Despite the economic recession, the Portland Adventist Academy Student Scholarship program and its investors kept over 60 financially challenged students enrolled at PAA this year.
Ian Bilinowich was one of those students. He graduated with a four year consecutive 4.0 grade point average. He earned status in the National Honor Society, the National Society of High School Scholars, the United States Achievement Academy and as an All American Scholar. He also was given the North American Division's Caring Heart Award and graduated as spiritual vice president of his class.
Bilinowich's reputation as a caring and responsible person earned him the respect of students and faculty alike. During his four years at PAA, he played in concert band, in the steel drum band and sang in choir. As an accomplished pianist, he willingly shared his talent at school fundraisers, alumni weekends and area churches.
"PAA kept me at my school," says Bilinowich. "Public school wouldn't have offered me as many opportunities to grow as a leader and as a spiritual being or to help me realize God's plan for my life."
This fall, Bilinowich will attend Walla Walla University to study music. He's planning on giving back to his community someday through a career as a music teacher at Adventist academies. "People who give to PAA are directly investing in the lives of students," says Bilinowich. And indirectly, they're investing in the wider Adventist community.
Ian Bilinowich graduates with a 4.0 GPA as one of many students who have benefitted from PAA's Student Scholarship program.
Biinowich's reputation as a caring and responsible person earned him the respect of students and faculty alike.
Ian Billinowich is an accomplished musician. He plays many instruments, including the steel drum. He plans to one day teach music at Adventist academies.
