The Special Valentine’s Issue! The Special Valentine’s Issue!
Loma Linda Academy News
Loma Linda Academy News
Reflecting on LLA Since 1940
Reflecting on LLA Since 1940
History Month Chapel
Sports Friendship Tournament w/ Reagan Gray
Golf w/ LLA Golf Club
Swim Interview w/
Myla Benggon
Badminton OP-ED
Bible Camp Emperience w/ Issa Moralde
Classroom Game OP-ED & Team Morale
“Encompassed the true spirit of Christ through African American culture.”
In February Black History Month is celebrated nationwide; at Loma Linda Academy, the Black Student Association (BSA) put together 2 special chapels for all LLA students to enjoy. Micah Boyce, the president of BSA, had her eight members put together a fun and interactive chapel experience that celebrated African American culture.
Worship began with a praise music that was preformed by an all-Black mass choir. Pastor Sam Baker, from the San Bernardino Community Church, helped lead the choir of twentyseven students in their worship to praise the Lord. They danced, harmonized (“Take it to the Lord In Prayer” and “Bless the Lord”), and invited audience members to join in in the celebration of African American Church culture, a culture that many LLA students may not experience regularly. This was an all-student-lead chapel that involved Kevin Henry introducing his very own father to be the main speaker for the service. Pastor Henry, from the Sixteenth Street Church, preached a beautiful message about the love of God and his mercy for all people, as well as staying true to a person ’ s character and cultural background.
At the very end, they had a drum core that was led by Kevin Henry, and it included Carl Ricketts, Olivia Forde, Wade Forde, Nayla Heads, London Bryant, Calvin Dulan, Adam Rock, AJ Greene, Ikenna Greene, and Aleah Daniela.
Written By: Alexis Johnathan
Edited By: Deahna Gomar
The mood was set with lights and various combinations of drums and cymbals that filled the Chan Auditorium with a strong beat and a fun vibe. The message highlighted the representation of minority groups in America. At a church school such as LLA, it is important to highlight a variety of ethnic groups and how they express and share the gospel.
Students continued to feel the energy and the reverence of these BSA Chapels. On Feb 21, BSA continued their festivities through the LLA band performing the Black National Anthem (“Lift Every Voice and Sing”) and inviting Pastor Eaton Charles (LLA Class of 2009) to deliver a special message. It was truly an encouraging and revitalizing event that encompassed the true spirit of Christ through African American culture.
Both these chapels, and the continued celebration of Black History Month, have shown how engaged LLA’s student life is in seeking out a relationship with God and continuing the success of our school in academics, extracurriculars, and worship. On behalf of The Mirror team, I want to extend a big thank you to all in the BSA who have put in hard work, time, and energy to make the services lively and enjoyable. As a student who loves to see the cultural and religious contributions of our student body, it has been lovely to see the progression of Black History Month Chapels in our school, and the dedication of everyone performing and working behind the scenes to honor Christ.
Written By: Rania George & Naomi Nichols
This past Valentine’s Week, the school’s annual Valentine’s Dinner was held for the freshmen and sophomore classes. It was an event that brought together students for an evening of entertainment, gathering, and good food. There were many memorable moments, as the class of ‘27 and ‘28 came together to celebrate.
The event–took place at the Wong Kerlee Conference Room. The venue was decorated in different ways that reflected a mid-1900s Jazz club. The tables were set with meticulous planning and the lights were dim with lots of fake candles and fairy lights.
The food was in a buffet style with a planned three-course meal, which included a wide variety of dishes such as pasta, bread, and soup but mostly sticking to the Italian theme Many students were also excited for the mocktails served at the bar
One of the highlights was when some of the students came up to play some of their own instruments which definitely portrayed the theme well. There was also a game of Family Feud arranged by the class officers. It created a fun inclusive atmosphere.
As the evening came to a close, many students said that the event was worth the time and was a fun way to celebrate valentines. A huge thank you goes to the officers and event organizers for putting together a memorable time.
Edited By: Mia Lopez
“It was an amazing and unforgettable performance for all those who came to watch it.”
This past month, the performance club at Loma Linda Academy took on a great challenge: to bring the magical underwater world of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid Junior” to life on stage They portrayed the wonderful underwater world of Ariel and all her friends to life in an unforgettable way All of the cast, stagehands, and costume designers spent months of hard work and dedication to bring a wonderful performance that left the audience in awe
Ariel, played by Liana Leukert, did an unbelievable job at capturing Ariel’s innocence and longing portrayed in the ionic character. Her beautiful singing voice, especially “Part of Your World” captured everybody’s hearts
Another amazing performance was Ursula by Nandi Ndela Her dramatic charisma and commanding presence made her a memorable villain
The casting for this play was phenomenal, for not only were Ariel and Ursula amazing choices, but so were all the other characters such as the crab Sebastian, played by Joseph Hinds, and Flounder, played by Samha Ribadu Through their wonderful singing and acting, the actors brought life and resemblance into their characters to that of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid ”
However, although the actors were a massive part of the play, the stagehands and director were what made the play possible. Briana Perez, who was the director of the play, worked restlessly to put the play together even if that meant countless hours of practicing on weekends. The stagehands also had immense importance for the play because their work of closing the curtains, moving the lights, switching scenes, and working the mics all gave the play a smoother run and gave the watchers an enthralling experience.
Pictured here:
Chimere Greene, Kacey Frederick, Raizel
Dionson, Sydney Belleau, Lauryn Aguilar, Lorelay Gonzalez
Nevertheless, “The Little Mermaid Junior” was not exempt from technical difficulties. In some scenes, the mics did not fully work and would lead to the words of the actors not being fully heard Because of this difficulty, the full experience of the play could not be fully enjoyed. Even through these difficulties, the play still ran smoothly and was a great experience Overall, it was an amazing performance and an unforgettable one for all those who came to watch it Without the great dedication of those in the Drama Club and its sponsor, Mrs. Lawrence, “The Little Mermaid Junior” would have not been possible
Written By: Lia Dixon & Rania George
Edited By: Alexis Johnathan
Written By: Tafadzwa Gavaza
Ms. Lewis is a biology and yearbook teacher that has been working at Loma Linda Academy (LLA) for 12 years. As many students know, she will be leaving our school to live in Australia once the school year is over, specifically to spend time with her family who are denizens of “the down under.” This teacher feature serves to inform more about her life and how she ended up being such a beloved instructor. Also, we got a insight on what Ms. Lewis plans to do once she’s arrives in Australia.
Her teaching journey started in 1999 when she graduated high school at LLA. Soon after, a job opened up and things “fell into place.” Her sister happened to leave all her furniture behind which was a golden opportunity. Notably, she would get to work with some of the people who taught her. She never planned on becoming a teacher and especially not at her own alma mater. However, Pastor Skoretz (who was the principal at the time) contacted her once the job became available in 2012, and as we know, she accepted.
Some of her favorite memories at LLA are the trips taken with her students. Over the years, she’s traveled alongside us to places like La Sierra University, Southern University, Walla Walla University, and even Mexico, Costa Rica, and Kenya! Lewis says those are more “memorable and fun ways to get to know students better.” Inside the classroom, she teaches freshman Biology and Lomasphere (aka yearbook class). When asked to choose her preferred class, she responded, “both.” This is due to the structured nature of biology paired with the more relaxed yearbook.
Edited By: Deahna Gomar
Ms. Lewis chose to move to Australia because she isn’t related to anyone living in the U.S. All of her family members live at her destination, besides her brother living in China, and her sister living in Ghana (but moving to Scotland). She wishes to be closer to her parents and 11year-old nephew and be more present in his life as he gets older. Things won’t be so quick, though. She says she’ll have to get a new Australian driver's license, teacher certification, and the equivalent of a social security number for herself. Another challenge is that the school year starts in January and ends in December, and by the time she arrives, it will be the middle of their academic year. So, she plans on being a teacher's aide, substitute teacher, or tutor until January 2026, when she can start teaching again.
Thank you Ms. Lewis for all you do for Loma Linda Academy, and all that you taught, teach, and will continue to do from here on out. As a team, we decided to dedicate this edition of the Mirror for you You will be missed!
The Loma Linda girls basketball team has overcome lots of challenges over the years. From winning the PUC tournament to making it to round 2 of CIF, they have persevered through all their games. But one thing they hadn’t accomplished was winning the Walla Walla Tournament.
This is Loma Linda's first time visiting the Walla Walla tournament and it was a step up in competition from last year's Pacific Union Conference (PUC) tournament. The girls had performed well, winning 1st last year in PUC, so the expectations were high for them. The Loma Linda girls were feeling the pressure. Through thick and thin, they prevailed and made it to the championship game where they won by an outstanding 20 points, beating the opposing Rogue Valley 60-41. Reagan Gray was named MVP of the tournament, saying that while winning MVP was flattering, it was more of a team effort. It would not have been able to be done without the help of the team. In our interview with VIP Reagan, she spoke about the turning point of the tournament during the second game where they won. That made them realize that they could actually win the whole tournament, and because of that, it switched the mindset of the team and it turned out in their favor.
Coming up to the tournament, the girls were already facing some tough teams to begin with. This could be another reason why they had great success because they had already faced competition from before. Another key to success for the girls was their passion on and off the court. Wanting to win every game, starting with the first quarter, was one of their many keys to success. The last question asked to Reagan Gray was “who do you model your game after?” She replied that she has watched a lot of basketball over the years but one of the main people who stood out was Stephen Curry. She said one of the reasons that he stood out to her was his attitude on and off the court which was respecting others. All in all, the Loma Linda Girls Walla Walla Tournament was a success ending in an outstanding victory.
Written By: Calvin Dulan
Edited By: Owen Belleau
As the golf season heats up here at Loma Linda Academy (LLA), players Ethan Castillo and Vincent Haynes, both juniors here at LLA, are preparing for their first official matches with a mix of optimism and determination. Both players are excited for what lies ahead but are focused on keeping their game simple and precise.
For Castillo, the season has been busy with numerous practice rounds, often playing nine holes to sharpen his skills. “It’s going well, we have many matches coming up, so we play nine holes,” Castillo said. “It’s tiring but, yeah, we ’ re playing a lot ” Though they haven't had their first match yet, the team is gearing up for a busy schedule, with their first match scheduled for tomorrow.
Looking ahead to his performance this season, Castillo is confident in his abilities “I think this season I am going to do incredible work,” he said His strategy is focused on staying focused, not letting frustration get the best of him, and embracing the precision required for the sport. “I try to stay plain and simple,” Castillo added. “I’m going to try to stay focused, and not get mad, and understand the precision of the game, and also try to stay happy ”
Haynes, on the other hand, is taking a relaxed approach to his first season. “It’s been pretty chill, and has been pretty fun so far,” he said. Haynes, who is looking forward to his first match on Wednesday, is maintaining a level-headed attitude “I’m feeling pretty alright about it, just trying to keep level,” he said. Despite this being his first golf game, Haynes isn’t feeling nervous. “Yes, this is my first game, but I am not really nervous, ” he stated.
When it comes to his team, Haynes couldn’t be more positive “We’re really well-rounded, everyone is doing their best, it's almost like a family, you know?” he said, reflecting on the camaraderie that exists among the team members.
As the season progresses, both Castillo and Haynes are focused on improving their game, staying calm under pressure, and working together as a team.
Written By: Deahna Gomar
Deahna
Gomar gets two perspectives on LLA Golf from Ethan Castillo and Vincent Haynes.
“I’m
going to try to stay focused, and not to get mad, and understand the precision of the game, and also try to stay happy.”
- Castillo
We’re really wellrounded, everyone is doing their best, it’s almost like a family, you know?
-Haynes
Edited By: Tafadzwa Gavaza
Written By: Lia Dixon & Rhyen
Lia: Hello Myla, so my first question is, what was the reason you decided to join the swim team?
Myla: My first reason to join swim team was because I have been doing club [swim] since I was really little, and so that’s one sport that I really enjoy So, when I saw that LLA had a swim team, that was just the thing I had thought to do for my sport
Lia: Okay, how was your tryouts experience?
Myla: It was great I knew a couple people because they already talked to me and I had some friends that were trying out with me too And so it was really fun and I think it was a great experience for tryouts
Lia: Do you enjoy how early practice is or is it a struggle to be there that early?
Myla: It’s definitely a struggle It’s hard to wake up that early in the morning For me, I live [around] five minutes away from Drayson Center (where the team practices), so I shouldn’t be the one complaining But it’s still hard either way It’s five in the morning, I don’t think anybody wants to wake up that early.
Lia: Okay, has the team bonded well and if not, what activities would you do to help the team bond?
Myla: I think the team has bonded well. I felt like last year we started to bond like later on in the season than at the beginning, which I mean is completely normal. But I feek like at the beginning of the season, we could do more like get-togethers outside of just like practice, and maybe go to Vespers or something together just to get to know each other.
Lia: Nice, I like those. What are some goals you have for the team this year?
Myla: Some goals, I don’t know So our girls division moved up to division three from division four, so that’s a really good accomplishment My goal is to get as much people involved and try to get to CIF with the most amount of people so that everybody has an opportunity
Lia: And last question, are you excited for the season, and why?
Myla: I’m very excited for this season I like this season because I got new friends experience is going to be like And so just with that in my mind, I know it’s going to be
Lia: Thank you!
Lia Dixon spoke with Loma Linda athlete Myla Benggon about her experience being apart of the swim team.
I was a sophomore when I first joined the badminton team, and really, when I started playing badminton seriously. Growing up, it was a fun and casual sport that I would play with my mom at our church gym nights, or during PE. I liked it, but it was never something I considered or took seriously. During my freshman year, my spring sport was softball and I thought I’d be playing it for all of high school. When LLA’s badminton team started hosting open gyms, I found myself going often and wanting to play more. I didn’t have any good equipment, such as shoes or a good racket, but I had fun playing with my friends and having some friendly competition.
Eventually, I picked badminton over softball and started training. It was much more intense than just hitting a birdie over the net, hoping that your opponent would miss. I learned that position, timing, and even the way you hold the racket affects your game. It’s easy to underestimate the amount of finesse the sport requires -- every shot, like a clear or smash, has its own mechanics. If you think that regular badminton is like PE badminton, you ’ re wrong. In no way am I discouraging you from trying out, but just keep that in mind. It’s a physical and mental game, requiring you to be agile and speedy while trying to outsmart your opponent and take the correct shots.
Despite all the tiredness I felt during practices and games, I always enjoyed hanging out with my teammates and messing around. A highlight I had from my sophomore season was going to a beach after a game we had in Long Beach. There was a playground, we took pictures, and someone even jumped in the water. The camaraderie that I’ve felt and built during the past two seasons are things that I will remember forever. It was so memorable getting food after games, getting Canes before local games, and spending time with my teammates who, in turn, became my good friends.
I’ve learned so much from my time on the badminton team. I’ve treasured the relationships I’ve built, the people I’ve played with, and the coaches I work with. I’m still learning and adjusting, but from where I started, I think I’ve done well. I encourage you guys to try out for badminton, or any team sport Even if you get tired, the product of your hard work will be so worth it
Written By: Mia Lopez
Edited By: Rania George
Written By: Mia Lopez
Edited By: Lia Dixon
Issa Moralde, senior at Loma Linda, is involved in a lot of music at ministries, including Promusica (LLA choir), and is the vocal MD for Campus Ministries
What was your experience [at Bible conference] like as a musician?
Issa’s experience was rewarding but came with challenges Although rehearsals stretched late into the night, she acknowledged that musicians had it easier than the group leaders, as the band enjoyed long breaks full of talking Long practices strained her voice, but it was really meaningful for her to be able to sing and bring people together in worship, and doing that warmed her heart
How was your experience as a camper?
Pine Springs Ranch had recently renovated their lodge, and Issa noted it enhanced her experience there Every camper was put in a randomized room but from what Issa heard, everyone was happy with their room and made lots of new friends. She enjoyed the time she had with her roommates and being able to make new friends
What songs do you think moved people most?
Issa had talked with her bandmates and they felt like each song they sang evoked a different emotion The songs that Issa sang made people visibly emotional, while another singers were given more “hype” songs. Many people people felt the spirit during “Give Me Jesus” in particular. Knowing she had the power to lead students spiritually motivated her to make it count; this power made her cry during their last set. She also liked the reactions of people during the “hype” songs, as she enjoyed making people excited about Jesus
What impacted you the most at Bible Camp?
Since she was a musician, Issa put heaps of time into her singing and performance skills She said music was a huge part of her Bible camp experience The band rehearsed for hours every day, and each day of Bible Camp, especially the last day, really impacted Issa’s experience. She was inspired by all the people who were willing to surrender to Jesus and see God through the worship sets It was a powerful thing for her
Author’s Note:
Bible camp was an amazing experience, I highly recommend that future juniors and seniors attend :)
We all know that high school isn't exactly a place where you come to class and play games. But what if it was? Does having fun in class actually help student productivity? Some say it does.
This year ’ s journalism class has been enjoying playing trivia games and other team-building games. Journalism students say engaging in these brain games helps them focus on what they have to get done, so they can get enough time after to play their favorite games. Eric Park said, “journalism became my favorite class because it feels like we actually want to be there.” This outlook is something the whole class shares and the atmosphere is always bright when you step into the room.
So are classroom games key to increasing productivity? Some teachers may say no because it means they get less time to lecture or give out homework. However, student health also matters. Having a class or two where students can relax and have fun is a huge stress reliever, and may even give students the break they need to reset and continue to give their all in and outside the classroom.
We here in journalism class know how much these games brighten the otherwise stressful days, and it also helps us get through our meetings and tasks faster and more efficiently. Student health matters and no amount of lectures or homework packets will give the same stress relief as a lighthearted game of trivia cards. We encourage you guys to try this out and hopefully, you’ll have just as much fun as we do!
Written by: Owen Belleau
Edited by: Abby Zinke
Editor in Chief: Deahna Gomar
Managing Editor: Mia Lopez
Copy Editor: Lia Dixon
Writers: Owen Belleau, Calvin Dulan, Tafadzwa Gavaza, River
Johnson, Rhyen Lo, Mia Lopez
Section Editors: Owen Belleau, Abby Zinke, Rania George, Deahna Gomar, Naomi Nichols
Layout Editor: Tafadzwa Gavaza
Photographers: Rhyen Lo, Abby Zinke, Tafadzwa Gavaza, Rania
George, Mia Lopez, Calvin Dulan, Naomi Nichols
Video Editor: Eric Park
Have a great day Roadrunners! :)