Academy News
Posted: February 1st, 2012
At Thanksgiving a team of academy and college students, traveled from Ouachita Hills to the Dominican Republic, which is one of the two countries on the island of La Hispaniola. As there was no running water or electricity, the students had the opportunity to experience some of what Paul meant when he wrote, “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” (Romans 8:18) The team spent 3 weeks doing evangelistic and health seminars for children and adults at 2 sites, Bayaguana and Rio Boya.
It took 22 hours to drive from the airport in Santo Domingo to Corozal, one of the mission sites. Several years ago, the ministry there was an Adventist training center for medical missionaries. Equipped with a bakery, agriculture program, wellness center, dorms, and staff housing, the now-empty campus provided the perfect place to house fourteen missionaries.
David Machado, Josh Baute, and Niccole Brinkley conducted the main meetings in Bayaguana. Lindsey House, Hannah Blade, Abby Long,, and Darlington Dah worked with the children. At the smaller church in Rio Boya, Jaimie Douville preached and Bradley Oti presented the health talks. Argentina Vanegas, Josh Yang, and Hailey Chalfant conducted the children’s program.
Between the two sites, over 80 adult visitors and over 90 children attended the evangelistic series. “It’s kind of wild,” said Josh Yang about working with the children. “I have never seen such a loud and wild group of kids. God is teaching me patience and giving me endurance.”
At the end of the meetings, 12 people were baptized, and approximately 50 people signed up for Bible studies. God truly blessed and brought many spiritually hungry people to the meetings.
View the full report.
Posted: October 14th, 2011
Each year about 50,000 academically talented high school students are honored by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, with some 16,000 of the students being named Semifinalists. Students who qualify as Semifinalists, based on their performance on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®), are the only program participants who have an opportunity to advance to the Finalist level and compete for National Merit Scholarships. About 8,400 of the outstanding Finalists will be chosen as Merit Scholarship® winners in the 2012 competition.
Initiated in 1955, the National Merit Program is conducted by National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), a not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance. A sizable number of National Merit Scholarships to be offered in 2012 will be underwritten by NMSC with its own funds, but most will be supported by some 440 independent corporate organizations and higher education institutions.
Ouachita Hills Academyis pleased to announce that for the second consecutive year, one of their students has been selected as a National Merit Semifinalists. Last year, Nathan Arthur went on to become a Merit Scholarship Finalist. This year, Christian Bardan has reached the Semifinalist level and is continuing the testing process. We are grateful for the opportunities that God has extended to them, and our prayers go with them as they continue their education.
Posted: September 6th, 2011
A friendly, green-clad server offers a sample of creamy golden spread. “Would you like to try some sandwich spread?” Servers further down the hall are offering other entrees, side dishes, and a variety of desserts. It is Dr. MargiAnne Isaia’s “Try It” Expo, held in Hot Springs on September 2. The purpose was to expose local community members to healthy, vegan foods.
Fifty volunteers fromOuachitaHillsAcademyand College joined Dr. MariAnne to man booths, pass out samples, and welcome visitors, an experience that benefited everyone.
“People were telling us we’re a really different group of kids,” said Lanie Gillis, an OHA freshman, who passed samples of savory lentil cream and explained its health benefits. “When they’d come by, just a simple ‘God bless you’ would light up their faces.”
We see health evangelism as an important aspect in reaching the felt needs of our community. We are told that the health message is the right arm of the gospel, and we are excited for the chance to get some exercise in that area. The Try It Expo will be followed up by cooking schools and eventually other seminars.
To find out more about the Try It Expo, visit EnthusiasticLife.net.
Posted: August 28th, 2011
School traditions often warm the heart, but they especially do so when they involve a combination of food, hiking, and friends. One of OHA’s favorite traditions is to spend the first Sabbath afternoon of the school year hiking the trail at Little Missouri Falls. After the time spent conquering the rocks and woody trails, staff and students alike gather together for a simple but delicious picnic.
We love to sing favorite scripture songs and share lessons from nature. At OHA, time spent in nature is integral because, as in the words of inspiration, “When every other voice is hushed, and in quietness we wait before Him, the silence of the soul makes more distinct the voice of God.” The Desire of Ages, page 363. Revived from our restful yet invigorating weekend, we thank God for renewed energy for the coming week.
Posted: August 23rd, 2011
There’s a lot of newness at Ouachita Hills Academy this year. Brand-new Macintosh computers have taken the place of outdated desktops. Several new staff members fill desks that were empty not too long ago. Near the entrance to the school, a noticeable plot of land is being cleared for a new building project. Even a new level of enrolled students has been reached—50! Many things are new, but our foundations remain the same—and for the students at OHA, that is exactly what we want: that old time religion.
Indeed, as we begin our new school year, we’re constantly laboring towards new and improved methods, facilities, and curriculum–but only as a means of reviving that primitive godliness in the heart of each student. We hope you will join us this year in striving towards and praying for true revival and reformation.
“By the end of this school year,” says Rosetta Magazenni, a returning Sophomore, “I want to be able to say that I grew closer to Christ.”
