Alumni Weekend - Convocation and Career Seminars

Friday, October 20, 2023, was the beginning of Andrews Academy’s alumni weekend, when hundreds of alumni return to remember the fun times at AA and renew friendships with each other and with our God.

The weekend started with Convocation in the chapel for the current Academy students. The Senior class of 2024 led in the school song and the pledge of allegiance. Pastor Mario Ferguson, AA Principal, welcomed everyone to Convocation. Pastor Don Anderson, AA class of 1983, presented the address. He is a pastor in British Columbia, Canada, and is also a Snap on Tools salesperson. His talk was entitled, “Restoring the Image of God," based on the quote on the theme wall of the Commons.

After Convocation, the students went to various classrooms to participate in Career Seminars. Based on their interests, students were able to attend two career presentations of their choice. It’s a great opportunity for students to explore possible career choices as Andrews Academy alumni shared insights about their careers. For example, Sara Vulicevic (’03) presented on healthcare leadership, while Warren Johns (’63) presented on library sciences.

This is the fourth year of also having a Career Fair as part of the events of the day, coordinated by Ms. Nieves. The gymnasium had a number of booths helping explain more about various careers, many including interactive activities. Booths were represented by various departments from AU, the community, and alumni. Thank you all for making this a successful opportunity for students to learn more about careers.

Please go out of your way to thank Mrs. Tonya Snyder, our alumni liaison, and Mrs. Gina Meekma for an excellent program and for their part in planning the entire weekend. And thank you to a whole host of volunteers for stepping in and helping make this weekend possible.

Alumni Weekend - Sabbath School and Church

Alumni Sabbath School began at 10 AM on Sabbath morning (October 21, 2023) in the chapel. It was an inspirational presentation of tributes along with special music by AA students. Through their tributes, presenters shared how Jesus used the faculty and experiences of Andrews Academy to change their lives. 

Alumni proceedings were also interspersed throughout the Sabbath School program. Honor classes were recognized by having each class stand. In some cases, the honored classes were asked to come to the front of the chapel to be recognized. For example, the class of 1973, celebrating their 50-year reunion, were presented gifts. Clemen & Bradley Sheppard were honored with a teacher legacy award. Mr. Leroy Patterson (‘58) was honored as alumnus of the year.

Mrs. Pellegrini, Pastor Kardos-Moldovan ("Ms. May"), Pastor Johnson, and a number of Andrews Academy students led in children’s church. After singing, the leaders told a Bible story. The children worked on a craft project, making the armor of God. Squeals of delight could be heard from the children as they not only learned the story but also experienced the story, walking away with their own armor of God! A big thank you to the many students who helped with children’s church.

While the children were in the library, the worship service occurred in the Academy chapel. The sermon was presented by Doug Taylor and two other classmates from the class of 1998, a powerful trio sermon entitled, “I have Called You by Name.” Numerous alumni from the class of 1998 participated with scripture, prayer, and special music. The current Silhouettes invited alumni to join them in singing “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.” It was great to see a number of families with two generations of alumni singing together.

Following worship service, a haystack meal was provided for the attendees. We thank Pastor Ferguson, PPI, organization officers, and many other volunteers for organizing the meal. It was another good opportunity for classmates to reunite and share what has happened in their lives since graduation and remember experiences from Academy years. Many shared how much of a positive impact Andrews Academy had on their lives. During lunch, each of the honored classes had their photo taken and ate in a classroom together so they could fellowship together.

For a video of the Sabbath School and Church services, see our YouTube page.

Alumni Weekend - Shydepoke

The traditional Shydepoke game this year was a basketball game held in the AU gymnasium (October 21, 2023). Since Shydepoke’s inception in 1960, it had been a flag football game. It was not a feasible option to use the new high school football field this year where it was traditionally held, the University’s field is being transformed into a soccer field, and the Academy field does not have lighting. So this year it was decided to have basketball games. There was a lot of excitement during the games that had many more players and a larger audience compared to recent years. It also turned out to be a rather cool and wet evening, so many were thankful to be indoors.

The female alumni and the female AA students' game was won by the alumni 37 to 28. It was a tied game at the end of the first period, then alumni took a lead and won the game. The male alumni and the male AA students had the alumni taking an early lead, tying it up near the end of the third period. The school then took a small lead at the end of the third period. The alumni team then took a decided lead in the fourth period winning the game to 57 to 42. Everyone had a lot of fun.

The Doug Newberry most valuable player award went to Braden Keyes, and the Lydia Chong most valuable player award went to Lora Baker. These awards are named after two PE teachers from the 1980s.

Some Shydepoke history: In 1960, the Andrews Academy Shydepoke tradition began during the principalship of Knobby Mauro. At that point, there was only one game for the males. In the 1980s, the female and then male games became a tradition. The name “Shydpoke” was chosen, a term from the south meaning a “get together social event.” Also during the Mauro's principalship, a challenge was presented to the students to come up with a name for the school teams. Gordon Johns, from the class of 1966, came up with the name “Acumen.” His goal was to scan the dictionary for a unique and meaningful name and only go to the “ac” of the dictionary when he came up with this name. The acumen name means “the ability to make good judgments and quick decisions, typically in a particular domain.” He won the $10 prize for this.

• In color
• Picture from waist up (not entire body) - yearbook picture
• Portrait/vertical mode (not landscape/horizontal) - yearbook picture
• Attire per AA guidelines—no sleeveless shirts or bare shoulders, no low cut or cropped tops, no jewelry - both
• High-resolution JPEG (at least 4x6, 300 ppi resolution)

FACTS or Andrews Email Log In Help

If you need help logging in to FACTS or help with your Andrews email and password, please contact Mrs. Meekma (ginam@andrews.edu) in the main office.

AA Uniforms Available from Lands' End

Uniforms can be purchased from Lands’ End, including for PE. Click on the option(s) that you would like, then choose the size (kid or adult). Please be mindful that Andrews Academy is not responsible for your orders.

We do have a limited supply of uniforms for sale at AA (cash or check only) during office hours.

academy@andrews.edu