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
10
“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
14
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