High School Musicians Share Their Talents on Tour

The Spencerville Adventist Academy Concert Winds traveled to Massachusetts earlier this year for their first-ever concert tour.

The group performed for a Friday vespers program at the Stoneham (Mass.) Memorial church, located about 10 miles from Boston. They spent Sabbath at the College church in Northampton, Mass., located adjacent to the former campus of Atlantic Union College. There the students participated in the worship service and presented an afternoon concert.

The music tour provided opportunities for the students—who mostly associate with others in their own instrument sections—to get to know each other outside of rehearsal. “We bonded a lot,” says Victoria Halverstadt. “As a freshman, I made more friends with the upperclassmen.”

Lisa Froelich, director, especially enjoyed the time spent at the Stoneham church. “We performed for their newly started vespers series,” she shares. “It’s a smaller-sized church, so I wasn’t sure how 46 players, plus percussion equipment, would fit in the space provided. It turned out to be the best surprise, creating perfect acoustics. The students said it was the first time they could truly hear each other, and many agreed it was the best they had ever played. The congregation was also moved by the stories that I shared behind the music being performed. … They expressed their gratitude by a surprise standing ovation at the end.”

The students lingered for almost an hour after the concert to talk with the Stoneham church members. “There was a different happiness that we experienced being able to see the genuine appreciation and warmth from the faces of the audience. They were kind and so thankful and made me feel like we had really touched their hearts and reached them,” says Leighvanni Kennedy, a junior.

“Normally, we perform for parents and our own Spencerville church community,” adds Froelich. “This time, we took our talents on the road and performed for people who may not have heard of our school before. It automatically raised the bar and the students rose to the occasion. … I’m proud of this outstanding group of students.”

Senior Amandine Moorooven comments, “Going on the band tour made me realize why I started band in the first place and why I keep loving it every day. It was so nice to grow closer as a band and show God’s love through the music that we played.”

To watch the performance at the College church, visit youtube.com/watch?v=4zD7otdEbKw.

Darren Wilkins Departs, Leaves Behind Legacy

“I always said that Spring Valley Academy (SVA) would be my final principal position because I couldn’t imagine any place better to be.”

This was Darren Wilkins’ message to his staff and community as he announced his departure from SVA for a career opportunity at Walla Walla University (Wash.) as vice president for Student Life. As he prepares for his next adventure, the SVA community feels the loss of the blessing that his 10-year tenure has been for the school.

Wilkins joined the SVA team in 2013, after serving as principal at Mount Ellis Academy (Mont.) for 12 years. He began his time at SVA by promising the school that “nobody has it better than we do”—and he proceeded to prove that.

As SVA’s leader, he made his mark tangibly through the construction of the Fritzsche Center for Worship and Performing Arts in 2018, and the Dean and Trudy Johnson High School Wing in 2023. Enrollment increased from some 300 students to its current all-time high of 515 students, and the student population diversified as Wilkins’ fulfilled his pledge to make SVA accessible to all Seventh-day Adventist students. His vision was made possible by utilizing resources such as EdChoice—an Ohio State scholarship program—and by adding bus routes. Wilkins, himself, got a Class C license to drive the routes when bus drivers were in short supply.

His true legacy is less tangible. Wilkins is a scholar of the world and a chaser of adventure, and he provided his students with a window to the world by offering dynamic trips to Europe. He is interested in every child’s story and in the many cultures they represent. He led mission trips to Kenya and Peru and shared his passion for the Lord, kindness and excellence with every student.

The SVA community recently gathered for a send-off, and many students, staff, parents and community members took to the open mic to share experiences they’ve had with Wilkins. One after another, they spoke of Wilkins’ vision, his enthusiasm, his sense of humor, his compassion and his leadership. Many remembered Wilkins showing up at their doorstep during the pandemic lockdown with a fresh loaf of Jordan Steffen’s bread. That single act epitomized his impact: a leader who cared for every student and family, who utilized his talents to connect with others, and who believed in SVA—even during the most difficult of times. SVA wishes him well, and he will be greatly missed! —Lisa Moller, High

School English Teacher

Calendar Of Events

Aug. 15: First Day of School

Aug. 19: Convocation Sabbath

Aug. 28–Sept. 1: Elementary and Middle School

Week of Prayer

Sept. 15: High School Band Vespers Concert

Sept 17: Fall Festival

Sept. 27–30: Senior Survival at Camp Mohaven