Mid-America Adventist Education — Scholastics, Discipleship, Mission
Dakota Students Win State Competition by Rachel Boyd
D
akota Adventist Academy seniors Chris Tastad sentative, Gordon Wilson, commented to DAA about both and Breighton Engelhart became deeply involved Chris and Breighton: “Your students represented your school in mission at DAA. Chris participated in outreach well. They should hold their heads high.” ventures to Wrangell, Alaska and Lesotho, Africa. The exDAA is proud of Chris and Breighton’s accomplishperience developed his talent of working with his hands ments throughout their academy years. Faculty and staff and with people. Breighton became a leader on campus, members look forward to seeing what life brings these serving as AcroLights co-captain, resident assistant and young men as they move forward with their valuable song leader for worship services. skills in serving their communities. Neither senior realized what the last month of school would offer. Three days before senior class trip, Chris and Rachel Boyd is development director at Dakota Adventist Academy. Breighton traveled with DAA’s auto body teacher, Russell Haveman, to the annual regional Skills USA competition. This statewide event focuses on developing occupational and leadership skills in high school students. Entering the collision repair portion of the competition, Chris and Breighton worked on skill-sets such as metal repair, estimating and structural analysis. Competing with students from large high schools, they demonstrated the benefits of one-on-one training in DAA’s smaller class setting, which employs real-life techniques used in professional shops. Breighton won second place, and Chris won the state’s top award. That achievement brought Chris an $8,500 scholarship from WyoTech Institute in DAA students Breighton Engelhart (left) and Chris Tastad won top state awards at the Laramie, Wyoming. WyoTech’s repre- Skills USA competition. Photo courtesy of Campion Academy
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Unique Week of Prayer Challenges Students
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by Hiboombe Haamankuli
he 2010 Week of Prayer at Maplewood Academy impacted many students. They testified to an eye-opening spiritual experience that enhanced their faith and relationship with God. One student commented that she now loves God 100 percent, thanks to the ministry of the six speakers from Walla Walla University: Jared Anderson, Kandice Bolster, Adam Newbold, Bryson Bechtel, Bridget Bechtel and Krystal Dressler. One meeting began with a “cardboard testimony.” Students each received a piece of cardboard. On one side, they wrote something they deeply struggle with; on the other side, they wrote how they can deal with that issue with help from God. To top off the “best week of prayer ever,” former Hollywood actors/filmmakers Scott Mayer and Brandon Mascarenas
opened everyone’s eyes to how evil the entertainment industry can be. Many jaws dropped as they provided a behind-thescenes look at the mind-controlling effects possible through television, the Internet and music. Many students felt inspired to rid themselves of anything hindering their relationship with God. The dormitory deans provided an enormous box for anyone who wanted to get rid of their mind-controlling movies, video games or music. A bonfire was scheduled for the end of the week to destroy the discarded distractions. This week of spiritual emphasis positively influenced the lives of Maplewood students and gave them the mindset needed to finish out this year—and the rest of life—strong with God.
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Hiboombe Haamankuli is a student at Maplewood Academy.
Mid-America Outlook
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June 2010
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