Standing in front of the ruins of the burned ladies dormitory in Auburn, Wash., Keith Hallam, Auburn Adventist Academy principal, spoke to a crowd of alumni, students and friends, thanking them for their support during the November fire that destroyed the dorm.
Then the focus was on the future of building a new dorm that would continue to serve as part of the academy's ministry. The dorm will not only house students, but will also be a place where they will be able to learn about Jesus Christ.
John Freedman, Washington Conference president, reminded the gathered crowd that everything is really about Jesus and his place in our lives. Then many of the future residents of the new dorm took a shovel and, with the other dignitaries present, symbolically broke ground for the new dorm, which is scheduled for completion later this year.
Auburn female residents joined their principal, Keith Hallam, and their dean, Kay Sanborn, to break ground for the new dorm. They were joined by John Freedman, conference president, and Pete Lewis, Auburn city mayor.
Artist rendering of the new Auburn dorm.
