BYLAWS OF THE SOUTHEASTERN CALIFORNIA CONFERENCE - Page 21 of 24

Jesus, the One True North

With our eyes fixed on Jesus, the One True North, we move forward into the future, following Jesus step-by-step, and attentive to the Spirit’s leading.

We ENGAGE next generation leaders as a welcoming Christian community, through thriving ministries for youth and young adults, and in the development of leadership opportunities to serve that shape our shared future.

We live out our calling to EVANGELIZE in new and creative ways, intentionally participating with love and grace in the shared life of our communities, proclaiming the everlasting gospel through our public ministries and individual lives.

We EDUCATE for lifelong faithfulness and success, embracing the highest standards of academic excellence, sustainability and accessibility throughout our Christ-centered and distinctly Seventh-day Adventist Christian educational network.

We EQUIP members of every age to embrace their calling to mission and service, empowering discipleship through mentoring, training and resourcing.

Loma Linda Academy is launching a Strider Bikes Program which is the first of its kind in the Inland Empire. This program has been made possible due to the generosity of LLA graduate, Alexander Smith (‘04), of Malcolm Smith Motorsports. They recently donated 27 fully assembled Strider Bikes and an instruction bike for Kindergarten PE classes.

The Kindergarten PE classes will enjoy learning how to ride a bike along with many healthy life lessons that come along with it. PE Coaches Rhonda Bonney and Robert Castillo are thrilled with this new addition to the elementary PE program and the kids are excited to get riding.

-Trevan Osborn

Students at Laguna Niguel Junior Academy (LNJA) gathered for their first annual Entrepreneurial “Shark Tank” Academic Fair on March 10th. Modeled after the popular TV show, students were tasked with the assignment of coming up with a fresh invention that helps to solve a problem in today’s world. Alongside a class partner, each student came up with a creative concept, researched how to make it, how they would advertise and sell it, and prepared a presentation board along with a prototype to showcase. This was presented to parents, friends, and the community at the “Shark Tank” event held at the school campus on March 10.

The panel of “sharks” was made up of parents and school principal. They judged the presentations. Students entered the room for their presentations to the theme music of the “Shark Tank” show and dressed in their product’s theme or in professional attire. Many of the students in grades 6-8 had google slides or PowerPoint presentations to accompany their dynamic and often humorous presentations. After each presentation, the “sharks” each gave a critique and/or asked a follow-up question to each team presenting.

An invention from the K-2 class was a lunch pail tracker, which was a tracking device that goes inside student lunch pails, backpacks, water bottles, and other items commonly misplaced during a typical school day. One of the student teams from the grades 3-5 class featured a toothpaste dispenser that ensured just the “right amount” of toothpaste was dispensed onto a toothbrush with the slogan, “Clean the teeth that you want to keep!”

A dynamite team from the grades 6-8 class featured a “Firehead,” which was a ski pole that heated up so that the tip of it can melt any ice that is blocking your ski boots from being clipped out of easily due to snow stuck in the part where the poles clip you out. There were impressive product ideas, such as the “Wello,” an eco-friendly hydration tablet (instead of a water bottle) that kept plastic from being thrown in the ocean and harming animals when one is being active and out in nature.

This event was a wonderful time to celebrate the marvelous and innovative minds of young people today. Thank you to the parents and teachers that nurture and support this growth daily. By God’s grace, mercy, and guidance the students of LNJA will prayerfully continue to shine in their minds, hearts, body, and soul. It is their desire to have their talents used for God’s glory and to honor Him.

-Jessica Preece

Students in the Southeastern California Conference were blessed and inspired through two Bible Camps in February and March. After not being able to have either Bible camp last school year, students and staff were thrilled to come together again to grow closer to God and each other.

The Junior High Bible Camp for 7th and 8th graders was held at the Loma Linda University Church on Sabbath afternoon, February 26. Nearly 100 students from around SECC gathered for this powerful time entitled, The Experience. Through speakers and breakout leaders, these middle schoolers were given practical, hands-on guidance for walking with Christ. The focus for this year’s event was on the four spiritual disciplines: Bible study, prayer, service, and sharing faith.

The Junior-Senior Bible Camp was held at Pine Springs Ranch on March 13-15. Around 250 students from across all the Southeastern California Conference Senior Academies as well as three schools from Southern California Conference focused on the theme: “Movement.” Students not only developed a deeper relationship with God, but also grew in their leadership skills. Almost all elements of the program were led by students themselves including drama, worship leading, prayer groups, and facilitating “family groups” of about 15 students.

-Trevan Osborn