TITLE: Commemorating the 75th anniversary of Valley Grande Adventist Academy in Weslaco.

SUMMARY: Commemorating the 75th anniversary of Valley Grande Adventist Academy in Weslaco.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Valley Grande Adventist Academy in Weslaco is celebrating the 75th anniversary of its founding in 2011; and WHEREAS, Early in the 20th century, Seventh-day Adventists living in the Rio Grande Valley began to desire an education for their children that was grounded in their religious beliefs, and a number of adults taught children in their homes or at churches; a permanent school, originally named Valley Grande Academy, was founded in 1936, and classes were held in a Weslaco church auditorium until construction was finished on a classroom building the following year; and WHEREAS, Valley Grande Academy had an enrollment of 100 students by 1944, and the coming years saw many improvements, as a vocational building and garage and a new building for the elementary grades were added; the most dramatic change came in 1964, when the decision was made to turn the school into a boarding academy; local congregants opened their houses to students until dormitories were completed, and in 1972 the school was chosen as the boarding academy for the Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists; and WHEREAS, Renamed Valley Grande Adventist Academy in 2005, the school currently educates children enrolled in kindergarten through the 12th grade, and it is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and recognized by the Texas Education Agency through recommendation of the Texas Private School Accrediting Commission; providing its pupils with a well-rounded, quality education, the academy emphasizes the harmonious development of the spiritual, mental, vocational, social, and physical powers of each individual student; and WHEREAS, Valley Grande Adventist Academy encourages its students to lead worship services and Bible study, and offers extracurricular activities such as band, wind and string ensemble, chorale groups, and interscholastic competitions in many different sports; and WHEREAS, For three-quarters of a century, the faculty and staff of Valley Grande Adventist Academy have committed themselves to meeting the educational needs of their students, and the school has played a vital role in helping numerous young Texans build a bright and prosperous future; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas Legislature hereby commemorate the 75th anniversary of Valley Grande Adventist Academy in Weslaco and extend to all those associated with the institution sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for the academy as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Martinez Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 883 was adopted by the House on March 31, 2011, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House