I was nervous. I had only been at one school my entire life—and was not excited to leave it. I would be the ‘new girl’ here, the ‘odd one out,’ right? Nope.
I remember walking into LOMSAA for the first time. Mrs. Gourley, their wonderful director, came to greet me personally and made me feel right at home. Instead of the awkward stares I was expecting from my new classmates, I got smiles, warm looks of welcome.
I was surprised at how incredibly easy it was for me to transition into LOMSAA. Teachers were always open and available to answer my questions. And I realized something huge: This wasn’t just a school—it was a family.
Through the course of the school year, I was taught many things about perseverance, dedication, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ… and how to solve chemical equations. It was one of the best experiences of my life—LOMSAA, not the chemical equations.
Then I remember the fires. The Hill Fire had come down the hill adjacent to the school. We students were pretty scared, as we could see flames creeping down the hillside. Closer. And closer. As parents hurried to pick us up, we started forming little prayer circles. All the students would pray together in a group, arms linked, for the affected people and struggling firefighters. God was definitely with all of us, and we only missed one day of school! We were back on track in absolutely no time.
Now I’m in eighth grade, and enjoying LOMSAA more than ever! Recently, all our neighboring school districts shut down for a while due to COVID-19, and we decided to follow suit. But that didn’t stop us from continuing to learn. We are currently using Zoom video classes to continue our education, and I am enjoying it immensely. My teachers are doing a great job at distance learning, even though none of us have had to do it before.
I have been extremely blessed to be placed in such an amazing school. I will be leaving LOMSAA with a far greater store of knowledge and skills than I arrived with, and I thank God for giving me this wonderful experience. — By Jayden King, Class of 2020
Isaiah 26: 3-4—“Those of steadfast mind you keep in peace because they trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for in the Lord God you have an everlasting rock.”