Shen-Val-Lore The Student Voice of Shenandoah Valley Academy
May 8, 2024
Shenandoah Valley Academy
Volume 93, Edition 4
Upcoming Events
The Heart of Samana Salome Tembo Shenandoah Valley Academy was blessed with the opportunity to have another mission trip with a different spin to it. This year’s mission trip was shared with the Music group in the beautiful Dominican Republic! The students and staff spent several months praying and fundraising for the group. The events leading up to the trip included several meetings in the auditorium, determined students working at the mission sale every Sunday, and thousands of letters being sent to family and friends for donations. Senior Rebecca Reis found the whole process of preparing for the mission trip to be stressful but also a blessing because although things were getting tough, the Lord provided a solution for her problems. Fast forward to March 13, 2024, the day of the mission trip. The day started off at 6:00 am in the cafeteria where all the students came for a delicious breakfast followed by everyone loading the buses at 6:45 and heading to BWI airport for our flight. The bus ride was about two hours. You could hear a lot of excited students and see a lot of sleepy students catching up on their sleep. When we first arrived at the airport, everyone was instructed to take two luggage bags and take them into the airport, which was followed
by the chaperones looking for their travel groups to begin the checking in process. After everyone was checked in, they all headed to the boarding gate. While waiting to board the plane, students were either calling their family and friends or buying food. The flight to the Dominican Republic was amazing. The airline provided movies on our phones and gave us snacks and drinks. After the five-hour flight, we finally arrived in the Dominican Republic where we were greeted with scorching heat. While at the airport, the mission and music people split into two buses, then met up for lunch at one of the Seventhday Adventist churches in the country. The church members blessed the students with delicious rice and beans, plantains, and fried cheese. Senior Kika Auguste describes the food as very flavorful and appetizing. After lunch the students split ways again, with mission trip heading to Samana and music to Punta Cana.
The following day was amazing. The sun was out, and the students had the opportunity to see Samana in daylight, which was beautiful. Before beginning the day, the students met in the cafe of the hotel where they had breakfast and planned the rest of the day. The day consisted of a few students going to work at the school while the other students worked at the construction site. When the students arrived at the school, they were greeted by the kids with big smiles but shy faces. The school day started with the kids lining up to sing the country’s national anthem before heading to their classrooms. The SVA students followed to the classes they were helping with, where they sang and played with the kids and helped the teachers. When the SVA students first came into the classroom, the kids were mostly shy, but it did not take them too long to get comfortable. After the SVA students finished working at the school, they went back to the hotel to get geared up for the worksite. When The ride to Samana was very they arrived at the worksite, eventful. There were several everyone was ready to work. students shouting and laughing Although it was hot, the heat while other students tried to did not stop the students from get more rest, but regardless, doing the Lord’s work. the view was amazing. Upon arriving at the beautiful Hotel Figaro, the students collected Because the students worked their bags, filled up their water very hard, they were awarded bottles, turned in their phone beach time after working on and passport, and went to their the construction site. “It was rooms for a good night’s rest. so refreshing and relaxing
being in the water after a long day of work,” says Junior Juri Castellanos. The students worked very hard and were able to get the church finished a few days early. Because of this, they were able to enjoy whale watching, souvenir shopping, and more beach days! The students were also awarded with two excursion days where they went to a waterfall and more beaches. After a week of labor, the students rested on the Sabbath at the Central Seventh-day Adventist Church. The church members greeted the students with so much love and showed their gratitude towards them. This was also an amazing opportunity for the students to connect with the church members. The mission trip was very rewarding. Being able to give was a blessing for so many. To make the experience even more memorable, the church members and some of the school staff came to the hotel and said their goodbyes to the students.
May 2-6
New England Trip
5
SAT
6 - 10 Teacher Appreciation Week 7
Worship Min. CCLC
10
ROK Hayride Vespers
11
Spring Music Concerts
12
SA Picnic
16 - 17 17
Awards Chapel Outdoor Vespers
18
Flower Eventide Handshake Video Yearbook
19 - 22
Senior Class Trip
20 - 22
Final Exams
24 - 25
Graduation Weekend
31
Faculty/Staff Agape Feast
August 14
RA Arrival
15
SA Officer Arrival Early Registration
16 - 17
Table of Contents 1
The Heart of Samana
5
Andrews Trip Bowling
2
The Sound of Music
6
Junior Religion Trip
3
Spirit Week
7
4
Church Connect 30-Hour Famine
Junior/Senior Banquet
Senior Exams
RA/SA Retreats
17
Teacher Dedication
18
Registration
19
Classes Begin
19 - 22
School Orientation