Tag Archives: PUC student

Faces of PUC: Lanea Carver

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.

Senior Spotlight: Ethan Blanca

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. 

Senior Spotlight: Jeremy Jim Madrio 

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. 

Senior Spotlight: Theodora Sirghi

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. 

Faces of PUC: Christian Junior De Jesus

Sophomore student Christian Junior De Jesus is a BBA finance major and communication minor from Manchester, New Hampshire. He dreams of being the CEO/Founder of a Fortune 500 company and is passionate about entrepreneurship. His favorite thing about being a part of the Pioneers family is being an RA, the friendships he’s made, and events at PUC.

What is your dream job? 

CEO/Founder of a Fortune 500 company

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

I wanted to be a computer engineer like my father, but as I grew older I realized that it wasn’t my life purpose.

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

The RA life, friendships I make, and events I participate in.

Where is your favorite place in the world?

New York City because the skyscrapers remind me of what I can accomplish in life.

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

The 300

What is something you’re passionate about? 

Entrepreneurship and Personality Systems 

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

Santa Clara

Faces of PUC: Taytan Bereket

Meet one of our new Pioneers, Taytan Bereket. She’s a biotechnology pre-med student from Riverside, CA., and is passionate about lifestyle, growth, and her relationship with Jesus. By the end of her senior year of high school, Taytan had a feeling she would attend PUC. “I’m glad that I made that decision,” she shares. “And I am so blessed to be here.” 

What is your dream job? 

My dream job is to be a neurologist or neurosurgeon. I’ve always been interested in the way the brain works, especially in the area of medicine. Maybe one day I’ll own/be a founder of a facility that works with diseases in the brain like Alzheimer’s, brain tumors, etc., receiving treatments, from natural remedies and receiving healthy foods, and to dedicated nurses and researchers. 

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

I wanted to be a doctor when I was five, then wanted to be an actor for some reason- I don’t know what I was thinking, and then I wanted to be a counselor during my sophomore and junior year, it wasn’t till senior year where I knew exactly what I wanted to be.  

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

I love the beauty of the campus and the teachers as well. You could tell that they are dedicated to the things that they teach and that is something that I appreciate. At times, I don’t want to go to class, but when I arrive in class, the hospitality that the professors here give you makes you feel like you are at home, making the day better. 

Where is your favorite place in the world? 

I love to go to the beach! The sounds of the waves and the feeling of the air and the sun give you peace. 

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

A Journal for Jordan

What is something you’re passionate about? 

I am very passionate about lifestyle, growth, and my relationship with Jesus. Also, I love music and learning things about music in different genres. 

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

I’m not from the bay area, I’m from Socal haha. But I’ll say from what I know, go to Oakland or San Francisco, they have wonderful sights that you can drive through, walk or take pictures of. 

Faces of PUC: Ashley Castro-Rodriguez

Ashley Castro-Rodriguez is studying theology and minoring in communications. Coming from Salem, Oregon. She chose PUC because she received scholarships and guidance from her advisor, Pastor and Professor Wibberding. He explained and showed her how the Theology program worked and made her feel welcome. Ashley shared that the admissions team was also super welcoming and helped guide her through the entire application process. Living in the PNW, she found the campus pretty and reminded her of home.

What is your dream job? 

Anything relating to Pastoral Ministry, knowing I am making an impact being able to help people.

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

I never really knew what I wanted to be as a kid, it always changed. It wasn’t until I understood how my mom had studied Theology and was going to be a pastor for the Oregon conference, that I realized that was even an option.

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

How easy it is to be involved in things, and the people you get to meet because of it. Being able to go from class to working at the grind to working at the campus ministries office to running to orchestra practice and seeing so many different familiar faces makes my day.

Where is your favorite place in the world?

Anywhere as long as I’m with my friends and family

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

Eternals, because a) ancient history, b) the music (more specifically the song “Friends”), c) super cool superheroes (and Harry Styles). But as a main character, I wouldn’t want to be an innocent bystander who doesn’t know what’s going on. 

What is something you’re passionate about?

Music! I listen to a lot of music styles, and I love live music and the impact it can have. Whether I’m leading, playing bass for worship, or simply listening. Ministry and Jesus too, they tie together and are a big part of my life.

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

The Petrified Forest in Calistoga is pretty cool and makes for a nice hike

Faces of PUC: Frances Velarde 

Frances Velarde is a nursing major from Arizona. She found her calling to be a nurse and dreams of working in pediatrics. One of her favorite things about PUC is being in a welcoming community that helps her grow spiritually. 

What is your dream job?

My dream job is to be a pediatric nurse.

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

I always wanted to help people and educate others when I was younger and become a teacher, but today, I feel like my calling is to be a nurse instead, and I’m very passionate about it.

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

My favorite thing about being part of the Pioneers family is that a lot of the people here in PUC are very wholesome. It’s nice to have a community of people that make you feel included and help you grow spiritually.

Where is your favorite place in the world?

Wherever my friends are because I feel happiest when I’m with them.

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

Crazy Rich Asians

What is something you’re passionate about? 

Music 

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

Daeho, because they have bomb food.

You Will Never Regret Studying Abroad

Sarah West graduated from PUC this past school year with a Bachelor of Social Work & Bachelor of Arts in Spanish Studies. One year during college, she enrolled in the ACA Argentina program and loved the experience so much that she wanted to do a summer program- so she did. Sarah recently returned stateside after spending the majority of her summer studying abroad at Villa Aurora in Italy. Although there were a few setbacks, she shares that you will never regret going abroad. 

Tell us about your time in Italy. 

My time in Italy was amazing, even with the few bumps in the road. I got COVID my first week there, so I had to isolate for a week. But once I was freed (tested negative), I was able to return to class with ease. The classes all students take are Conversation, Grammar, art for tours, art history, and Italian culture. If you are not in the intermediate level, then you also take Phonetics. With the ACA program, we visited Cinque Terre, Florence, Pisa, Rome, Venice, and Siena. All of them are day trips, except Rome, which is an overnight stay. 

What made you want to study in Italy?

I loved the ACA Argentina program so much that I knew I wanted to do a summer program before I graduate. So for me, it was between Italy and Spain. I had heard great things about the Italian cafeteria and that made my choice. I also had been to Italy once before and loved it, so I wanted to spend more time there. 

You’ve also studied in Argentina. How have these experiences been different from each other? 

The differences between the Argentina and Italy programs are the ability to travel. Italy is about the size of California, so with access to a car, bus, or train, you can really go anywhere in the county. Argentina on the other hand is about as long as the United States, and there are little pockets of towns/cities with nothing in-between. Argentina is good if your goal is to learn Spanish and experience the culture of Argentina. Italy, and I assume other European programs, are good for traveling, but more people will probably know English, so finding a push to learn the language may be a little more difficult. 

Describe your time in Italy in three words.  

Amazing food/travel. 

What have been your favorite things about studying abroad in Italy?

I have loved learning about different cultures and history of the countries. I also like meeting people. While I was at the school in Italy, I ran into someone who I had met at the school in Argentina, and that was one of the craziest things I will probably ever experience. 

Did PUC play a part in your preparation for Italy?

Yes, because one of my friends had done the ACA Italy year program, and she gave me some good heads up on what to expect. I was also able to conquer the hills of Italy due to the cardio of running around PUC campus. 

What would you say to someone who is interested in ACA?

If you are interested in it, DO IT. You will never regret going, and all was regret not doing it. There will never be a time in your life when you will live in Italy for 6 weeks or Argentina for a year. You grow so much as a person and have a better understanding of yourself and the world. 

Faces of PUC: Danika Saucelo 

Danika Saucelo is a nursing student from Antioch who has worked as a CNA and aspires to become a nurse practitioner. She loves helping patients, giving the best care, and connecting with them. To relax from school and work, Danika finds taking nature photos calming.

What is your dream job? 

As of right now, my dream job would be to become an RN (Registered Nurse). But I also aspire to hopefully reach the level of becoming a Nurse Practitioner. This career is so versatile and I would be able to experience long-lasting connections with my patients by providing basic preventative health care. As I am already working as a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant), being able to help patients with everyday activities, providing the best possible care, and also building connections with patients, is something that I would love to continue doing in the future.

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

When I was younger, I already knew that I wanted to be involved in healthcare. Around 6th grade, I had planned on wanting to become a Dermatologist. It was within the healthcare career, and I was really interested in skin, and how the skin can be prone to certain cancers or diseases. 

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 constant feeling of being welcome. Ever since I first visited the campus, I knew that I was in a safe, peaceful, and welcoming environment. Everyone was beyond helpful and respectful, and it just gave me an overwhelming feeling of happiness. 

Where is your favorite place in the world? 

I think my favorite place in the world would be Lake Tahoe. I always go there to camp with my family, and you just can’t beat their crystal-clear water. It’s getting more and more crowded, but I love going there.

What song have you been listening to on repeat?

Dynamite by BTS has been my go-to song lately. It’s such a mood-booster and it always makes me happy whenever I listen to it!

What is something you’re passionate about?

Singing and photography are some things that I am really passionate about. I love listening to music, so singing is just something that makes me happy. I’m not an expert photographer or anything, but taking pictures (especially in nature settings) is something that I find to be calming.

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

A place I would recommend to go to the Bay Area would probably be Bethel Island. It’s a wonderful place to go if you love boating and swimming. Plus, they have this amazing place to eat called “Sugar Barge Restaurant & Bar.” Their fish-n-chips are AMAZING!