As the 2025-26 school year kicks off, HBA’s latest graduates are preparing to begin the long-anticipated “next chapter” of their lives: college. The Eagle Eye interviewed several students from the Class of 2025 to learn about what they’re looking forward to in college and their insights from high school.
Caroline Fisher | California Baptist University
What are you looking forward to most in college?
I am looking forward to creating life long Christ-centered friendships. I am also excited for all the new opportunities and adventures college has to bring.
What advice would you give the upperclassmen in volleyball as they become the leaders of the team?
You can lead by setting the tone with your attitude, effort, and support. Be the teammate who uplifts others, communicates well, and creates a positive environment for everyone. Leadership isn’t about court time; it’s about how you show up for your team every day. And in the end, it’s the relationships, supports, and impact you leave behind that truly define your legacy.
Fisher is majoring in pre-nursing.
Lydia Halcomb | Montreat University
What college are you going to and what are you majoring in?
I’m going to Montreat College in Montreat, North Carolina. I’m majoring in Elementary Education and minoring in Bible in Theology.
What was the highlight of your summer and why?
The highlight of my summer was working at Bluegrass Christian Camp, a summer camp that I went to as a kid in Lexington, Kentucky. I was a counselor for five weeks this summer, and while working there I got to form so many fun and God-centered relationships with my fellow staff members; it was very refreshing. I also just love working with kids and camps are my favorite places to be, and so while I had some really hard times working with kids, it was such a rewarding experience.
What are you looking forward to most in college?
I’m most looking forward to meeting new people and making new friends. I’m also excited to just see and hear more about the world and the people in it.
What advice would you give to students involved in campus ministry?
To the students involved in campus ministry, I would say make sure that you are always taking time to fill yourself up, because you have to be full before you overflow and pour into others. Take time to find a mentor and join a discipleship group or Bible study so you get the Word that you need so you can better pour into the other students at HBA. You are making an impact even if you don’t feel like you are, so keep up the work; it’s worth it I promise. And lastly, pray, pray, pray. My friends and I prayed for HBA all throughout our high school years and we saw our prayers be answered; so believe in the power of prayer. Pray the dangerous prayers and the simple ones. God hears them all.
What advice would you give to the new HBA camp counselors?
To the new camp counselors, I would say check your intentions and make sure you are going to camp to serve God and to mentor the younger generation, not just to have fun (though fun is a very big part of camp!) The kids look up to you and you are some of the biggest and most influential role models they will have in these middle and high school years, so make sure you are leaving a good, Christ-like impact on them. Tell them the Gospel; it’s the most important story to tell. And, while you’re out there, don’t forget to have fun. Be with the kids, not on your phones. Get to know the other student-counselors too. Being camp counselors with other students helped me meet and grow closer to some of my best friends.
Halcomb is majoring in Elementary Education and minoring in Bible in Theology.
Josh Higa | Oregon State University
What are you looking forward to most in college?
I’m looking forward to meeting all types of new people and learning about the real world.
You were very involved in your senior class’s Spirit Week as their Class President. What advice would you give the new senior class about Spirit Week?
Please, please, please have fun. If you participate and go all out, you’ll look back on it as one of the best memories of your short lived high school careers. If you don’t, many feel like they missed out and should’ve done more. Remember, it’s not cool to not part0icipate. You’re way cooler if you try together as a class.
What advice would you give to the seniors in general?
I’d say let go of beef. I guess it would be better to say don’t start new unnecessary beef. Of course some people will do things you don’t agree with but most of all you want to end it with no regrets. That’s how I saw it and I feel pretty good about my senior year.
Higa is majoring in mechanical engineering.
Kaylee LaBarre | Dallas Baptist University
What are you looking forward to most in college?
I think what I’m looking forward to most is meeting new people. I’m honestly really excited to get to know my new community and make new friends and connections with people from my campus. I’m also excited to see how God wants me to serve at DBU. I love finding ways to just connect and grow and share so I’m super excited about that.
What advice would you give to the new camp counselors?
If I could give one piece of advice it would be to be bold. Counseling camps can be intimidating and overwhelming, but what I’ve learned was that God has given me a chance and a mission to serve HBA students. It looks different for everyone but I would encourage new counselors to connect with campers and be willing to ask hard questions and be vulnerable and to not be ashamed of Jesus. Be willing to listen and learn.
What advice would you give to the upperclassmen in Hālau Hula ‘O Ka Lama ‘Ula as they become the leaders of the group?
Halau is very dear to me and it was an honor to be part of that group. I’m already confident that the upperclassmen will lead well, but my advice would be to watch out for each other. Halau is worshipping Jesus through hula and whenever you worship together in a group you have to make sure that the group is united in Jesus. All the girls already do this amazingly but my hope is that they continue to be in community with their fellow halau sisters and therefore grow together and share the love of Jesus together.
LaBarre is double majoring in Christian Studies and History.
Samuel Lim | Patrick Henry College
What are you looking forward to most in college?
Honestly, I’m mostly looking forward to playing basketball for the team. However I’m also excited for the change of pace with the people and the community.
What advice would you give the upperclassmen in basketball as they become the leaders of the team?
I would tell them not to be afraid to take chances and to have the confidence to be able to say “I deserve to play.” Even when they mess up, remember that the younger guys look up to them. Just keep playing cause in the end the only one who can hold you back is yourself. Always remember even if things don’t turn out well, God’s got your back. Win or lose, take each day one step at a time.
Lim is majoring in Strategic Intelligence and Cybersecurity/AI.
Randie Lueder | Dallas Baptist University
What are you looking forward to most in college?
I’m really looking forward to being part of DBU’s Chapel Worship Residency program where freshmen interested in being Chapel Worship leaders can live together with a mentor and learn what it means to be a leader of worship. We get to do project nights and study directly under the team which is an incredible privilege.
What advice would you give to the seniors in our student council?
I would say to treat the underclassmen like your younger siblings or children. There will be times when you need to be firm and confident in decisions, which some may not like, but you should still treat everyone with love and care. The underclassmen look up to you guys so remember to lead like how Jesus would and remember that everyone at HBA are your brothers and sisters in Christ.
What advice would you give to the seniors in SOL as they become the leaders of the class?
Have confidence in Him! Vocal ability and stage presence is only a small part of being part of the Soldier’s ministry. Do your best to maintain a Christlike lifestyle and be someone the underclassmen can lean on and learn from character-wise. Some of my best mentors were seniors in SOL and those relationships are still maintained today and ones I value greatly.
What advice would you give to the worship team at HBA and to those thinking about auditioning to be part of the worship team?
You are not worship leaders but rather lead worshipers. The Lord has blessed you with your various musical talents and have confidence that the Lord will work through you to use those talents for His purpose. And for those who are new, again, let the Lord use you and your talents for His glory. Don’t be afraid to step up and be a lead worshiper if that is what the Lord has called you to do. You don’t have to earn his love, you just have to exemplify it!
Lueder is majoring in Music Business with a concentration in live performance.
Natalie Nomura | Loyola Marymount University
What are you looking forward to and what are you majoring in?
I am most looking forward to meeting new people and learning how to live on my own (as in, without my parents.) I’m also very excited to explore the city around my campus. LMU is located in Los Angeles so there are plenty of things to do there.
What advice would you give to the upperclassmen in cross country as they become the leaders of the team?
As for my Cross team, I hope that our seniors won’t put too much pressure on themselves. The underclassmen naturally look up to you guys as upperclassmen. As long as you keep a good attitude, the team morale will follow suit.
What advice would you give to seniors in general?
To the seniors this year, I encourage everyone to spend time with your class, not just your friends, and look out for each other. I know it seems like a long time until you all will be separated, but I know for sure that I underestimated the time we had left together. I got a lot closer with some of my classmates that I hardly spoke to from freshmen to junior year in my senior year, so don’t be afraid to reach out and make new friends.
Nomura is majoring in English.
Mia Takahashi | George Fox University
What was the highlight of your summer?
The highlight of my summer was performing the closing show of Ohana Arts’ Godspell on my three-year injury anniversary. It was already a huge blessing to be able to share God’s story through theater with this show, and performing it on my three-year injury anniversary was truly the cherry on top. I wouldn’t have made it to where I am now if it weren’t for Jesus. I owe it all to Him.
What are you looking forward to most in college?
In college, I am most looking forward to all the different performances I’l get to do as a member of the George Fox Dance Team this year. We’ll perform at football games, basketball games, and other on-campus events like chapels.
What advice would give to seniors?
Some advice i would give to new seniors as they start their last year of high school is “ichigo ichie.” The Japanese phrase means “one life, one encounter.” In other words, never waste any chance that comes to you and always savor every moment. Don’t let living in the past or thinking too far into the future prevent you from cherishing each moment you have left.
What are your hopes for Joy Express as it continues? (Joy Express is a Christmas card writing project that is hosted by the Christian Ministry team.)
As Joy Express continues in the coming years, I hope that more people will get involved in the care home performances and passing out the cards. Over the years, I’ve learned that interactions with youth help to brighten the days of care home residents. For example, last year, I attended Jam for Jesus’ performance at 15 Craigside and watched as they passed out cards from Joy Express to the residents. Almost every child was met by a resident with a smile on their face as they received their card.
Takahashi is majoring in Mathematics & Data Analytics.
Nadan Tsang | California Baptist University
What are you looking forward to most in college?
I’m looking forward to just being able to meet new people and have tons of new experiences in my college career. Also since I’m going to another Christian school, I’m excited to be able to grow in my relationship with God and possibly join the worship team there!
What advice would you give to the upperclassmen in Wind Ensemble as they become the leaders of the band?
To the upperclassmen, I would say to work hard and just enjoy the time that you have left. It truly did go by fast for me but it’s about cherishing the moments you have with each other. Also do your best to make the underclassmen feel comfortable because those are the special friendships that you can have. I honestly didn’t think I would be friends with the underclassmen but I enjoyed talking to many of them.
What hopes do you have for the contemporary band club?
I wanna see from contemporary band is for it to keep going. Contemp band was one of my favorite things I did in high school as I made many friends and played for many different events. It was a ton of fun and I hope that people will continue the club because it brings people of all grades together to make music.
