gsaa link fall 2013
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GSAALINKEngaging in ser vice. Training for leadership. Preparing for eternity. Fall 2013
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I just love this time of year—crisp mornings, beautiful colored
trees and the anticipation of changing seasons as we head into
Snowboarding Season, also known as winter. There have been
some changes at GSAA this year as well. These changes include
Patricia Fitting, a certified History teacher, now teaching World
History and Wayne Wentland joining the school as our new
principal.
Patricia, the wife of Matt Fitting, Head Residence Hall Dean,
received her B.S. in history at Portland State University and then
attended Southern Adventist University to receive her teaching
credentials. History is her passion and she is excited about the
privilege of teaching at GSAA.
Mr. Wentland is the former superintendent of the Oregon
Conference. Prior to being a superintendent he has been a boys’
dean and principal of four boarding academies including GSAA.
Wayne arrived on campus the first week in November and is happy
to be back “home” at GSAA. He is looking forward to connecting
with each of the students’ parents just to get to know them and to
hear what they have to say about GSAA and their children.
We also want to congratulate Todd Driver for finishing his master’s
degree in curriculum and instruction. Mr. Driver’s expertise will
help to develop our GSAA teachers’ effectiveness in teaching and
strengthen their curriculum design.
This year has also brought some
challenges as well. With only 54
students we are looking at a
$120,000 shortfall. While this is a
substantial amount, I am sure we
will be able to meet this challenge
through God’s blessings. The
real challenge is to make GSAA more institutionally self-sufficient
financially. This will require some out-of-the-box thinking, input
from stakeholders and our best business minds available. More
than these, we must prayerfully seek God’s will and humbly study
His Word and the educational writings of Ellen White.
Therefore, I am asking you as supporters of GSAA to pray, not
just for our school’s immediate financial needs but also for God’s
solutions to our long term goals of providing Adventist Christian
education that is affordable for all who want it, and that all GSAA
students will find a born-again relationship with God and will share
this great news with others.
Thank you and God bless.
Carpe Diem
Wayne Wentland GSAA Principal
May I suggest a motto for all of us to
follow: “Carpe diem,” seize the day.
Success in life depends on good choices.
Each day we are preparing for a new
challenging and changing world. All of us
can remember how things used to be.
With God’s direction, a Christian home
and school can shape our future. Very
soon we will be facing New Year’s
resolutions. New opportunities will be
available. So how will we respond?
The past is gone and the
future is yet to come. God
has given us today and it is
up to us to decide what we
will do with it. We should be
able to say, “Welcome to the
first day of the rest of my life.”
Every journey starts with one step, take it
now.
Let me invite you to make a daily
commitment to follow the true, accurate
and original G.P.S. guidance system that
never fails: that still small voice calling us
to follow in His footsteps.
When we yield to the
spirit we will not and
cannot fail. It is then and
only then that we can truly
seize the day.
Let a new beginning take place in our
lives. Let the new day begin with joy and
excitement. The journey is in His hands. So
let’s follow the signs sent by the Spirit as we
travel along by seizing the day through Him.
A Note From the Superintendent
Patrick Frey Superintendent of Schools Idaho Conference of Adventists
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“There’s a School That We Love!” Gem
State Adventist Academy. Just the
name evokes memories for each of us.
Good memories, great memories, and,
yes, maybe some memories that we’d
rather forget! We came from varied
backgrounds—some of us were farm kids,
some city kids—but we came together to
get an education. Not only did we come
to study math, science, English, history,
shop, and home ec., but most importantly
we came for the opportunities that Gem
State had to offer that we couldn’t get in
the public schools. We came for the Bible
classes, daily worship, and vespers. Here
we were in an environment where it was
okay to have open discourse about God.
Here we had teachers who would pray
with us and who encouraged us in our
individual walk with God. It was a place to
grow in the Lord!
Gem State remains a blessed place of
opportunity. As my own son begins his
journey at GSAA this year, I am reminded
of the incredible dedication that was
exhibited by our teachers when we
attended. I am reminded because I see
that same dedication in the current faculty
and staff. I know that my son is being given
the same opportunities that I was given
30 years ago. The opportunity to worship
and to pray, but most importantly the
opportunity to become a man who will
walk with God!
Alumni weekend is fast approaching and
the alumni officers are working hard to
plan an event to remember! We look
forward to seeing each of you April
4–6, 2014, to get reacquainted and to
reminisce. Put the date on your calendar
and plan to be here!
Wayne Herbel, Class of 1984 Alumni Association President
Patricia Fitting is our new
world history teacher. Up
until two years ago she
was the Head Girls’ Dean at
Monterey Bay Academy. Before that, she worked
at Portland Adventist Medical Center until the
Lord called her for a higher purpose: teaching
history to teenagers! Patricia attended Portland
State University, obtained a B.S. in history, and
then went on to Southern Adventist University
for her teaching credentials. History is one of
Patricia’s passions, and she feels privileged to be
teaching it at GSAA. The most important thing
to Patricia is to reflect Jesus Christ and for each
student to have a personal relationship with
Him. She is married to Matthew Fitting, GSAA’s
Head Residence Hall Dean, and they have twin
two-year-old daughters: Aubrey and Autumn.
Patricia enjoys watching football—Go Patriots!—
cooking, swimming, playing games with friends
and family, and learning about U.S. history.
This is Allison Berger’s
first year at Gem State
working in the dormitory.
She is thrilled for the
opportunity to get involved and be part of the
students’ high school experience! She is a 2013
graduate from Walla Walla University with a
degree in commercial art and a minor in history.
She loves cats, cooking, and crafts (anything
creative!), taking pictures, and enjoying many
diverse friendships. During her time at WWU,
Allison was a freshman-hall RA, a layout
designer for the school newspaper, and a tutor
for English and writing. One of her favorite
college experiences was being involved in the
select choir, I Cantori, for 4 years. Allison looks
forward to a positive and fun-filled school year
ahead, wanting to be aware of God’s guiding and
loving care in each of our lives.
Allie Suppé is a junior at
Walla Walla University,
currently pursuing
degrees in both history and
English in hopes of becoming an attorney. She
enjoys sports, especially softball and volleyball,
and cannot wait to participate in the coaching
at GSAA. She is an avid skier of Schweitzer
Mountain and is very excited to ski at the new
resorts Southern Idaho has to offer. Not only
does she love to participate in sports, she loves
to watch them as well. Having grown up in the
Bay Area of California, she is a San Francisco
fan indefinitely. She is very excited to partake
in the 2013–14 school year at GSAA, and create
relationships with the students that will
last a lifetime.
New Faces
A Place to Grow in the Lord
“Dear Ol’
Gem State,
Our Pride
and Our
School!”
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The smell of fresh, hot tamales wafted
through the air, surrounded by the
laughter and happy conversations of an
entertained crowd. Gem State’s annual
Fall Festival was in full swing.
When leaves begin to change into their
colorful winter coats, pumpkin pies and
holiday preparations begin to fill up the
calendars of families all around the
Treasure Valley. But for the families and
students of Gem State Adventist Academy,
a very special date is circled in red: the last
Sunday of October, the night of our Fall Fest.
Fall Fest has been a tradition for as long as
our school can remember. It is an event
looked forward to and stressed over by
students and teachers alike. It is a night of
delicious food, themed activities, games,
prizes and great company, put on by the
classes and their sponsors for families,
friends and community members. “It has
a way of bringing the community together
and reflects the students’ dedication to
GSAA,” commented senior Jen Knott. “Fall
Fest will put a smile on everyone’s faces
and fun is guaranteed!”
This year our theme was “A Country
Fair.” It was planned, organized and led
out by the Junior class, Class of 2015,
with Class President Ahe Leoiki at the
head of the extravaganza. With the help
of her sponsors, Dan Ross and Denise
Serack, and her class at her beck and
call, she organized sixteen fun-filled
and oh-so-delicious booths. There was a
bouncy house, a full working trebuchet,
homemade ice-cream, elephant ears,
fresh tamales, homemade strawberry
lemonade and much more. A pie eating
contest, gunny sack races, and a donut
eating contest were thrown into the mix,
with KTSY station manager and radio talent
Brian Yeager as the evening’s emcee. Each
of the classes had at least one booth and
were all able to participate in the
fun-filled night.
When asked how she was feeling now
that it was over, Ahe Leoiki said, “I’m
completely relieved. I can’t believe we
were able to pull it off with a smaller class.
I’m so proud! The turnout was great and it
went over really well. I heard nothing but
compliments. It was such a blessing.”
Fall Fest not only brings the families and
the community of our school together, but
it brings the faculty and students closer.
Through the stress, the chaos, the laughter
and the memories made, we grow
together and become an even stronger
school.
As a senior at Gem State, this year is full
of many last times and yet it is overflowing
with many new beginnings. Surrounded
by all the fun and laughter, I couldn’t help
thinking to myself how it would be my last
Fall Fest and yet for the freshmen class,
it would be the first of many. I have many
amazing memories of the past four years,
and the four Fall Fests I have had the
privilege of being a part of are some of
the best. Fall is a time of thanksgiving, fun,
family, friends and food. What better way
to celebrate that than with Gem State at
our annual Fall Festival!
GSAA’s Annual Fall Festival
Sheann Brandon, Senior
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Heaven’s DoorOn August 28, 2013, the door to the
heavens opened at Camp Ida-Haven. I was
baptized. At the beginning of my junior
year, when I was struggling with my life,
I first heard the word “baptism.” I didn’t
know anything about it, but it was powerful
enough to make me attend an on-campus
Bible study group. A year of studying
the Bible with Pastor Tommy completely
changed my life. I felt God telling me to
come closer to Him. When I arrived at
Camp, I was excited yet scared. However,
with everyone’s support, I walked into the
water. When I came out from the water, I
heard everyone welcoming me. I was born
again. When I asked Pastor Tommy how he
felt about my baptism he said, “Good. I was
To see a video of Kitae’s baptism, along with other videos highlighting the GSAA experience, visit www.vimeo.com/gsaa.
excited for the decision you made. Since
then I’ve seen positive attitudes and great
decisions. It set the tone for the school
year.” I just started my journey with God,
but I am not afraid because I know that He
will be with me no matter what happens.
I want to thank my Gem State friends and
the faculty who helped me make
this decision.
Born Again is not only our school’s theme for the 2013–14 school year but it is also our theme song. This theme has impacted a lot of people, including me, in a positive way. “Born again” is making a change for the better. It is taking a stand to be different and giving up our old selfish ways.
We have all seen or heard about all the
many changes at Gem State Adventist
Academy this year, but we have to trust
in God and know that He will take care of
us. In order to grow we need to be born
again. For me personally, this school has
helped me grow in so many ways. From
my freshman year to my senior year, I
have seen many changes take place.
The decline of students has discouraged
many of us, but the students that still
remain are awesome kids who have made
a difference in my life. This school has
taught me so much—not just academically
but also about myself—and I am so
thankful that I have had the opportunity to
come to this school.
The Student Association (SA) came up with
the theme for this year. When asked what
“Born Again” meant to her, SA President
Sierra Driver said, “Being born again
means being born through Christ, dying to
self, and living through Him.” In John 3:3 it
says, “Jesus answered and said unto him,
verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man
is born again, he cannot see the kingdom
of God.” Let’s all come together and live in
a way that God would be proud to call us
His children.
Kitae Kim, Senior
Born Again
Jen Knott, Senior
“It feels like I’m born again;
It feels like I’m living
For the very first time,
For the very first time,
In my life.” —Third Day
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Gem State Adventist Academy. New
Mission Statement. New Year.
New Opportunities.
The Academy has been taking big leaps of
faith in service to others this year. Our new
mission statement is “Engaging in Service.
Training for Leadership. Preparing for
Eternity.” As a student body we have been
reaching out to the community more in
many different ways.
Once a month we take the time after
lunch on Friday to reach out to the
community through service projects and
visiting our local elementary schools.
At the end of October, students went to
the Boise Central Church to lead in song
service and to share their faith. “It was a
good experience to share my thoughts on
Salvation,” said senior Morghin Small on
speaking in front of church. Senior Jolene
Knott added, “It has given the school a
whole new perspective on service
to others.”
Our chaplain, Pastor Tommy Poole,
expanded on the new mission statement:
“The staff got together and thought about
what Gem State does well and also the
question: ‘What do we want to be known
for?’ We knew we wanted to incorporate
more service opportunities. Academics
and a spiritual campus has always been
a priority, so with the right phrasing, we
came up with our new mission statement.”
We are reaching out to the community
more and making big changes here at
Gem State Adventist Academy!
New Opportunities on the Rise
Gabriel Ceniceros, Senior
missed being in the classroom. After
building 50 homes, he finally retired.
Ray, along with his wife Betty, enjoyed
traveling with Maranatha and
participated in 15 mission trips
to 12 different countries where
he shared his construction skills. Ray
loves old cars, owns a couple, and has
restored one Model-A, in particular, at
least twice! He and Betty live in
Nampa, ID and have four grown
children: Tod (and Tracy) Spainhower, Kevin (and
Dee) Spainhower, Kris Fosness, and Kelly (and Ray)
Northhouse. They have seven grandchildren, and
seven great-grandchildren.
Ray Blue, Faculty 1970–92, taught math, physics, and
computer science. Ray’s lifelong passion was
teaching, and he has fond memories of
Gem State Adventist Academy because he
enjoyed being a part of the students’
lives. He especially enjoyed the science
trips and mission trips, and watching the
transformation of students as they matured
from freshmen into graduating seniors. Following a triple-
bypass surgery in 1992 when his doctor advised he take a less
stressful job, Ray entered the field of home construction, but
Ray & Betty Blue, 1980
Staff from the Past
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Kristen Taylor, 2000,
is currently serving
as the head dean of
women at Walla Walla
University. After receiving
her undergraduate degree at Walla
Walla, she worked as dean of women at
Indiana Academy and Southern Adventist
Nancy (Crisp) Worley,
1968, earned her physical
therapy degree at Loma
Linda University and
served in that field for 40
years. Nancy lives in Roseburg, OR. She
and her husband, George Worley, had
two sons, Steven and David, and eight
grandchildren, which are the light of her
life! In recent years, Nancy and George
found their most soul-satisfying fun when
they started serving the Lord in 2001 in the
mission field during short-term mission
trips to India. George passed away in 2007,
Tony Carter, 1981, lives in
Kent, WA with his wife,
Juls, and his daughter,
Rylee. Tony has worked
as a professional dog
trainer and handler for almost 25 years.
His career has taken him to Miami, FL
and Fairbanks, AK and many places in
between. Tony specializes in “working
after 33½ years of marriage, and Nancy
continued their mission work after that.
In all, they helped establish 25 churches
and lead many people to Christ. Nancy
says the best thing was seeing God
work miracles in impossible situations
for His glory. Sometimes they witnessed
audio-visual equipment working with no
electricity, or incredible responses to the
Holy Spirit in which snake-worshiping
communities would see 500 baptisms
and idol-worshiping families would
throw all their age-old family idols into
the river. Space here does not permit
Alumni Highlights
University before returning back to the
Northwest. Kristen was inspired to pursue
her career in deaning after returning
to Gem State Adventist Academy as a
Task Force Dean during the 2002–03
school year, where some of her fondest
memories of GSAA were made. She is
currently working on her master’s degree
in organizational
leadership. Kristen
enjoys traveling, playing
games, and spending
time with her friends
and two dogs: Bailey
and Pepper.
Dennis Huynh
Upcoming School EventsFallThanksgiving Break, Nov. 26–Dec. 1
WinterBasketball Season Opener, Dec. 5
Christmas Concert, Dec. 13
Christmas Break, Dec. 20–Jan. 5
Cool Ringings, Jan. 16–18
Senior Recognition, Jan. 31–Feb. 1
Winter Outdoor School, Feb. 17–21
SpringAlumni Weekend, Apr. 4–6
Academy Days, Apr. 13 & 14
Tenebrae Vespers, Apr. 18
Spring Break, Mar. 21–30
Graduation, May 30–Jun. 1
a fair account of their rich experiences
and influence, but there are numerous
Indian children named Nancy or George
Worley! Regarding her experience at Gem
State Adventist Academy, Nancy says that
although she had lots of fun, it is here that
she made her decision
for Jesus Christ and
determined nothing
would stand between
her and her Savior—the
best decision of her life!
dogs” and has seen impressive success,
having shown dogs that have won “Best of
Breed” numerous times at the prestigious
Westminster Dog Show and Euckanuba
National Dog Show. While his career
requires an incredible amount of travel,
it also allows him to be home during the
week when he can spend quality time with
six-year-old Rylee, who he says is “the best
thing that’s ever happened to me.” What
Tony appreciates most
about having attended
Gem State Adventist
Academy is making
precious life-long
friends who continue
to be a support.
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Mark Waterhouse,
GSAA math and
science teacher,
stands in front of
his homemade
16-foot trebuchet.
Aside from being
an impressive
contraption and a
medieval warfare
enthusiast’s
dream, the
trebuchet is
also great for
illustrating the
laws of physics.
The counter
weight is
approximately
600 pounds and
it is known to
have thrown a
10-pound pumpkin
about 200 feet.
Mr. Waterhouse
plans to have his
advanced math
and science
students create
their own small-
scale trebuchets
this Spring.
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