Table of contents
Junior Campout
Relive the adventure and connection shared during the memorable junior campout weekend
Through the Eyes of a Historian
A closer look at the class office historian role responsibilities, highlights, and insight from this year’s holder
Signed with Blue: The Class of ‘25
This section includes senior highlights. A heartfelt morning of reflection, laughter, and breakfast as the senior class greeted the day together. And, a tribute to the Class of 2025 celebrating memories, milestones, and friendships
The Senior’s Shepard
An inside look at senior year planning and reflection from the class’ head sponsor
From First Games to Final Cheers
Catch up on this season’s highlights from baseball, softball, and badminton
Scaling New Heights
Explore the thrill, challenge, and community found in one of LLA’s unique hobbies
Rooted & Rising: AAPI Reflections
Celebrate heritage, stories, and unity during this year’s impactful AAPI Month chapel
Senior Interview: Abby Zinke
Sophomore Rhyen Lo interviews departing senior Abby Zinke
From the Desk of the Editors
Final reflections and heartfelt messages from your Editor-in-Chief Abby Zinke and Managing Editor Mia Lopez
Junior Campout
From May 2nd to May 4th, the junior class of 2026 went on a campout field trip to San Clemente Beach. The students departed from Loma Linda Academy around 1:45 PM. On the way to San Clemente Beach, many students talked, played games, and slept on the bus. The first day was mostly spent setting up camp and admiring the beach campsites. Once the students finished setting up, the first thing they did was head over to the beach. The view of the ocean was beautiful, but it was even better at night.
On the morning of the second day of campout, the worship team held a song service to start the day, followed by free time for everyone to enjoy during lunch, and one final worship in the evening to finish the night During worship, the team provided by Loma Linda’s Campus Ministries played amazing songs for students to enjoy The main highlight was the special guest speaker, Pastor Henry from the 16th street SDA Church. Pastor Henry delivered powerful sermons that helped students reflect on their own stress and recognize how the Lord ultimately brings peace and relief. One day that everyone was particularly excited about was Sabbath, not only for worship, but for the annual cook-off competition as well. Every year, students use identical ingredients and try to outrank the other classmates' food. There were a total of 5 judges consisting of class sponsors and class officers. This year’s ingredient was potatoes and the students had a lot of fun cooking and testing out with the potatoes.
Another event held on Saturday was the Spike Ball tournament. The tournament was intense, and all of the competitors had a lot of fun. After those events came to a close, the students had free time for them to enjoy. During their free time, students went to the beach, played a variety of sports, such as football and baseball. Overall, the students enjoyed their free time at the campout.
On the final day of the campout, the students spent most of their morning packing up and getting ready to go home. When everyone finished packing up, the class sponsors walked around each campsite to see who had the cleanest campsite. The winner of the cleaned campsite competition would win donuts provided by the school admins. When it was time to depart, they took a class picture at the entrance and headed back to school.
Through the eyes of the Historian
In every senior class office, there’s a historian. “What is a historian?” you may ask. They are responsible for documenting the class’s history via photo albums, and keeping track of class achievements throughout the year. This role is vital because it captures and preserves the class’s legacy for the future. Being a historian is a special case at LLA, because this position is only available during senior year.
Xaria Clark (25') filled the historian role for the class of 2025. I asked her a couple of questions regarding this position.
What work have you done this year as a historian?
Most of her work was collecting photos from class events, and being there to help fellow officers when needed. Xaria also said committee work was another chunk of her workload.
What challenges have you faced in this position?
Xaria feels she hasn’t gotten to the hardest part of the job yet, but right now the most challenging part is getting the seniors to submit photos for class night slideshows. Many people have been behind on their deadlines, so Xaria has been doing her best to keep everyone on task.
What made you decide to run for historian?
She decided to run because she wanted to be more involved in her class. Xaria has enjoyed creating memories over the past few year. As historian, she wanted to “bring them back to life” in the future.
What’s been the best thing about being a historian?
Xaria said that the best thing about her position is being able to help plan class events. She has loved experiencing events with her classmates.
Sunrise, Smiles, senior sentiments
“Senior Sunrise” is a tradition where the LLA seniors gather for a hike before sunrise to celebrate the start of their final school year. As tradition goes, Senior Sunrise usually occurs at the beginning of a school year. However, the class of 2025 did not hold theirs at the beginning of the year, but near to the end. You could think of it as seeing the start of their life after high school. Whenever Senior Sunrise happens for LLA seniors, Hulda Crooks is the go-to-venue. It’s nearby, and there are so many places to see the sunrise.
As a senior class officer, I was a little worried about attendance because the sunrise was so early that morning. It was at 6:01 AM. Much to my surprise, people showed up! At 5:30 AM, everyone who wanted to participate in the sunrise hike arrived at a parking lot at the base of the hiking trails. It was dark and foggy, but we were all warmed up by the excitement to see the sunrise.
Many were not anticipating a hike with such steep trails, but everyone pushed through to get to the ridge before the sun came up. Senior, Gared Lin (25'), our technical coordinator, brought a camera with a special lens that all the seniors could sign. The concept of this video was “seniors signing off,” and it added a bit of nostalgia to the experience, as all the seniors wrote their signatures, and waved or smiled at the camera afterwards. Seeing the seniors together warmed my heart, because it’s not often you see everyone coming together. The seniors were intermingling and laughing, it was like a scene from a movie. It was such a special moment for me and all the other seniors. I think it’s a memory that we’ll remember forever!
Blessings Bibles and goodbyes: a look back on Dedication
Loma Linda Academy’s class of 2025 participated in the annual senior dedication ceremony, held at Azure Hills Church in Grand Terrace, on April 4. Every year, this special event kicks off the graduation festivities.
The evening included remarks from Beth Robertson, the former class sponsor, who reflected on the students' high school experience. Senior spirit leader Owen Walls also addressed the class, offering closure on their final year at LLA.
Pastor Tim performed the song “I Want to Go,” a longstanding tradition written by the husband of LLA teacher Lori Holm.
During the ceremony, each senior walked across stage as their name was read, receiving a B donated by La Sierra University and inscribed by high school faculty members.
Following the program, students and fam gathered outside for photos. Light refreshments appetizers were served in the courtyard
At the end of the night, after all the photos were taken, Bibles were accepted, and food was eaten, the seniors were left with the hope of graduation, which was coming sooner than they expected.
The event marked the beginning of graduation for the class of 2025 with upcoming events being baccalaureate on June 6, consecration on June 7, and commencement on June 8.
From Cell Membranes to Graduation: Davisson's Senior Year Debut
As the tassels are about to turn, and caps are getting ready to fly, the class of 2025 prepares to close a chapter -- one filled with memories, laughter, and lasting connections. For Mr. Richard Davission, this year also marked a new beginning. The class of 2025 would be the first class he’d sponsor. Though new to the role, Davission quickly became familiar with the pace of senior events as well as the students. From the early plans to scheduling buses, Mr. Davission has been there every step of the way.
How has your first year been as a head sponsor overall?
“My first year has been busy, but good,” Davission said. “After I was first informed, I had to hit the ground running.” Havasu planning started immediately over summer break. From the “Handshake” event to Havasu, every event had to be planned with careful consideration and coordination, but through the chaos came heartfelt memories.
“I really enjoyed Havasu,” Davission said, “That was my first time going. Before this, I had only gone to two class campouts with the seniors. This year I got to experience things I hadn’t as a part of Student Association (SA) -- banquets, class vespers, ice skating. It was a lot of firsts for me.”
What were your initial thoughts or expectations stepping into this role?
“I wasn’t planning on being a sponsor, or even thinking it was possible,” he admitted. “Most of my experience was with SA, so this was very different, and a little intimidating at first.” Thankfully, Mr. Davission felt more at ease once he realized who would be helping him this year. “When I found out that Mrs. Lewis was joining, and that I'd be working with Mr. Stone, Mrs. Gardner, and our amazing admin sponsors - Grey and Benfield - it helped ease the pressure.”
How would you describe working with this senior class? What makes this senior class unique or special to you?
“I don’t think I’ll ever forget this class,” Davission reflected. “You see a lot of students come and go over the years, and sometimes the faces start to blend together. But, I’ve been with this group inadvertently when I taught some of them biology, or even helped to coach the basketball team.”
Howdoyoufeelaswearenearinggraduation?
“It’s exciting,” Davisson smiled and continued, “but there’s pressure too. You want graduation to go as smoothly as possible, because it’s thelastmoment,aculminationofeverything.”
He acknowledges the vital role of the administrative sponsors in making it all happen. “Grey and Benefield have been instrumental. Andtheseniordedicationwasagreatfirstrun ithelpedsetthetone for everything else.” What message or advice would you give to the senior class. “For seniors, this is a really big time,” he said. “Any time there’s a transition, there’s going to be challenges because it’s all new. I remember going off to college I had to figure things out on my own,andyouwilltoo.”
But Davission encourages seniors to hold on to the relationships they’vebuiltoverthepastfouryears.
“Some of my best friends came from high school,” he said. “Those bonds don’t have to fade. Be intentional about staying connected. Even small things like fantasy football or flying to see each other can keep those ties strong.” And, he adds with a smile, “If you ever see a teacher out there, anywhere, say hello. We love seeing how our studentsaredoing.”
As the Class of 2025 walks across the stage, they do so hand-in-hand with a sponsor who stepped into the unknown and found meaning in themomentbigandsmall.
His role as senior class sponsor and the biology teacher, here at LLA, is truly vital to creating a conducive learning environment, and creating space where students feel safe. And through all his positivity and support, Mr Davisson has been the very definition of a great teacher
From 25' Havasu trip
Swinging into the sunset: Softball Seniors take their final bow
The lights were brighter and more people were gathered on April 3, as the Loma Linda girls softball team came together to honor the senior members. Senior Night isn't just a game,it's also a celebration of the dedication and leadership that the seniors have made on and off the field.
Before the first pitch, the seniors were recognized in a pregame ceremony. They were dressed in their uniforms and each senior walked onto the field with their family members. They were applauded by teammates, classmates, and fans. The coach shared some special words about each player, highlighting their growth and commitment to the team.
This year’s senior class included Mattea Verdugo, Xaria Clarke, and Abby Delaroca (25'), each of whom has contributed a lot to the softball team over the years. From the much needed hits to the game-saving catches, their presence has definitely been felt over the years. Whether they were leading by example during the practices or encouraging the team with their energy, these three seniors showed what it means to be a leader at Loma Linda.
The game itself was a great game-Loma Linda was playing Public Safety with the seniors playing key roles in the game. The game ended in the score of 25-7 with the Roadrunners on top. The game was a bitter sweet, as the event was filled with hugs and tears that marked the end of an era. As graduation approaches, the girls softball community sends its best wishes to these seniors.
Rallying one final time: Badminton Seniors Honored
As many of our sport seasons are starting to wrap up this final semester, there have been many sport related events to end off the year. Specifically there have been a lot of senior nights to create final memories and give recognition for senior players. Badminton senior night happened in late April honoring Brendon Kang, Devon Resiwain, Mia Lopez, Deborah Dotulong, Leily Kan, Abigail Chang, and Gared Lin (25'). The night included a game against Citrus Valley where Loma won 18-3.
Many of the seniors said they will miss the coaches and all of their teammates. Mia Lopez said, “I’ve built so many connections through badminton not just with my teammates, but even with players from other schools.” A big highlight to many of the leaving players were all of the wins they got, specifically for Abigail Chang. She said something that stood out to her was winning 4th place in the league for girls singles. When asked what would be missed from LLA’S badminton team, Brendon Kang said, “I’ll miss Coach Chandra the most because he spent a lot of time with me.”
The night concluded with memorable speeches and a huge buffet for everyone with fresh fancy food. While many seniors are sad about leaving team sports here at Loma Linda Academy, there are new and brighter opportunities ahead with great outcomes.
One Last out: Baseball’s Senior sendoff
The baseball senior night was something that everyone was looking forward to. Unfortunately, the senior game got cancelled due to the other team forfeiting the game. Zaiden Ricketts (25'), one of the seven seniors on the LLA baseball team, explained how the senior night explained: “Senior night got cancelled because the team we would’ve played only had 3 players. Instead of a normal senior night, we just practiced and had a ceremony after with food and drinks, and the coach talking about each senior.” Zaiden talked about being very disappointed to hear the news and when they had to play them the drive was very far so he felt a little disrespected. He also wanted to be able to pitch and have an actual ceremony for senior night. All in all Zaiden said he thinks that the forfeit will over all motivate them for playoffs more because there’s some anger built behind it. Last year the team lost in the first round, and now we don't have senior night so there’s a lot of fuel going into the playoffs.
Hobby Spotlight: Rock CLimbing
As students, we do more than just homework and classes. Hobbies keep a lot of students occupied during their downtime. One of these activities is rock climbing, an easily accessible activity that has been gaining popularity recently.
Rock climbing is pretty straightforward, with the point being to get to the top of a wall using the holds given to you. It starts off easy, so just about everyone can begin it. However, as you get better, the skill ceiling gets higher and higher with harder climbs becoming possible.
Recently, more and more gyms have become widespread, with a bouldering gym, called Flowstone Climbing, in Redlands and a gym in Riverside called Hangar 18. These gyms offer a wide range of climbing, but most importantly, it's crucial to follow the rules set by the gyms, which ensures the safety of you and others. These rules normally include following safety precautions, not climbing near another climber, and being conscious of your surroundings.
If you’re looking for a new hobby or something to do after school, look no further, because rock climbing may have everything you've been looking for!
Senior Interview: Abby Zinke with Rhyen Lo
One of our favorite parts of working on the paper this year was getting to interview students. We loved making connections, sharing laughs, and hearing your stories. Thank you for opening up and offering your insights! For our final interview, Rhyen Lo (27') sat down with our very own Editor-in-Chief, Abby Zinke (25'), to reflect on her senior year.
Rhyen: How do you feel about finals week?
Abby: I feel pretty confident for my finals as some teachers have decided to go easy on us before we graduate.
Rhyen: Any exciting plans over the summer?
Abby: I’m going to the beach for a few weeks and spending time with family and friends before leaving for college
Rhyen: As a soon to be freshman in college, what are your plans for the future or what do you wanna get done over the summer to help prepare you for this new era?
Abby: I want to get baptized over the summer as well as spending as much time as I can with my friends and loved ones before the summer is over.
Rhyen: What's something you're gonna miss about the school? Any specific teachers or classes?
Abby: I’m going to miss my friends from other grades a lot and I’ll also miss journalism class. My favorite teacher at the moment is Ms. Geriguis.
Rhyen: What is your final message to the student body of LLA?
Abby: Make sure you enjoy every moment you have in high school, it flies by quicker than you think it will!
Siri, Pronounce “Kultura” AAPI Month Chapel 2025
The Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) month chapel took place on May 2, 2025. As usual, students and teachers trickled into the chapel building, showing their excitement for the culture clubs and their performances as they quickly navigated to their seats. To begin, AAPI students that spoke Asian or Pacific Islander languages recited sections of the Lord’s prayer in their respective languages, reinstating the importance of diversity and cultural appreciation. Next, they moved onto the community segment. This time, they set up a challenge between each high school class to pronounce words in different AAPI languages. If you missed the pronunciation, which was determined by both the hosts and a speech translator, another member of your class would replace you.
Eager audience members joined in to either assist or lightheartedly reprimand the students on their pronunciation. Their involvement, despite how loud it sometimes became, made the activity all the more entertaining to watch.
The speaker was Xander Assa, an Indonesian pastor at the Loma Linda Korean Seventh-day Adventist Church, who spoke a message revolving around sacrifice and love. He began by explaining the love language of many members of the Asian community sharing food with others. To show how important this way of exhibiting love tends to be, he called the audience to cheer for their preferred Asian cuisine. Assa’s sermon explained his background, and how difficult it was for his parents to work in the riot-laden atmosphere of Jakarta, Indonesia in the 1990s. He then spoke about how they’d sacrificed for him to be able to live in the U.S. His main point was that love and sacrifice go hand in hand, and connected his story to that of Jesus and His sacrifice on the cross. Overall, this year’s AAPI month chapel was a highly anticipated chapel that embraced many of the cultures that make Loma Linda Academy diverse.
Reflections from the other side of the page
Editor in Chief:
My experience being a part of the Mirror team this year has been completely different than I had first imagined it would have been. I was unsure about taking this class in the beginning, but in the end, I'm so glad that I did as the memories we’ve made are ones that will last a lifetime. I want all of my team members to know how much I appreciate all your hard work and dedication to the mirror this year. In addition, being a part of this team has brought me not only lasting memories but lasting friendships as well.
Sincerely, Your editor in chief, Abby Zinke.
Managing Editor:
My time on the Mirror has been such a memorable experience. it was a privilege to be able to work with you all. It’s been a busy year, and keeping things organized was difficult at times, but I appreciate how everyone pulled together to get things done.
It’s been so great getting to know more people through journalism, writing about our schools and other events, and playing games even when we were supposed to be working.
To my Mirror team: Getting to know you guys was so fun; playing different games after meetings, rummaging through the studio together, and beating you all in Scribbl made my year better.
I’ll miss working in this class, and writing for the Mirror. Thank you for letting me be your managing editor!
Sincerly, Your Managing editor, Mia Lopez
The Mirror Team
Editor-in-Chief:
Abby Zinke
Copy Editor:
Alexis Jonathan
Layout Editor:
Deahna Gomar
Managing Editor:
Mia Lopez
Writers:
Eric Park, Mia Lopez, Rhyen Lo, Calvin Dulan, Deahna Gomar, Naomi Nichols, Lia Dixion, Tafadzwa Gavaza, Owen Belleau
Photographers:
Alexis Jonathan, Deahna Gomar, Abby Zinke, Naomi Nichols, Owen Belleau, Eric Park, Calvin Dulan, Rania
George
Section Editors:
Owen Belleau, Eric Park, Deahna Gomar, Rania George, Taffy Gavaza, Rhyen Lo, Naomi Nichols, Calvin Dulan
Video Editor:
Eric Park