Adventist Students Put Sabbath Ahead of Prestige

When Takoma Academy students Courtney Saunders (’17), Lyshll Prudente (’16) and Rachel Manuel (’16) were notified that they had been selected to attend the 2015 Achievement of the Mind Program, it seemed like the opportunity of a lifetime. The prestigious summit features mentoring opportunities with Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, famous athletes and other individuals of influence.

Story by Ron Mills

However, the students’ anticipation changed when they learned their request to observe God’s Sabbath would not be granted.

“I had to choose whether or not I was going to attend this program or choose to honor the Sabbath day,” says Saunders. “If I decided to go, I would have blatantly gone against my principles. I'm glad I took a stand for my God and would do it all over again if I had to.”

Prudente adds, “It would have been such a great program to participate in, but keeping the Sabbath is more important to me. Maybe this will just lead to another, better opportunity to witness to others.”

Carla Thrower, principal, is proud of the students’ demonstration of faith. “Some say that the Millennials have no direction, no backbone and inability to focus, but these actions can restore confidence in the generation as we mediate on the stand taken by our students … May we all take courage and honor God in our time of testing as have Courtney, Lyshll and Rachel.”

Feature Photo: Rachel Manuel, Lyshll Prudente and Courtney Saunders