For more than a century, Hinsdale Adventist Academy has stood in one of the Chicago area’s most affluent communities, educating children from pre-K through 12th grade since 1914.
But Spanish teacher Carolina Rivera began to realize something surprising. Many of the school’s neighbors still did not know it was there.
For Rivera, that was not just a visibility issue. It became a matter of mission.
Last fall, Rivera said she felt God impressing her heart with a simple thought: The school needed to do something for the community. This was something former principal and current Illinois Conference Superintendent Judy Rosa had instilled as a vision of the school to become a light in the community.
“I felt God put this idea in my heart,” said Rivera. “We need to work with the community.”
As she continued praying and planning, another thought came: Invite the neighbors to the international festival.
So, Rivera took the idea to her students.
“I told them, ‘We are here with a mission. We are here in Hinsdale to be a light.’” And what better way for that to happen than the upcoming festival.
Her students were not immediately convinced. Some told her people in the neighborhood would be too busy to come.
But Rivera was undeterred.
She turned the invitation into an assignment. Her high school students created flyers for the international festival, then Rivera chose the best ones. After checking to make sure they were allowed on private properties, the students prayerfully walked through the neighborhood around the school and placed the flyers on door handles.
Rivera said they had no idea what God was already arranging.
On Oct. 19, 2025, the day of the international festival, neighbors came through the doors of Hinsdale Adventist Academy. They found food, games, student performances, and a celebration of the cultures represented in the school.
Among the guests was Ying “Lucy” Zhou, president of the nonprofit Hinsdale Multicultural Arts and Education Association. A former professor in bridge engineering in China, Zhou holds a doctorate in engineering and has served as an active volunteer in community, church and education settings.
No one at the school knew who she was at first. Zhou arrived, paid for her ticket, and began taking in the event. She watched as students performed cultural dances, including a Korean performance and tinikling, a traditional Filipino folk dance using bamboo poles.
Then she asked who was in charge.
Someone pointed her to Rivera.
“She said, ‘I am so impressed by what you are doing here. This is amazing,’” Rivera recalled.
Right there, Zhou had a proposal to make.
“She said, ‘Can you be our partner in the events we have in the Village of Hinsdale?’” Rivera said.
Rivera said yes, but inside she was stunned to see how quickly God was answering their prayers.
A Light Shines Brighter
Hinsdale Adventist Academy students were invited to take part in the village’s spring festival celebrations. On Feb. 15, students represented the school at a Chinese New Year program at Hinsdale Central High School through Korean and Filipino performances.
That day brought another unexpected moment. Zhou asked Rivera whether the school had a banner or table covering to display. Rivera had not planned to promote the school that way, but suddenly HAA had a table in the middle of a community event.
“I was surprised because I never expected them to offer us a table,” Rivera said. “We were the only school with a table there.”
On Feb. 22, first and second graders sang at the Hinsdale Public Library, where around 200 families with young children were present.
At another spring event on March 1 at Hinsdale Covenant Church, HAA students again performed tinikling. The school also helped represent Filipino culture through a booth and food, with support from the home and school association and members of the Filipino community.
The students were excited. Their performances appeared in local coverage. The name Hinsdale Adventist Academy was being seen in places it had not been seen before.
And then came the biggest surprise.
After the spring events, Zhou and village leaders decided to launch a new annual Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month celebration. Since May is AAPI Heritage Month, they wanted the event to become part of the village calendar.
And they wanted to host it at Hinsdale Adventist Academy.
Rivera could hardly believe it.
“One of our prayers had been, ‘Please Jesus, help us open the doors of Hinsdale Adventist Academy to the community,’” Rivera said. “That was exactly God’s answer. They decided to hold the annual event at our school—every year!”
The first celebration was held May 17 in the school gymnasium. Around 200 Hinsdale residents and neighbors attended, along with local school, community and state leaders. The event included a Chinese tea ceremony, a Korean musical performance, Filipino tinikling, traditional games, calligraphy, food and student performances.
The same school many neighbors did not know was now welcoming the community into its gym.
But the timing was not easy.
The May event came near the end of the school year. Graduation was approaching. Students were tired. The calendar was full. Rivera also was working on her master’s degree.
“I can’t count how many hours I spent for the event,” Rivera said. “But this is another testimony: When God calls, He gives you everything.”
When she wondered how everything would come together, support arrived. Volunteers stepped forward. Students practiced. Families helped. Community partners came alongside the school. Principal Ken Knudsen encouraged her when conflicts arose with other school and church events.
“He said, ‘We can figure it out. Let’s keep going,’” Rivera recalled.
Now, the partnership continues. The AAPI Heritage Month celebration is scheduled to return to Hinsdale Adventist Academy on May 2 next year. The school also has been invited to participate in Hinsdale’s Fourth of July parade.
“I know that God is doing something special for our school,” she said. “God is painting something new and beautiful.”
Debbie Michel is editor of the Lake Union Herald.