Education

Story by Vicki Swetnam

Kelly (Peach) Long (’98) didn’t know she would be designing things for her alma mater when she began her job at Kettering Adventist HealthCare (KAHC) in 2017 as a graphic designer.

Most of her work as the graphic design manager in the KAHC Marketing and Communications Department on the Ohio campus involves designing and overseeing the design of materials for her employer. However, due to the ongoing generosity of KAHC toward Spring Valley Academy (SVA), she soon found herself designing for SVA periodically.

balloons by pexels on pixabay

Story by Tamyra Horst

Good-byes are usually sad--yet sometimes they are a celebration. This month the Pennsylvania Conference education team is saying good-bye as Toni Wlasniewski, a teacher at Reading Junior Academy, and Machelle Williams, head teacher for the Pocono Adventist Christian School, Stroudsburg, Pa., are both retiring from education and moving into the next adventure God has planned for them. The team surprised both educators during the end-of-year Zoom teachers meeting with flowers and cake delivered and words of gratitude shared by Jeremy Garlock, education superintendent.

Shemiah Hoppie (’20), plans his next chess move.

Story by Pine Forge Academy Staff

Pine Forge Academy (PFA) has incorporated life enrichment clubs into their curriculum this year. Students have joined clubs, such as Coding, Genealogy, Media, Chess, Crotchet, Poetry, Art and Debate, that meet for 50 minutes twice a month.

Instructor Lisa Marshall has introduced members of the Art Club to several artistic mediums. The club’s latest work is a fluid art design known as the acrylic painting string technique. This format brings out the creative ingenuity of the students.

Chaplain B. Leah (left) and students Sherina Moses (’20), Valerie Ganta (’22) and Yannice Prather (’20) play a friendly game of ping-pong in the “The Living Room.”

Story by Salena Fitzgerald

One of Takoma Academy’s (TA) missions is to lead young people to Jesus by helping students maintain a strong spiritual life. While the faculty and staff make a team effort to provide spiritual guidance to the students, the role of a chaplain is to expand on it. This was no challenge for new hire Leah Burgess, affectionally known as “Chaplain B. Leah,” who was welcomed to the Tiger family late last year.

Charis McRoy Kinder Knit

Story by Heidi Wetmore

Charis McRoy, a junior at Spencerville Adventist Academy (SAA), learned how to loom knit hats from a family friend. After making hats for each of her family members, McRoy wondered how she could use this newfound hobby to serve others. She needed a reason and purpose for what she was doing; that is how Kinder Knit was born.

After much thought, McRoy decided to make hats for infants in the NICU. This target group was near and dear to her heart, because 17 years ago, she herself was a newborn in the NICU. “To this day, I have handmade blankets that kind individuals gave me when I was in the NICU,” shares McRoy. “Now this is my chance to give back and serve others.”