2016-2017 Issue 2

The Mir ror

In Memoriam

Loma Linda Academy Newzine|Est. 1940|Volume 84-Issue 2|Nov-Dec 2016

Photos by Yesenia Casteneda.

banquet announcement 2016

table of

contents This I Believe........4 Small Talk..............................5 Vegetarian Craze...............................6 Vegan Fresh................................................7 Club Features...................................................8 In Memoriam: Alondra “Alo” Martinez............10 Volunteering This Christmas................................12 A Review of the 2016 Elections.............................14 Sports Standings: Girls JV Volleyball and Football Tournament..........................................................16 Where’s Santa....................................................17 Briefs.............................................................18 Memories.........................................19

CONTACT

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

Find us on the Web www.llamirror.org

Instagram @lla_mirror

Editor In Chief

Designers

Reporters

Daniela Mejia

Daniela Mejia

Michael Lowe

Lucina Mangoba

Lead Videographer

Michael Lowe

Videographers

Leniber Guzman

Photo Editor Photojournalist Yesenia Casteneda

Elly Lee

Cameryn Baker

Lunden Spencer

Archivist Kyra Church

Advisor

Danelle Taylor Johnston

Publisher Datha Tickner

this i believe I believe that hate is learned. No one her and her brother, who was autistic, is born hating another person because of their race, religion, or interests.

to my hometown, Atlanta GA. One day her dad came to pick

my friend just yesterday, and now she couldn’t be because of the fact I was South African-American. Because my

People are taught their biases. Even

her up early. So when he came to our

skin was I different color than hers? It

if they are unconscious. This I have

classroom, I flashed a smile and waved

had never been a problem before. What

come to believe because of the actions

her a friendly goodbye. The next day,

happened was, when her father took

I have seen through other people. The

when she came to school, she was silent.

one look at me and he saw his daughter

first instance I can remember started

Her dad stared daggers into me and

was friends with the type of person he

as far back as second grade. I met a girl

walked over to my teacher with Sarah

despised, he passed down teachings of

named Sarah. Sarah was a new transfer

at his heels. They talked for a few brief

stereotypes and intolerance. This was not

at our school and she was placed in the

moments. Then she called me from my

the only experience I’ve had like this,

empty seat beside me. Me being the

desk and asked me to gather my things,

and as I got older, the more frequent

talkative person I was and still am today,

and told me that I would be switching

and the worse they became. I learned

I set out to befriend this smaller than

seats with Drew. Had I done something

to ignore them, stay close with my

average new classmate of mine. She was

wrong? Am I in trouble? I thought. I

friends, and take my frustrations out in

incredibly shy and after much persuasion was confused, but I obediently did as

sports, and art. But keep in mind, these

I convinced her to have lunch with me

I was asked, and made a new home

experiences will stay with me forever.

and my friends. For the sake of the story

at a foreign desk. When the lunch

They have been etched in my

I have to mention that all of my friends

bell rang I hurriedly ran over to Sarah

brain and made me into the person I

at the time where, in fact, white. After

and I asked her what was going on.

am today. Whether that’s being overly

lunch, when the new girl called Sarah

“My dad said I can’t be friends with

sarcastic, and coming off as cold, or a

had left our table, my friends said that

you because you’re black. I can’t be

massive sense of empathy for every living

they didn’t like her and they all decided

friends with people that are black.”

thing, plant, animal, or a human being.

that she was weird and therefor none of

Just for the fact that this is a school

I believe that hate is learned. No one is

us were to be friend with her. Can you

assignment, and I have to keep this

born hating another person because of

imagine? A group of my peers telling

PG-13, I will replace what she really

their race, religion, or interests. People

me what to do? Like I’d actually listen.

called me with the term “Black”. She

are taught their biases. Even if they

didn’t say black, but I am sure you

are unconscious. This I have come to

nice to Sarah. I felt kind of bad for her.

can use your imagination. In case you

believe because of the actions I have

She was all alone in this big elementary

have forgotten we were both in second

seen towards me, through other people.

school, and I wouldn’t wish that on

grade when this happened. Sarah was

anyone because I knew very well how

only 7 years old. There was something

it felt to be the new kid. So over the

strange about the way she said it. She

course of a few months we became

said it as if she was a parrot. It was like

really good friends. It turned out her

she didn’t even register the hate and

dad had gotten a new job and moved

intolerance of that statement. She was

In Spite of them I decided to be

4

By: Gabrielle Allen Guest Writer

small talk

B is, w Le

y Te a c h iolog er

Yu

If you had a million dollars, what is the first thing you would buy? An around the world plane ticket and a VW camping bus.

What is your biggest pet peeve? Continious distracting noises.

If you could bring anyone from history back to life, who would it be? My grandparents because I never got to meet them.

What is your favorite thing to purchase from the cafeteria?

French Fries.

If you could witness any event from history, what would it be? Martin Luter King Jr’s “I have a dream” speech.

If had to choose three items to eat for the rest of your life, what would they be? Pizza, fruit, and Chai Latte.

If you had a million dollars, what is the first thing you would buy? A white Jeep.

What is your biggest pet peeve? People who don’t listen.

If you could bring anyone from history back to life, who would it be? Michael Jackson.

What is your favorite thing to purchase from the cafeteria?

Water.

If you could witness any event from history, what would it be? The Revolutionary War. If had to choose three items to eat for the rest of your life, what would they be? Orange chicken, rice, and corn on the cobb.

M

Ka te

If you had a million dollars, what is the first thing you would buy? An accountant.

What is your biggest pet peeve? People who say they procratinate and don’t do well in school but are actually good students.

If you could bring anyone from history back to life, who would it be? Martin Luther King Jr... because the world needs some peace.

What is your favorite thing to purchase from the cafeteria?

Aloe Vera.

If you could witness any event from history, what would it be? The nukes on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

If had to choose three items to eat for the rest of your life, what would they be? Salad, Bread, Soup.

us (11) ltem A ri

h eg

ios (10) Barr n a

5

Loma Linda McDonalds Veggie Burger

25775 Barton Rd, Loma Linda, CA 92354

Firehouse Subs Veggie Sub

25713 Barton Rd, Loma Linda, CA 92354 Photo from AD

v e g e t a r i a n c r a z e Photo from AD

Carls Jr. “Veg It” (remove or subsitute meat on any sandwhich)

Bakers Boca Burger 24910 Redlands Blvd, Loma Linda, CA 92354 Loma Linda Shopping Center, 25536 Barton Rd, Loma Linda, CA 92354

There are five Blue Zones in the world. A Blue Zone is a place where people live longer and healthier than anywhere else in the world. The only Blue Zone that currently exists in the United States is right here in Loma Linda, California. SDA’s in Loma Linda lead in the us longest life expectancy. The result of National Geographic’s five+ years of on site investigation shows that this is due mainly to a lifestyle that includes a healthy diet, daily exercise, and a low stress life that incorporates family, purpose, and religion. In keeping with this and the Seventh-Day Adventist tradition, many fast food establishments in Loma Linda and restaurants have been offering vegetarian substitutions as options Photo from AD Photo from AD for their customers.

Burger King Veggie Burger

Farmer Boys The Market Veggie Burger

10475 Mountain View Ave, Loma Linda, CA 92354 205 E Redlands Blvd,

6

San Bernardino, CA 92408

vegan fresh describe the Tofu Scramble,

pattie, the Gr8 Bite. Smaller

The Mirror staff did a taste

it was cut up or mashed up

and darker than the Crispy

testing of the new vegan

pieces of pesto tossed tofu,

Dulong, the Gr8 bite was a

food restaurant down the

flavored with spices. It was a

sweet and very delicious food

street (24950 Redlands Blvd,

little dry, but the flavor was

liked by the entire class. It was

Space K, Loma Linda, CA

definitely there.

a smaller pattie, crispy on

92354), called Vegan Fresh.

the outside and softer on the

Their hours are from 11am-

Tofu was another tofu based

inside. The only flavor that was

7pm and it is owned by a

dish, but this time including

easy to distinguish was the red

couple named Virginia and

rice. Even though the name

onions.

Grant McAuley who are also

sounds like something that

planning to open up a Vegan

would come from a Chinese

the Crispy Dulong, almost

Gelato restaurant next door.

takeout, it was not. The

completely opposite from

sweet and sour aspect I was

the Gr8 bite. This patty was a

tasted the selected food items

searching for wasn’t quite

tanish brown color, also had

that our teacher, Danelle

there, instead it was more salty

red onions, more savory and

Taylor Johnston, brought to

than sweet. Although it was

twice the size of the Gr8 bite.

class. The foods and drink

still pleasing to taste, it would

that were sampled by the

have done a little better if it

staff was not able to try all the

students were: Strawberry

was not as salty.

items on the menu, they were

Juice, Tofu Scramble, Sweet

The Plantain Platter consisted

overall pleased with what

n’ Sour Tofu, the Plantain

of sauteed plantains, the

they had.

Platter, Crispy Salad, and two

sauteing of the plantain

different patties, the Gr8 Bite,

brought out a sweet flavor

to 5 (1 being the worst and 5

and the Crispy Dulong.

and made it soft. The Plantain,

being the best) the rating by

sliced evenly, looked to be

the class on Vegan Fresh’s

tasted like there was a water

double the size of a banana

menu options came out to an

base. Even though it was

slice.

overall average of a 4.1.

only called Strawberry juice,

it seemed to have hints of

the salad of the day, not the

banana in it. Even though

favorite of the foods, but still

it tasted water based it was

flavorful with good textures.

really good and thick. It tasted

The dressing was not very

like a homemade strawberry

outstanding and the rest of

banana smoothie.

the salad consisted of greens

and crispy tofu.

On November 29th,

All of the Mirror staff

The Strawberry juice

The next food item

was the Tofu Scramble. To

The Sweet n’ Sour

The last pattie was

Although the mirror

Out of a ranking from 1

The Crispy Salad was

By: Cameryn Baker

Next was the most liked

7

club features Friends Next Door Club

Youth to Youth

What your club does: Helps to prepare high school students to do community outreach. We then have the students prepare the monthly theme, skit, games, crafts, snacks, puppet skit, and music. The students take this program to a selected SDA church and put on the program the second Sabbath of each month October-May. President’s Name: Golden Se Location & time of meetings: Mr. Uribe’s room every Wednesday at lunch Who can join: any 9-12 student and LLA staff members.

Membership fees: None

What your club does: Red Ribbon Week Decorating and Food Drive, Christmas and Easter parties for Inland Temporary Homes President’s Name: Jazmine Alfaro Location & time of meetings: Selected dates during lunch Who can join: Any high school student Membership fees: None

Photo Club What your club does: Takes trips to photograph, share photos, has guest speakers President’s Name: Blake Walker Location & time of meetings: Ms. Taylor Johnston’s room most Thursdays at lunch Who can join: anyone who likes photography Membership fees: none

Kendama Club What your club does: Practice Kendama, learn new skills, play games and win prizes President’s Name: Harrison Mace Location & time of meetings: Thursdays at lunch in Skoretz’s classroom Who can join: anyone Membership fees: None

8

LLA Hiking Club What we do: Hike President: Naomi Allsman Location/time: Hall’s room, as announced Who can join: anyone Membership fees: $10-15 for t-shirt if desired

Math Club

LLA Walk Run Club What the club does: Walk and Run President’s Name: Nathaniel Leon Location & Time of meetings: Mondays and Wednesdays 3:30 -4:00 on the track field Who can join: Anyone associated with LLA Membership dues: No charge ($10 for runner’s shirt)

What the club does: This club incorporates academic math skills and provides fun to all members.

President’s Name: Zheng Cao Location & Time of meetings: Lunch time on Thursdays in Ms. Rantung’s Room Who can join: Anyone interested in mathematics Membership dues: No membership fee required

Art Club What the club does: Art activities, share the company of people who enjoy and appreciate art President’s Name: Rachel Specht Location & Time of meetings: Tuesdays at lunch Who can join: Anyone Membership dues: none

Baking Bliss What the club does:For students to learn how to bake and expand their knowledge in the kitchen President’s name: Haley Hoag Location and time of meeting: Every other Thursday at lunch in the culinary arts room Who can join: anyone Membership dues: none

Fashion Club What the club does: Organize fashion event President’s name: Leniber Guzman Location and time of meeting: Every other Monday in Ms. Hendersons Class Who can join: Anyone Membership dues: none

9

in memoriam

A alondra martinez

“alo”

On November 14, 2016 at 4:35 p.m., Alondra Martinez, a loved Loma Linda Academy freshman, passed away at the Loma Linda Children’s Hospital after being hospitalized three days before, from a heart condition she suffered from since birth.

Her older sibling David Martinez graduated from Loma Linda Academy in 2015.

Throughout the time she was in the hospital her brother updated her condition through her social media account. Alondra’s mother Guadalupe Solares works at the Loma Linda Children’s Center and her father is Jose Martinez. Her friends remember her as a kind and sweet person. Her memorial was held on Sunday December 11, 2016 at Azure Hills Church the day before her 16th birthday. On behalf of Loma Linda Academy, and the Mirror staff we expresses our deepest condolences to her family and friends.

Photos courtesy of the Martinez family, David Martinez, and Krystal Checo.

10

11

volunteering this christmas Why should people

their stocking to, but were

are in most need.

On top of these

volunteer? Volunteering is

limited to giving only three

a great way for one to show

stockings. Forty students

opportunities, there are events

their support to the community

donated a total of 85 stockings,

in which students can earn

by selflessly giving their time

according to Kyra Church,

hours. Recently, the “Holiday

to help a cause. It is also a

religious Vice President.

Classic” event occurred.

requirement for students to

Many students do not have to

The “Holiday Classic” was

volunteer 25 hours per year,

worry about not having the

a 5k run and half marathon.

attending LLA and 100 hours

necessities that are needed for

Signs were posted all over

to graduate, if all high school

the cold months, nor have to

campus. In order for students

years were at LLA. At Loma

worry about being homeless.

to volunteer, students had to

Linda Academy (LLA),

On Friday, November 11 and

sign up online. The “Holiday

there are many volunteer

Friday, December 9 the high

Classic” occurred on the

opportunities.

school students were given

morning of December 4, 2016.

the opportunity to receive

Students could volunteer in

(SA) created an opportunity

two community service hours

traffic control, registration, and

for the high school students

by donating old clothes and

more.

to receive two community

money to homeless individuals

service hours by purchasing

and families facing financial

community service hours

a regular sized Christmas

hardship in our community

through working with some

stocking and filling it with

and showing them the love of

clubs. Friends Next Door

things that a homeless teenage

Christ through Urban Mission

Bible Club, for example, is a

boy/girl would want or need.

Project. This was a great

club in which one can easily

The students had the choice

way for the students to give

earn community service hours.

and ability to customize their

something of theirs that they

Students help organize a

stocking/s to their liking for

no longer wanted to the people

vacation Bible school styled

the gender they would give

within their community who

session, for all kids at different

The Student Association

12

Students can also earn

Although there are many

churches. They put on songs,

where we are all equal and

live plays, puppet skits, and

there is not one person

volunteer opportunities on

more.

who has an overwhelming

campus, students are not

amount of experience over

limited to just volunteering at

community service hours

another. This situation gives

school. Students can volunteer

is youth-to-youth. Youth-

those who want to be leaders

in public service areas such as

to-youth is a club in which

a chance to step up, take

hospitals, libraries, churches,

students organize a Christmas

charge, and work on their

or even do things as simple

party for families in the Inland

organization leadership skills.

as cleaning parks. There are

Temporary homes that have

Volunteering gives volunteers

many activities students, and

been through a tough time,

the opportunity to learn about

non-students, can do to serve

place red ribbons all over

themselves, to learn about

the community and to also get

campus for red ribbon week,

those around us, to build

volunteer hours.

organize the can drive, and

new relationships, and in

even host an Easter party

some cases of international

similar to the christmas one.

volunteering, to learn about

Another club that offers

Volunteer work has many

a completely different

benefits that improves and

culture. Whatever the reasons

betters a community and

for volunteering may be,

the volunteer. Volunteering

someone’s quality of life is

allows students to get involved

benefiting.

with new things and develop

By: Leniber Guzman and Lucina Mangoba

Students can find volunteer

technical, social, and academic

information in the morning

skills that couldn’t be learned

announcements, or on signs

in a classroom environment.

posted around campus.

While volunteering we are

Students need to keep an eye

usually put into a situation

out for opportunities.

13

a review of the 2016 elections win. According to CNN, Trump was

feelings about the election result, and

2016, US citizens 18 and older,

able to win 306 electoral votes while

others are neutral about the election

had the option to vote for Donald

Clinton won 232. Although Clinton

results. Throughout the high school

Trump, Hillary Clinton, and third

won a 48.2% in popular vote, &

in their homeroom, students who

party candidates for the presidential

Trump won a 46.3% in popular vote,

participated in the 2016 presidential

election. Since the Republican party

Trump won because of the Electoral

election were given a ballot to

and the Democratic party are the

College and its electoral vote count.

vote on who they would want as

On Tuesday, November 8th,

largest and most popular out of all

Presidential elections are

their 2017 President of the United

the parties, it was almost expected

held every four years. Election Day

States of America. This was a highly

for there to be either a Republican

is held the Tuesday after the first

controversial debated topic amongst

or Democratic president.

Monday of November. According

the student body as one shared their

to NPR.org the reason why it is set

thoughts with another as to whom

9th, Donald J. Trump became the

up that way is because there was

they thought was the candidate to

presumed president elect. At 2:30 am,

electoral chaos without a specific

be elected as next year’s president.

the president elect congratulated and

election date. So in 1845, Congress

Disputes amongst students took

thanked his voters and also Hillary

decided to get things under control.

place as they expressed their opinions

Clinton, in his victory speech.

It is said that lawmakers reasoned

towards opposing candidates.

On Wednesday, November

In the United States, there

that Monday was out because people

Also, Bettesue Constanzo’s

are different parties. Republican,

would have to travel to the polls in

gave her U.S. Government classes

Democratic, Libertarian,

their buggies on the weekend. And in

a propositions sheet to her students

Independent, Green, and more. The

a mostly farming society, Wednesday

in the beginning of class for them

Republican and Democratic parties

would not work because that was

to fill out, voting yes or no on

are the biggest out of all.

often market day. So Tuesday was

each proposition, and on the back

the day chosen as election day.

was a ballot for them to vote on

On April 12, 2016, former Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton

According to Pew Research

the remaining candidates running

announced that she would run

Center (pewresearch.org), this is the

in the 2016 presidential election.

as a Democratic candidate for

“fifth time in US history, and the

After all the students turned in their

the 2016 presidential election.

second time in this century,” in which

papers Constanzo would later reveal

“a presidential candidate has won

after election day the total votes by

businessman, Donald J. Trump,

the White House while (apparently)

American’s and her U.S. Government

announced that he would run as

losing the popular vote.” Factcheck.

students on each proposition

a Republican candidate for the

org stated, This is the first time in 16

and candidate. After election day

2016 presidential election.

years that a president has won the

Constanzo presented a slide showing

In order for a final candidate

presidential popular vote and not the

the percentages of the propositions

to become president elect, they must

electoral vote by such a large margin.

Americans voted on in comparison

On June 16, 2015, American

have at least 270 electoral votes to

14

There are many different

to her students votes. As she

showed her students the compared

sworn into office in January. America

“The inauguration is scheduled for

percentages, students shockingly

next year, will have a new leader

noon on Jan. 20, 2017 at the U.S.

gasped in disbelief. They saw what

that will represent the American

Capitol.” “Article II, Section I of the

the Americans voted towards and

citizens; this infuriates some because

Constitution prescribes the wording

against and what they saw was not

they uphold to their beliefs that

of the oath: “I do solemnly swear (or

what they had anticipated. On

Trump is not fit to represent them

affirm) that I will faithfully execute

some, Americans voted towards

as their American president do to

the office of president of the United

propositions students did not, and

his past faults before being elected

States, and will to the best of my

on others, Americans voted against

president, such as: commenting

ability, preserve, protect and defend

propositions students voted for.

distasteful remarks against women,

the Constitution of the United

being abrasive, not caring about

States.” After the Ceremony, Trump

the country was divided among

what people think about him, or

will have his inaugural address and

whether we should be Democratic

about not being liked by people.

Mr. and Mrs. Obama will leave

or Republican. In the end, the

This can sometimes be a good thing,

the capitol as private citizens.

Republican party won the electoral

but can also be a bad thing to have

votes, though not the popular vote..

someone with that attitude represent

Many people were not happy with

the United States of America.

Likewise, during the elections

the election. Riots began in different

Although Trump does have

parts of the country, and even the

some negatives, many contradict

#Calexit began to trend. But although

that. Some say that it is good that

not everyone agreed with the election

Trump is anti-progressive liberal,

results, many people did. Many

which means he is a Conservative.

people celebrated the victory of the

Some say he is more religious, and

now president-elect Donald J. Trump.

traditional. It is also said that since he

Even here at LLA, people

is a businessman, he will know how

expressed different emotions towards

to run the economy in America. Not

the elections. Some expressing joy

only that, but he is direct and does

and contentment, while others anger

not change his views based on what

and reproach, and others simply

other people think. He sticks to what

did not care. According to Ariana

he believes in. There are many things

Perez (11), Trump is going to be

that Trump supporters believe are

a good president and everything

positive aspects of the president-elect.

done was simply for attention.

Some people say that America

By: Leniber Guzman and Lucina Mangoba

For now, Barack Obama is still president until Donald J. Trump is

is going to take a different turn in

sworn in as the 45th president of the

the near future when Trump is

United States. According to NJ.com

15

sports standings girls jv volleyball Aquinas W Woodcrest W ACA W Linfield L Ontario L Notre Dame W Poly L Aquinas W Woodcrest W ACA W Western W Linfield W Western W Ontario W Notre Dame L 11 Wins - 4 Loses

Girls Junior Varsity photos courtesy of Kate Lewis.

16

football tournament boys girls Ontario W Bakersfield W Escondido W Championship Escondido W

Bakersfield W Newberry Park W Championship Glendale W

football season results 21 Wins - 1 Loss

Football photos by Jackie Agustine

17 Wins - 1 Loss

s ’ e r e h W Santa?

There are four (4) hidden Santa’s around the high school campus.

Find all four, write down their exact locations and your name on a piece of paper, and submit it to Mrs. Taylor-Johnston for a chance to win a secret gift. Keep your eye out and have fun!

17

briefs Mr. Oswald left

On

November 15th to December

December 4, 2016,

5th and missed eight days of school.

the High School students of

He spent one day in Kaiser Downey

Loma Linda Academy attended

Hospital where his cancerous prostate

the annual Christmas banquet

was removed with the help of robotic

which was held at the Harborside

laparoscopy. If he is still clear january and sixth months after, then he will not require chemotherapy.

Last year on December 2, 2015, there was great

In the month of September, Charles Alaras, a sophomore, was admitted to Loma Linda University Medical Center under suspicion of pneumonia, but after many tests thyroid cancer was discovered. Charles has been in and out of the hospital and is currently staying home.

shooting at the Inland Regional One

year

later

we

remembered the lives of those who

died

that

day.

Class Points seniors: 260 juniors: 240 sophomores: 290 freshman: 250 as of 12/8/2016

18

Balboa Pier this year.

December 7, 2015, marked the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, where 2,403 Americans were killed by a surprise attack from the Japanese.

fear in San Bernadino after a center.

Pavilion Grand Ballroom on

MEMORIES

“In sixth grade we went to outdoor school.

Alondra, Krystal and I were best friends back then. There was one time when we got together in one of the rooms to have a mini sleep over. We talked about clothes, how to do our hair, and who we liked. We had so much fun. We also told each other about our worst nightmares, and we shared scary stories. We tried to act just like they did in the movies.” - Natalia Ruiz (9) “I knew Alondra since pre-k. We would always do everything together. She used to call me “cake” because she couldn’t pronounce Kate at the time. Since a young age I knew she was a walking miracle so I was always extremely protective of her. I miss her everyday, but I know I’ll see her in heaven.” -Kate Cruz (9)

“We were partners in P.E. Not a lot of talking was involved, but a lot of laughing and fun was. It was always a fun experience. I was always smiling whilst in her presence. She brought light and nothing less.”

-Danielle Gilbert (10)

“Every day, Alondra would either bring candy or donuts to school. She wouldn’t hesitate to share. She was so kind and thoughtful. I can’t wait to see her again one day in heaven.”

-Mikey Kelly (9) “I remember that, how do I describe it? All of us used to sit at a table and laugh. We used to tell tons of jokes and we kept laughing for a long time. I miss that now. Everyone’s laughing and it was so comforting to see/hear it. We used to tell jokes to Alondra and she would laugh. It would be nice to hear her laughing again.” -Anonymous (10) “I remember her as someone who was content. She didn’t care what other people thought, she was happy with who she was.”

-Lynelle Bathan (9)

“In PE, since we would sit out a lot, we would always talk and joke around. She was always at school in the morning, so I had someone to talk to. She was quiet, but very nice. Once you got to know her she would be one of the craziest people you know. She was a good listener and a great friend.”

-Daniela Chambi Perez (9) “My favorite memory was when me and Alondra went to the same Kindergarten. We took off our shoes even though the teacher told us no to and we accidentally stepping on an ant hill. It was not funny at the time, but we would always look back and laugh about it.”

-Jackie Barrios (9)

“I remember spending everyday of 8th grade with Alondra. We both were not able to participate in PE. So we spent the entire period just talking and laughing. I truly got to know her as a person and I can honestly say she was heaven sent. She gave me a gift on my birthday when everyone was getting ready for graduation. I love her and there isn’t a day I don’t think about her beautiful smile and what an amazing friend she was to me.”

- Gabby Rodriguez (9)

“There isn’t enough space to talk about my favorite memories with Alondra. When I came to this school in 6th grade she was my first friend that I didn’t know from my elementary school or church. Alondra, Natalia, and I would always sit out during recess and talk about anything around us. Once our friend group grew in junior high, Alondra and I had many more great memories. I think her birthday party is one of the best memories I have ever had with her and I wish that we had more time together and could just drive away in her dream car.”

- Krystal Checo (9) The Mirror staff regrets we can not publish all of the memories we received. The additional memories will be given to her family.

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