In 10 years, a record five academies from the North Pacific Union Conference have been awarded recognition as schools of excellence. Since 1997, the Alumni Awards Foundation has been rewarding Adventist academies that demonstrate excellence. Of the five North Pacific Union Conference academy winners, four achieved first place, more than from any other region in North America.
Upper Columbia Academy was selected as the 2006 first place winner at an Alumni Awards Foundation gala weekend event on Feb. 11, in Scottsdale, Ariz. UCA received a $25,000 grant and use of the foundation award logo in its marketing program. UCA joins Gem State, Auburn, Walla Walla Valley and Columbia academies as awarded schools of excellence in NPUC.
The Alumni Awards Foundation was begun more than a decade ago by a group of Adventist alumni who envisioned an independent organization that would help revitalize quality Adventist schools. During this time, more than $500,000 has been channeled primarily to Adventist secondary schools. The significant financial commitment of the foundation board members and donors has been founded on the belief that collaboration will assist schools in implementing and sustaining quality educational programs.
