Freshmen jump into college life at Forest Falls Ignite

Ignite orientation week got underway Sept. 18 with dorm move-ins followed by the Blessing service that evening during which university President Joy Fehr welcomed the new students. The event centered on a prayer session during which university leaders, faculty, and staff prayed blessings over the freshmen and their families. The annual event brings a particularly touching moment and meaningful closure to the college farewell experience. A student association bash welcoming the new college students rounded out the busy day.

The following morning it was off to the San Bernardino Mountains. Freshmen, who were divided into small Family Groups led by current university students boarded busses with La Sierra staff members and headed to Forest Center at Forest Falls. The two-day overnight experience involved fun team-building activities such as zip lining, a ropes course, variations of doge ball and other games, as well as workshops on university guidelines and resources.

Pre-veterinary science major Brenda  Serrato hung out with her family group near a zip lining and ropes course and said she most enjoyed interacting with her new-found friends during orientation. “It’s pretty fun,” she said. “They’re really wild in a fun way.”

Serrato, who was homeschooled prior to arriving at La Sierra said she was attracted to the campus’ scenery and “homey feeling. It has a very welcoming kind of vibe,” she said.
 

Uriel Lejthman arrived at La Sierra from Parana, Argentina after being recruited on a basketball scholarship to play as a forward for the La Sierra University Golden Eagles. He said he was particularly enjoying the mountain environment at Forest Falls. He plans to study psychology. “I want to finish and see the possibilities,” he said. “I’m just focusing on this year, step by step.”

University upper classmen led family groups of six or so freshmen each. The small groups better facilitate friendships and provide a source of support for incoming college students. Family Group leader Taylor Armstrong, a senior psychology major and art minor at La Sierra decided to sign up for the role after seeing a promotion on the university’s television monitors. She has experience as a summer camp counselor and girls’ director and is aiming to be a child life specialist. She most enjoyed “seeing all the new students and helping them learn about La Sierra in a chill and relaxed way,” she said.

Victor Ortuno of Murrieta was among the freshmen congregated at Forest Falls. He graduated from Calvary Murrieta Christian School and is a general studies major. He first learned about La Sierra from his father who graduated from the school about 25 years ago.  “He loved it. He always told me to try to go to this school and I passed it off. But I got here and felt at peace,” Ortuno said. “The campus was beautiful and the people were overwhelmingly nice. Everything kind of fit into place. …Overall the nature of the university is kindness.”

Ortuno said he most enjoyed meeting new people during Ignite orientation as well as the worship experiences, “singing and praising God, I love that,” he said. “The family groups are amazing. Now we’re all just super good friends.”

To access photo albums of the activities of Ignite 2019, please visit https://www.facebook.com/pg/LaSierraU/photos.