The 2016–17 school year was a banner year in so many ways. Yakima Adventist Christian School (YACS) continues to make a positive impact on the lives of students from all over Washington's Yakima Valley. This year God blessed us with an increase in enrollment. We also welcomed two new teachers: Alyson Atwood, music, and Jennifer Leslie, fifth and sixth grade.
Some other highlights include a mission trip during spring break, for which Delmar Wolfkill’s ninth-grade class joined the Upper Columbia Conference youth department’s annual mission trip to Guatemala. There they built a church in a rural community, helped with Vacation Bible School and made memories to last a lifetime. “I loved how we all worked together with the local church members to build the cement block church. We saw many answers to prayer. The little kids there became our friends and didn’t want us to leave,” says Karissa Sharley, YACS ninth-grader.
Another fun experience of this school year was the fifth- and sixth-grade weeklong trip to Camp MiVoden in Hayden, Idaho, for outdoor school in May. Students worshipped together daily, learned about living “off the grid” and even built their own miniature solar houses. They came back to YACS more knowledgeable about survival skills and with a greater respect for nature. Fifth-grader Elijah Krueger says he had a great experience, learning about God in the great outdoors and meeting new friends. “I think it is the most fun thing you get to do in school," he adds.
YACS had another successful fundraiser. The home and school team organized the annual Fun Run, a fun fitness event through which all students and staff, as well as some parents and community members, raised funds for YACS. We are thankful that we met our goal and grateful for generous donations from our supporters. We are also mindful our achievements would not have been possible without God.
It has been a remarkable journey this school year for both students and staff. We look forward to another outstanding school year this fall.
For more information about YACS, please call 509-966-1933 during regular business hours or go to www.yacsschool.org. Also check Yakima Adventist Christian School on Facebook.