Author Archives: pucadmissions

About pucadmissions

Learn with Purpose. Rise in Faith. Serve with Love.

Finish The School Year Strong

With summer around the corner, it can be hard to stay motivated before finals when the sun it out and all you want to do is ditch the books and have fun. We’ve put together a couple of reminders for finals week. You have come so far this school year, so finish the school year strong!

Pay Attention in Class

Paying attention in class is going to make studying much easier. Your professors will tell you what to expect on your final exam and give other details that will be useful to you. Take notes on what you need to remember and what time your exam will be. Sometimes exam times change, so make sure you’re paying attention in class so you aren’t late or miss your test.

Make A Study Plan

We always share this tip because making a study plan is a key to staying on top of your exams, staying organized, and being successful during finals week. Know which exams will be the most challenging for you and which ones you feel more confident taking. This will give you a layout of what to invest more of your time studying. If you study better in a group, find a time, and place where everyone can meet and stay focused.

Go Over Past Assignments, Exams, & Quizzes

After you narrowed down which of your classes need the most attention, gather up your past assignments and exams to see which chapters or subjects you need to improve in. Go over past quizzes and look over your notes to give

Don’t Skip Meals

It’s hard to focus on an empty stomach, so make sure to keep food in your room or bag. Don’t skip meals, stay hydrated, and make sure to grab enough food every time you’re at the dining commons.

Get Vitamin D

Get up from your desk and spend some time under the sun. It’ll help your mental health, boost your energy, and improve your overall health.

Take Care of Yourself

Speaking of your health, please make sure you take care of yourself as you prepare for finals and during finals week. You have to make sure you’re taking care of yourself by taking breaks, eating right, and getting enough sleep. We know it can be hard with everyth

Study, pray, and keep calm- you got this!

Faces of PUC: Lanea Carver

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Lanea Carver is a freshman education, liberal studies major from Antioch, CA., but used to live in Angwin. Many of her family members attended PUC, so being a student herself at PUC was always in mind. Lanea’s mother inspired her the most to come to PUC, and we could not be happier to have her as a part of our Pioneers family.

What is your dream job?

My dream job is to become a science and humanities teacher of all grade levels in a private, public, and Christian school.

How does that compare to what you wanted to be when you were young?

When I was younger, I always wanted to be a chef. I even considered going to culinary school in St. Helena. I love cooking just as much as eating.

What is your favorite thing about being a part of the Pioneers family?

The environment has to be one of my favorite things about this place. The nature is beautiful and the people are so kind and welcoming.

Where is your favorite place in the world?

My favorite place in the world is Wallace, Idaho. It’s small and full of history, just a fun place to be with your family. My grandma lives in Kellogg, which is only 15 minutes from Wallace so when I visit her it’s a place I always go to and they have a great melodrama.

If you had to be trapped in a movie for a day, what movie would you choose?

Shrek the third

What is something you’re passionate about?

Something that I am really passionate about is caring for others. Everyone deserves something who cares and being able to help others and make people laugh is something that I’ll always put first.

Recommend a place to go in the Bay Area on a weekend

Probably pier 39 in San Francisco, it can be pretty chilly but they have a whole store just for socks so it’s worth it.

Visual Arts Student Designs Set for PUC Musical

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During the beginning of this school year, auditions were in process for the Jericho Road Musical, which tells the story of two young individuals who fall in love, get married, have a child, and face problems throughout their relationship. Senior graphic design major Sarah Franklin saw this as a fun chance to work on props and set design. With already having experience with stage production and film set design and taking a class from musical director Lindsay Morton, Lindsay asked Sarah if she would be interested in creating the artwork and advertisements for the show too. All these roles created a great opportunity for Sarah to use the material in her portfolio as she finishes her senior year at PUC.

How long did it take to complete all the art for this show? What did you enjoy the most about this experience?

I completed all the advertising artwork over winter break, and it probably took me around 30 hours. For the set design, we’ve been working all quarter and are still working on painting and constructing everything. I really enjoy working with other people on a project and helping them make their vision come to life.

Do you have a favorite art piece from the show?

It’s difficult to answer this because I consider the whole set an art piece. If I had to pick an individual piece from the show, I’d say the tree from the wedding scene, which turned out beautifully. Bethanee (Tabura) did most of the carving and painting of the tree trunk, which was made of several layers of foam, and we worked together to add the vines and leaves to the branches. We also added string lights to create a whimsical look that fits the wedding scene nicely.

What do you like the most about PUC’s visual arts department?

I really appreciate the feeling of family in the VA dept. Throughout my years here, I have become so close to my professors and classmates. I truly value the diversity of the department and how we work together and benefit from our differences. I think it’s amazing when people who are different from each other can learn from one another and create truly amazing things together.

What have been the most important things you’ve learned from your classes, professors, or mentors?

One of the most important things I’ve learned as a visual arts major is to take inspiration from anything and everything. As an artist, I am constantly absorbing the environment I’m in—people, objects, architecture, colors, shapes, shadows, lines, graphics, words, lyrics, you name it. Being an artist means you are always taking in your surroundings and looking at the world from different points of view. It also means you are processing all this information in a way that is unique to you and relaying these new perspectives to others in a way that moves them or makes them think differently.

Is there a class you found most valuable to you?

There are a lot of classes that were valuable to me, so I’ll give you all of them and a short reason why:

Astronomy with James Robertson–gave me perspective on how small we are and how short life is.

History of Contemporary Art Since 1945 with Jon Carstens—my favorite art history class of all-time; introduced me to some of my favorite artists and works (Mark Rothko, Josef Albers, Andy Warhol, and Lynda Benglis to name a few). These artists’ works were an integral part of my senior thesis research and inspiration, so this class has been extremely valuable to me.

Packaging Design with Cliff Rusch–aside from this being one of the most fun classes for me as a graphic designer, I ended up becoming really close to my classmates and creating some great friendships which I value so much. Not only do I value our friendships, but also the constructive criticism, competition, and push to become a better designer.

Can you share any projects you hope to do this year?

Aside from Jericho Road, this year’s main project is my senior thesis. I am working on gathering data from individuals about their favorite colors and using this data to represent the evolution of color preferences throughout one’s life. The data will be visualized through a series of paintings and will be hung in the Rasmussen Art Gallery this spring.

PUC Alum Sierra Lewis Wins the Jury Award at Sonscreen Film Festival

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Sonscreen is an Adventist film festival hosted by the NAD that takes place every year during the spring in Southern California. This year, Sonscreen was in Loma Linda, CA, where more than 20 PUC film students and alums attended, along with professors Rajeev Sigamoney and Tim de la Torre. At the festival, they attended film screenings, professional showcases, participated in a pitch competition, and attended the awards banquet.

PUC film and television honors alum Sierra Lewis ‘22 has attended the festival three times and sadly couldn’t make it out to this year’s festival like she hoped. Sierra has always enjoyed going since it’s a great time to bond with the department and connect with other filmmakers and creatives from other schools. During this year’s festival, she won the Jury Award and was runner-up for Best Documentary.

What does winning the Jury Award mean to you?

Since graduating from PUC, it hasn’t been as easy to find/make time for my art, and I’m not working in a “creative field” at the moment. But winning the Jury Award means a lot because it gave me that validation that reminded me that I’m on the right track, despite what it looks like- and that I shouldn’t give up because there’s a place for my work and for these stories to be told in the world.

Share with us about the project you submitted for this category.

The project I submitted to the festival was my senior thesis documentary titled, Echoes. My intention was to explore the idea of what “do it yourself” (DIY) looks like within the Black community and its intersectionality between arts and politics.

I was lucky enough to get to know some amazing artists from a collective called Nure (based in Oakland, CA), and I juxtaposed their stories alongside found/archival footage that I felt “echoed” what was being said. At least for me, the idea of Black DIY is something that feels like a cultural heritage, and I hope that the film was able to showcase that tradition.

You were also Best Documentary Runner-Up at the festival. Talk to us about your documentary.

As far as inspiration for the film, I’m inspired by creative and introspective people. People who think and philosophize about life, and can’t help but synthesize their thoughts and feelings with a creative outlet.

In any case, for most (if not all) of my films, I tend to be led by music. I always make a playlist that helps me enter the right headspace for the project that I’m working on. For Echoes, there were a lot of Moses Sumney, Solange, and moody jazz instrumentals.

How did you develop an interest in filmmaking? Did you know you always wanted to do this?

Oh boy. My interest in filmmaking actually developed from Youtube. When I was a high school freshman, I had a YouTube channel with a close friend, which lasted for a few years. As time went on, I wanted to keep pushing myself further to make videos of quality, vs just silly challenges or whatever. Eventually, I made my first little short film and started doing character profiles on my friends. My mom thought I should study film in college, so you can say the rest is history haha.

How has being a student at PUC helped you grow as a filmmaker?

Oh my goodness, being a student at PUC has expedited so much of my growth as a filmmaker and artist. There’s such great energy in the Visual Arts Department at Fisher Hall. Our professors give so much to provide us with great experiences both inside and outside of the classroom, from the various film projects to the different excursions like trekking down to Sonscreen Film Festival. It’s a beautiful, safe space, and I’ve always felt supported by my teachers and peers. Fisher feels like home.

Is there someone at PUC that has made an impact on you?

Gosh so many. If I had to give names, I’d say Michael Jefferson, Dean Philpott, and every teacher in the Visual Arts Department- no explanation needed.

Can you share any future projects with us?

At the moment, I’m trying to work on an accompanying zine for my thesis film. Sort of like supplementary material, and other than that, I’m working on putting out movie reviews/film critiques and experimenting with different formats for that kind of content too. Anything else, I guess you’ll just have to wait and see. 😉

Senior Spotlight: Ethan Blanca

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Ethan Blanco will be graduating this June with a degree in Liberal Studies. From Bakersfield, CA, Ethan originally intended to enroll at his local community college. However, not a month before the school year was to start, he learned that many of his local church friends were enrolling at PUC. That was the only thing that motivated Ethan to attend PUC instead.

Do you remember what stood out to you the most when you first arrived on campus?

What stood out to me the most when I first arrived on PUC’s campus was the atmosphere. The green and opulent plant life, for one, was stunning to me. I come from Bakersfield, which is certainly not known for its natural green beauty, so I was excited about the change of scenery. The sense of a close-knit community was another theme of PUC that I noticed almost immediately upon arriving.

What has been your favorite class?

My favorite class was EDUC-447-01 – Classroom Management with Professor Penaflorida. As someone going into the education field, it was a class that I already knew would be important for my career. However, the way Professor P involved all the students in their own learning and promoted safe and creative discussion was an amazing experience.

What is something you want to accomplish before graduating?

I hope to complete the rough draft for a novel I have been writing for six years. Coupled with this novel, I want to add detail to the creative writing of the fantasy world the novel is based in. The hope is that there will eventually be many different stories written about it.

What is your favorite thing about being a part of the Pioneers family?

My favorite thing about being a part of the Pioneers family is the connection that I have bridged with my professors. Many professors here at PUC have helped mold me into the person I am today, and I am both proud and thankful for that fact. I am confident that the relationships I have built over the four years I have been a part of the Pioneers family will not go away after I graduate.

Recommend a restaurant in the Napa Valley and what people should order.

Giugni’s Deli is a great sandwich shop off St. Helena Highway. The portions of the sandwich are quite generous. If you wanted, you could eat the sandwich in halves for two separate meals. Plus, there are a lot of ingredient options. If anything, I was overwhelmed with how many choices I had.

What are you going to miss the most about PUC?

What I will miss the most about PUC are the people. I have made many connections with friends that will certainly stay with me for years to come. Many of my friends are also committed to the creative writing projects that I am involved in. It is because of them that I have gained the confidence and ideas that have helped shape my novel.

Faces of PUC: Princess Espinoza

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Princess Espinoza is a pre-nursing freshman from Sacramento. After researching other nursing programs, she found the department of nursing at PUC and campus life the most promising, which settled her decision on where to attend college. Princess’s favorite thing about being a part of the Pioneers family is how close and strong everyone is together.

What is your dream job?

My dream job is to be the best labor and delivery nurse I can be. I dream to be a part of one of the happiest and most memorable moments for parents, and I know getting to experience that kind of love is going to be limitless. I also want to be an influencer throughout my learning process. I am starting now by recording my routine and study habits to show every aspect of my journey to becoming a nurse.

How does that compare to what you wanted to be when you were young?

I’ve always wanted to be an influencer, but it’s always been a passion on the side. When I was younger, I actually wanted to be an architect. Although I had the same idea to share insight into any obstacles I would experience with those who were interested in knowing.

What is your favorite thing about being a part of the Pioneers family?

My favorite thing about being a part of the Pioneers family is knowing how close and strong everyone is together. I’ve met so many hardworking, dedicated students as well as other admin members who love supporting their family and friends as much as they can, making sure we are all successful in the end.

Where is your favorite place in the world?

I haven’t traveled to many places but so far, my favorite place would have to be Mexico. There’s so much to Mexico. The vibrant colors, the welcoming culture, and of course the good food.

If you had to be trapped in a movie for a day, what movie would you choose?

If I had to be trapped in a movie, I would simply choose Alice and Wonderland. Everything about this movie was so cool. They have animals that can talk, mind you, they also have a character of their own. There are potions and spells for almost anything. The people there are friendly—for the most part. Wonderland is a literal dream world. My name isn’t Alice either, so I know I wouldn’t be a trouble to anyone in Wonderland.

What is something you’re passionate about?

I am passionate about personal growth. Personal growth, to me, is all about identifying my long-term and short-term goals. Reading and repeating positive affirmations whenever made possible. Prioritizing healthy eating and exercise habits. Especially reading self-help books in hopes to learn a new skill. Practicing forgiveness within myself and seeking it in others. Accepting helpful advice from others. Tracking and celebrating my progress for anything and everything. Establishing budgets for healthy spending habits. Lastly, taking part in activities outside of my comfort zone.

Life at PUC

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The moment you arrive on campus, events are happening and being planned at the same time. We understand that starting college, or even the thought of going to college, can be nerve-racking. That’s why our campus leaders, from our student association to residence assistants, make sure you feel at home and enjoy your college experience. Here is just a bit of what life is like at PUC.

Maintain A Healthy Lifestyle

There are plenty of ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle at PUC: First, there’s our gymnasium that houses our fitness center, weight room, outdoor pool, and climbing wall. Outside the gym, you’ll find the track, tennis courts, and soccer, baseball, and football fields. Second, PUC owns over 30 miles of trails where you can go biking, running, walking, or hiking daily. There are other spots near campus where you can embark on the mountain range or the sandy beaches. Lastly, our chefs serve healthy, delicious meals. They use organic ingredients and make sure there is something for every student to eat. If you have any food allergies or dietary needs, they will tend to your needs and make something you’ll like.

Live in Northern California

One of the best things about life at PUC is living in Napa Valley. Our beautiful campus gives you a peaceful environment; and is near wonderful destinations like St. Helena, Yountville, and Napa. The Napa Valley has countless restaurants for you to indulge in, cafes to study at, and selections of indoor and outdoor places for you to relish. Since we neighbor the Bay Area- you’ll also be able to explore different cities, beaches, forests, and mountains. You’ll never be bored living in Northern California!

Worship & Serve

We worship in many ways here at PUC. Students lead weekly dorm worships, group Bible studies, vespers, and church services. Our Campus Ministries team organizes service outreaches where you can help communities around the Napa Valley and Bay Area. Students also get the opportunity to serve short or long-term in other countries every year. Our faculty and staff make it a priority to enrich your spiritual life. If you are interested in leading or joining in praise, worship, outreaches, and spiritual life on campus, you can do all of that here.

Be A Member of A Club

PUC has over 40 clubs for you to choose from and join. The clubs range from cultures, interests, and departments; and have activities and events throughout the school year on and off-campus. Some clubs go on weekend outings, like to Albion, for students to get a change of scenery and spend time with their friends.

Go To SA Events

Our Student Association Team works hard to give every student something to enjoy. From hosting nights of vespers, food trucks, movies, karaoke, and comedy; to events of games, fests, carnivals, and off-campus activities to going bowling, roller skating, and eating at Napa’s top-rated restaurants for yearly banquets.

Participate in Intramurals

Participate in intramurals if you like playing sports. There are 12 intramural sports, such as basketball, football, and soccer, for you to join throughout the school year. Intramurals will be a great way to meet people, exercise, and take a break from schoolwork.

Work On Campus

If you are thinking about getting a part-time job in college, PUC has work opportunities for you. Many students are teacher assistants, tutors, dorm employees and work for our food services at the dining commons and student center (a.k.a The Grind). Some students also work at the library, gym, and different offices on-campus. These are just some of the various job opportunities you can apply for that will offer flexible hours, build up skills, and let you have extra money in your pocket.

Connect & Network

Our smaller classes allow you to get to know your teachers, which makes it easier for you to meet with them and receive the one-on-one help and assistance you’ll need. This will make your time at PUC even better- and your professors can help you find jobs; internships; and connect you to people in your desired fields. Our alums work at the top hospitals in the country to the biggest entertainment companies. Living in the Napa Valley will also give you job opportunities- where you can make even more connections. Whether you have a job on or off-campus, employers will be intrigued by seeing you’ve worked in the Napa Valley, which can help you stand out in your interviews.

Receive Assistance & Support

The transition into college can be overwhelming, which is why PUC’s Teaching & Learning Center has resources for students to receive advising and assistance. If you need extra help with a class or facing illness, injuries, or learning disabilities, we will provide any accommodation you need. Our counseling center also gives free sessions to students to schedule meetings with our licensed professional counselors. Whatever assistance you need, we have your back and will support you every step of the way.

Have A Home Away From Home

PUC will quickly become your home away from home from the friends you’ll make, your deans, advisors, and professors. You’ll be surrounded by caring, helpful, and welcoming people who will make sure you settle in smoothly and have a great, successful year.

We would love to have you at PUC! Visit our website for additional information. If you have any questions, call (800) 862-7080, option 2, or email admissions@puc.edu. Our admissions counselors will assist you with anything you need.

Senior Spotlight: Jeremy Jim Madrio

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This week’s senior spotlight is Jeremy Jim Madrio from Lincoln, CA, who majors in management information systems. When Jeremy was in high school and deciding on where to attend college, being an SDA, Jeremy wanted to be able to experience an Adventist institution where he could learn and grow closer to God, so he chose PUC.

What is your dream job?

I want to be able to have a job or own a company where I can make a positive impact on society through information technology/systems.

How does that compare to what you wanted to be when you were young?

When I was younger, I always thought I was going to become an engineer because mostly I wanted to follow what my dad did. But that quickly changed after the first two weeks of taking college physics and an engineering class. At some point, I also wanted to be a videogame designer or someone who makes unboxing videos on YouTube.

Do you have a favorite class you’ve taken at PUC? If so, what class and why?

All my classes here at PUC were really good, but one class that comes to mind that I have enjoyed is Themes in Literature, taught by Dr. Morton. Although english classes are usually not my favorite, I enjoyed this class because the topics were really interesting and it really challenged me to think. Overall, it taught me to become a better learner.

What are you going to miss the most about PUC?

I’m going to miss the connections that you make and the spiritual life that you can grow while at PUC. Also, the many things you can get involved in.

What is your favorite thing about being a part of the Pioneers family?

My favorite thing about being a part of the Pioneers family are the connections we are able to make, and the opportunities that we can obtain.

Where is your favorite place in the world?

Any place with family and friends.

If you had to be trapped in a movie for a day, what movie would you choose?

The Incredibles, because that was my favorite movie as a kid and why wouldn’t it be fun to see all the character’s superpowers.

What is something you’re passionate about?

Anything music related. Especially singing with the group I’m a part of, outside of school, called Attuned to Praise.

Recommend a place to go in the Bay Area on a weekend

The Golden Gate Bridge is a cool sight to see.

Five Bible Verses To Bring You Joy

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We go through our days meeting life’s obligations one after the other, but do you ever stop to take a moment to enjoy the pleasures God has given you? If you are lacking joy today, here are five Bible verses to bring you joy.

Psalm 20: 4-5

“May he grant you your heart’s desire and fulfill all your plans! May we shout for joy over your salvation, and in the name of our God set up our banners! May the Lord fulfill all your petitions!”

Romans 15:13

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”

Romans 12:12

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

James 1:2-3

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”

Psalm 16:11

“You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”

May you feel the joys in life that God gives you every day.

Senior Spotlight: Theodora Sirghi

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We want to highlight one of our seniors, Theodora Sirghi. Theodora is from Queens, New York, and is completing her B.S. in Emergency Services, Paramedic. What made her decide to attend PUC was the academics provided. “I was astonished to hear that PUC not only has an emergency service department, but you can also get a degree out of it rather than if you were to take a week/month course online,” shares Theodora. “Seeing that automatically grabbed my attention since that is what I specifically wanted to pursue.”

What is your dream job?

My dream job is to be a paramedic firefighter.

How does that compare to what you wanted to be when you were young?

When I was younger, I didn’t exactly know what I wanted to do, however I was always fascinated by the medical field especially since my older sister was in medical school at that time which inspired me. I wanted to pursue in something where I can help people 24/7 whenever and wherever and be able to give back to my community.

What is your favorite thing about being a part of the Pioneers family?

My favorite thing about being part of the Pioneers family is the diversity that is spread throughout the students here at PUC. You come across so many students who are not just from other parts of California but from other parts of the world and it’s just fascinating.

Where is your favorite place in the world?

My favorite place in the world would have to be my home, which is New York. One of the biggest pros of being born and raised in New York is that you’re in the heart of everything. The fast pace, the buzzing traffic, the hustle, and bustle of the people, the 24-hour life and the creative spirit make NYC one of the most vibrant places in the world.

If you had to be trapped in a movie for a day, what movie would you choose?

If I had to be trapped in a movie for a day it would have to be between either Terminator or Aliens. There’s not much of an explanation as to why I would choose these movies however, I simply love both movies due to growing up watching them on a daily.

What is something you’re passionate about?

Something I’m very passionate about is music. There are so many different styles and genres. Music is relaxing to me especially when I’m able to just grab my guitar and be able to play while soothing into the flow of the music. It’s more than just a sound; it’s an art with rhythm, tune, emotion, and meaning. It has helped me face some difficult situations in the past. Some music even resembles the journey of my life.

Recommend a place to go in the Bay Area on a weekend

A place I recommend to go in the Bay Area on a weekend is Baker Beach located in San Francisco. It’s absolutely one of the best beaches in my opinion. You’ll find amazing views of the Golden Gate Bridge and it’s even more of a bonus if you go around sunset time.