By Brennen Rivas, a student at Sacramento Adventist Academy (SAA)
At SAA, Brennen Rivas’s story offers a glimpse of opportunities to know Jesus through creation, experience Jesus through caring relationships, and prepare to share Jesus through service.
Before kindergarten, my dad showed me a video about atoms. Learning how much empty space they contain surprised me. Why could we touch things? Why didn’t we pass through them? Every question made me want to learn more.
My parents always encouraged my curiosity, especially my dad. He introduced me to chemistry, quantum mechanics, and time dilation. Now, I am curious about artificial intelligence and how tiny particles can be so complex.
I also love creating things. In fourth grade, I spent weeks building a suspension bridge. We were supposed to add weight until it broke, but we could not break it—even with my dad’s full weight!
Not every experiment succeeds. For an egg-drop challenge, I suspended an egg inside a box with rubber bands. When I dropped it from our window, it shattered. I researched ideas and tried popcorn as cushioning. That time, it worked. My teachers helped me learn more than I thought possible. AP Biology challenged me, but studying with friends made it easier.
Science strengthens my faith. I am amazed that God created something so complex and vast. We struggle to build computer worlds that come close. Seeing His hand in creation is awe-inspiring and helps me know Jesus more deeply.
Water is a big issue in many countries. Along with digging wells and purifying water, I wonder whether there are more efficient ways to help. Oceans hold about 97% of Earth’s water. I want to understand what makes removing the salt difficult. Why can’t we make that process easier and more accessible?
I have not decided on a career, but I am interested in engineering or development. I enjoy figuring things out because, after the struggle, I understand more than just a fact. I want to keep asking questions, building things, and discovering how what I learn could meet someone else’s needs.
#nccsda
