As a junior in high school, the question seems to be popping up everywhere: What are you going to be? What is the rest of my life going to look like? I’ve been raised an Adventist and now attend College View Academy. My life as a whole has been and will forever be greatly impacted from attending school in an Adventist community. I plan to take the values of the Adventist education into my career, my relationships, and my spiritual life going forward.
Here at College View, my religious questions are answered with care and wisdom. The teachers are vigilant in surrounding our activities with the Holy Spirit. The Word says in Matthew 18:20, “Where two or more are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” In my Adventist school, God is always among us, for we are gathered together to learn in His name. Specifically, in religion class, we focus on experiencing/encountering Jesus, knowing truth and gaining knowledge of God, as well as walking a journey in growing with God.
Campus ministries are a key element of life here at CVA. We have several groups all immensely focused on the spiritual aspects of our school. We reach out to our community, we provide for each other through blessings, prayer and music. We are focused on community and hold a weekly meeting called Refocus to better connect with God and each other.
The Adventist community provides endless opportunities—all of which help students in choosing their careers. Union Adventist University offers mentor opportunities to all grades of high school to help them as they mature into young adults. Leadership positions are offered here at CVA. I myself am the vice president of the school’s student association. I have grown as a leader and a team member, advanced in my responsibility, and grown as a whole through this opportunity. The electives and sports offered at our school allow each student to discover their individual talents and interests. This can help shape our skills for God’s work and establish our ideas for what we want to do for our future job satisfaction. Career day is a beneficial event where people of different occupations come in and mentor the students, another wonderful way the Adventist community here in Lincoln helps prepare students for their careers.
Relationships at CVA are healthy and inclusive. We are taught continually to live non-judgmentally. The teacher student relations are friendly and helpful. The teachers clearly care for their students. We exhibit a safe space where each person is heard, encouraged and respected. The community is deeply rooted. Together in church, in school, in hobbies and activities, the people here lift you up to your fullest potential. Without the valuable relationships I have made here, I wouldn’t be the same. My community makes me feel at home, safe, included, respected and loved.
I have found truth from my education, truth that God is by my side, and truth that my community is there to support me. I have come to a conclusion. What am I going to be? What the rest of my life is going to look like? As I look to the future, I plan to actualize my aspirations in including Jesus in my career, my relationships, and my spiritual life. I have been exceedingly blessed to attend an Adventist high school.
Caiden Henton is a junior at College View Academy in Lincoln, Nebraska.
