First Day Monday, August 15th
Shen-Val-Lore The Student Voice of Shenandoah Valley Academy
Shenandoah Valley Academy
October 14, 2016
Volume 86, Edition 1
Upcoming Events October 14 End of First Term 14-15
Dorm Retreats
18
Yearbook Picture Retakes
19
PSATs
21 ROK Event 23
ACT / Fall Festival
25-30
NACA Volleyball and Soccer Tournament
26-30 Ringfest / Homeleave
November
The First Weekend
2 College Fair
allie Mae Magtanong
August 19, 2016- After the first full week of classes, SVA students were finally looking forward to the first weekend of the school year. Following dinner at the cafeteria, everyone went back to the dorms to prepare for the Friday evening vespers. All the girls dressed up in their nicest formal church attire, and the guys had their best shirts tucked in and ties around their collars. By 7:15 p.m., the RAs on duty headed towards the New Market SDA church to start taking check of the dorm students. Once everyone had gathered and settled inside the sanctuary by 7:30 p.m, the service began with multiple worship songs led by the Senior class praise team. Onstage
were Senior singers Maddie Ware, DJ Joaquin, Meshach Perez, Maddy Ndahayo, and Coby Odate, along with Noe Grady on the violin, CJ Sanchez on percussion, and Salima Omwenga as their pianist. Meshach gave a short welcome to the whole audience, and then invited them to stand up for the first few songs. The church was filled with beautiful melodies and harmonies coming from the voices of the congregation and song leaders. One of the Seniors then led us in prayer at the end of the music, and everyone onstage took their seats in the pews. At this point, Pastor Harley began explaining what would be happening for the rest of the service that evening. With
the help of his Senior College Religion class, he announced that the school would be participating in prayer for each chosen site on campus, such as the gymnasium, Twomley Hall lobby, Student Center, and dorms. Each pair of Senior leaders then read off the names of their group, one by one, and which site they would be praying over. My group, led by Seniors Meshach Perez and Eric Eiselstein, was in charge of praying for the entire Athletic Department. We all walked together to the gymnasium, along with athletic director, Coach Kilgore. There, we assembled in a circle around him, all of us placing our hands on his shoulders, and then started praying for him and for the
students who will be participating in athletics this year. After every group finished praying, students and staff gathered at the flagpole for the final part of the vespers, and Pastor Harley called his Senior College Religion class to start passing out candles to their group. As each candle was being lit, everyone quickly joined in as Dean Azariah led out in a couple of songs with his guitar. Finally, each candle was raised as Principal Short and Pastor Harley closed with prayers for success throughout the upcoming school year. After the candles were blown out, some students headed back to the dorms, while others decided to stay for the “afterglow” service in the Student Center. Dean
Azariah, along with CJ Sanchez and Elizabeth Schuen, started off with songs once everyone slowly quieted their murmurings and whispers. During the service, everyone got up from their seats to grab some fresh apples, hand-picked and delivered by Pastor Harley. As people settled in their places, it was time for open testimonies. A couple of students were willing enough to share some personal encounters with God in their past life, while the rest chose to sit back and listen. After a final testimony, Dean Azariah asked everyone to form a circle, and wrapped up the evening with one last song and prayer. The guys and girls then said their goodbyes before heading back to the dorms. Continue on page 3
6
SAT
11
Senior Dedication
12
Senior Extravaganza
19
Music Tour to Manassas
20
Sunday School
22-28
Thanksgiving Break
29
SVA Thank-a-thon
December 1-5 4
Journey to Bethlehem ACT / SAT
6-8 Candlelight Rehursal 9 Candlelight Concert 10 Candlelight Repeat Concert / Christmas Extravaganza 11
Table of Contents
1 The First Weekend 2 Career Day / Kings Dominion 3 The First Weekend 4 Fall Picnic 5 Staff Interviews / Advice Column 6 Senior Survival
7 Crosscountry / Gymnastics / Soccer 8 Birthdays / Shout-outs / Advertisements
SA Christmas Banquet
18-20
Semester Exams
21-31
Semester Break