relationship

genuinely personal. But, as you grow

life that did affect her in a positive

in a loving being that wants to be

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For Barlow there were many

way, people that have influenced her

God you need to have a personal

to do such things like acts of service

experience. She said, “there is no one

that have made a difference not

who can throw a Bible at your face

just in her life but others as well.

or read a certain verse to make you

Rengifo also talked about how

want to be a Christian.” She said

her friends have been a great influence

if anyone is struggling with their

in her life. She mentions that when

relationship with God that although

she does something wrong or “messes

it sounds cliche, to just simply pray

up” they are there to tell her “Izabel,

to God, “he has everything in his

W.W.J.D (What Would Jesus Do).”

hands.” When you think God is not

Siahaan points out one specific

there, he is there to listen and to

and special person in his life that

help you out. “You can only hope

has kept his relationship with God

and depend on luck so much.”

going for this long: his girlfriend,

Siahaan gives a great explanation

Jonielle Belonio (12). He says that

as to why you should have a

he “sees God in her through every

relationship with God: “A life full

glance, moment, and experience

of love and contentment can only

and there is no doubt in his mind

be true and pure with God. You’ll

that she has immensely helped

be so much happier with God, and

him in his walk with God.”

that itself can better your character

These three great people do not

and inspire other people around you

claim to have the ultimate and perfect

who may be seeking a tangible and

relationship with God, but through

personal image of the Divine.”

what they have learned from those

So for all of you seeking to start

experiences, they suggest the following

building a relationship with God

for others who want to begin a

or wanting to develop a stronger

relationship or want to strengthen

foundation for your connection

their relationship with God.

with God, you just have to do what

Barlow said that the reason why

Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us: “Trust in the

anyone may not want to initiate a

Lord with all your heart and lean

relationship with God is because they

not in your own understanding, in

still need to get questions answered.

all your ways acknowledge Him,

Get them answered, so that you can

and he will direct your paths.”

start to develop that faith in God and his love for you. Find out about God’s character and although it may

By: Megan Napod

sound cliche, you can also learn about God through studying the Bible.

Rengifo said that in order to begin a personal relationship with

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(10). We can see here that there is

support for athletics is to reach out to

opportunities for sports teams. There

not only one sport that feels this way.

the students and faculty, and tell them

is basketball, volleyball, flagball,

A lot of sports players feel as if there

when games are and to encourage

and many others. In these, both

should be more support from the

them to come out and watch,” says

boys and girls have their respective

Loma Linda community as well.

Dockham. This would help in many

Here at LLA, there are many

teams, and within most of those,

“I think the community should

ways. Staff support and student

there is a Varsity Team and a Junior

get involved and support soccer

support can tremendously improve

Varsity team. Sports here at LLA have

because it’s a great team sport

pride in not only our school but in

been quite successful. Both Varsity

that teaches you perseverance,”

our community. In addition, when

Basketball teams made playoffs

students feel support from faculty in

and won games in the playoffs this

sports, it shows that the teachers and

last season. In flagball, LLA went undefeated in both boys and girls this last season. Needless to say, there is a lot of support that goes into the athletics program from the Loma

u n d e r p l ay e d

staff of LLA really do care about the student’s individual success whether in academics or in other areas.

Support is needed in many sports and these are just two of the many sports here at LLA. Sometimes

Linda community, or is there?

it seems that only varsity teams or

When asked if he thought soccer was underappreciated, Varsity Soccer

playoff teams get the most support.

player Carlos Reyes (11) said, “Yes

From these personal experiences, we

soccer is very underappreciated and

can see how the players themselves

undervalued. Most people view

feel about the support they receive

soccer as a way to get out of PE but

from not just the school but from

soccer is much more than that…

the community. Sports aren’t just

you feel as though you are apart of

says Reyes. This is something that

an alternative PE option or a way

something bigger because no one

is very profound. Today in the

to show off, but a way to bond

player can carry the whole team.” We

world we see so much strife among

with one another. Whether that

can see here one point of view of the

communities. However, sometimes

bond would be between different

athletics program and how players

it is assumed that within the Loma

schools, between players and

feel about the support level. However,

Linda community, we fully support

community, or even between fellow

this is just one of the many opinions

one another, when in reality, support

students. It is something that

about underappreciated sports.

sometimes can seem nonexistent.

will benefit students long-term,

season last year, support might be

and not just for the present.

But when the support is there, bonds By: Evan Lopez form. Bonds between community

lacking and players have spoken out

and school. And as Reyes pointed

about this. “All the other sports have

out, it teaches people values such

teachers helping like swimming and

as perseverance. So, how do we

soccer, but baseball doesn’t have that

go about receiving that support?

With baseball not having a

staff support,” says Kenny Dockham

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“I think a way to get more

Sport

win

loss tie Girls Varsity Soccer 0 13 1 Girls JV Soccer

1 12 0 Girls JV

s p o r t s standings

Basketball 9

6 0 Girls Varsity Basketball

2 0

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By: Evan Lopez

5 games unaccounted for Boys JV Soccer

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The

Outside

If you haven’t noticed, students at Loma Linda Academy (LLA) can be mean. Students at Loma

LLA Students “always acted like they were above the other schools, like they were superior.”

Linda Academy are rich, snobby, and think they are superior to everyone else. “Some of them seem stuck up like

It’s no secret that other’s schools have opinions about LLA.

they’re better than you,” says Kailyn Brillantes (10) of La Sierra

Many people do not perceive our school as a place they would want to be. When asked what she had heard about LLA prior to attending LLA, Marshay Horne (Freshman at Pacific Union College) said, “To be blunt, I heard that everyone wasn’t very nice there. “I heard that it was just a rich school full of mean people and cliques. I heard that most people would be obnoxious and rude to you and that most of them were fake.” This is not something that is uncommon however.

In LLAs Week of Prayer from February 16-19 covering the topic

Academy.

These are the stereotypes and perceptions that LLA receives, but why is that so? Why does LLA have the reputation of being a school of cliques and bullies? Gene Oswald, a religion teacher at LLA who previously worked at Orangewood Academy says

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“UNAFRAID” the final speaker for the week on friday was none other than Kaitlyn Mamora (9).

In her powerful sermon, she talked about how LLA can get stereotypes from different schools based on the way the students behave and act. She talked about how it is so easy to judge others and how it becomes instinct and how we don’t even realize when we are judging people.

We can see how people see

our school from the outside looking in. But, how does that translate to new students?

“Everyone here is really nice,” says Mason Perryman. “They just go up to you even if they don’t know you and talk to you which I think is pretty cool.” Is this the Loma Linda Academy we’ve heard about? Does this support the stereotypes and perceptions others say are true? Horne talked about how it’s different than you would expect saying, “I think the students at Loma Linda Academy are way nicer than you would think at first glance.” She added, “Once you give off a friendly and outgoing energy towards them, you really begin to see how nice each of them can be!”

These statements show something. Maybe Loma Linda Academy isn’t what it’s painted out to be. However, if Loma Linda Academy isn’t as mean as people say it is, then why do we receive this stereotype?

One reason Loma Linda Academy can get a bad reputation is from the athletics program.

Something you may not know is that Oswald used to work at Orangewood Academy. Here he tells about his experience with Loma Linda Academy,

Looking

whenever his son played sports in intramurals. “After every game we’d always have dinner with the opposing team. However, every time we played against Loma Linda, they never stayed and were always gone right after the game.

It’s like they refused to break bread with us,” Oswald said. “I heard that it was just a rich school full of mean people and cliques. He believed the culture from then to now had changed drastically.

“Even through badminton I can see how some of the players talk to other players from different

see different stereotypes, and whether they are true or not, there are reasons as to why they exist. Nonetheless, we see a new perspective here. As Manuel said, LLAs athletics program can, in fact, reflect our student body in a positive light. “The kids always show (good) sportsmanship and never talk bad to the other team,” Manuel adds. “I’ve been playing against LLA my past three years in highschool and LLA is one of the best schools sportsmanship wise I would say.”

So now we “I heard that it was just can see both opinions/ a rich school full of mean stereotype and experiences people and cliques. I heard about Loma Linda Academy. that most people would We can see that LLA gets be obnoxious and rude to perceived a certain way even if you and that most of them that way is not accurate. While were fake.”- Marshay others might form opinions Horne (Class of 15) about LLA from the outside teams, and it’s not because they go looking in, we can see, as shown in to church together or anything, the interviews, that those with first it’s just from playing together.” hand experiences with students Another example of this is here at LLA think positively about from a student at Arrowhead LLA’s students. So now we are Christian Academy, Nick Manuel left with one question: How do (11). He said, “The sports teams we change the stereotypes? When at LLA, I believe reflect a positive asked this question, Mr Oswald outlook on the school.” This says, “I think we just need to be is something new. So often we intentional about showing others

in what we’re about. I think we need to go out of our way to show kindness to others.” This is what we need to do, and once we do it, others will begin to see

LLA for who we truly are: A place where God dwells and a place of safety and security.

By: Evan Lopez

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There are a lot of things out there that we do not know about

something students may not know is

teachers. What they do outside of

that he has two side businesses selling

school, who they hang out with, and

sound equipment and flipping houses

just some of their favorite things

with his brother. Herrmann stated in

are things we can learn about them.

an interview, “The sound equipment

We all know that teachers have

business was because I was buying a

lives outside of school but what do

lot of equipment for churches and

they do with the time they have

the SECC (Southeastern California

when they are not grading papers?

Conference) didn’t like that such big

Brandon Herrmann, History & Economics teacher, enjoys role

checks [were] being written to an individual. So I started a business.”

playing video games, listening

Jessica Williams, Religion

to books on tape and watching

teacher, prefers to spend time with

Facult L i v e Outsid

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NASCAR in his free time. But

friends in her spare time. During

y s e

the winter she loves to ski.

She learned to ski when she was just three years old and ever

the beach, hiking & camping, and hanging out with her family.

Elssmann goes to Mrs. Hattendorf ’s house almost every

Heidi Elssmann, Math &

year for Halloween because their

skiing. Her family goes to West

Physics teacher, loves to travel also

kids have been friends since birth

Virginia each Christmas to ski.

and a couple of years ago she finally

and always went together. Elssmann

More locally she loves to ski in Utah

achieved a life-long dream of hers

stated, “It’s still fun to go even

because it is not too crowded.

by going to Switzerland. Elssmann

though my kids are in college!”

since she has spent time each winter

Kate Lewis, Biology teacher,

also enjoys reading. Elssmann

Have you ever seen your math

spends her free time running, which

stated, “I have always loved reading

teacher at Costco? Your science

she started in 2010. Lewis has

because it is such a great way to

teacher in the makeup aisle at Target?

also traveled to places like Kenya,

experience the world on a budget.”

It can be weird seeing teachers outside of school but how weird is it for

Uganda, Greece and Turkey. During

Diane Bradley, Math teacher,

this past Thanksgiving break Lewis

likes to collect stamps, do crossword

teachers to see students outside of

rented a Volkswagen bus and went

puzzles and work on word games in

class? When asked what she did when

up the California Coast. She has

her spare time. She also loves to read

she saw students Williams replied

also lived in Costa Rica for a year,

like Elssmann, That’s mainly what

that she lets the student make the

Hawaii for eight years, and Australia

I like to do I like to read a lot.”

first move. If they avert their eyes and

for 10 years. Lewis loves going to

Teachers are full of surprises,

pretend they do not see her she will

these are some interesting facts that

not go up and say hi but if they start

some people may not know. For

walking towards her she will say hello

example, Williams has done CrossFit

and chat for a bit. Williams stated, “I

for three years and loves the challenge

can tell a lot about a student based

it gives her. When Lewis was in high

on what they do when they see me

school she was in the symphonic

out in public”. Bradley stated that

band, played the flute and went

she will at least try to say hello.

to France on tour. Lewis has also

When Lewis sees a student

killed a mouse in her sleep when

outside of class she replied

she lived in Costa Rica. Elssmann

with that she usually makes

has an amazing garden in which

them take a selfie with her.

she likes to relax in and enjoy the wildlife that comes through there.

By: Aimee Blair

Not only do teachers do things outside of school on their own, they also hang out with other teachers.

Williams sometimes hangs out with Ms.Taylor Johnston, Ms. Lewis, and Pastor J. They will go out to dinner, have BBQ’s at one of their homes, run half marathons or even have game nights.

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Thus, the Road Widens 17 years ago, before many of the class of 2018 and 2019 were born, the Inland Empire realized that the incoming population of Loma Linda needed a bigger street than two lanes for the inefficient and poorly designed road we called Anderson Street.

Now in the summer of 2016, the improvement of Anderson Street should be completed and with that, much stress of attempting to get to both work and school on time should also be resolved.

Down about a half mile from the parking lot outside our metal gate doors, the city of Loma Linda is expanding the heart of Loma Linda, Anderson Street. The expansion goes from Harriman Street where in-n-out and Sam’s Club are located, to the other side

by Redlands Avenue. Because of this traffic on Anderson before the expansion, many students as well as faculty and workers in our community arrive late daily trying to come from the homes all around Loma Linda. Reasons for congestion are shift changes at the University and how they correspond with school schedule, as well as poorly synced and

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poorly placed traffic lights on Anderson Street. Giselle Njoh-Njoh (12) attempts to get to school on time all the way from Fontana, for many times she travels on Waterman Avenue, this adds 2 more minutes as well as 2.4 miles to the route, but overall less stress than to use Anderson. She is not alone, Jadyn Antonio-Valdez (9) and many others are also late because of Anderson Street insanity. Jadyn believes that the new expansion will help with him getting to the his first period class. The City of Loma Linda thinks this new street adaptation will bring everyone back their precious time to the community.

By: Blake Walker

“we just

H: There is nothing on the

want students to know we care” somethings you didnt kow about the drug policy We sat down with Pastr Mark Holm to take more about the Drug Policy and some of it’s misconceptions.

D: Just for those who

D: What about the voluntary

[school] transcript that says “kicked

intervention program? Can you

out for drugs”. No. We let the

tell me more about that?

student withdraw. And the policy

H: This really an opportunity to

basically states that you have to go

get students clean and rehabilitate

to another school for six months or

themselves. Firstly, the student has

a semester, whichever is longer. Then

the contact us and say “hey we need

if you would like, you can reapply as

help.” And then there are a few steps

long as you have done four things.

that come after that. We bring in their

You would have to progress in your

parents and have a small conference

education, you have to get three

which is hard because they’re just

months of counseling, you have

sitting there heartbroken. Then the

to have a couple of drug tests that

student is allowed to pick two faculty

show that you’re clean, and then

members that they trust, to report

you have to sign a lifestyle contract

on later on. And all of this is done

that basically states “this is it.” Any

in secret, nothing leaves the office.

contact with any other substance and you will be asked to withdraw.

D: Can you tell me about some misconceptions many people have?

Such as if you are caught and you

D: Are there any more steps you are willing to take to make the Substance Abuse policy more prominent to the student body?

H: Yeah, I’m open to anything. I

may not know, can you briefly

enter the intervention program

don’t think what we have is perfect, but

describe the drug policy?

then you don’t get expelled-

anything less than this zero tolerance

H: The context of it was during

H: You don’t! I think that’s the

policy, at some point we used to have

my time, we have done a variety of

problem, that [the students] don’t

older students coach younger students

approaches and we found students

know what their options are. If they

how to get away from smoking pot,

taking advantage of the policy. It got

don’t test positive we don’t just kick

that we won’t go back to. That’s just

to be a chronic issue. We decided that

them out. And a lot of this comes from

not going to work, it’s simple.

we needed to be more protective and

my own personal experience as well.

D: Anything else?

give students a reason to say “no”,

I had a few of friends in high school

H: We just want the students

so we came up with a zero tolerance

who would smoke pot on Sabbath

to know we will always care about

policy. It basically is if you are

afternoons and I knew that and I didn’t

them regardless, but we want to

observed taking a [non prescription]

do anything about it. And I had one

make sure that they understand

substance, you will be asked to

friend who just didn’t stop there and

withdraw from Loma Linda Academy.

I still didn’t do anything about it. I

that a healthy life is important.

By: Dani Mejia

D: The Substance Abuse

just want students to know that we

policy can be found in the school’s

kick kids out because we don’t want

agenda but many students don’t

them here. We want to help. And

read it. What is some information

we want them to use [Loma Linda

you think students miss?

Academy] as a reason to say no.

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briefs Instruction: Figure out the riddle and ask Mrs. Taylor Johnston for the next clue to win a prize.

National Merit Finalist: Brandon Shin Semi-Finalist: Jake Tsai Commended: Ben Ballou, Amalia Goulbourne, Preston Kim, Nathan Ortiz, Sarah Pan, Yasmine Siagian, Cheryl Wang National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar: Tyler Corrales, Nathan Ortiz Student Week of Prayer was a success February 16-19 with all girl speakers!

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On February 29, leap day, SA had their annual talent show.

The Winners“Final Manifesto” Corrine Atiga & Brandon Shin Audience choice winner“A million Years”Giselle Njoh-Njoh, Alyssa Cosejo, and Joni Belonio The Oscars happened February 28 and Leonardo DiCaprio won his first oscar! class points

750 juniors 540 sophomores 460 freshmen 440 seniors

SPANISH TRI P SENIOR NIGHT

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RR LOMA

LINDA

T H E

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ACADEMY’S

M I R R O R