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June
3, 2005 Hi Folks!
We just got home yesterday after spending 10 days experiencing more Adams Family
Adventures, highlighted by a milestone event in our son Daniel's life.
We are delighted to share the good news that Daniel has officially graduated from High
School! He spent his first two years at Weimar Academy, which he enjoyed very much
and where he made many friends. But the academic work became a major
challenge and he needed a change.
So during the past two years he attended DayStar Academy near Moab, Utah - more than
800 miles from home! Their work-study program and working farm kept him busy
learning practical skills. Quite frequently, students and staff go on hikes,
campouts, horseback riding, snowboarding, rafting, mountain biking, rock climbing, and
plenty of other physical activities. They also go on choir tours, mission trips, and
spend a week in the mountains during "Survival and Revival Week." An
excellent place for young people like Daniel who need to be very active physically, making
it easier to handle the academic challenges.
We headed for Utah from our California home on May 24, arriving two days later.
The pictures below include a few highlights of this special event. |
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| From Placerville we
took I-80 across the Nevada and Utah deserts. Much to our surprise, we saw greenry
and blooming flowers all along the way, with nice, mild temperatures. Other trips
through this area have been in late summer or mid-winter, when everything was hot, dry and
dead, or covered with snow and freezing cold. |
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| Arriving at Moab,
Arches National Park is a fascinating place to visit with dozens of natural arches,
balancing rocks, interesting sandstone formations and red rock cliffs. Nearby
Canyonlands is another place of interest containing high cliffs, deep canyons, colorfully
layered sandstone and much more. Hikers, mountain bikers, rafters and jeepers come
from all over the world to enjoy the natural beauty and recreational opportunities. |
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| DayStar Adventist
Academy is located in Castle Valley, in the shadow of Parriott Mesa, towering 1,300 feet
above the valley floor. |
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| Perched on the rim of
Parriott Mesa, Daniel Adams and Kyle Woodruff have an excellent view of the campus far
below and the LaSal mountain peaks behind them. Daniel and Kyle comprised the entire
Senior class at DayStar Academy this year! |
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| The entire weekend of
May 27 to 29 was unique and special in many ways. Being the only graduates, Daniel
& Kyle got plenty of attention and personalized activities held in their honor.
The school choir treated us to plenty of music, often highlighted by the lovely
sounds of handbells and chimes. |
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| The school staff
surrounded their two Seniors and had special prayers of dedication as Daniel and Kyle move
on to new challenges in the future. |
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| Another special event
included Daniel and Kyle "passing the light" to their fellow classmates,
encouraging them to keep shining brightly for God. |
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| DayStar Academy has
truly been a blessing to many young people through the years. Daniel has grown and
matured in many ways, and we are extremely grateful to the devoted staff there. Other
events included parent tributes, fun slideshows of Daniel's and Kyle's lives from babyhood
to the present, a video summarizing school activities during the year, and the traditional
firefall off the cliffs of Parriott Mesa. |
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| I
gave the Commencement address, challenging Daniel, Kyle and the other students to
"Climb Life's Mountains," allowing God to lead them and trusting Him through
each challenge they face in the future. DayStar Director Jerry Harris, a
friend from the early '90's, flipped Daniel's tassel and officially graduated him. |
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Mr. Jerry with Daniel
proudly holding his hard-earned diploma. |
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| Living in cowboy
country, the boys decided to be different - wearing cowboy hats with silver tassels.
Their class colors were Black, Silver & Blue. Class Aim:
"Missions." Motto: "God says 'Go.' And so, we are going!" |
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| Daniel with most of
his classmates. Some students didn't stay the entire school year. Daniel,
being very social, would have preferred several dozen more to befriend! The kids are
really great, and they all became a very close-knit family. |
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| The staff and their
kids are a wonderful group of great people who work and play together, enjoying
life and leading our youth in the right direction. We appreciate them
very much, as they have all had a part in helping Daniel grow in the right direction. |
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| Daniel had relatives
from California to Maine who attended his graduation. Back row: Linda Adams, Kandice
Medina, Krista Medina, Norman Medina, Lanita Medina, Kami Kay Medina, Celian Adams, Diana
Adams, Betty Adams. Front: Ben Medina, Daniel and Fred Adams. |
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We are proud of all the hard work Daniel has done to reach this milestone in his life, and
trust that he will continue letting God lead in his future activities. His current
plans are to do yard work during the summer to save up money for flying
lessons to get his Private Pilot's License this fall, possibly spend some time
in South America working with a mission pilot, and discovering what doors are opened
for him to train and serve wherever God can use him. Daniel is extremely grateful to
each one of you for your friendship, prayers and support. Some of you will be
receiving a thank-you letter shortly.
And by the way, tomorrow, June
4, Daniel turns 20! We'll no longer have a teenager in our home!
Blessings,
Fred Adams (and Diana too!)
LaSal Rappelling Adventure Bouldering and Climbing Parriott Mesa
Click
on logo below to see the DayStar Adventist Academy web site:
Back to Daniel's Links
AdamsAmigos Home Page |
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