Message from the Principal

One of my favorite Bible stories to talk about is the story of Zacchaeus. While there are many spiritual lessons to be gleaned, my thoughts often turn to an important part of the story. Zacchaeus climbs that tree and puts himself in a position to have an encounter with Jesus. From that moment forward, his life is forever changed. This is what it’s all about! Putting ourselves in a position to have encounters with Jesus each and every day.

Encountering Jesus is a life-changing experience that can transform our thoughts, attitudes, and perspectives. Over time, these encounters will begin to deepen our faith, help us develop a personal relationship with Him, and further our dependence on His guidance for direction in our lives. When we encounter Jesus, we also get to experience His unconditional love, forgiveness, and grace. We realize that we are not alone in our struggles and He is always with us, ready to comfort and guide us through life’s challenges.

Putting ourselves in a position to have encounters with Jesus requires intentional effort on our part. It can involve spending time in prayer, devotions, reading the Bible, attending church, participating in fellowship with other believers, and serving others in need. It also requires an open heart and a willingness to listen to His voice and follow His will for our lives. For me, it started with Adventist Education. That daily interaction and exposure to Christ and being surrounded by God-loving people seeking Him made all the difference.

Encountering Jesus can give us a sense of purpose, hope, and fulfillment that cannot be found in anything else. It can transform our lives and help us become the best version of ourselves. So, let us put ourselves in a position to have encounters with Jesus and experience the abundant life that He offers.

Chadd Watkins Principal

BY: ERIC JOHNSON

Highland Academy provided the foundation for the incredible life journey of Charles “Buddy” Harris and Ruth Dysinger. Ruth began her journey at Highland in the fall of 1945, and Buddy began in the fall of 1946. Buddy and Ruth were friends before they attended Highland, but in Buddy’s words, he desired “that their relationship moves beyond just friends.” It took Ruth’s roommate to make that happen. One day during the fall of 1946, one of Ruth’s friends came up to her and asked her if she was going with Buddy Harris, because if not, she planned to ask him out. Ruth immediately replied that she was going steady with Buddy. Ruth and Buddy later married in 1951 while attending Southern Missionary College, and have recently celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary!

Life was not always easy at Highland. When Buddy arrived in the fall of 1946, the boys were living in tents while the new dorm was being constructed. They had 3 boys assigned to a tent. While it was crowded, the main problem was the smell. Buddy states that “there was a small hospital on the grounds of the school, and we were given permission to shower in the men’s bathroom once a week.”

Both Ruth and Buddy credit some of the “hardships” they endured during their time at Highland as a blessing in disguise. “The lack of some of the conveniences that we have today only helped to prepare us for the challenges we would face later in life,” states Ruth.

It was at Highland that Buddy had a conversion experience and decided to give his life to Christ. This came after a week of prayer by Elder Ed Barnes, who was the Education and Youth leader of the Conference at that time. A seed was planted to go and serve in the mission field during this week of prayer. Little did Buddy or Ruth know how God would work to make that calling a reality 16 years later, when they were called to go and manage the mission hospital, as well as be the Secretary-Treasurer for the Viet Nam Mission. After Buddy and Ruth had served for 5 years in the Viet Nam Mission, they were called to Singapore to manage a hospital there.

When Ruth and Buddy returned to the States, they settled in the Centerville, TN area where Buddy worked as an administrator at a nursing home. Buddy and Ruth are now both retired and living in the Nashville area. They have been blessed to have two wonderful children.

As Buddy and Ruth reflect on their lives, they both look back to their time at Highland Academy as being pivotal to helping them not only be prepared for what life had in store for them but also grounding them in their walk with Christ. “Highland Academy had some great teachers who loved and cared for us,” states Ruth. “These teachers helped to show us what it meant to be a true Christian.”

When asked to give some advice to this generation of students currently attending Highland Academy, Buddy simply states, “Be honest, work hard and live for God always.” God has certainly blessed both Buddy and Ruth with a long and prosperous life. Ruth is the oldest living graduate of Highland Academy and Buddy is the second oldest living graduate. Both credit exercise, healthy eating, and blessings from God as the reason for their long life. Their prayer is that Highland Academy will remain strong and focused on educating youth for Jesus Christ until the Second Coming, when we will all go to our Heavenly home.