Sending her son to Blue Mountain Academy (BMA) was a hard decision for one single mother, but one that was necessary. Although she didn’t know how she would pay for his tuition, she wanted more for him and his life, so, in faith, she enrolled him. And then prayed. And prayed.
Education
by LaTasha Hewitt
Kiera John-Lewis, a sixth-grader at the G. E. Peters Adventist School in Hyattsville, Md., was recently chosen by the American Automobile Association (AAA) School Safety Patrol program as an outstanding safety patroller in the Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia area. As a patroller, John-Lewis had the opportunity to “play an important role in helping young pedestrians learn and fulfill responsibilities regarding traffic safety,” according to the program’s website.
When John-Lewis heard she would be receiving the award, she was pleas- antly surprised and grateful: “I was astounded to have received the award.
It means a lot to me knowing that my work is greatly appreciated, and I’m thankful for the support I received to accomplish this award.”
Story by Andrew S. Lay
In March 2020, Highland View Academy (HVA) faced a dilemma—how to keep their campus family of faculty and students connected as they faced an uncertain future with a pandemic quickly taking over school and personal life. What started as a canceled Week of Service, followed by the inability for students to return after spring break, turned into a nightmare of Zoom classes, what ifs and unpredictability about the future. Using all known tools to maintain communication seemed to be the answer: emails, Facebook and Instagram posts, phone calls and mailed care packages to HVA students and parents.
by Burney Culpepper
As the COVID-19 pandemic impacted education throughout Pennsylvania and beyond, the Blue Mountain Academy (BMA) team needed to work on our 2020–21 budget. Not knowing what the year would bring, we based our finances on 80 students. And we prayed, knowing that God is faithful.
Rising coronavirus infection rates are causing many families and churches to reexamine their holiday plans. However, the socially distanced show must go on and many Adventist schools and churches are already preparing their virtual holiday programs.
Let us know about your church or school’s virtual program so all Columbia Union Conference members will have the chance to enjoy the holiday cheer.
Email the program title, time, date and link to vmbernard@columbiaunion.net, and we’ll share on our social media accounts and website.