Alexandra Cordoba – Loveland, Colorado … Campion Academy (CA) in Loveland, Colorado, hosted 60 students from seventh to eleventh grade at the annual Academy Days open house, October 11-12. Students arrived from across Colorado, Texas, Utah, and Kansas. They got to experience staying in the dorms, interacting with students, and participating in worship services while they were here.

Students started the weekend on October 11 with interactive games including a bounce house obstacle course, a donut-eating contest, giant connect four and checkers, and pick-up basketball games.

Following the games, the prospective students and families had a chance to learn more about Campion’s academic program and compete for scholarships from different departments. Additionally, their families had the opportunity to discuss their questions with Campion’s administration.

A highlight of the day was when the student body gathered with the visitors in the gym for a Pep Rally to encourage the varsity teams before they headed off to the Fall Tournament at Union Adventist University. The girls and boys varsity teams ran into the gym with the crowd cheering while the jazz band played “Eye of the Tiger.” The pep rally included several music performances from the CA jazz band as well as a rousing speech from Campion’s athletic director, Caleb Jahn, and games hosted by Student Association (SA) officers.

Jessica Rios, CA director of enrollment, planned the event with the help of the SA officers. She shared her favorite part of this year’s event: “I love watching students come together who don’t know each other and begin to talk and become friends. I love seeing our student leaders trying to make our student visitors feel welcomed and seek them out to get involved.”

An important aspect of the weekend was the chance for the visitors to draw closer to Jesus as they worshiped with like-minded peers. After a vespers service on Friday evening, the students gathered together in the Hankins Hall tower to continue the tradition of singing praise songs late into the night.

On October 12, chaplain Lindsey Santana led Sabbath School, followed by the main church service where Koinonia performed “I Want to Walk.” After the Sabbath service, current and prospective students had the opportunity to go for a hike, watch a move in the chapel, or go back to their dorms to rest.

Finally, on Saturday evening, many of the visitors stayed to experience the Student Association’s Fall Party filled with flannel, hay, and pumpkin pie.

When asked how she felt this year’s Campion Academy Days went, Rios responded, “It went so well. We usually get 40 percent of participants to attend Campion Academy, so this is a very important event on our campus. I would say the future for next school year looks bright.”

—Alexandra Cordoba, Campion Academy student news editor. Photos supplied.