Students elated over larger course selection this school year…
Guam Adventist Academy’s 2010-2011 school year offers a larger plate of courses and students are saying they’re quite happy about that. In addition to almost double the number of high school math classes, the school is also including Web Design, Anatomy, Physiology, Graphic Arts, Handbells, Poetry & Creative Writing, Woodworking & Scientific Gardening, Computer, Spanish I & II, and a strings class, which is being taught by Principal Torres, who also happens to be a concert master. Mrs. Dela Paz continues to direct the handbell choir. There are new students who’ve signed up for bell choir this year, so there’ll be a lot of work to get done before the islandwide music competitions next spring. GAA’s team has won the handbells division consecutively for the past few years.

We spoke with several students to get their thoughts on the new line of courses. Juniors, Joven Jano-Edward and Darveena Martinez say, “It means more experience and opportunities for all of us.” According to senior, Joshua Salas, the additional courses provide more experiences and knowledge that will help students determine what they really want to consider as a future career. For more information on these courses see GAA’s registrar, Mrs. Vega or call, 789-1515/2020.

By: Jim Norton, Industrial Arts Teacher
There is a new kid (Department) on the block this school year at GAA. The Industrial Arts program is off to an impressive start. We have a total of 15 students in the classes. The first semester we are offering Woodworking to two different classes. We will be focusing on different building skills. Some of the projects will include building a birdhouse, different types of feeders, as well as the possibility of building a small utility building. Second semester we will be offering a class in Scientific Gardening. This will give the students the opportunity to get outside, to work with different types of plants as well as learn how different types of soil affect the plant growth.
We would like to invite you out to the Industrial Arts house to see some of the exciting projects that are being accomplished. We would also like to invite you to become a part of making this program a success. We need your support; it can come in the form of donating equipment, tools, or money. Thank you for considering what you can do to be a part of this new venture.

BY: Alex Taimanglo
GAA’s girls’ volleyball team is going Varsity! This year’s team consists of captain Amber Mckeever, co-captain Tanya Flores, Seniors Darveena Martinez and Jenny Bae, Juniors Carmela Tyquengco, Hannah Choi, and Crystal Larrew, Sophomores Caressa Kasperbauer, Liana Quenga and Davine Santos, and Freshman Annie Bae. Their first game will be held at the Academy of Our Lady of Guam gymnasium on Friday, August 27, at 5:00 pm. Come out and support your Angels!

Upcoming Games:

• GAA vs Southern @ Agat Gym on Saturday, August 28, 5:30 pm.
• GAA vs Notre Dame @ Notre Dame on Tuesday, August 31, 5:30 pm.
• GAA vs Guam High @ Guam High on Thursday, September 2, 5:30 pm.

By: Rosetrina Elidok

Though the uniforms are fairly new, the rules have not changed. Keep in mind that uniforms must be tucked in before classes begin, and your ties must be worn properly. Just as a reminder, please check your collar to ensure that it is even all the way around. Your hair must be neatly groomed, and your shoes must be closed-toed, including dress-shoes.Girls must wear the full uniform on all school days, which includes the ties, and your skirts must be no more than two inches off the ground when kneeling. The boys must wear their ties on Fridays and special occasions that require it. Now get ready for the biggest issue yet: our undershirts! It is underlined in the GAA handbook on page 18, that “Only plain white undershirts are allowed under a school uniform.” All students are expected to wear uniforms daily unless otherwise specified because action will be taken if the rules are not complied with. For a clearer understanding of our school’s dress code, you can turn to page 16 and read the columns underneath the heading “Dress and Personal Appearance.”
R eporter Rosetrina Elidok provides a needed reminder to students: fo!ow the rules, and nobody gets …”carded.”

(Yona, Guam) Effective this coming school year, three different teachers will be making things happen in the Science Department. According to Principal Torres, Mrs. Larrew will offer Physical Science, Life Science, and Biology while Mr. Kibbee focuses on Chemistry, and yet another teacher instructs a Physics course. In upper school English, there will be a middle school Language Arts instructor as well as a high school English teacher. The new high school English teacher is seasoned and excited to begin the new school year. Mrs. Kim is preparing a comprehensive program for students on the college track. Meanwhile, teacher assistants (TA’s) will provide support in labs. GAA has also increased staff in the Math Department. A foundational math program for elementary, which was designed to strengthen skills and prepare students for upper school, as well as Pre-calculus and Calculus courses in high school, will be offered. Mrs. Torres says Industrial Arts will be tacked on to the list of electives. Additionally, the school also has an agricultural program that is in the works.

(Tumon Bay, Guam) Amid the lights, red carpet, and fresh roses, some thirteen angels were seen gracing the Hilton’s Micronesian Room in their tasseled caps and gowns. Guam Adventist Academy held its 2010 graduation program for both 8th and 12th graders on Sunday, May 30th. The room accommodated friends and families to standing room capacity. This is the first year the school has combined the 8th and 12th grade commencement exercises, and while coordinators were quite pleased with the student cooperation and enthusiasm, they say they may not see a combined ceremony next year. “Both classes are larger, and next year’s seniors have been doing some heavy planning for their 2011 graduation for some time now.”
The three senior graduates included Robyn Kaái of Dededo, Agustin “AJ”Asensio of Tamuning, and Cassandra “Cassi” Siguenza of Yona. Kaái was announced class valedictorian with a GPA of 4.0 and Asensio came in second as the salutatorian. Both are planning on attending the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Kaái is also a merit scholar who was accepted to schools in the mainland, but has a heart for Hawaii because she has familial roots there.
Eighth graders promoted include: Annie Bae, Cienna Ferrara, Hawortson Heinrich, Min Park, Riley Jones Taijeron, Kaevin Remoket, Kenedy Taitague, LaurenLee Meadows, Francisco Han, and Halter Paul. Pastor Luis Mafnas presented the Senior Challenge and Pastor Louis Torres delivered the keynote speech on the importance of rubbing your “light” off on others. Stay bright! Congratulations and be safe this summer! See you when classes resume on Thursday, August 12.

(Yona, Guam) In a special ceremony on May 13th, Guam Adventist Academy inducted five members into the newly formed GAA Chapter of the National Honor Society. Incoming seniors, Joshua Salas and Miguel Han, as well as incoming juniors: Hannah Choi, Crystal Larrew, and Amber McKeever were welcomed by Principal Torres. The students were selected from a group of applicants who met the grade point average of 3.5 or above. The NHS Advisory Council also looked at character, community service, and leadership experience. When all of these categories were factored in, it was these five that made the cut. According to the NHS Advisor, last school year’s applicants could still be nominated this coming year, if they make the gpa—at least. “Students get nominated by virtue of their gpa alone. Meeting an expected standard in the other three categories will really determine whether or not they will become a member.” NHS members will plan community service activities for the coming year, as well as work to publicly promote the importance of character, service, leadership, and academic excellence. Only students in grades 10 through 12 are eligible to be a part of the National Honor Society.

(Agana Heights, Guam) Touring a hospital, learning about the different professions in the medical field, learning about homeland security, and sitting down at the table with the island’s First Lady to learn more about community service…all this in a few short hours.
In May, Guam Adventist Academy’s Student Medical Club members took part in one busy field trip. The activity’s purpose fell in line with the club’s mission, which aims to prepare its members for a future in medicine and Christian service.
First, the club members took a tour of the Governor’s Mansion and then went on to tour Homeland Security, where they learned about how Guam’s government prepares for, and responds to, catastrophes – natural or not. It should go without saying that doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers are critical during times of major disasters. The students were also allowed inside a strategy room, where all the heads of responding agencies meet during major emergencies to collaborate and discuss action plans.
Next, the students returned to the Governor’s Mansion where First Lady Joanne Camacho discussed the importance of helping others. The First Lady applauded the club for their hard work in outreach and encouraged them to continue serving the island people. She also talked about her latest projects which included the “People’s Garden” designed to feed the hungry and indigent. The medical club is now looking into developing a small community garden as a result of their meeting with First Lady Camacho.
Right after they left the mansion, members headed straight over to the U.S. Navy Hospital. Commander Dale Ramirez provided a guided tour of the entire facility and discussed different medical professions. He also touched on the schooling required to become doctors, physician assistants, and nurses. The students were shown the emergency room, the mothers’ (OBGYN) unit, internal medicine, ICU, and other critical areas at the facility. Medical club members were able to meet different doctors and nurses. In addition, they were allowed short question and answer sessions by these very busy people. Dr. Jason Hwang, a radiologist, shared what his day is like at the hospital as a doctor who reads X-rays to determine what should be done with patients. Several club members said they were so inspired by him that now they want to become radiologists! Thanks Dr. Hwang!
The field trip winded down with an amazing vegetarian lunch at Simply Food. What a great day!

(Yona, Guam) For their first time at high school varsity volleyball, our boys did amazingly well! Coach Dwight McKeever supported his team’s decision to take their game to the next level, and did they ever! After playing 13 other teams around the island, the Angels made it to the final four playoffs. Considering there were only 9 players, of which a third were first time freshmen, another third, sophomores with none to one year of experience, many view this as a miracle. Team Captain AJ Asensio attributes it to the players’ faith in God, teamwork, and a terrifically awesome coach.
Does size matter? A point brought up by many was that GAA is a very small school and while it went up against other schools with populations, for some, upwards of two-thousand, they did a remarkably sound job on the court. “They exceeded my expectations. I thought it was just going to be a building year because we only had a couple of upperclassmen and only a few of the players had experience. They were beginners. Other teams stack their seasoned players,” said Coach McKeever. Boys’ Volleyball continues in the 3rd quarter of 2011. Last season’s players included: Captain AJ Asensio, Joshua Salas, Miguel Han, Jun Ho Jang, Joven Jano Edward, Lawrence Kasperbauer, DorienRay Peele, Yuya Kitadate, and Steven Guevarra.
Girls’ Volleyball begins in August.

Several Students Travel to Australia for Christian Youth Conference
BY: Stephen Kibbee
The trendy and tropical city of Cairns, Australia recently enjoyed a generous influx of Guamanians, who were there to attend the AYC (Adventist Youth Conference), an SDA youth conference with a vision of seeing young people grow to their highest potential in their social, academic and spiritual life. Over 40 delegates from Guam, ranging from GAA students to adult chaperones and families, attended the conference from April 30th to May 3rd at the beautiful 5-star Sebel Hotel. Delegates were also given the opportunity to snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef and get vertical high above the tropical forest on the SkyRail tour. True to stereotype, many students indeed did have the opportunity to hug koalas and play with the kangaroos.
A host of young, dynamic and Godly speakers presented messages to the youth; including Jay Rosario, a one-time hip-hopper and underachiever from Miami, Florida, now serving as a Pastor in Central California; Charissa Fong, a passionate and persuasive preacher from Australia who is studying Education; and Peter Gregory, a break-dance artist turned teacher and preacher. Guam’s own Louis Torres also preached and conducted workshops. The excitement, enlightenment and spiritual enrichment could be read on many of the faces of the young and old alike as the conference came to a close. Female students were especially impressed and inspired by the preaching and demeanor of young Charissa, who showed that God is just as willing to see women live wholly for Him as men.
GAA plans on sending even more student delegates to the 2011 conference, and we are confident that there will be no lack of interest amongst the students. Many of them shared the sentiment upon returning home, “I can’t wait until next year. A year is such a long time!” If you interested in learning more about AYC, financially helping a student, or planning on attending yourself, please don’t hesitate to call the school and ask to speak with Stephen Kibbee or Mia Valentine. Hopefully next year we can share in the blessing of AYC together.