The Hum of the Future: Reflections on Career Day at RAA
March 13, 2026
As you walked through the glass doors of the gym this week, a faint murmur grew into a vibrant roar. Stepping from the lobby into the main space, the air was thick with the energy of discovery. Packed into the room were 33 professionals, ranging from the Mayor of Redlands and a NASA Ocean Scientist to filmmakers, firefighters, and judges.
At Redlands Adventist Academy, our goal isn't just to show students a list of jobs; it’s to expose them to the "why" behind the work. This year, the takeaway was clear: Your passion is the compass, but your career is a journey that can take many forms.
The Art of the “Career Mashup”
One of the most fascinating themes of the day was how different fields intersect. Students learned that choosing a career doesn't mean closing doors on their other interests.
The Science of Health: One student, interested in epidemiology, found an unexpected mentor in the geology presenters. They discussed how a nursing degree could be the foundation for studying diseases of the past, and one of the Park & Recreation Executives mentioned someone with a nursing degree could find themselves working as a field medic in remote parks and recreation areas.
- The Creativity of Data: A visiting professor and student from the University of Redlands GIS program shared how geographic data is a tool for the creative mind. Whether tracking dinosaur migratory paths (a topic that had even our teachers "nerding out") or analyzing community needs, they emphasized that your creativity is the only limit to how you use the technology.
Faith, Ambiguity, and Lifelong Learning
The day also provided a space for deeper reflections on faith and science. One presenter spoke candidly about wrestling with the geologic timeline versus his Christian upbringing. He shared how he found peace in the limits of human knowledge compared to the vastness of God’s understanding.
His story was a powerful testament to lifelong curiosity. Whether it’s a former dentist returning to school at age 75 to master GIS software for the sheer joy of it, or a professor who immigrated from China over 50 years ago and still loves his subject, the message was the same: Never stop seeking to understand.
Reimagining Modern Service
Our guests also took the time to pull back the curtain on "hidden" roles in our community:
- The Modern Library: Our visiting librarian challenged the idea that libraries are obsolete. She described them as essential community hubs—quiet sanctuaries offering free education and a welcoming space for all walks of life in an increasingly "pay-to-watch" world.
- The RAA Legacy: One of our presenters, an RAA alumnus turned parent from the Sheriff's office, noted how fulfilling it was to come full circle. Even if only one student chooses his path, he said, the day was a success.
"It was really cool getting to talk to people in professions I had never even heard of before," one student remarked. From potential summer internships to finding a "dream job" in pediatric medicine, the connections made were tangible.
A Community That Goes Above and Beyond
None of this would have been possible without the immense generosity of our local community. When RAA sent out the call, our parents, local businesses, and institutions didn’t just respond; they rallied.
In multiple cases, when we asked for one representative, the organization countered by offering multiple members of their team, eager to share their insights with our students. From LLU’s widespread department presence to the University of Redlands and the City of Redlands (Mayor Mario Saucedo and HR Specialist Sophia Diaz), this collaborative spirit transformed a "job fair" into a deep educational partnership.
A Mutual Admiration Society
The praise, wonderfully, went both ways. While the students were inspired by the presenters, the professionals were genuinely wowed by our RAA student body. We heard it repeated again and again: Our students were so polite, incredibly respectful, and asked some truly fantastic questions. Many presenters said they had a wonderful time and would love to come back.
This connection—where a community goes above and beyond to pour wisdom into students, and students receive it with genuine, polite curiosity—is exactly what RAA is all about. The murmuring in the gym may have quieted, but the conversations started that day will echo for years to come.
The biggest thank you to everyone who participated and came with a heart to learn and teach. You are not only what made this event possible, but brought this event to life.
From "Food Goals" to Florida: A Sunday at the Science Bee
March 05, 2026
It’s not every Sunday that a group of middle schoolers happily piles into a car for a 90-minute trek, but for eleven of our 6th and 7th graders, February 22nd was different. They were headed to Gindi Maimonides Academy for the Regional National Science Bee, and the energy was high from the start.
The drive itself was part of the adventure. The carpool erupted when they spotted a "vintage" Jollibee sign—faded, cool, and total "food goals." While they didn't stop to eat, they had to snag a photo of the iconic Filipino fast-food spot as they passed by before getting down to business.
The Art of the Buzz
Once the students were split into their grade-level rooms, the real "game" began. It wasn't like a normal test; it was a high-speed mental sprint.
The students didn't have old-school plastic buzzers. Instead, they used their phones or laptop spacebars to ring in. The moderator would read a question, and the race was on. The trick? The questions were designed to be "pyramidal." The first sentence was incredibly difficult and rewarded the most points, while the second and third sentences gave hints that made the answer more obvious.
"One of the questions was about Einstein," the students remembered. “The first few clues were tough, but the last hint was E=mc2 and that gave it away!”
You had to be bold. If you buzzed in early and got it right, you banked the points and got closer to the "finish line"—the first person to reach five points won the round and got to take a break while the others scrambled to catch up. In the preliminary rounds, a wrong guess didn't hurt you, but in the finals, the stakes got higher: if you were the third person to guess and got it wrong, you actually lost a point.
Inside the “Buzz”
The questions covered "all the sciences"—from Paleontology to Physics. Olivia Ogom even credited her success in anatomy to a very relatable source: “I got one of the answers because my mom keeps reminding me not to eat junk food because it will clog my arteries,” she laughed. “And the answer was arteries!”
Other questions were like puzzles. One started with the roar of a Majungasaurus and ended with a hint about where lemurs live. The answer? Madagascar.
As the preliminary rounds wrapped up, the competition reached a fever pitch. In the 7th-grade room, the pressure was so high that students were frantically writing down questions just to figure out what subjects hadn't been asked yet.
Our students didn't just compete; they excelled. Autumn Bradford, Saanvi Mehta, and Olivia Ogom all fought their way into the finals. Olivia narrowly missed a podium spot in a photo-finish: “Technically if there was a 4th place medal, I would have gotten it,” she noted, “but the other kid answered just a bit faster than I did!”
Next Stop: Florida!
Because they reached the finals, Autumn, Saanvi, and Olivia have officially qualified for Nationals in Florida! The road ahead is going to be even tougher, and the team is already back in "study mode." Between reading in-depth guides and Ms. Miller’s classroom lessons on physics and wavelengths, the girls feel ready for the challenge.
As Saanvi put it, “It was fun, but I feel like we need to study more now... Ms. Miller is making me learn things that will prepare me.”
Congratulations to all eleven participants for their hard work, and good luck to our National qualifiers as they head to the Sunshine State!
Perfect Attendance Never Tasted So Good!
October 24, 2025
What’s better than a sunny afternoon, cheerful students, and a visit from the Kona Ice truck? Not much! This week, we had the sweetest celebration for our students who achieved perfect attendance — and it was truly a treat!
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Students who showed up every day, on time, and ready to learn (with the exception of excused absences like doctor’s appointments or sports games) were rewarded with a visit from Kona Shaved Ice! The truck rolled right onto campus, instantly crafting smiles all around to help us celebrate the hard work and commitment to showing up every day.
Our teachers were first in line to enjoy a refreshing shaved ice treat — because who can resist a little icy sweetness? Then, it was time for our perfect attendance superstars to enjoy their well-earned reward. Each student got to pick their favorite flavor combination and cool off with a delicious Kona Ice, courtesy of the school.
Meanwhile, our elementary students also joined in on the fun by purchasing their own shaved ice using their Dozer Dollars — special tokens they earn each day for being present and on time. It was wonderful to see our students proudly using the Dozer Dollars they’ve been saving, learning that consistency and responsibility pay off (and sometimes, taste pretty great too!).
The laughter, bright colors, and sticky fingers made for a perfect afternoon of celebration. It was a joy to see so many smiling faces and to honor the importance of showing up — because every day counts!
A big thank you to our amazing teachers, staff, and the Kona Ice team for making this event such a hit. We had a fantastic turnout and can’t wait to keep encouraging and celebrating our students for their dedication and growth.
Here’s to more learning, more laughter, and more reasons to celebrate — one school day at a time!
The Power of Small Actions: Kicking Off a Year of Community Service
September 26, 2025
Sitting down to write this article has felt a bit weird, if I’m being honest—something about talking up community service projects has always felt a bit strange to me, but we're just so excited about what our kids are working on that I can’t help but share a little. Our students are already proving that making a difference doesn’t always have to be a big production—even small, consistent actions can create a powerful ripple effect.
A Glorious Start: “Cans of Glory” Food Drive
Take, for example, our ASB’s first high school-wide community service project of the year: “Cans of Glory.” One of our student videographers recently interviewed ASB Community Service Project Coordinator, Yuna Bae, who spoke about the heart behind this initiative.
The project encourages each Family Group to collect food to help those in need in our local community. “For Cans of Glory, each Family Group is encouraged to collect as many cans as possible, and all the food will be shared with people in need in our community,” Yuna explained. “We planned this as our September and early October project, collecting until the first week of October, after which our ASB officers will deliver the food.”
The goal, she described, is simple and profound: to not only serve our local community but also to show students that service doesn’t have to be big or intimidating. “Something as simple as buying and donating food together can make a real difference,” Yuna relayed. “The goal is to help everyone experience the joy of working together for a good cause and get the food to people in our community.”
This food drive is addressing a known need, as 11% of residents in San Bernardino County experience low food security (according to San Bernardino County Community Indicators), and one in six children face hunger. While the statistics can be hard to visualize—even with powerful art installations, like the one that hung in the Zapara School of Business lobby last year, that are designed to make the numbers concrete—the need is clear. It’s wonderful seeing the students make a direct difference in our local community, knowing that even a few cans can help.
On top of that, they’re building teamwork in their Family Groups and having a little fun! The Family Group that collects the most food celebrates with a pizza party. It’s a fantastic way to unite our entire high school around a simple yet incredibly impactful cause.
More than a Checkmark: Project IMPACT
Yuna Bae and Ms. Mazo, the administrator in charge of overseeing community service projects, are already “bouncing around other ideas” for future service opportunities. The focus is on giving and serving consistently throughout the year, moving beyond only giving at “big giving” times or simply checking a box (we see you, service hours requirement!).
This quest aligns perfectly with a new initiative from the National Honor Society (NHS) called Project IMPACT. In this new program, students divide into groups and choose a service project that they will dedicate time and effort to for the entire school year. With the support of NHS sponsor, Mrs. Iwasa, it’s been incredible watching their creativity unfold. We’ve been positively surprised more than once by the thoughtful and unique projects they’ve chosen! At the end of the year, we’ll hear even more when they present their experience and the results of their projects.
It is truly wonderful seeing these student-led and staff-supported service projects take shape and gain momentum. We’re not only looking forward to seeing the positive impact on the community, but also watching our students realize the power their actions can hold. They are not too young or too small to make a marked difference.
This is just the tip of the iceberg of "more than me" discovery this year. We can’t wait to share what else we have in store, including Unity Day (coming up October 22, 2025), where we spend time uniting for kindness, acceptance, and inclusion and against bullying (you can join in by wearing your best orange attire), and our school-wide Community Service Day later in the year.
Beyond the Bucks: The True Lessons of the Dozer Store
September 19, 2025
What a day at the Dozer Store! On September 19th, our students not only shopped up a storm but also showed some incredible skills that go far beyond just buying a new squishy toy. The store brought in a fantastic 366 Dozer Dollars—a testament to all the hard work everyone is putting in.
First, a quick rundown on how our Dozer system works. Elementary students who are on time and have good attendance receive a "Dozer Dollar" for their punctuality. They can then choose to spend these dollars at the Dozer Store, which opens every other Friday, or they can save them up for a bigger prize that usually comes at the end of each quarter. The store is stocked with popular items like pencil packs, stickers, fidget toys, notebooks, erasers, and squishy toys.
With so much on offer, it was inspiring to see how our students handled the shopping experience. Even with the store limit of five students at a time, there were no signs of frustration. Instead, those waiting their turn showed amazing patience and self-regulation. We saw them expressing enthusiasm and support for their friends, excited for them to find something they love. This cooperative spirit continued inside the store, where many students displayed remarkable kindness. They were often seen sharing new discoveries, offering suggestions, and encouraging one another, which truly fostered a collaborative and respectful environment.
Beyond the fun of shopping, our Dozer Store is a real-world classroom for financial literacy. It's been great to watch students think about their purchases. Many are already grasping the concept of saving, choosing to hold onto their Dozer Dollars to make a bigger purchase later. This kind of thoughtful decision-making is a huge step in understanding the value of money and planning for the future.
The lessons don't stop when they leave the store. We've heard many students talk about how they plan to keep their new items safe in their backpacks. This pride in their new belongings shows they're learning the importance of ownership and responsibility. They're not just buying things; they're learning to care for them.
The Dozer Store isn't just a place to spend Dozer Dollars—it's a place where our students are growing, learning, and showing some truly admirable qualities. It's a joy to watch them navigate these new experiences with such kindness and maturity.