Loma Linda Academy Mirror '15-'16 I5

Loma Linda Academy Newzine Established 1940s Volume 83 | Issue 5 March-April 2016 The MIRROR Art Edition

AR TI ST RY

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Jr./Sr. Banquet Announcement

March 14, 2016

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Table of Contents 04 Delayed but Not Gone

05 More than Just a Sound 06 Aspiring Music Artists 08 Fashion Shoot 12 Gallery CONTACT

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

Editor In Chief Victoria Ico

Reporters Aimee Blair Evan Lopez

13 Renaissance Ad 14 Traditional Medium 16 Week of Prayer 17 Lovement Over Judgement

Photojournalists

18 Capture the Moment

Megan Napod

19 Photographic Art

Emily He

Designers Daniela Mejia Blake Walker

Videographers Bhavisha Desai

Elijah Hickman Elly Lee

Archivist

Corey Bom (project lead) Alex Arnott

Adviser

Danelle Taylor Johnston

Publisher Robert Skoretz

Find us on the Web

20 Robo-Runners to S.F. 21 Brain Week 22 Lost Classes 24 Reality Check 25 In Remembrance

26 Briefs

www.llamirror.org

Instagram @lla_mirror

Front cover by Madison Field. Back cover by Michael Lowe

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Delayed but Not Gone March 30 to April 2 marked the long awaited date of the annual junior senior Bible camp. However, this date is a bit unusual as it is significantly later in the year than previous years. Adding to that, the location of Bible camp had been moved as well to Camp Cedar Falls instead of Pine Springs Ranch (PSR).

So what happened? Why were so many things about Bible camp changed?

It all began on June 20, 2015 as Pastor Mark Holm received a call from the Southeastern California Conference saying that the 2016 Bible Camp had been cancelled. The reason being that the Just Claim It Youth Conference would be taking place in the conference around the usual Bible Camp dates, so the conference assumed that everyone would just attend that. However, having had 35 years of experience with this camp, Holm knew that it would be a huge blow to all

the students who were so excited to go.

He and the rest of the twelve leaders of Bible Camp knew that by some

return to the Bible Camp atmosphere and even more excited to be a leader.

As the leaders scrambled to put

miracle, Bible Camp had to happen.

together the bits and pieces of Bible

They first went to the conference to

Camp, it was clear that a wonderful

express their feelings and intentions

experience was to come to fruition.

to have Bible Camp and, after much

Holm knew there was “no way God

discussion and listening, the conference

would let this [event] not happen.” As

gave them full support for it.

an experienced leader and participant

The next roadblock was to find

of this yearly event, Holm knows

lodging. Normally Bible Camp has been

how much impact this Camp has

hosted at PSR. However this year, PSR

on the spiritual growth of a student.

was hosting another large event during

The adults work hard to provide the

the new dates the leaders requested,

students with an opportunity to meet

according to Alyssa Cosejo (12). She

God. Over the years, he hears how

recalls Pastor Jason Calvert turning to

Bible Camp had been a highlighted

Camp Cedar Falls, where the event ended

moment of alumni’s junior or senior year.

up, and hearing him compromise with

According to the stories he has heard,

another church group that were to occupy

it is an experience they never forget.

the campgrounds as well that weekend.

In the midst of this chaos, one of

Every leader that was involved in Bible Camp 2016, student or adult,

the leaders, Pastor Craig Hadley, decided

knows that this event was a true miracle.

to start his own non-denominational

God had worked His hand to bring

church called Paradox. Because starting

this experience to the classes of 2017

a new church takes so much time and

and 2016. It was truly fitting that this

planning, Hadley had to step down from

year’s theme, proposed by Bible Camp’s

his music leadership position. Searching

first female speaker Somer Knight,

for a replacement was not hard for Holm

was Unfailing. Neither God nor the

and the rest of the leaders. They quickly

leaders failed to create and experience

called Jo Cordero, alumni of Loma Linda

of a lifetime. If there was any fear of a

Academy Class of 2012. Cosejo said

repeat situation, Cosejo has words of

that her cousin was more than happy to

reassurance. “Satan is always going to try hard to make something like this happen again but we just need to keep firm and know that God is on our side.”

Written by: Victoria Ico

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more than just a sound “Music is more than just a pleasing sound,” as Kaitlyn Mamora (9) said. The art form of music has a purpose and it takes hard work and passion, Mamora, Brandon Shin (12), Dara Salamante (11) and Douglas Lau (10) share those same attributes.

Shin said that the purpose of music depends on the individual, many people may need an “escape,” and some just enjoy playing; both applies to him.

Salamante explained that the purpose of music for her is to “convey what you feel into sound, expressing the emotions you feel.” She said that music relates to people depending on who you are and it can bring peace of mind. It is very “therapeutic.”

Lau said, music is all about “having fun and enjoying the music whether it be with yourself or with others and share it with God.” And Kaitlyn Mamora (9) says that the form of music can tell a story, and, “It can be a form of praise to God and sharing his message to others.”

The artform of music is a lifelong learning experience with many challenges in between. Shin explained, ”It didn’t really come super naturally. I’ve taken lessons my whole life. I honestly think it is pretty necessary. There is always more that I can learn.” Shin added,

“Up until about four years ago, I

whether it’s playing an instrument,

hated playing cello with a passion.

or even just singing in the shower.

It was a fight with my parents

It’s up to the individual to motivate

to practice, or even go near it.

themselves and just have fun with it.”

So that wall was a huge struggle

Salamante simply stated,“if

in my musical development.”

they really love music, they will

Mamora started violin lessons

put time and effort into being

when she was three years old and she started to learn piano at four.

successful and doing their best.”

Lau expressed nearly the same

“I have struggled with many things

words, “anyone can play music

while learning music, but the very

it just depends on whether they

first struggle that I can remember is

want to put the time and effort

having stage fright, but I overcame

into their process of success.”

that quickly.” She also struggled

Mamora applies a quote that her

with expectations. “I felt like I

dad has always told her and that is,“If

was being compared to my older

there is a will, there is a way.” She

brother, Jonathan, who was a great

goes on to explain that, “Learning

musician, but it really doesn’t bother

music takes passion and dedication.”

me as much. I really enjoy it now.”

Although there are struggles,

Music is more than just a sound, and that cannot be better explained

everything will resolve in the end.

than by Mamora in this quote:

Shin said, ”If you, in your heart really

“Music is a form of expression. It

love what you’re doing and would

can express different feelings through

continue doing it, you’re successful.”

notes and lyrics. It can show a form

Shin continued, “If you’re confident

of communication that humans

and happy with what you’re doing

long for, but cannot show. The right

and accomplishing with the music

music that suits you, can put your

you produce, that is success.”

mind at ease. It can make you feel

Lau said that being successful can simply mean to be good in your own

different emotions, and can put you in a whole different perspective.”

eyes, possibly while making money.

Mamora expressed nearly the same thing. “It can simply mean to

Written by: Megan Napod

enjoy what you are doing,” she said.

Music takes years and years to develop and finally perfect.

Although it may be difficult at times, it all depends on motivation.

Shin said,“I think that if you really want to, anybody can do music,

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aspiring music artists says Chinchay. “I strictly only

saying, “Facing writer’s block and

very passionate about music, and

went to Dallas just for that, like

being scared of how people will

are also very talented in regards

three days I recorded. So what

think of my music is tough.” This is

to music. It is a blessing here to

happens is you record it multiple

something that is not uncommon

have such talent and gifts. Here

times and then certain parts that

in any musician or artist.

we willl look at a few musicians

you think you can fix, you can go

who enjoy making music.

back and fix that part and re-sing

Magazine, singing recording

that line.” Chinchay is a singer/

artist Beyoncé Knowles said, “I

I think it’s a very expressive and

songwriter and writes Christian

think it’s healthy for a person

creative art form,” says Elijah

music. It is a passion that she has

to be nervous. It means you

Mopera (11). Music is indeed a very

and wants to use it to minister to

care…” It is amazing to think that

expressive form, and is a positive

others. Isaac Gonzaga (9) has a

somebody of such huge success

example of displacement. Music

similar purpose for his music.

still can get nervous about public

Many people here at school are

“I really enjoy music because

can be a way to release or escape

“In my own opinion I would

In an interview with Vogue

opinion, just as we see with Rho. Another aspect of difficulties is

from the negative things going

mostly wanna make like religious

on in your life, whether it’d be

type songs,” says Gonzaga. He

listening, or creating. Mopera enjoys

adds, “If I’m gonna make a song

Hip Hop/ Rap and works in that

about God, I wanna do a rap about

making music usually depends

specific genre in his down time.

the bible.” It is evident that there

on how busy I am with school

“My process usually goes

is much time and effort involved

and such,” says Mopera. With the

something like: I find an

in this. This begs the question:

exception of literature, in which

instrumental, then I write, then

What obstacles are there in this

Mopera makes rap songs for as

record, then finally I mix & master

music process?

the track.” Here we see that there is clearly a process in creating music.

About a month ago, LLAs very own Kaylee Chinchay (12) flew out to Dallas to record an album out of a music studio.

“It’s really a long process,”

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David Rho (10) talks about difficulties

the issue of having time to do it.

“What keeps me from

“if I’m feeling

“It takes a lot of time, it costs a lot of money, that’s for sure,” says

somewhere however.

Chinchay’s inspiration was

a really strong

Chinchay. “And also the fact that I am

described like this, “It’d probably

also growing up so like I’m going to

be whatever I’m going through in

emotion about

college so right now I have to kind of

my life or whatever things that are

lead this on my own and do it myself.”

happening around me. That’s like

something, then

I will

most likely write about that.”

-Kaylee

Chinchay projects, it is definitely an obstacle for him make time for his music.

When asked what obstacles he faces, Gonzaga says, “I would say just mostly life and school. It kind of puts up a really big block. And I don’t have a lot of time for it currently.”

Having not enough time is common among high school students, making it especially hard for such a time consuming hobby, such as music.

We can see the present life

the only way I can write a song.

of all these musicians. However,

Like if I’m feeling a really strong

what are their future aspirations or

emotion about something, then I

ultimate goals, if any, in music?

will most likely write about that.”

When asked this question,

Here we can see music providing

Mopera says, “I wouldn’t say that

an “escape” so to speak for things

I have a career in music. Talking

going on in a person’s life.

about music as a hobby; well, then

Gonzaga says in regards to

I’ve just barely scratched the surface.

music, “I wouldn’t say that I got

But hobbies do turn into careers

inspired by like all these celebrities,

so I suppose I’ll have to wait and

I kind of got inspired by my brother

see what happens in the future.”

Nick Gonzaga.” This is very special

Music benefits many people whether

because Gonzaga’s inspiration

they use it their future or not.

was very personal to him.

On the flip side Chinchay says,

These artists have an obvious

“Hopefully I wanna start my own

passion for music and that is

ministry with that ‘cause I’m thinking

very apparent. Their love for

of becoming a theology major student.

this specific art is something

[Music] can help with my ministry.”

very special and valuable.

Here we can see how music benefits people long-term throughout a career.

Written by: Even Lopez

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May 7, 2016 Doors open 5:30 PM Begins 6:00 PM Crosswalk Main Sanctuary

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As kids, lots of people

u

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his parents are

love to draw and paint. Trinity

very artistic so she

Tanner (11), Ciara Rader (10),

was around art a

Ariel Rocha (12) and Rachel

lot of her life.

Specht (11) have continued

As a kid, Ariel Rocha (12) had always been entertained with

this passion to this day.

Trinity Tanner (11) still has

the arts. She even remembers

a drawing that she did in 2005

creating countless paintings

at age 7 hanging on the fridge

and drawings for her family.

in her garage. She even recalls

Rachel Specht (11) has

getting an easel that same year

always loved arts and crafts

and being so proud of a tree

growing up. She began to take

she drew. Tanner said that she

art seriously in Jr. high and

always wanted to be an artist.

came across a few art sites such

However, she never knew what

as deviantART. Specht states “I

kind of artist to be so she just

saw the amazing creations people

tried everything she could.

could make with digital canvases

Ciara Rader (10) states that she’s been drawing ever since she could remember. Her dad and

and decided to give it a try.”

People learn in all different ways, some can learn a lot from figuring it out by themselves, but some other people learn more when they are guided and instructed by someone.

Tanner has learned a lot from tutorial blogs, but said she never really got the hang of it until she took Mrs. Gillespie’s class. She stated that “She really taught me the basics and helped me discover my style and learn new techniques that helped me in the long run.

Ariel Rocha

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While tutorials were endlessly

Rachel Specht helpful, you can’t discount a good teacher to literally be next to you and [help] you learn.”

Rader learned a lot from her grandparents and from other artist’s work that was mostly on Instagram. Other than that, and a few things she learned from drawing and painting class this year, she stated that she was pretty much on her own.

Specht is mostly self-taught also and sometimes watches speedpaints online or studies how a person accomplishes a certain style or look. Specht however takes private lessons as well as being in the advanced art but her lessons are mostly casual with no assignments given like art class. She is given motivation and pointers along the way, she says it’s just a lot of practice, hard work and dedication.

Drawing and painting are both incredibly enjoyable but some people prefer one more than the other, this is what the artists had to say about the “conflict” between drawing and painting.

For Rocha she truly does not have

Specht enjoys drawing the most,

a preference. It all depends on how

she typically focuses on drawing

she is feeling at the time. “As of right

women because she finds the

now, I’ve been on a painting craze!

female form elegant and beautiful

So much inspiration!” Rocha said.

with its natural flow and curves.

Tanner prefers painting

Rader said “I’ll usually draw

because she loves the texture and

anything that interests me, which

how the colors mix together on

varies a lot.” Sometimes she will pull

the canvas. Another thing she

ideas from other artist’s subjects,

enjoys about painting is sticking

yet she does have a soft spot when

her hands in extra paint to add a

it comes to drawing superheroes.

little flair of sorts to the painting.

Trinity Tanner

Tanner prefers not to draw

Spect enjoys drawing over

people. She loves nature and

digital mediums she said she uses a

painting because she is more used

is really good at backgrounds.

Wacom Intuos5 small drawing tablet

to it and because of the convenience

Typically she does landscapes,

with the program PaintTool SAI

and accessibility. For her, she can

but lately she has been drawing a

as well as the program Mischief.

sketch anywhere as long as she has

lot of flowers, trees and such.

paper and a pencil or pen. In her

There are tons of materials out

Not only do artists need materials to paint or draw,

experience painting takes more time

there for artists to use, these following

they need inspiration to start

than drawing, and requires many

are a couple of the artist’s favorite

or continue an art project.

more specific settings. . Although

types. Tanner prefers acrylic paint

she enjoys both very much it is just

because of the thickness. Something

gathers inspiration from a beautiful

more convenient for her to draw.

she likes to do after finishing an

picture online or a random photo

especially textured painting is to just

blog. Also her environment and her

a favorite subject or something

feel it, for her it’s really an experience.

classmates inspire her to be a better

that they love to paint or draw.

For Rocha, “You can set me

Artists almost always have

down with a good brush, one

For Tanner, sometimes she

artist and to paint what she feels.

Rocha said that, as an artist you

color of paint, and some water and

are always going to run into a dry

I’ll be set!” Her favorite painting

spell. She believes your environment

medium is watercolor, although

really has an affect on your mood.

she does also enjoy oil painting.

She said “Me as a person, I don’t get

Rader says that plain mechanical

inspired when I’m upset. So having

pencils work fine for her when she is

a happy and positive environment

sketching, but she also uses sharpies,

is what’s important for me!”

Micron pens, colored pencils, and sometimes protractors and rulers.

Written by: Aimee Blair

Specht typically uses plain white paper and a mechanical pencil. She doesn’t use traditional

Ciara Rader

mediums as much as digital. For

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Shots of “Your Road”

Photos by Rubydeb Ramirez

Week of Prayer 16

More importantly, it said what

know where you stand on certain

Danelle Taylor Johnston’s College

we needed it to say. Lovement is

issues, whether they be political

English class; “How can you apply

a movement out of love, one that

or personal. We are not here to

Martin Luther King’s message

encompasses anyone and everyone,

judge or condemn, but to love.

to today’s society?” Together the

regardless of their cultural affiliations,

class came up with an idea for an

personal history, or anything that

not easy, but it is a decision that each

organization that would portray

leads to someone being judged or

of us needs to make, every single day.

the same concept: to fight current

persecuted. We decided we wanted

injustices in the same way MLK

to create a movement that taught

at “Lovement over Judgement” in

fought against past injustices: with

others to love instead of judge.

showing how to love in the midst of

It started as a class project for

love. It would try and organize people via social media in an effort to care

Lovement Over Judgement was born. A movement supporting the

Loving and accepting others is

Join us on Facebook or Instagram

the suffering of this world, because in the end, we are all in this together.

for one another in this most*Visit Lovement

definitely messed up world.

Of course, this was originally

Over Judgement on

just an idea for assignment,

Facebook and Instagram: @

but it was the beginning

LovementOverJudgement If you have any

of something bigger.

questions, contact us at

The idea panned out.

The class made a plan

LovementOverJudgement@

and committed to it.

gmail.com

Coming up with a name was a lot harder than it might seem. We came up with at least 10 names before we started narrowing them down, and for a while, the plan was: “What sounds good?”

idea of loving others whether or

which turned out a lot more positive

not their viewpoints or lifestyles

results than you would expect. Our

lined up with one’s own. It was

thoughts were jumbled in the process,

created with the idea that people

so we switched our methodology.

are intimately interconnected.

We stopped thinking about what

With poems, visuals, quotes, and

message we wanted to communicate,

our own life stories, we show that

and started thinking of messages

each of us is fighting through his

that we didn’t: Judgement, hatred,

or her own struggles, experiencing

animosity. Then we thought of

unique things, and ultimately, trying

the opposites, which is where

to survive in the same crazy world

Lovement appeared. It rhymes with

that you and I see every single day.

Judgement, which is a big plus.

Written by: Brandon Shin & Amalia Goulbourne

&

So, what about you? We don’t

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capture the moment Look around you, there is the beautiful sky, the woody trees, and the sun shining over LLA, but those things do not stay for long. Luckily, in this world today we have amazing people who do the artforms we call photography and film, the art or practice of taking and processing the world around us.

Brandon Larsen (12) said that the purpose of photography is communication. Photography is a way of expressing yourself and telling stories through an image. He said that people enjoy photography because it helps you clear your mind and allows people to have “creative expression.”

Chloe Elias (11) explained that the purpose of photography is, “To convey a message of some sort, or to evoke a particular feeling or emotion in whoever sees the picture.” She believes people like photography because it is art. She enjoys contrasting colors and it is something she is interested in.

Shantel Guzman (10) mentioned that for her, “the purpose is to show people a [...] different perspective and vision, and hold memories.” She likes to create and sees photography as an opportunity to do that, and says that people may like photography because it is “cool,” or trendy and also that people like to use photography to tell stories.

Kallan Kunihira (10) said the purpose of photography is to express ourselves. “Sometimes what we take

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pictures of often portrays our mood

Guzman explained that,

and how we feel,” he said. He said

“Photographers should be friendly,

that it gives us the “capability of being

adventurous, curious and detail-

able to capture the beauty that’s in the

orientated because that is how you’ll

world and being able to look back at

make a good composition and you won’t

it.” He continued, “I personally enjoy

miss anything that could be important.”

photography because I focus on what

Kunihira said that photographers

I’m trying to take a picture of instead of

should be, “Willing to do anything

all the chaos that’s in my life.” He also

for the shot. You have to be creative

does it for the enjoyment of others.

and find different angles.”

Jadyn Antonio Valdez (9) believes

Valdez mentioned, “to be a successful

that the purpose for photography

photographer, one must tolerate their

is to share and capture a scene,

inevitable errors, be open to new points

sometimes from a new point of view.

of view, and have an active imagination.”

He thinks people enjoy photography

Ramirez gave a different perspective

because it either allows them to

on success and said that, “As long as you

preserve the sights they love, or to

are passionate, and as long you do your

view it from a new perspective.

best, you are bound to be successful.” She

Videographer Ruby Ramirez (12)

summarizes her passion for videography

liked the fact that she could record more

and photography in these words: “I truly

in a video than she could record in a

enjoy it and it’s my form of art. Videos

picture and that is why she continues to

can change someone’s life and I want

do it today and mentions that, “Videos

to be able to change someone’s life in a

are there to inform and entertain. To tell

positive way. I love God and if this is a

a story in a more personal way, a way in

way for me to share his love and wonders

which it is easier for the viewer to relate.”

of the world, that is exactly what I’ll do.”

She continued, “There are different

So go outside and use your iPhone

reasons why people love films, but for me

and take a photo, you might just start

it’s because I love the magic and beauty

only using your phone for photos.

behind the scenes of making a film.”

When asked about success in photography, Larsen said that, “Photography takes patience. The perfect photo takes time.” He also said that people need to be willing to accept critiques.

Elias said that a successful photographer should be “creative and open to new ideas,” and of course, have the necessary equipment.

Written by: Megan Napod

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robo-runners to

S.F. Seventy two teams and over 150

experience the

to take place that day from 8am

volunteers got together in Oakland, California

amount of work it

to 6:30pm. In between breaks

for three days to attend the annual FIRST

takes to organize

the RoboRunners went out

Tech Challenge (FTC West) Super-Regional

and host a robotics competition.

Championship. FTC teams are challenged to

On March 24, the team went down to

and explored Oakland, that was walking distance from the convention center.

design, build, program, and operate robots

the conference center where the competition

to play a floor game in an alliance format.

was being held and went straight to work.

finals of the competition the RoboRunners

With the help of mentors and coaches,

Some work options were photography, which

decided to drive over the San Francisco Bay

junior high and high school students develop

was to assist with team pictures, pit runner,

Bridge into San Francisco and spend the

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering,

which was to get teams to their designated

day relaxing and touring the city. Worship

and Math) and practice the value of hard

location as to where they were to compete,

was held at the San Francisco Botanical

work, innovation, and sharing ideas while

and field reset, which is to reset the field for

Garden, and after worship the RoboRunners

becoming a team. Teams are required to raise

the next match to come in and compete.

explored the different types of gardens.

money for parts, travel, and other things

That same night there was an FTC

On March 26, instead of attending the

From there they went to the tulip gardens,

needed. They must also branch out to the

social party on the USS Hornet, an aircraft

to the beach, to walking the Golden Gate

community, for which they can win awards

carrier from WWII & Apollo 11 recovery

Bridge, to riding cable cars, and ending the

for. Participants in FTC have access to

mission now turned into a museum in

day with ice cream sundaes at Ghirardelli.

tens of thousands of dollars of scholarships

Alameda, California. There were tours set

to many colleges and institutes.

up to look around the ship, and hands-on-

On March 23, Loma Linda Academy’s

activities for many of those with interest.

Robotics team (RoboRunners) took time

Music and activities were also held on the

off of spring break to drive about 8 hours

ship, making it a great opportunity for

up to Oakland and volunteer for FTC.

participating teams and volunteers to get

The RoboRunners got the opportunity to see what it was like at Super-Regionals, to get ideas for designs for their robot, and

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to one another and make new friends.

On March 25, the actual competition took place. Over 50 matches were scheduled

Written by: Bhavisha Desai

Brain Week find a safe space to come

During the week of

in, go through each

March 7-11, Loma Linda Academy high

station, or just pray

school joined the Dana

for special requests on the prayer wall.

Foundation in celebration of international Brain Awareness Week, a global recognition of the progress of brain research. The event was planned

by English teacher, Sarah Henderson, along with a team of teachers and students. The week’s focus was on developing positive habits for longterm brain health, specifically sleep, nutrition, and exercise, under the tagline: Healthy Brains for Life.

Each day, school began

one hour later than normal to encourage additional sleep. While some students were getting extra sleep, others came for the morning activities such as yoga, badminton, running and basketball. On two mornings, the teachers served a healthy breakfast for the students.

Halfway through the morning classes, Home and School parents prepared and gave out healthy snacks to go along with mid-morning activities such as yoga or strength workouts.

There were three assemblies

during Brain Awareness Week. As a kick-off event the Friday before, Dr. Ernie Medina from the Loma Linda University School of Public Health spoke to students in chapel about the impact of exercise on brain health.

On Tuesday was the Brain Bowl where the students came together for a friendly competition between grades. It was a competition, not only of knowledge, but also of the fastest to buzz in. The final assembly ended the week with a special presentation by Dr. Bryan Tsao, a neurologist from Loma Linda University Medical Center.

Lunchtime brought a different sport activity each day which all students were invited to participate

The evenings were for families to spend time together in optional activities. There was a faculty verses students basketball game one night. Another night there was a family cooking class led by LLA culinary arts instructor, Lori Holm. Wednesday night was set aside as family dinner night; a night for families to eat together with recipe suggestions from the LLA culinary arts students. Thursday evening, Sarah Henderson gave a brain development lecture for parents.

All week long, the students were encouraged to sleep more, exercise more, and eat healthier. Changing your daily routine, even in small ways, can impact your brain in a great way. Anybody can do it, so get out there and help your brain!

in. These included games such as ultimate frisbee, basketball, and

Written by: Rubydeb Ramirez

badminton. The prayer room was also open every lunch period. In this special room, students could

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lost classes

At Loma Linda Academy (LLA), we have many class options for students to take. Music and Athletics are just some of our many programs that excel at Loma Linda but what about Art? In the rest of the departments there are Honors and AP Courses for those who are passionate about the chosen subject.. In the past LLA, also offered classes such as sewing, graphic arts, british literature, 20th Century literature, French I & II, ceramics and drama.

However, classes such as computer programming, and web design, have never been offered here.

Hannah Sitanggang (10), is about to start her driver’s education, which is an activity that all teenagers are required to go through to eventually get a driving license. The state of California requires thirty hours to complete for a permit and six additional hours of driving to get a license. In the surcey taken by 285 students, 34.8 percent would definitely like to take a part of the class here.

Kaitlyn Etzweiler (11), is a dedicated member in our school ministry, Reality Check, a drama group that performs during chapel. She would like LLA to have a drama class. Drama is one

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of her many interests she would love to practice and perform in hit plays such as West Side Story and MacBeth. “It would give students an opportunity to be leaders and to show that they have confidence. Also it would add activities to a college application for those who are not into sports and other things,� Etzweiler said. She also added the idea of how a literary discussion class would help her and interest her more in English. The surveyed showed that there were seventytwo people who were interested in taking a drama class here.

Tyler Corrales (12), is a committed believer of the STEM Program. (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.)

Tyler is currently applying to many schools around the country and one of the few regrets he has in high school is that he has not taken a class based on computer programming. Many jobs in the job market are now much more computer based than they were fifteen years ago. There are machines that take over jobs in the food industry, warehousing, auto industry and even the medical industry. Knowing how to program computers is showing more and more on job applications

and college applications that has a deep concentration in computer science jobs, and certainly gives applicants an edge for the position. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in these type of fields usually make around $80,000 a year. Unfortunately, a computer programming class is not enough to keep up with our public rivals who has the state funding to keep up with the trends. For those who know how to code, scholarships and grants are offered as well to those who have been able to take STEM classes and do well in them.

In a recent interview with Robert Skoretz, principal, about how classes get offered and how students can impact it, he said class sizes, school-wide budget, teacher interest, and conference requirements are just some of the reasons why we have the options we have. On campus, we have a team that works on curriculum that considers new ideas about curriculum and talks with the North American Division about changes they way to implement.

Freshmen earth science class, taught by Hans Figueroa, started by wanting to strengthen the science program and to make sure this is no gap between

eighth grade physical science and sophomore biology class.

There are some classes are simply being rotated around departments of each subject such as english, and religion, and science. Multicultural literature was offered to us this year because the English department wanted to bring it back for students. The next step in getting a class offered after the curriculum committee, is trying to find interest within the student body. Classes that receive support from the student body will get more of a thorough look at within the committee members.

After the administration tries to find a period where the class can be taught where students can take it. Honors and AP classes are offered as strategic classes during the day so it does not conflict with other interests.

A survey was given to the high school science classes of LLA. In this survey it was shown to be that 43.8% percent were interested in a psychology class as an elective.

Other classes that received high interest were graphic design, video game design, and a mock trial class, each having about 108 to 112 of the 285 surveyed.

Even though these classes may not be added next year, these classes could hopefully be added to the high school curriculum soon.

Written by: Blake Walker

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When people typically think

The History of

skits and pantomimes, in early

about a drama club, their minds

2000 Reality Check did a few large

fill with images of dramatic kids,

productions. One was a five part

strenuous rehearsals, and even High

series about how the devil and

School Musical. On the Loma

his minions interacted with the

Linda Academy (LLA) campus, the

human world. The actors would

drama is not considered a club, but

take current events of that week

rather is one of the many ministries

and incorporate them into the

the high school has to offer. Its

skit. Another production was a

beginnings involve a new pastor, eager students, and new way to worship.

Pastor Jason Calvert came to LLA in 2006 and was placed in charge of the drama class. At that point in time, the drama class would put on a few, cliche skits and learned the reasonings of having a drama ministry in a church. Calvert was then approached by a few of the kids in the class who had a vision to revamp drama and turn it into an exciting ministry.

He then sat down with the entire drama class and they conjured up a vision of a drama team that would tackle the common problems the students face. “We actually began by sitting down and talking about our lives,” Calvert said, “and we let out all our fears, problems, joys and anything we were comfortable with sharing, myself included.”

As the students threw around the topics they would like to cover in a drama, a phrase kept coming forward.

Reality check. This notion of taking a step back and re-evaluating what one’s reality is to them was the vision that the students wanted to put forth.

The phrase eventually became the

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name of the new drama ministry.

Because it was still a class period, Calvert had four days out of the week to help the students produce and refine skits to perform. They wrote and produced everything they performed. Not only would they perform at school, but they would go out to the local church and other schools and perform there as well. Calvert said that the majority of their work was all done by the students themselves. “They were very hardworking and passionate about it, which was why every production was great,” Calvert said.

What completely revamped the drama was the style of their skits.

Because they wanted the messages to connect with the students emotions, they had an edgier tone to their plays. Calvert recalls doing a bunch of powerful pantomimes to the music of Skillet and Evanescence.

The new style grabbed people’s attention and soon everyone was always excited and looking forward to Reality Check skits.

Aside from normal chapel

pantomime to the entire sound track of the film Passion of the Christ.

They acted out every major part of the movie corresponding with the music, but without any lines at all.

The only line said was when Jesus was hanging at the cross and the play ended with “It is finished.”

The biggest production of Reality Check was the 2009 play called Mark. It was the entire book of Mark acted out and every line was taken from the scriptures. They ended up selling out three shows.

Since the early 2000s, Reality Check has become more localized to the LLA campus, but has not lost its drive to minister to the students. Its members strive to be great storytellers.

This year, their motto is to tell stories just like the Master Storyteller, in hope to reach out to someone. Their purpose has not changed and the current students bring a fresh feel to the ministry. With a student driven background, who knows where future LLA students will take it next.

Written by: Victoria Ico

P Fen “Shirley” Pan

Fen “Shirley” Pan passed away on March 28, 2016, in a

car accident along Deer Park Rd. She and her six other friends were heading towards the Pacific Union College campus when they struck a boulder on the road. Pan

was ejected from the car and died from injuries. The

remaining passengers were taken to local hospitals to

be treated and later on released. A memorial service was held on March 31 at PUC, with her father, Mr. Pan, and her host family from Redlands, CA present.

It was also live-streamed to her mother and 14 year

old brother in Beijing. On behalf of Loma Linda

Academy, the Mirror expresses our deepest condolences

to her family in Beijing as well as her host family here in America. We will miss our beloved 2014 graduate.

Information and photo courtesy of Pacific Union College.

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Briefs

Daniel Lara and Joshua Holtz,

creators of the recently popular “Dang Daniel” meme donated their lifetime supply of Vans shoes to the children at the Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital. The supply was given to them by Ellen DeGeneres after

At school, on March 29, 2016,

the class of 2016 celebrated 2,016 hours of high school left, adjusting the schedule to

inviting them on her talk show and Vans supplies 100 more pairs after learning about the generous visit planned by Lara and Holtz.

accommodate to the events that occurred during lunch, with food stands, games, and fun carnival like activities for the seniors.

On March 30 and 31 Various Juniors and Seniors went up to expierence God at SECC Bible Camp Conference 2016 at Camp Cedar Falls in Angelus Oaks, California. They had fun experience their family groups, general sessions, praise music and the drama and tech teams.

The gym gala on Sunday April 20, 2016, kicked off funding for the new gym locker rooms and installation of air conditioning, a project of $---.

The gala included a silent auction, food made

by Lori Holm and her culinary arts students, and a hall of fame recognizing Coach Sue, Coach Hall, former Coach --- and honoring coach David Burishkin. The event raised $----.

The Photography Club took

9 students on a trip to Zion National Park in Springdale, Utah on March 4-6 2016 for the yearly weekend trip.

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SPRING ‘16

BREAK

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RR LOMA

LINDA

T H E

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ACADEMY’S

M I R R O R