Michigan—Great Lakes Adventist Academy (GLAA) received the Academy Award for Excellence from the Alumni Awards Foundation at a weekend event Feb. 23–25, in Scottsdale, Ariz. A $25,000 check was presented to the staff and students who came to represent GLAA.

"It was an honor to be chosen to represent our school. I enjoyed being a part of the weekend activities," said senior Ryan Williams. Seniors Brooke Durst and Erick Olteanu, and junior Chett Clayton, were also chosen to attend the weekend event. The sponsors who attended were Ray Davis, principal; Skip Hann, development director; Arlene Leavitt, assistant development director; and David Carter, science teacher.

The Alumni Awards Foundation exists to inspire and reward excellence in Adventist K–12 schools, educators, and alumni. The Alumni Awards Foundation was born in 1995 when a group of alumni envisioned an independent organization that would help revitalize quality Seventh-day Adventist Education.

Carter also received the Excellence in Teaching Award and was honored with a $1,000 check. He has taught at GLAA since 1993, and is known by teachers and students as an outstanding teacher, as well as someone who truly cares about his colleagues and students.

This weekend event was started to bring together friends, alumni, and supporters to recognize quality Adventist education and re-connect graduates with their schools. During the last twelve years, this organization has awarded grants totaling more than $800,000. The foundation has honored and rewarded individuals who demonstrated compassion and commitment to Adventist education.

Arlene Leavitt, assistant alumni/development director, Michigan Boarding Academies Alumni Association, Great Lakes Adventist Academy