During a whirlwind tour in the Alaska Conference, Upper Columbia Academy’s gymnastics team spent their April home leave sharing Christ and promoting Christian education. They put on eight shows for a total of 2,350 people and gave spectacular demonstrations of integrity, excellence and teamwork. In Anchorage, they performed twice at the Wendler Middle School and once each at the Anchorage Gymnastic Club and Anchorage Jr. Academy. Other performances were at Tanaina Elementary in Wasilla, Valley Adventist School in Palmer, Colony Middle School (also in Palmer) and Fairbanks Gymnastic, Inc. “You can come back to our school any time,” emphasized the Tanaina principal, who was especially impressed with the team’s expertise and the harmony they had in working together. The enthusiasm continued everywhere the team went. “This has been the assembly of the year!” noted a teacher at Wendler. On Sabbath, students led or participated in church services in both Palmer and Anchorage. On Sabbath afternoon, the group was delighted to visit Portage Glacier. UCA students raised money for the trip, and lodging was provided by church members in Palmer and Anchorage. “I was exhausted when we got back,” admitted team member Saria Kim. “But the people were so responsive and so affirming that it was all very rewarding!” In addition to performing for sister schools within Upper Columbia Conference, the Upper Columbia Academy team is part of the academy’s outreach program and has performed and put on gymnastics workshops in two public schools, Whitworth College, two Spokane community colleges and Eastern Washington University. “My goal for the students is to have them realize that any talent they have should be developed for the purpose of reaching out to people and serving God,” said John Soulé, the team's coach.
During a whirlwind tour in the Alaska Conference, Upper Columbia Academy’s gymnastics team spent their April home leave sharing Christ and promoting Christian education. They put on eight shows for a total of 2,350 people and gave spectacular demonstrations of integrity, excellence and teamwork.
In Anchorage, they performed twice at the Wendler Middle School and once each at the Anchorage Gymnastic Club and Anchorage Jr. Academy. Other performances were at Tanaina Elementary in Wasilla, Valley Adventist School in Palmer, Colony Middle School (also in Palmer) and Fairbanks Gymnastic, Inc.
“You can come back to our school any time,” emphasized the Tanaina principal, who was especially impressed with the team’s expertise and the harmony they had in working together.
The enthusiasm continued everywhere the team went. “This has been the assembly of the year!” noted a teacher at Wendler.
On Sabbath, students led or participated in church services in both Palmer and Anchorage. On Sabbath afternoon, the group was delighted to visit Portage Glacier.
UCA students raised money for the trip, and lodging was provided by church members in Palmer and Anchorage.
“I was exhausted when we got back,” admitted team member Saria Kim. “But the people were so responsive and so affirming that it was all very rewarding!”
In addition to performing for sister schools within Upper Columbia Conference, the Upper Columbia Academy team is part of the academy’s outreach program and has performed and put on gymnastics workshops in two public schools, Whitworth College, two Spokane community colleges and Eastern Washington University.
“My goal for the students is to have them realize that any talent they have should be developed for the purpose of reaching out to people and serving God,” said John Soulé, the team's coach.
The men of the UCA gym team pause during an elementary school performance to sing happy birthday to a fourth grader.
