Mirror
From October 8 to October 11th, LLA hosted a football tournament for Christian schools across Southern California, with the final day of football being hosted at the LLU Drayson Center The schools that competed were Newbury Park Academy, La Sierra Academy, Woodcrest Christian School, Redlands Adventist Academy, Mesa Grande Academy, Escondido Adventist Academy, San Diego Academy, and of course, LLA. Both girls’ and boys’ football teams played each other respectively on the fields by the Junior High gym The three days of play saw exciting action as schools competed against each other in hopes of becoming champions of the tournament. th
The Loma Linda boys football team played La Sierra on Thursday, easily beating them in a game
of 25 to 13 LLA teachers and students watched along the sidelines, supporting the team as they played, with cheers of encouragement. LLA had a concession stand, selling refreshing drinks such as boba, gatorade, and fresh veggie corndogs and nachos. After their victory against La Sierra, the football team was in anticipation for their next game Landon Samples (‘26), on the varsity boys’ football team said, “I’m pretty confident we will win, but they're a good team, so I’m gonna respect them and their abilities ” In their next game against Newbury Academy, the boys won 31 to 15
On Friday, the boys played Escondido Adventist Academy on a balmy 88 degree day and won 6 to 0 The girls team played Aquinas High School and won their game 17 to 0
CHURCH ON CAMPUS
On Saturday night, everyone flocked to the Drayson Center where the final football games would be played, deciding who was the champion for boys flag football and who would be going to CIF for the girls’ flag football. The boys’ and girls’ teams ultimately finished second overall in the tournament and RAA took the championship. Overall, the girls and boys teams showed hard work and dedication throughout the tournament and always showed good sportsmanship to the other teams, spreading the values of kindness and friendship of LLA to other Adventist and non-Adventist schools
Pumpkin pie is one of the most iconic desserts of the fall season Not all pumpkin pies are created equal though. There are many options when it comes to picking out your pumpkin pie From grocery store pies to homemade pies, everyone has their own opinion on what tastes best In fact, 4 of the 5 people interviewed stated that Costco pumpkin pie was their favorite.
“It might even taste better than a homemade pie!”
Why do so many people choose Costco pumpkin pie as their favorite? Their pies are larger and cheaper than many others sold at grocery stores. Charles Park (‘26) said, “It’s big and tastes the best.” Robert Crane (‘26) said, “It might even taste better than a homemade pie”
Not everyone agrees it is the best. Some still prefer the homemade pumpkin pies Morgan Ghosh (‘28) said “The taste of my grandma's pumpkin pie is way better than anything I’ve tried at the store”. While Costco pies may be the most popular, not everyone thinks they are the best
ADVENTIST COLLEGES
If you ’ re a senior, you have probably already started researching colleges, trying to decide which one you should attend following graduation from LLA If you are planning to stay within the Adventist system, there will be information about the following five colleges in this article: Southern Adventist University, La Sierra University, Pacific Union College, Andrews University, and Walla Walla University These are the five most popular Adventist colleges that many seniors from LLA apply to Let’s talk about the pros and cons of each
Starting with tuition as an up and coming freshman, Southern Adventist University (SAU) has an estimated price to be about $38,300 for the academic year; keep in mind all this is the price before financial aid has been applied The tuition for La Sierra University is estimated to be $52,908 including room and board The tuition for Pacific Union College can vary from $35,000 to $40,000, depending on your program Next, for Andrews University, the tuition is estimated to be $18,000 per semester, but $37,00 per year for full-time students Lastly, the tuition for Walla Walla University is by the quarter system If you are enrolled in 1216 quarter hours, it will cost you $11,448 per quarter; these prices are for the current year 2025-2026.
Another thing to take into account would be the housing situation Southern offers four main housing options - Talge Hall for boys, Thatcher Hall for girls, and the Southern Village for upperclassmen. Lastly, 23+ housing is available for those who are 23 years or older, graduate students, or students who have families. La Sierra University also has four main dormitories for students There is Angwin Hall, mainly for freshmen and sophomore girls, and Calkins Hall for female juniors, seniors, and graduate students Sierra Towers is for all male students
La Sierra also has South Hall, a dormitory just for students in the Honor Program There is off campus housing as well, including the Walnut Grove Apartments and the Sierra Vista apartments located near the campus Pacific Union College has five housing options for students They offer three dormitories for women, and 2 for men since they have a higher ratio of girls to boys For girls they have Andre Hall, Winnie Hall, and McReynolds Hall For boys they have Grainger Hall and Newton Hall
Next, at Andrews University they have Lamson Hall for women, and Meier Hall for boys. However, they have one more building that consists of two residence halls. Damazo Hall is for women's housing and Burman Hall is for men ’ s housing Lastly, Walla Walla University has two dormitories for women and 1 dormitory for men The women's dorms are called Conrad Hall and Foreman Hall; and the boys dorm is called Sittner Hall
To summarize, the most expensive Adventist University is La Sierra University, however they do not include housing and other benefits in their full year tuition - they are separate expenses. All of these universities offer financial aid, and scholarships If wanting to apply for scholarships, it is best to either talk to our school’s career counselor, Mrs Hattendorf, as well as emailing each of the colleges Many students are eligible for scholarships whether they think so or not So, applying for as many scholarships as possible is wise since adventist universities are quite expensive and many universities offer generous scholarships
Loma Linda Academy’s consistently high enrollment and student retention necessitates the employment of many teachers To gain a better insight into what teachers are doing outside of school hours, The Mirror has interviewed Ms Geriguis, Ms Estrada, Ms Phillips, Mr Song, Mr. Richards, Mrs. Gardner, and Ms. Ramirez, asking questions such as, “where would we most likely see you outside of school?”
M S . G E R I G U I S
“You would most likely see me at Crosswalk, University Church or Anthem, or other churches You would also see me playing pickle ball or at a coffee shop. With her Sundays, Ms. Geriguis says she spends her free time “ ... catching up on grading, taking a run, or playing pickleball.”
M S . E S T R A D A
On weekends, Ms Estrada says, “I watch a lot of TV and movies or I bake and play video games. I grade papers while I watch all the NFL games ”
M S . P H I L I P S
THE SECRET LIVES OF TEACHERS
“Do you like seeing LLA kids outside of school?”
“Yes, I like seeing kids outside of school because it’s like I have a lot of friends! But, I went on this trip and a LLA kid came out of the water and said, ‘Hello, Ms Phillips’ at the beach in 2021 ” She seemed to think this was humorous We also asked her, “Where would we most likely see you outside of school?” and she said,, “Victoria Gardens is where you will see me ”
“I always see them at Costco or Stater Bros I always tend to say ”Hi” to students but they tend to avoid me so whenever they run away fast it’s kind of funny seeing that It’s pretty cool seeing them though ”
“What is something we would be surprised to learn about you?”
““So I like to sing and I’ve done some podcast recordings and on Sundays I visit my parents and help them with gardening ” “What are your hobbies?”
THE SECRET LIVES OF TEACHERS
“What do you do on Sundays?”
M S R A M I R E Z
M R R I C H A R D S
“I like to collect and crack whips. Yes, it is a thing! The other [thing I enjoy] is reading science journals... so I can see what new things are coming out ”
M R S . G A R D N E R
“I like to paint, sing, and play games or sports ”
SCHOOL EDUCATION
Does education taught at school get in the way of education used in the real world? This is a question that weighs on many student’s minds as they go through the motions of studies. School, by definition, is “ an institution for educating children " according to Oxford Languages. It’s a place where people learn and grow to prepare for their future, placing the foundational cornerstone of their basic understanding of everything. It focuses on what you need to learn and helps you get to any point of achievement you desire.
Though this raises the question, “Why do I need to take extra classes of other courses if I don't plan to pursue it in the future?”
Imagine a world where everyone only knew and specialized in one subject It would be hard to work with others since everyone would have tunnel visioned and only knew or cared for their own specialization For many, taking an extra class holds valuable in helping to develop transferable skills and a broader understanding of the world. Many courses, despite being seemingly tough and unnecessary, teach problem-solving, critical thinking, communication and creativity skills that apply to almost any career or life situation
with a balanced education, not specialized knowledge Each school has a set time to teach each person as much of each basic fundamental subject as possible Classes each student needs to take per grade level is chosen at a state and district level An overall curriculum is given based on state standards, although it's the district and school’s choice on how to implement them and to include specific classes or not. Then, the school administration decides which courses are offered and distributed classes for teachers to teach
Through this system, students are able to include core classes as well as other electives, giving a wide variety of choices for classes, while also setting a base for your field of knowledge One thing that many people don’t realize is that school often teaches theory over practice Students spend years practicing calculation, analyzing texts, and focusing on the “what ifs” without understanding how to apply them outside the classroom It can feel frustrating or confusing to many people Though school also provides the essential foundation that makes real word learning possible.
It emphasizes the fundamental skills of reading, writing, math, and scientific reasoning Without these core skills, it would be much harder to navigate society or learn specialized knowledge later in life While the gap between school learning and real world education may seem wide, it depends on how the material is taught When teachers use hands-on projects, discussions and visual examples, students can see how to use what they learned in the future and understand how it can connect to their life beyond the classroom Other great options for students to practice hands-on situations include internships and community service
As the seasons change, the heat starts to die down, and the jackets start to make their first appearances. The waves, palm trees, and suns get replaced with pumpkins, autumn leaves warm shades of red. Let's take a look at our teachers' classrooms to see how they transition from summer into fall!
SUMMER TO FALL
Ms Geriguis’ bulletinboardisnowdecoratedwitha redbackgroundandautumnleaveswithBibleverses ontheside!
Ms Gerigus’cupboardiscoveredincutelittleautumn cutouts,wherestudentswrotewhattheyarethankful for!PS Ms Gerigusplacedadiffuserinherroomto makeherroomsmelllikepumpkinspiceforfall.
Weseeastringofcuteautumnleavesandpumpkins alongtheedgeofthecounter
Itisimportanttoobservechangesaroundus Itishealthy, andthatiswhyIwanttoshowtheseasonaltransitionin myclass it'salwaysgoodtoseecyclesandhowthings change!
Ms.Geriguis
ATTENDING AN ADVENTIST SCHOOL AS A NONADVENTIST
Attending a Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) school can be a unique experience, especially for students who do not share the same faith background. Several non-Adventist students who attend Loma Linda Academy shared that their family chose an SDA school because of its strong moral foundation and safe environment What stood out most to them was the welcoming atmosphere and the sense of unity found in chapel services and assemblies. Seeing students and staff come together in worship and celebration created a positive and uplifting school culture.
Non Adventist students interviewed noted that teachers at SDA schools are exceptionally caring and involved. They often build close relationships with students, creating a supportive and interactive learning environment where laughter and encouragement are part of everyday life. Chapel services and religion classes, in particular, are seen as opportunities to grow closer as a community, allowing d l ll b ll
Although the students initially felt unsure about fitting in as a non-Adventist, those feelings quickly faded as they experienced the school’s inclusiveness
Classmates were understanding and open-minded, and as the students became more involved helping with chapels and participating in school and church events they felt fully accepted
Their advice to other nonAdventist students considering an SDA school is simple: give it a chance. SDA schools are known for their kindness, closeknit community, and emphasis on compassion and teamwork
From school events like vespers and lunchtimes spent together, to moments of support during difficult times, the sense of belonging runs deep. Attending an SDA school, they said, is not just about academics it’s about being part of a caring community that helps students grow in character, friendship, and faith
STUDENT LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
The Leoni Meadows Student Leadership Conference is an annual event that brings together student leaders from various schools across the Pacific Union to develop their leadership skills This year ’ s conference took place from Thursday, September 25th, to Saturday, September 27th The event inspired student leaders with skills and confidence to make a positive impact on their campuses. Each year, the president, vice president, religious vice president, and social vice president of both the junior and senior classes, along with the SA officers, attend the student leadership conference Accompanied by other student leaders from over 30 Adventist schools, they participated in team-building activities such as go-karting, laser tag, tree climbing, etc Maddie Checo (‘27), Social Vice President, enjoyed these activities saying, “My favorite part of this trip was playing laser tag with my group and getting the lowest score ” In addition, the students packed gift boxes for student missionaries and became more spiritually enriched
There was a strong emphasis on integrating faith into leadership In their small groups consisting of six students, they made deeper connections with their peers and participated in many team-building activities Now that the conference is over, it is the students’ opportunity to integrate what they learned into their everyday school life. With new leadership skills and strengthened faith, the students are
now encouraged to put their lessons into action, Reflecting on his experience, Class of 2027 Javet Wongkaren (‘27) said his favorite part was getting an “animal-style double-double with extra In-N-Out sauce ” on the ride back to Loma Linda Academy
AskZippy
For this issue, we decided to bring back a classic Mirror column – Ask Zippy! Please send in your questions orconcernstoourinstagrampage
For some people, summer is a time to go on vacation, rest from school, and spend time with friends and family. Some travel across the world to Japan, other people sleep in everyday, and others hang out at the beach with their loved ones But this summer, Samuel “Sammy” Carrera (‘27) decided to go on a medical mission trip to Kendu Bay, Kenya On this trip, Samuel got to experience helping people both spiritually and physically Sammy’s medical duties on this trip were extensive.
He assisted in taking patient’s vitals such as blood sugar, heart rate, and body temperature and helped measure blood sugar,
making sure that his patients were healthy. He even got the chance to observe live surgeries in the OR. In an interview, Sammy stated, “I’ve always wanted to go into the medical field, but this trip really helped deepen my understanding of what it means to be a part of that field and help others.”
Sammy didn’t just help in the medical side of things, he was also there to spread the word of God. “This experience really broadened my perspective on religion and God I was in a place I was unfamiliar with and around people that were completely different from me, yet they still worship the same God. All people were united as one, worshipping the one living God ”
Sammy had a great time throughout all facets of his missionary experience When asked if he would recommend going on a mission trip to other people, his response was “Yes, it is a great opportunity for anyone to help others, grow closer to God, and help others get closer to God ” Recently, Sammy shared his mission experience with REGEN, and it was very nice He shared it alongside his father, where they discussed the spiritual and medical aspects of the trip.
WEEK OF WORSHIP
W.O.W (Week of Worship) is when the student body of Loma Linda Academy High School goes to the Chan Auditorium before lunch every day during the school week to give praise and learn more about God, however, on Friday it’s normal schedule W O W chapels start off with a praise song, where everyone stands and sings with the praise team. The praise team typically consists of three singers, a drummer, two guitarists, and two pianists The praise team had several people on it, so every chapel they had different people participating to bring in new faces Then after that a connector takes place, a game that is meant to entertain and connect the audience before the sermon. There could be group games consisting of the whole audience and others where a few people run up on stage and participate Teachers can also participate in games or sit down talks.
Inari Richardson (‘26) is the Connector MD (ministry director) for campus ministries this year She shares how she became the Connector MD, “I became Connector MD by applying at the end of the last school year when applications opened Once I applied, I had an interview, and about one week later, I got a text saying that I made it onto the team The reason for doing this is to make sure everything for that day coordinates so Pastor Luke could somehow tie the game into the sermon. ” After the connector, the LLA chaplain, Pastor Luke, comes up and gives a sermon
Pastor Luke and campus ministries (the organization that plans chapels) come up with the theme for W.O.W. I interviewed him on how they do this and he said, “Easy, same thing we pick for anything, they put out a box about topics being picked through those responses about the theme It becomes clear that themes need to be looked at through the gospel. It allows people to ask the right questions.” Pastor Luke also has to come up with his sermons, he does this by: “breaking it down in steps: 1 do you know your value, 2 it determines how you need to be accepted that will determine who the gospel is for understanding and freedom.”
When Pastor Luke gave a sermon, he wanted people to take away, “That God loves them more than anything they will be able to grasp ” After Pastor Luke gave his sermon, the praise team then goes back up to sing another song. Then after that, there are typically announcements with important information people need to know, then everyone leaves There are a few more things that go into W O W, which include sound and music These things are worked by people behind the scenes who make sure everything sounds and looks good For example, Priscilla Alao (‘27) who manages sound said, “I manage the sound of the chapels during W.O.W. In addition, I always set up the mics and the band during rehearsal before W O W ” Additionally, Kacey Frederick (‘28) does graphics, and she said: “As Graphic MD for campus ministries my role in W O W is to have song lyrics and song color themes. I work with my Lighting Tech MD partner, Jay (‘27), who coordinates the stage and lighting to match the screen while I manage all the lyrics on ProPresenter ” Inari, Priscilla, and Kacey share how they prepared for W.O.W. Inari says, “I prepared for W.O.W. by finding out what the themes are for each day, so I could tailor the theme of the sermon to fit the game in some way, shape, or form ” Priscilla says, “We plan weeks before, and work with the praise team and connecter MD during chapel rehearsal. Rehearsals are for 2 hours and we run sound check and set up the band instruments. Kacey says, “Preparation is actually a lot of work! I have to be there the day before each session from about 3:305:30 pm, including Sunday night to set up, organize songs, and make sure everything runs smoothly for Monday ”
THANK YOU!
It was such a pleasure to lead this journalism team for Issue #2. We had lots of fun researching and writing these articles. We hope that this issue reflects our goal of not just writing about everyday school events, but also writing about topics and issues that students might want to learn and read about For example, in this issue we decided to bring back “Ask Peaches” which allows others to seek out advice from their peers. Thank you so much for reading this month's issue!
– Editor in Chief, Bruce Cotton (‘26)
We apologize for any mistakes made in the previous issue Namely, we sincerely apologize to Joshua Nieto, Carl Ricketts, and Draevyn Tan (‘26) for failing to include them in the senior football players list
Sincerely,