ELWA ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL OPENS NEW CLASSROOM BUILDING
ELWA Academy opened its new school year on Monday, September 11. This opening day marks the first time that ELWA Academy has had a complete student body, from grades nursery through twelfth grade.
The ELWA Academy High School dedicated its new building to launch the school year. With four full size classrooms, the building provides more space for the 9th through 12th grade classes. The complete plan for the high school includes two additional buildings to provide facilities such as a science lab and a computer room.
The senior high students now have four spacious classrooms
At the dedication, Reverend Benedict T. Nagbe recalled how the decision to add high school classes was made after the Ebola crisis disrupted the school year for the current senior class when they were in the ninth grade. They were left in limbo because they had not completed their WAEC exams, but they were moved forward into the tenth grade. The school felt obligated to keep them under its wings, and prepare them for their exams. Now, Rev. Nagbe said, we can see that God had a plan.
SIM Liberia Director David Writebol, who heads the ELWA Ministries, called the senior class to gather round him as he talked with them. He urged them to think of themselves as “history makers” because they would be the first graduates from ELWA Academy. “There will be no other ‘first’ class of graduates. You are special.” He urged them most of all to seek the Lord Jesus as they look to the future.
SIM Liberia Director tells the senior class that they are “history makers”
Another highlight of the program were comments by alumnus Charles Dixon, who graduated from the 9th grade before the high school was added. He said that although his classmates wished they could have remained at the Academy to complete their education, they were happy for the students who now have this opportunity. He hoped they appreciate that they are enjoying something that others wish they could have had.
The senior class has a challenge ahead: this year, Liberia is switching to the very difficult WASSCE exam to qualify for graduation. The faculty is already making plans to prepare their students for the exam, so every one of them will be a part of the historic celebration. Please pray for these students to be history makers for the Lord and for their nation.
You can help build the next phase of ELWA Academy High School to prepare students to be leaders for Liberia’s future.
