First Day Monday, August 15th
Shen-Val-Lore The Student Voice of Shenandoah Valley Academy
May 10, 2019
Shenandoah Valley Academy
Volume 88, Edition 4
Upcoming Events MAY 2-6 New England History Tour 11 16-17
Spring Music Concerts Senior Examst
18
Best of Everything
19-22
Senior Class Trip
20-22
Final Exams
24
Consecration
25 Staff & Senior Breakfast / Parent Tribute / Baccalaureate / Class Night & Reception 26
Commencement
27-31
Summer Break
JUNE
Puerto Rico Mission Trip
1-30
Summer Break
Giselle Villatoro
This year’s mission trip was to Puerto Rico. We arrived on Thursday, March 14. When we finally landed in San Juan at around 9 AM, I was tired but very excited and anxious to get to the cabanas. We waited at the airport for about two hours for transportation, and then proceeded to El Morro, a fort that was built while Puerto Rico was under Spanish rule. We toured the fort outside and also went through its many secret tunnels. After the tour, we all went on a walk through Old San Juan and then drove through mountains from northern PR to the southeastern corner into a city called Guayama.
On Friday, there was still some last-minute planning that needed to be taken care of, so after worship we were allowed to unpack and rest at the beach. On Sabbath, each van group went to a different church, so in total we visited five different locations. I attended Guayama Central, where I sang and listened to a guest pastor who openly spoke about his experience in jail. After church, we ate together and I was so happy to see how open and friendly the church members were with us. They made a lot of food and wanted us to take leftovers with us to feed the rest of the students. After lunch, my van drove to some apartments where we prayed and passed out church invita-
Table of Contents
1 Mission Trip 2 Haymarket / Collegedale Academy Concert 3 Week of Prayer / Spring Picnic 4 Junior / Senior Banquet
5 History Tour / Gymnastics Homeshow 6 Alumni Weekend / Tree Planting Cermemony 7 Senior Flashback 8 Birthdays / Shout-outs
tions to the locals. Later that night, our school attended PR’s Global Youth Day, where we met kids our age and got to dismiss the Sabbath. We then proceeded to play games together. On Sunday, I began working on the school worksite. We spent all day weeding the fences outside and doing yard work all over the school. The weather was great because it was hot but the breeze kept it from feeling too scorching. The next day was the first day of VBS with the students in the school. We sang songs and talked with the kids, then I went to help the kindergarteners with a craft. After it was over, I continued working on the fences and picking up trash.
Monday afternoon, a group of us went with Pastor Hector to the Corazon church, where he was having evangelistic meetings throughout the week. On Tuesday, we began painting the school. Every building had to be painted over twice and we had to use brushes to get into the hollow areas of the wood. Since there were only two ladders, and the roof people needed them, the rest of us stood on chairs to try to reach the high areas. I met so many beautiful people; I did VBS with the second graders and fell in love with them. They were so kind hearted, energetic, and loving. On Wednesday, I was at the school worksite again, and that day was the last full day
of work to get things done. Many painted the walls, others the roofs, and some the metal fences. Also, a fair amount of the job was planting and cleaning up the yard. The next day was Thursday, and it was a half day of work. I went to the medical center, and we set up at an apartment location, where many came to get tested for diseases and also receive haircuts. The medical bus also visited some people in their homes that were unable to leave and seek medical attention. Thursday afternoon we went to a really clear beach two hours from Guayama, and we were able to spend the afternoon swimming, snorkeling, and tanning. (Continued on page 3)
JULY 1-31
Summer Break
AUGUST 1-12
Summer Break
13
Early Registration
18
Registration
19
School Begins