You Do Not Have Because You Do Not Ask - Prayer Opportunity!

“You do not have, because you do not ask.” These powerful words written by God through the Apostle James were evidenced during the Secondary Tall Timber Retreat a few weeks ago. All students in grades 7-12 had to enter the lunch room at the Tall Timber facility 30 minutes before eating due to the air quality index reaching about 450. Although I’ve only been in Wenatchee around 3 months, most people I asked said this high number is rarely seen. We had already pulled students inside for the previous hour or so and were worried we’d have to remain inside—or worse, leave the beautiful Tall Timber Ranch (see photos below, taken before the worst of the smoke rolled in).

After consulting a few parents and key staff members, I decided everyone would drive to Lake Wenatchee, where the air quality was “safe” and hope that by early evening the levels would be healthy. The director of the camp said that although it was unlikely the levels would drop 300 points in 5 hours, it was possible.

In the hustle and bustle of working through this situation, a faithful parent reminded me that we need to pray sooner rather than later. At that very moment, I addressed the group of 15 or so parents and staff and led them in prayer that God would immediately improve the air quality and allow TRA to stay at Tall timber. (Yet not our will, but the Lord’s will be done.)

The lunch was served to the energetic and thrilled secondary students. The meal concluded with the challenging announcement that we may not be able to stay at Tall Timber for the reminder of the week. Although the students were visibly upset, they all understood that God’s word commands our “yes to be yes and our no to be no,” and if we told parents who we partner with that students would not go outside in dangerous air quality levels, then we can not stay at Tall Timber.

Slightly deflated students entered chapel time to sing praises to God and here Pastor David faithfully challenged everyone present from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. As the truths of God’s word rang clear in our listening ears, moving our hearts, an F16 flew over us, shaking our bodies. (The US armed forces have flying practice in the Tall Timber area.)

It was like the difference between night and day. This photo was taken after lunch at Tall Timber.

After chapel ended, Mrs. Koempel had the pleasure of making the announcement that in just under two hours, the air quality index dropped over 300 points and was now safe to be outside and continue the Tall Timber team-building experience. Cheers of joy flooded the room, easily competing with the earlier aircraft rattle.

We asked for a miracle of healthy air quality in such a short time, and God answered. Praise God!

Do you, as parents, want to approach the throne of God with boldness regarding needs at TRA? Do you know of grandparents who want to do the same?

The 2nd and 4th Tuesday and Wednesday of each month from 8am-9am will be a time for parents and grandparents to meet at TRA to pray. (Ladies Tuesday and men on Wednesday starting 10/10 & 10/11 - this will also be on the school calendar linked in RenWeb) Two grandparents of alumni and of current grandchildren at TRA will be leading this time. I plead with you to consider joining this “Sweet Hour of Prayer,” that God may continue to bless TRA.

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!

thy wings shall my petition bear

to him whose truth and faithfulness

engage the waiting soul to bless.

And since he bids me seek his face,

believe his word, and trust his grace,

I'll cast on him my every care,

and wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

~W.W. Walford

-In Christ,

Mike Picciottoli, TRA Head of School

Homeroom Happenings

This year, we are gathering into groups three days a week for the first half an hour of the day in Homerooms. The purpose of our Homeroom time is multifaceted. First and foremost, it provides a space where teachers and administrators can get to know them more fully and disciple them by helping them apply what they are learning to their lives and hearts.

Homeroom groups are separated by grade (except 11th and 12th combined) and by gender so that groups have more freedom to honestly discuss issues they are facing. Homeroom advisors are excited to facilitate these conversations and lead their groups into praying for one another. We are also treating this time similarly to 7th classes, in which attendance is taken daily and a Pass or Fail grade is given weekly based on being present on time and participating with the group.

The fodder for these discussions is gleaned from the Chapel talks each week, from devotionals the students or advisors have chosen to read together, and for our oldest students possibly from local and world news events. Every group will also read the book Classical Me, Classical Thee by Rebekah Merkle, which explains the distinctive differences of a Classical and Christian education specifically aimed toward adolescents so that they may understand the value of how and why we ask them to do what they do.

Specifically, Mr. Picciottoli has been very encouraged by his Homeroom with our junior and senior guys. They are hungry to learn about what it means to be a man of God. For my part, I am enjoying my time with the 7th grade girls. They are a group of kind young women and are excited to talk about what God is teaching them in Chapel talks, in Bible class, and in the scriptures we read. We are also praying together about their concerns. It is such a wonderful way to start the school day three times a week (on Monday we have Psalm Sing together, and on Wednesday we have Chapel).

I’m so excited to see how God uses this time to deepen student relationships with one another and with God. Homeroom is one of the ways we are intentionally focusing on discipling our students and helping move the information they are learning from their head to their heart.

-Tonya Griffith, Secondary Principal

The Halls Are Alive with the Sound of Music

The halls are alive with the sound of music! No, not the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical story of the Von Trapp family, but the beautiful sound of children learning to sing, read notes, and enjoy the gift of music, classically.

Music has been ringing through the lobby these first few days of school, as our childrens’ voices match the piano notes, warming up their voices and going up and down the scales. Ah, ah, ah, ah, AH, ah, ah, ah. It’s enough to melt the heart of this long-time TRA staffer.

This music in our halls is all thanks to Ruth Dagg, our new music teacher. Mrs. Dagg has been teaching piano and vocal students for years here in the valley. She is a member of the Columbia Chorale, Wenatchee Valley Music Teachers, attends Grace City Church, and helps with Stage Kids now and then.

I feel I want to echo Captain Von Trapp’s tearfully grateful sentiment… “She’s brought music back into the house again!” Truly, in a very real way, Mrs. Dagg is bringing a classical and Christian music program to The River. While music in the classroom for learning math and grammar and history has long been a bedrock of an education at TRA, well-employed in our hallways for singing Psalms and in the Great Hall for worship, we haven’t had an intentionally comprehensive program, and that is precisely what Ruth is setting out to build. In fact, in her interview, she may have boldly remarked regarding the position, “It’s all or nothing. I want to build this program.”

I think bold is a very apt description for this fabulous woman who even has kindergarteners already navigating the scales joyfully in song. She has begun planning our December Christmas Program and will teach the student body and faculty the harmonies for our Monday morning Psalm Sing. If you see Ruth in the hallways or hear her leading our children in lovely songs from the far end of the Lunch Room (now set apart as our new Music Room), please greet her and thank her for her mission-focused purpose and work here at The River Academy. She is a long-awaited blessing!

-Tonya Griffith

Secondary Principal

Why a Fall Retreat?

One benefit of a small school is the ability to load up all our students on the second week of school and travel to the mountains for a few days to reflect and set culture for the year to come. This week we get to return to our fall retreat. We have been unable to have a full overnight retreat since 2019, so the excitement is high! Why a fall retreat you ask, when we are only one week into school? Isn’t our goal in an educational institution primarily learning? Yes, of course, but we teach the whole person, and we humans perform at our best when we feel safe and loved in a community. The House system at TRA began eight years ago to create friendships across grade levels, build community, hone leadership skills, and forge character. Depositing over one hundred teens into the mountains—removed from technology and the busyness of life—will do just that.

When I interned as a youth leader, my head pastor would always tell me that it takes 18 hours for a group to start bonding. I’m not sure where he got that statistic, but it seems to hold true. It takes time for groups to develop their own unique identity, culture, and norms. We have the blessing of setting an hour aside every Friday for House activities, but who wants to wait 18 weeks for House culture to form? The fall retreat jumpstarts culture building across grade levels. We spend time goal setting, hearing from life-giving speakers, and participating in team-building games. Our new students may be a bit apprehensive going to an overnight camp right at the beginning of their time at TRA, but we have seen students flourish and connect in deep ways in this setting that they could not do in the classroom. 

Our fall retreat was put on pause during Covid, and was canceled last year due to smoke levels from local fires. We still had a full and robust culture at TRA, but we felt the effects of this missed opportunity. Humans have the innate need to form community, even our God is in community in the Trinity. Where two or more are gathered, or over one hundred in our case, God will meet us in a unique way. 

Our sixteen House leaders will be leaving after school on Tuesday for vision-casting and team building, followed by the rest of our junior and senior class Wednesday morning. This first day  is a day for our older students to connect, learn leadership skills, and prepare to serve our younger students. It is also time for an epic full-camp-sized game of capture the flag in the dark. Thursday our seventh through tenth grade students will be welcomed to camp with all sorts of shenanigans. They will be inducted into their house by catching their slingshotted house t-shirt. Then we will lean into our theme for the year: “All things new” (Rev 21:5). Camp will be filled with fun games, skits, challenging high ropes activities, worship, and chapel talks. I am thankful and excited that this foundational culture-building retreat is returning this year. Please pray for our staff and students that we stay safe, connect in deep ways, and grow in our faith as we rest in God’s creation.

-Ashley Koempel,

House Coordinator, Mathematics Teacher

“We spend time goal setting, hearing from life-giving speakers, and participating in team-building games.”

Partnering with Parents

Starting the last week of September, TRA will begin using an online survey tool called ParentPulse to elicit parent feedback. This tool will email a survey to each parent related to their specific child/ren once every 3 months or so. An email will be sent, and if the survey is not completed within the next 24 hours, one text message will be sent.

You will receive a survey for every child you have at TRA; each survey will take around 5 minutes to complete. (If you have three children at TRA, the total time spent on surveys will be 15 minutes every three months.) The survey can be taken anonymously, and I will personally look at every response, while also working with a team to answer all comments you provide.

God has richly blessed TRA over the past 25 years. There are many areas we are strong in, and there are other areas in which we need to grow. Please consider faithfully completing these surveys throughout the school year. We want to improve and better serve each family and child here at TRA, and one of the most useful ways we can grow is through consistent and honest feedback.

The majority of the questions will be the same each time you are surveyed, while a handful of questions will change based on our unique culture and needs. You will receive around 3 to 4 surveys a year for each child you have at TRA.

As you honestly and lovingly complete these surveys, may God be pleased to continually improve TRA that we may fulfill our mission and vision. Each year students graduate from TRA as equipped Christian leaders ready to impact the world on behalf of Jesus. It is both an honor and privilege to partner with you as we use the helpful feedback you will provide for the good of our school and, most importantly, to the glory of our great God.

In Christ,

Mike Picciottoli, TRA Head of School

Year in Review 2022-23

As our students are outgrowing this year’s uniforms and persevering through sunny, warm spring weather (and later bedtimes) to finish this year well, I invite you to reflect on God’s amazing provision and faithfulness to our precious school. 

We were blessed to start this school year with the purchase of our facility and the ability to use the building to the fullest extent for the first time ever. Secondary students enjoyed new locker rooms and hang out areas, as well as more indoor spaces for House activities. Elementary students were blessed by a weekly chapel, a new lunchroom experience, and more indoor spaces for PE and recess during smokey and snowy weather.

We are now ending our school year in the best financial position the school has ever been in. Even with a looming recession and some hard years due to covid and leadership changes, we have strong student and staff retention along with increased interest from prospective new families. Our 23-24 tuition will cover all projected operating expenses, including cost of living increases for our beloved faculty, and our successful fundraising will enable us to award more tuition assistance than we have ever been able to provide for families in need. 

Along with these monumental material blessings, our mission continues to flourish as students in all grades grew in knowledge, virtue, and wisdom. A small slice of their learning was most recently on display at Grandparents Day and Mother’s Day Elementary Chapel. Parents also enjoyed opportunities to build community and learn more about our school and the classical, Christian model of education at our first two Bridge Nights and the return of our annual Gala.

Our mission to partner with parents in educating their children to become the next generation of Christian leaders culminated with Senior students producing a poiesis and presenting their senior thesis defense. These capstone projects always remind us of the good work God does in students’ minds and hearts during their years of growth at TRA. It is amazing to hear our seniors think critically, speak eloquently, and clearly express their faith in and love for God in their speeches. It makes us so proud to send them out  into the world as Christian leaders equipped to shape culture through faithful, wise, and joyful Christian living. 

Regardless of the age of your child(ren), I invite and encourage each of you to join us at TRA’s graduation ceremony this Saturday at 2:00 pm at Sage Hills Church to see the fruit God has produced in each of our graduating seniors. Your hearts will be blessed to see our mission being accomplished through the lives of these young men and women as you hear from faculty, staff, and the students themselves about their growth in maturity as well as their academic accomplishments. Thank you for being a part of another year of joyful learning at TRA!

-Lisa Hysom, Interim Head of School

TRA 2023 Seniors leading Psalm-sing at Chapel beneath the banner of our 2022-23 year theme of Abide in Christ.

2023 TRA Graduates

We would like to introduce to you The River Academy's Class of 2023! These senior students have worked diligently to arrive at this moment here at the end of their high school educational journey. This particular class has consistently displayed the kind of servant leadership and academic work ethic which makes us so proud to send them out into the world as graduates of TRA. They have blessed the entire school this year with their enthusiastic presence and with their commitment to doing whatever is asked of them and or whatever needs to be done. 

Matthew Bir

A Matthew–never a Matt–would be just one of the many ways this joy-filled and positive young man could be described. Matthew has been a constructive, exuberant influence on those around him since his first day at The River Academy.

“...cherish every moment you have wherever God places you.”

His advice to younger students demonstrates wisdom as he describes his moving to Wenatchee and attending TRA: “Younger students, from the bottom of my heart, I call you to throw off the fickle desire to be the greatest or the funniest or the coolest. Instead, cherish every moment you have wherever God places you. Our time here on earth is too short to get caught up in the past or get anxious about our future. I was just entering 7th grade, into a school I'd never been to, in a town I never heard of and still can't pronounce correctly. Cherish the past, thrive in the present, and hope for the future. Most of all, trust that through every door that closes, every chapter that ends, and every season that passes, you are in gracious, glorious, and Good hands.”

He describes Mr. Hettick as one of the more influential teachers he has had this last year: “While constantly reminding us that he is sinful and broken, his actions in truth and his heart for Jesus deliver a solemn reminder to us all that Christ is living and working for the glory of his kingdom to this day.” He has learned and grown since taking Mr. Hettick’s classes. 

Matthew has varied interests, from playing the piano to all types of sports to a fascination with psychology. Most recently, he has been a part of the Wenatchee High School Track and Field team, where his event is throwing the javelin. 

His favorite scripture is Hebrew 10:14: “For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy” (NIV). About this scripture, he states “We are made "perfect forever" while still being made righteous. My mom always described it as "forever, not yet." Although we hasten into sinful desires left and right, God has redeemed us the moment he drew his last breath. In forgiveness, God continues to redeem us despite our intentional rebellion against his pure, holy, and life-giving truth.”

Matthew wants to pursue a future medical career as a Missionary Doctor. He will be attending Hope College in Holland, Michigan for four years. We will miss Matthew's can-do attitude and constant smile in the halls of TRA this next year. You are a blessing to us all. 

“For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.” Hebrews 10:14

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Isaiah Volyn

Except for a short break, Isaiah has attended the River Academy since KinderPrep. Always genuine and frank, his advice to younger students is “be yourself, don’t be afraid to be different, and always choose kindness.” This describes Isaiah perfectly. He is unabashedly honest, caring, and ready with a joke, a story, a laugh, or a deep conversation about truth and worldviews.

“...the Lord is always with me and I’m never alone!”

When asked who has been one influential person in his life at TRA, Isaiah replied, “Mr. Hettick–he has been the best teacher, but more than that an incredible support, godly counsel, and friend.” 

Because of Isaiah’s talent in Drama and being a part of past Stage Kids productions, it is unsurprising that his favorite tradition is participating in the House Skit competitions at TRA.  He always leads in House, exuberantly participating in competitions to help lead Ten Boom House to victory. 

Moreover, his favorite scripture is Psalm 23:4, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me” (NIV). Isaiah says “it reminds me that the Lord is always with me and I’m never alone!”

This fall, Isaiah will be attending the University of Idaho in Moscow. You are dearly loved, Isaiah, and we pray the Lord will continue to bless you in all your endeavors.

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me;...” Psalms 23:4

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Noah Hansen

Noah has been at The River Academy since KinderPrep. Never one to shy away from asking how he could help, such as carrying heavy boxes for Mrs. Lane or helping Mr. Hetterle move heavy risers; his thesis topic was expected to involve “Hard Work” in the title. Mr. Howat is one teacher Noah has singled out as having a huge influence on his life through his time working with him on academic challenges. 

A young man of few words (except about cars), his advice to younger students is brief and to the point “Make sure to turn everything in on time.” This is key to success at TRA! 

Noah loves Psalm singing at TRA, and his favorite scripture comes from Jeremiah 29:11, which reassures, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV). These promises remain true and stand as a reminder that God is faithful, even when the homework gets tough.

Noah’s love of welding makes his choice of Trade School a perfect fit for the future. Noah will live out his Thesis by working well with his hands and growing into a man of God who is capable and loyal.

Noah, your joyful willingness always to help and your can-do attitude will be greatly missed. 

“For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11”

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Olivia Johnson

Olivia joined her classmates at the end of sixth grade and began sharing her artistic abilities with her first House, Lewis, and later Ten Boom. She has won numerous Apple Blossom awards for her art: Committee Choice, 3rd Place in 3D Mixed Media, and Sponsor’s Choice, making TRA proud in the community.

Her favorite part of the TRA tradition is House Games. Moreover, her love of learning and inquisitiveness, tempered with her love for the Lord, has served her well as she excels academically. The teacher who has had the most influence on her time at TRA is Mrs. Baker. When asked why she simply states Mrs. Baker, she’s the GOAT! (Greatest Of All Time). 

“ Your teachers are there to help you and want you to succeed, reach out to them.”

Her favorite scripture is, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction" (Proverbs 1.7, NIV). Olivia has chosen this passage because, “I like it because it describes how even people considered intelligent can be fools. No matter how smart you might be, if you cannot accept guidance, you will never gain wisdom nor knowledge.”

Olivia gives this advice to younger students: “Your teachers are there to help you and want you to succeed, reach out to them.” We will miss Olivia’s dry wit and sense of humor; just to recognize her amazing sense of humor, she submitted her Passport Photo as her senior photo. May the Lord bless you, Olivia, as you take a Gap year to work on learning a couple of trades and decide on a college.  

We will miss your snark, your humor, and your wit, Olivia.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7”

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Maddison Riggan

Maddie does not shy away from sharing her love for the Lord and others. As such, relationships are very important to her. This is reflected in the advice she has for younger students. “My advice to all younger students would be to use this time you have to focus on and build your relationship with Jesus. He is your greatest friend, and when life gets rough, He will be standing there with you through anything and everything. Out of all of the things that the world is trying to tell you what you are, the one that is most important and stands firm is that you are His, and He loves you. When life is hard and painful, He helps you find joy in the sorrow, peace in the storm, and comfort through the heartache, but overall; He gives us life even when there is death. When you feel joy because of good things, give God the glory, for it is His. When you are in pain, grief, anger, or whatever else, due to the struggles of life, give them up to Him and praise Him through it, and He will give you rest, for there is purpose in His plan.  Because of His love and sacrifice, we are given life and freedom and are loved by the King. What a gift!”

“He is always there, and His word applies to everyone, everywhere, in all points of time.”

Her favorite Bible verse is Isaiah 40:7-8, which says, "The grass withers, the flower fades, because the breath of the Lord blows upon it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever" (NASB). Maddie chose this verse because it “reminds me that when bad things happen, both in my own life and in today's world, God's promises stand firm through all time. Nothing can ever change them. While we as a society fade in and out century after century, God's word always prevails. He is always there, and His word applies to everyone, everywhere, in all points of time. We can have faith and trust that His word is true and good, and that He is as well.”

Maddie has chosen two staff members to mention who have had an influence on her during her time in High School. “Mrs. Reeves, one of TRA's awesome office ladies, has been there for me all throughout high school. Anytime I was struggling, she was there to talk and comfort me through it. I will never forget the peace that she brought me through her kind, wise words of comfort. I also can't go without mentioning Mr. Hettick. I knew from day one of freshman year that he was going to be my favorite teacher, and that belief has stood firm these last four years. Never once have I walked into Mr. Hettick's class and thought that I did not want to be there. He helped me find my love of reading again and helped us as a class talk about the most important things about life through the lens of these amazing stories, both the ones in books as well as everyday life. He always makes class interesting, engaging, fun, and always provides something new to talk and learn about. I think a large part of the growth in our class community has been accomplished through Mr. Hettick and his Humane Letters class, and is the one I will miss the most.”

After graduation, Maddie plans to remain in Wenatchee while she seeks the Lord’s direction. She plans to work full-time and live with her family as she prayerfully considers her future.

We will miss you, Maddie, may the Lord bless you and keep you. Keep speaking Truth in love!

"The grass withers, the flower fades, because the breath of the Lord blows upon it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever" Isaiah 40:7-8

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Talia Hurst

Talia has been at The River Academy since Kindergarten, for a total of 13 years. When asked to share her favorite TRA tradition she found it very hard to pick one. “I have so many! My favorite tradition in Elementary was field day, spelling bee, speech meet, or psalm singing in the hallways with Mrs. Walsh or relays at the end of the year barbecue. My favorite secondary tradition would be Tall Timber! My favorite house competition is synchronized swimming.”

“Strife will occur in your class but choosing to display grace towards others is beneficial.”

Advice she would give to younger students is “to be patient and kind in every situation. Strife will occur in your class but choosing to display grace towards others is beneficial. Choose to be diligent in your schoolwork and strive to love what you are learning.” Talia lives this out daily.

Talia shares her favorite scripture verse found in Romans. The reason she has chosen this verse is that “It is a long verse but one of my favorites, one that I always come back to. I have many favorite verses, but this one sticks out to me the most. It is the clearest passage of how a Christian should act and it is an amazing guideline every morning to look at and ask God for guidance. I just love it!”

"Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another. Not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer. Distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath…Do not be overcome with evil but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:9-21

When asked about a person at TRA who has been influential her reply is filled with love and grace: “Every teacher has been extremely influential in my life. The one that sticks out to me the most is Mrs. Koempel. She has always been one of my favorite teachers who has taught me the importance of putting her whole effort into everything she does. She teaches SO well and is an amazing human being. She is an amazing mom and dedicated teacher who wants her students to continually succeed and truly understand what they are learning. She is a brilliant mentor and a hilarious friend. I want to be like her one day. Ever since I had her as a teacher in ninth grade I have always looked up to her. She is a wonder woman! She makes me want to be an influential teacher one day. I admire the way she balances her work life with her family life and personal life.”

Talia is a well-rounded person; her favorite hobbies range from soccer to coloring books! She loves to go on runs or just sit outside and enjoy God's creation. During summer months she enjoys backpacking, camping, paddle boarding, spending time with friends, and making memories. 

Talia is an accomplished athlete and has served as Captain of several soccer teams, including Wenatchee High School. She has received several Awards including the  “Game Changer Award,” First-Team All-league during her senior year of high school soccer, and First-Team All-League Honorable Mention her junior year. Talia has been awarded an athletic scholarship to play soccer for Northwest University where she will be pursuing a degree in elementary education. 

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Chloe Heneghen

Chloé Chaunte Jean Heneghen has attended The River Academy since the start of her sophomore year. Coming to TRA from public school was a shock and a challenge, but Chloe was ready for that challenge and stepped up in every way. 

Right from the start, she jumped in as a House leader and worked to conquer the academic load. Her favorite TRA traditions are House on Fridays or Chapel on Wednesdays–she often joins in the worship team and readily charges ahead in House activities.

“…always try to reconcile differences or conflicts between you and your classmates.”

One piece of advice that Chloe has for younger students “always try to reconcile differences or conflicts between you and your classmates. This will help you create stronger bonds and ultimately make your time together much more enjoyable. Some of my biggest regrets come from not doing this and so I can only encourage you to do more because of personal experiences.”

Chloe’s favorite verse is Philippians 4:6-7, which encourages believers “Don’t be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (ESV). She finds this encouraging in her daily walk with the Lord and as she thinks about her future.

Chloe has learned so much from Mr. Hettick, “who has helped push me forward into my relationship with the Lord. I admire how well versed he is in scripture and I continue to try and grow more in my own studies. He not only is a fantastic teacher but he has become someone who I look up to and hope to come sit back in his class in the future.”

Chloe has received a Lions Club Award for leadership for leading on her sports teams and in the classroom. She received a letter my freshman (as the only freshman to receive one) and sophomore year of track at WHS, as well as the most athletic award, and she has broken three records for throwing in track.

She plans to attend Vector Academy through Grace City Church which is a yearlong Bible college. She will also be serving in youth ministry and hopes to travel and have adventures around the world.

She really enjoys hiking, camping, and just being around nature especially as the weather gets warmer. She also loves to play ultimate frisbee and spike ball with friends, and wants to learn to wakeboard this summer!

We’ll miss you, Chloe! We wish you’d been with us longer!

“Don’t be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” Philippians 4:6-7

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Wyatt Darnell

Wyatt has been at TRA for 10 years and has grown so much in his confidence and leadership abilities. His favorite TRA tradition is ski day because the school takes a day to foster fellowship amongst the students while being out in God’s creation.

“…take risks–risks are different for everybody, but it’s important to do what feels uncomfortable.
Being uncomfortable is how you grow.”

Wyatt’s advice for next year’s senior class is that they should “Be a good example for the younger elementary kids. Be humble. And take risks–risks are different for everybody, but it's important to do what feels uncomfortable. Being uncomfortable is how you grow.” He has lived this out in his work with Mr. Hettick and Mr. McCardle during PE and being the assistant coach for the TRA Junior High basketball team.

His favorite verse from Scripture is when “Jesus turned and said to Peter, “‘Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.’” (NIV, Matthew 16.23). Wyatt has taken this to heart while working diligently and courageously to persevere through the rigors of a TRA education.

Mr. Hettick is Wyatt’s favorite teacher: “he's pushed me to my limits but encouraged me along the way. He's been a personal role model to me and has helped me through hard times.”

Ultimately, Wyatt wants to become a music producer after he leaves TRA. “I love EDM (Electronic Dance Music) and my ultimate goal is to start as a DJ in the EDM field, keep producing my own music, and eventually get signed on with a record label.” Wyatt currently does produce his own music, and that has been the impetus for his Senior Thesis and Poiesis projects. But that is not Wyatt’s only interest. “When I'm not making music I am at the skatepark. Most of my hobbies involve risk taking. I love riding dirt bikes and doing flips off of anything possible. But my biggest hobby is riding scooters. I love to perfect my tricks, learn new tricks, and spend time teaching the younger kids there.” Wyatt exemplifies the TRA ethos of speaking into the lives of younger students, and that’s not simply reserved to the school’s campus. 

Wyatt, your servant’s heart and willingness to push yourself is an example to all–we’ll miss you!

 “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” Matthew 16:23

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Ellie Johnson

Ellie has attended TRA for 14 years, the longest of any student in her class. The TRA tradition she will miss most is Psalm Sing on Mondays. “I love psalm singing on Monday morning because it gets me in the right mindset for the week. Ever since I was little I have always enjoyed it. Mondays are hard, but praising God with my friends makes it a little easier.” 

“...enjoy your time here at the River Academy. It really is special and unique, and you will never experience something like this.
It can be hard, weird, and uncomfortable, but it is so worth it.”

As she reflects on her time at TRA, Ellie has this piece of advice for students in lower classes. “I would say remember to enjoy your time here at the River Academy. It really is special and unique, and you will never experience something like this. It can be hard, weird, and uncomfortable, but it is so worth it. We are all weird and awkward here, so you might as well embrace it.” Ellie says that finding time to be with friends is essential to the TRA experience, while also having some hobbies: “I really love baking, I like playing softball, but mainly just being with my loved ones. Nothing makes me happier than that.”

Ellie’s verse to remember is Isaiah 12:2, which reminds us: "Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.” This is one of her favorite Bible verses because it is always a good reminder that her hope is not in anything of this world, but in the Lord and that is enough to give her peace and happiness. 

While Ellie loves all her teachers at TRA, she knows that “one for sure would be Mr. Hettick. He makes me want to come to class, even on Mondays! He has helped me grow in my faith over these last four years, and I am so grateful for the way that God has used Him because He has helped me so much. He is an amazing teacher, truly.”

After graduating TRA, Ellie’s plan is to go to Wenatchee Valley College and get her AA while she searches for what I want to do as my career, and then go to college for it. She knows that God has plans for her and that He will reveal His path while she works on growing and learning at WVC.

Ellie, we’ll miss you during Psalm Sing–come back any Monday!

"Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.” Isaiah 12:2

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Rami Escure

Rami came to TRA in his Junior year, not exactly sure what his experience would be, but he was ready for the challenge. From the start, he leapt into House activities and stepped up as a leader. His favorite TRA activity is House, but particularly the hallway decorations that come with Reformation Day–he was part of leading the charge during one of the most creative decoration years yet!

“The hard work you put in is worth every second.”

Rami’s advice for younger students is to “Be prepared for a lot of hard work but in the end it always pays off. The hard work you put in is worth every second.” Rami works day in and day out to balance his school load with his extremely busy swim schedule. He was on a team that placed 5th at a swim meet that was hosting 11 states. He personally placed 5th and 8th in his individual events at state and made sectionals times. In the meantime, Rami swims, hikes, fishes, rides motorcycles, and helps run a small business.

The verse that speaks to and encourages Rami the most is “Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (NIV, Philippians 4.5-7). This verse has helped me through a lot of disappointments and is helpful for dealing with life when anxiety hits you. 

Rami wants to thank Mrs. Baker who has been a great influence and encouragement to Rami while he’s integrated into the TRA community (and for pushing him to grow as a student). 

Rami is planning on going off to college and hopefully going to swim. He is going to Southwestern Oregon community college in Coos Bay, Oregon with a tuition waver because of his grades and will be swimming for the college team. 

Rami, we will miss you–we wish you’d been with us longer!

“Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” Philippians 4:5-7

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Andrew Harris

Since Andrew joined The River Academy five years ago, the halls have been a bit louder. Yes, he has a loud voice, but it will be the spontaneous outbreak of amazing songs or vehement philosophical or theological debates that we will miss.

Andrew immediately dove into House when he arrived at TRA in 8th grade, and he loves all the House activities, but his favorite is four-way soccer, the game used to traditionally kick-off the school year House competition.

“Be unified and stay focused on your work.”

Andrew’s advice to younger students is that they need to “Be unified and stay focused on your work.” Relationships between students are essential at TRA, and it’s the thing that can make or break a class. He loves going to the gym, spending quality time with his friends and family, and debating theology with his peers.

The verse Andrew has been challenged to live by is 1 Peter 2:17, which says, “Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.” This verse demonstrates how we must be under our Earthly authorities while remaining in constant fear of God. Now fear in this context does not entirely mean constant sweating from an actual blood curdling feeling. To fear God is to acknowledge His power and greatness and to live in constant acknowledgement of the sovereignty of God.”

When asked about his awards and accomplishments, Andrew humbly reminds us that “I have so many accomplishments that this mere page cannot hold.” While this is true, Andrew is a constant light and encouragement to his classmates and teachers, truly embodying the love for learning that TRA hopes to foster.

After TRA, Andrew will begin pursuing a degree in business at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

We’ll miss you, Andrew!

“Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.” 1 Peter 2:17

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Jude Kaylor

Jude came to The River Academy two years ago and immediately took up the challenge of a new school and a new class right on the brink of graduation. He got involved in House and has pushed himself to think and learn well. ​​Jude’s favorite aspect of TRA is “The fact that we do chapel.” He regularly participates in leading Chapel worship, sings heartily in Psalm sing, and lives out the ethos of Christian maturity–a Core Value at TRA. He also loves “the opportunity to compete against our fellow houses in a battle of fun chaos.” 

“God is good! He is the Lord of peace and he is a faithful God! Trust in him and this season of life…”

Hoping always to encourage his fellow TRA students, Jude’s piece of advice is that “God is good! He is the Lord of peace and he is a faithful God! Trust in him and this season of life you are in right now. Also don't procrastinate; do your work, I made that mistake don't do it!” Truer words were never written, Jude! But more than that, Jude wants to bless his fellow students: "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope" (NIV, Romans 15.13). He further explains that “The Holy Spirit fills us with hope and allows us to be filled with joy and peace if we abide in him.” Jude is directly referencing our Chapel Theme this year, which he seeks to live out daily.

Jude wants to honor Mr. Hettick and Mr. McCardle: “Both have been mentors to me and very influential in my life.”

When asked about any accomplishments that he would like to share, Jude said, “I am somehow still alive, accomplishment enough.” In addition to being alive, Jude “composes music almost as if my life was a film and the music I create a film score. Also I love poetry, yeah I'm a nerd.” And we’re so proud of you, Jude!

After he leaves TRA, Jude is going down to Portland Bible College to study worship and theology “and maybe get hitched. No, I’m kidding...maybe.”

May the Lord bless you and all your endeavors, Jude! We’ll miss you.

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." Romans 15:13

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Aidan Shattuck

Aidan has attended The River Academy for a total of 6 non-consecutive years, the first year being Second Grade with Mrs. Walsh, then 4th, 7th-8th grade, and then from 11th-12th grade. The first things people notice about Aidan is his amazing and magnificent golden mane, but also his winning smile. He is quick to offer encouragement and a helping hand when he sees the need. Aidan is a humble young man who dislikes bringing attention to himself, though he is genuine and good-hearted and stands up for what is right.

“Build relationships with your classmates and teachers. School gets so much better when you have these relationships…”

His favorite TRA tradition is Psalm Sing with the whole school. When asked to describe who would be the most influential person at The River Academy, he would pick Mr. Hettick because he cares about the students and points them toward who the Lord is. 

Aidan advises next year's seniors, “Build relationships with your classmates and teachers. School gets so much better when you have these relationships and you will do better in school because you will want to do good work for your teachers and do better than your classmates who can be quite competitive.”

Aidan’s favorite passage of Scripture is 1 John 4:8, which tells us, “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” He says, “I really like this one because as a Christian, it can be very easy to judge the world instead of loving and caring for those in it. This verse reminds me to be loving, especially when dealing with those I do not agree with.”

This next year, Aidan will be enrolled in a Spanish-speaking High School in Sevilla, Spain for 7 months before attending Barcelona Tennis Academy in Spain before traveling Europe.

“Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” 1 John 4:8

We will dearly miss these young men and women and are so thankful that we were able to be a part of their lives and formation into Christian leaders.  If you see them around, please congratulate them and wish them well in their future endeavors! 

Class Placement for 2023-24

The Lord continues to bless our school with wonderful, mission-fit growth! While many grades are full for the 2023-24 school year, we have paused our plan to double third grade for another year. This means that next year only Kinder Prep, K, and Grades 1 and 2 will have two classes for each grade level. This raises the question of how TRA will place students into the two classes each year for grades K-2. As a parent of children who previously attended a school with three classes per grade, I know that this annual class shuffle can create a temptation to worry, as we all want what we think is best for our own kids. My hope is that this information will help to give your heart peace as you trust in God’s plan and wait for class lists to be announced on Monday, August 28. 

Our goal at TRA is to have two well-balanced classes for each grade. This means we strive to have a balance of genders, students from different classes the prior year for new friendship opportunities, and other factors to provide a positive learning environment in each classroom. I will be working closely with Mrs. Reno, Mrs. Fox, Mrs. Hurt, Mrs. Rose, and Mrs. Creek to place their current students into two new classes for each subsequent grade. Ideally each class in each grade would have 18 students, but due to our current classroom size constraints and enrollment numbers, some may have a few more and some less depending on the grade. 

I realize that each parent has in mind the best teacher and friend group for his or her child. However, TRA will not be letting parents choose their child's teacher or classmates for any grades that have two classes. I know from personal experience how difficult this can be to trust the school and the Lord to place children in the "right" class. Please know that the teachers and I will be prayerfully considering a lot of factors to make sure each student is in a healthy learning environment where he or she can thrive. We will do our best to make sure each child has at least one friend in his or her new class. And all of our elementary teachers are amazing!

Thank you for your understanding and support as we continue to grow as a school. It is an exciting time of continued growth at TRA!

-Lisa Hysom, Elementary Principal and Interim Head of School

On Graduation: “Such an end…”

In just a few short weeks, on June 3 at 2 pm, we will graduate our latest class of seniors, the class of 2023. We invite everyone in the TRA family to join us in celebration of this great feat! But why attend if your own children aren’t the ones walking across that stage? To see what you and your kids are working toward. We want you to consider taking a long view of your child’s education; what end are you–and they–working toward?

I recognize that, for many TRA parents, the day that their children will walk across that stage and receive that well-earned diploma is so far off that it’s a barely visible speck on the horizon. Mountains of books, steppes of spelling sheets, plateaus of papers, forests of facts and formulae, and rivers of recitations lie between here and there. Graduation helps to keep that end in sight, to remind us all why we do what we do.

By the time our seniors graduate from TRA, they have successfully completed a curriculum of education that is tough and time-tested. The only way they were able to finish that race was through grit, grins, and a lot of hard work. Renowned British author and theologian G.K. Chesterton, master of wit and wisdom, 1 talks bluntly about the nature of success: “It is perfectly obvious that in any decent occupation (such as bricklaying or writing books) there are only two ways…of succeeding. One is by doing very good work, the other is by cheating” (Chesterton, “The Fallacy of Success”). Our students do very good work, reading difficult books, writing thoughtful papers, delivering deep orations, solving intense equations, and discussing great ideas. This does not come easy to many of them; for most, it involves years of blood, toil, tears, and sweat–sacrificed and shed in equal measure, I assure you, by our dedicated faculty and staff. But our students take Chesterton’s first way: they do very good work.

“...so again you ask: why would I come to watch others’ kids graduate? To see and celebrate the best that our education has to offer, and to get a glimpse into your own future. ”

Whether your children will graduate from TRA in two years or twelve, it can often be difficult to see the end result of this classical Christian education. Maybe you’re being bombarded by pleas to send your children to another school where they can take more AP classes (we offer 3, let alone our Humane Letters and Rhetoric classes which are at the college level and come with 5-points for their GPAs and prepare students with the content needed for the AP English tests). Maybe they want to play sports (we have had, nearly every year in the last 7, students who balance varsity and State-level athletic competitions with their rigorous academic load, some winning awards for their accomplishments). Maybe they want more extracurriculars (we’ve had many students star in local and high school productions). Maybe your children are terrified of that darned Senior thesis (come see our presentations on May 24-25 and be blown away by students who quaked at the thought of speaking 2 minutes in front of their class). Maybe Secondary is so far away that you’re waiting to cross that bridge when you come to it. All of these are understandable thoughts, so again you ask: why would I come to watch others’ kids graduate? To see and celebrate the best that our education has to offer, and to get a glimpse into your own future. 

Our graduation ceremony features student speakers delivering eloquent, moving orations on the nature and meaning of their education. Our graduates walked a long, tough road to get to that stage, to poise themselves to take the plunge into the next journey of life. Our graduates will proffer the secrets of how they finished well. It’s their celebration of a race well-run, congratulations for successfully completing a challenging intellectual Iron Man Competition, readied with tools in their belts to take on whatever the world will throw at them. But they do not slink across the stage, furtively snatch their diplomas from the Head of School and dart off into the night. They speak of their deeds like the heroes of old, having done battle with Grendel’s mother, green knights, dragons, orcs, Big Brothers, Lords of the Flies, Trojans and Greeks, Philosophers and Kings, Logic, Thesis, Post-Truth philosophies–Physics, even–and they have emerged victorious. 

When I graduated from my high school, I left and never looked back. Our graduates get their diplomas and hug us all. What’s more, they come back. They commiserate with us about difficult college classes, brag about how their English classes were a breeze, and share stories of how they’ve had the chance to be lights in this dark world wherever they go, for they have the tools and the grit, grins, and grace to succeed–not cheat–through life. So, if you’re wondering whether to compel your kids to stick through to the end (even whilst balancing a non-TRA extracurricular load): come see what that end looks like.  See the smiles on their faces, the sweat on their brows from jobs well done, and the pride that comes with knowing they have, in the words of King Théoden, “[made] such an end as to be worthy of remembrance.”

-Tyler Howat, Dean of Academics

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1 If you haven’t read any Chesterton, I urge you to start with his essay collection: In Defense of Sanity.

The River Academy 2022 Seniors on Graduation Day!

Best Intentions

Our community of families and staff members at The River Academy enjoy an especially sweet camaraderie. There is a sweetness to the greetings in the hallways at morning drop off and the communication between families and staff is grounded in the understanding that we all want the same thing: a rich education steeped in God’s word and a Christian worldview for every student. Misunderstandings do happen, of course, and conflict arises, but in almost every case, we will enjoy more clarity and less upset feelings when each party remembers the fundamental attribution error and filters their responses for it.

The fundamental attribution error is a bias toward ourselves that causes us to attribute others’ behaviors or mistakes directly to their character or personality. In other words, we may feel convinced that they will always behave in the same way because they are fundamentally flawed. However, when we make the exact same mistakes or behaviors it is simply because of outside influences. In other words, if an imaginary co-worker, Kevin, is consistently late to our meetings it’s because he chooses not to go to bed in a timely manner, or he doesn’t value my time, or doesn’t discipline himself to be punctual. But when I am late to a meeting, it is because of horrible traffic, or people stopping me in the hall, or other circumstances outside of my control.  So Kevin’s tardiness is his own fault, but mine is definitely not my fault. We ALL do this.  

This tendency to assume the best about myself, but the worst of others, causes most misunderstandings, offenses, and broken relationships. When we are able to assume the very best intent about each and every person we interact with, we will find we experience lovely community and shared affection for one another.  But how can we overcome this oh-so-natural way of thinking? Here is a five step plan to relational connection and finding empathy even in the middle of conflict.  

1. Remember our natural tendency to judge others harshly

2. And that we tend to see our own best intentions, even when we make a mistake or bother others.   

3. Engage the bias filter question- “What circumstances would I have to experience which would cause me to take those same actions?”  

4. Then, respond to the situation and the other person as if they did indeed experience those exact circumstances. 

5. Finally, enjoy more positivity, empathy and stronger relationships

Going through this filter process simply helps me take a breath and adjust my attitude before I make a snarky remark that might be hurtful, “Late again, eh Kevin?” (Then I feel like a horrible human when he mentions that he was at the hospital visiting his mom since 5am this morning).

If I can assume that others are making reasonable decisions, I find I don’t take things so personally and don’t feel hurt or frustrated as often. It also makes it easier for me to trust and enjoy people; I feel better about humanity in general so I can face the world with more positivity and optimism. This action of pausing and choosing to think the best of someone else is a beautiful type of grace…it’s an essential part of building a healthy Christian community here at TRA. So the next time you are faced with a frustrating situation and feel yourself thinking that the other person is unreasonably dumb or incredibly selfish, just take a deep breath, and remember the fundamental attribution error, and apply your filter. Then you’ll be able to respond with the grace and kindness we all aspire to and which we really appreciate from everyone else.  

-Tonya Griffith, TRA Principal

Grandparents Day at TRA

We are excited to welcome all of our grandparents for our annual Grandparents Day celebration! As usual, we are preparing some wonderful treats for you, both the baked type and some lovely grandkid time. We’ll also have a photo area (or 2) for your traditional TRA souvenir pictures taken with your grandkids (process will be expedited if grandparents bring their own camera, cell phone, or an I-pad). We wrap up at noon leaving time for a special lunch out or an afternoon family adventure. We really want this to be a memorable day for grandparents and their kiddos.  

Grandparents are welcome to arrive at 9:00 a.m. and go directly to any of their grandchildren’s classrooms. We will have signs and staff directing them to where they want to go. Secondary students will be in their regular Friday second and third period classes and elementary students will remain in their home classrooms. Grandparents with multiple children are welcome to come and go between classes. We will have photo opportunities during this hour as well as during the refreshment time at the end of this half day of school.

Around 10:00 the elementary students will head out to the field for a large game of Eagle’s Nest, which grandparents are welcome to watch and cheer on the kids. The students will then head back to their classrooms and grandparents will go to the Great Hall to enjoy a special performance assembly. Each elementary class will perform a piece of their learning, followed by a select group of middle school students performing a recitation and seniors giving a shortened version of their capstone thesis speech. This hour-long presentation through the three stages of learning will give grandparents a peek into the Classical methodology and our efforts to educate future Christian leaders who can think critically and speak eloquently. 

After the performance assembly, grandparents may pick their grandchildren up from their classroom(s) to enjoy some refreshments and get their family picture taken if they were unable to do so earlier in the day. Students should return to their classrooms at 12:00 to gather their backpack and any other items they will need over the weekend. Grandparents may take their children home, or parents may follow their normal pick-up routine at 12:00. There will not be a lunchtime at school that day, so students may have a special lunch with their grandparents. We look forward to welcoming grandparents to our school for this annual heartwarming celebration!

Mike Picciottoli, Head of School at TRA

Dear TRA Community,

Praise God for the opportunity for me and my family to become part of The River Academy Community! My wife Katie and I, along with our three children (Gabe, Jenny, and Eben), are beyond excited. Below is a brief history of what brought me to TRA. My entire family will be visiting TRA toward the end of April so that Katie and I can attend the yearly Gala. Then, Lord willing, we will begin driving out to Wenatchee (a 40+ hour drive!) around June 16th. 

Friday, June 9, will mark the completion of my 20th year in the educational field. Although God provided me with work in high school at a toy store, McDonald's, and a gas station, my first full-time education job was as a fifth grade public school teacher in New Jersey. For 2 years, I taught fifth grade; then for the next 7 years, I taught middle school history. (I love working with middle school students!) During these 9 years, I earned two master's degrees- one in educational technology and one in education leadership. 

For the next six years, I was a vice-principal in two different public schools. In the first school, I worked with students in fifth and sixth grades, and in the second school, I worked with students in grades K-5. During the last three years as a vice-principal, God also called me to be the board president of Trinity Christian School (TCS), the Classical Christian school where I am currently the Head of School. 

In October of 2022, an email popped up in my inbox about a HOS opening at TRA. At first, I opened the job description with the hopes of passing it on to a colleague or someone else that would be interested; but the more I read, the better this unknown place sounded. 

I can still vividly remember calling Katie and saying, “I think I should submit my resume for this Head of School job in Washington State. I seem perfectly qualified for this job and maybe God is leading us in this direction…” With each step in the interview process, God continued to make it more and more clear that He has perfectly suited me for TRA! And with each new interaction with someone from TRA - be it Mr. Salcido, Mrs. Griffith, Mrs. Hysom, Mr. Howat, Mrs. Harris, or any other person I meet - God continues to confirm that TRA is the new home of the Picciottoli Family.

The joys I have experienced and the relationships built here at TCS over the past five years will be missed, but as the old hymn goes “God moves in a mysterious way…” When this school year began, I would never have imagined what God had in store for the future, but how thankful I am that He has made it clear that TRA is the future He has planned for me and my family.

The Picciottoli Family is honored to become a part of this community. From my almost 20 years in education, it is crystal clear that TRA is something extremely special. May God continue to bless TRA, and I look forward to meeting everyone in person soon. 

In Christ,

Mike Picciottoli

Easter!

Easter is here! And as the lively pink blossoms herald the dawn of sunny springtime, we Christians celebrate a sweeter sort of Son-rise. Jesus Christ the righteous - friend of sinners, God in flesh, crucified for my transgressions, the sin-bearing Savior - has risen (HE HAS RISEN INDEED!) - “just like he said he would” (Matt. 28:6). This is the shining season of resurrection hope. But for weary strugglers like me, that means also resurrecting my hopes in Jesus. It is a season for refreshing my comfort and confidence that this Savior not only died for me, but yet He LIVES and makes me free. 

Bedecked in happy pastels, brothers and sisters in Christ remind one another of this bright hope during the Easter season. So, to that end, I’d like to share some recent soundbites from two sophomores - that their words might refresh your hope and hearts, as they did mine.  

“Not only did Jesus accept him, Jesus did what he needed to do in order to help Thomas believe.”

— Emma C.

From Emma C.:   My favorite moment in John’s gospel is when Jesus appears to Thomas. The other disciples had already seen Jesus and they believed. But Thomas had not been with them. When the other disciples told Thomas that they had seen Jesus, he did not believe them. When the disciples were together again, Jesus appeared to them in a room that had been locked. Jesus told Thomas to feel his hands and his side where the nails and spears had been. Thomas felt them and believed. Jesus easily could have turned Thomas away. Just as Thomas doubted that Jesus lived, Jesus could have doubted that Thomas would stay. But Jesus didn’t turn Thomas away. Not only did Jesus accept him, Jesus did what he needed to do in order to help Thomas believe. This is extremely comforting to me. Faith is hard and I do not always hold as steadfastly to my faith as I should. Like Thomas, I let doubt creep in. Sometimes I question if what I believe is real. But Jesus does not turn me away. All I have to do is find my way back to him. 

“Jesus shows up just as he does at the right time.”

— Kanyon D.

From Kanyon D.:  My favorite scene in John is when Jesus has risen again and encounters the disciples fishing in John 21. His interaction with Peter portrays the whole gospel well and wraps up the main ideas into one encounter. It shows God's warm love and forgiveness, soft heart, Jesus’ power, and the power of repentance even from the worst sin possible. Peter, who denied Jesus right before his death, realizes that he messed up badly and has an enormous amount of guilt and shame haunting him. We can relate to Peter a little bit when we mess up and bear the weight and embarrassment of wondering what will happen when we are exposed. Peter is fishing to try to get his mind off of his guilt and while they are catching nothing, Jesus shows up just as he does at the right time. Not only has he risen and shown up on a sunny morning on a beach, but he allows the disciples to catch more fish then they can muscle in. Peter sees that it is Jesus and is shocked, so much that he would drop everything and jump into the morning ocean to try to swim to Jesus faster. Peter doesn't even have words, all he can do is be in the presence of Jesus. Jesus cooks them breakfast, and knowing Peter's shame, he makes it absolutely clear and good with Peter again by asking and affirming that Peter loves Jesus. Jesus then says that he has work once again for Peter to do in Jesus’ name. This scene shows Jesus’ love for us no matter how bad we mess up if our heart truly desires to seek repentance. It is comforting to know that Jesus’ love is so great that even when I faceplant into a trap of stupid sin, Jesus is always right there with open arms, loving and waiting for me to turn to him again with repentance and a grateful heart.  

Amen & amen!  Happy Easter :) 

-Nathan Hettick, TRA Chaplain

The River Academy Regents’ Gala: Celebrating 25 Years of our Classical, Christian Community

Considering we haven’t gathered with our parents and our entire TRA community since November of 2019, many of our families have never experienced the joy and community-building that takes place at one of our fundraising Galas (or for the old timers, a TRA Benefit Dinner). Since that time, the Lord has faithfully and steadily grown our enrollment from 240 students to 308. That’s a lot of new families!

While raising funds for our Tuition Assistance program is critical to making a TRA education accessible to more mission-fit families who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford it, this year the primary function of this elegant and fun evening is to form new—and deepen existing—connections between our parents and staff. Yes, the fundraising is still incredibly important and critical to our operations and mission, but these relationships are crucial to maintaining the school-parent partnership culture we have all worked so hard to establish over the past 25 years. Since we recognize we have missed this over the past few years, it is our top priority for the Regents’ Gala this year.

“Investing in [our] relationships is worth it, and the Gala is a great place to build upon them.”

Why does it matter?

As a long-time TRA parent, I can attest to how important it is to form meaningful relationships with other parents and staff members. It is such a privilege to be raising my children alongside other like-minded families as we are all learning to navigate the journey of parenthood (especially teenagers!) together. Investing in these relationships is worth it, and the Gala is a great place to build upon them.

Highlights of the Evening

In addition to a delicious surf and turf dinner and dessert, the evening will include a no-host bar, silent auction, games, and a brief program. Our next Head Of School, Michael Picciottoli, and his wife Katie will be making the trip out to Wenatchee for the event and to look at homes in the valley. Come listen to him share a few words about himself and his excitement to be part of the TRA family. 

Ask anyone who has attended a Gala in the past, and they’ll tell you what a treat it was to get dressed up and dine with other parents and TRA staff members whilst supporting our beloved TRA and its mission to educate the next generation of Christian leaders. It’s shaping up to be a fun evening, so if you haven’t already purchased your tickets, click the link below and do so now. You won’t regret it!

How can you help?

We rely on all of our TRA families to make this event come together, and there are several ways for you to help: whether that be by attending, donating a silent auction item, volunteering to set up or clean up, or sponsoring the evening on behalf of your business. Please see the “Parents Guide to the Gala” for more information on how you can get involved.

I can’t wait to see you there!

For His Glory,

Andie Johnson, Director of Development

The Rhetoric Stage of Learning

If our students in the grammar stage focus on the building blocks of “what?”, and the dialectic/logic stage students ask “why?” then the rhetoric stage focuses on “how?” This stage digs deep, asking the big essential questions about the world, picking them apart with less hands-on guidance from their teachers, discussing with one another, and learning to stand on their own as they prepare for life beyond these halls of learning. The big project at the end of it all is the senior thesis (which we’ve written extensively about before–check out the blog!), but how do we prepare them for this massive capstone project?

Our classes from tenth-twelfth grade write reflective, persuasive, and analytical papers (with some meaty creative writing woven in there), and wrestle with bigger, deeper, more difficult themes. Humane Letters transitions out of being the primary writing class, asking students more thoughtful, reflective questions, while keeping students in the habit of writing regularly. 

The most concrete examples of our students moving into the rhetorical “how?” stage are our rhetoric classes. Rhetoric is the art and science of persuasion, named and codified by the Greek philosopher Aristotle but perfected by Roman orators like Cicero and Quintilian. In Rhetoric I (11th grade), we break down how great writers and speakers persuade. We start by learning Aristotle’s canons of rhetoric (Invention, Arrangement, Style, Memory, Delivery) to examine how a person could go from idea (invention) to structure and composition (arrangement and style) to the presentation (memory and delivery) of persuasive discourse. Then we spend the year breaking down how rhetoricians do their job by reading the greats: Churchill, Lincoln, Wilberforce, Hitler, and Chamberlain, to name a few. Along the way, they write reflections and responses and analyses, picking apart how these rhetoricians do their jobs. They also write their Junior Thesis, looking philosophically at something they’ve studied throughout their time at TRA.

Then, Rhetoric II (12th grade) spends the entire year doing what they studied how to do (and practiced in their junior year): write a rhetorical thesis. They spend the summer before their senior year (and a month or two into the school year) in the Invention process–coming up with and researching their argument. Then they plan and write, and revise, and rewrite their Senior Thesis in preparation for the Senior Thesis Defense: a 20-25 minute speech followed by a 20-25 minute question and answer session in front of a large part of the school. This is not the first time that students have spoken in front of people. We do this in class regularly, though with increasing regularity as they move up in their learning stages. Rhetoric II focuses primarily on public speaking, practicing throughout the year, all in preparation for our students standing on stage, speaking truth with clarity, goodness, and beauty. 

Once they successfully summit the dreaded Mount Thesis, once they cross the stage and receive the diploma that they have so thoroughly earned, they can look back on the peaks and valleys, the crags and crannies of their writing through all the stages has prepared them not only for college or work but for becoming lifelong learners.

The Logic Stage of Learning

We’ve all had–or have been–that preteen who, sitting around the dinner table or riding home from school, just has opinions. They have identified each and every problem with the world and decided on the solution. Or, they’ve determined that they will not do their chores and nothing will deter them, and they have reasons to back up their staunch position. Or, they repeatedly ask “why?” and our answers of “because I said so” doesn’t cut it anymore. These kids are in the Dialectic–the use of logical dialogue and opinions–stage of learning. We hope to harness this passion for the dialectic that begins to burgeon from upper elementary through junior high to its fullest potential, and writing is an essential tool in our toolbelt. 

Once our students arrive in seventh grade, in junior high, they’re done with grammar! No more punctuation worries, no more grammar learning, no more reinforcement of the rules–it’s all just rhetorical style and substance from here on out, right? Not quite. The grammar stage focuses on the “what?” of things, the building blocks, so this in-between period, this logical (also called dialectical) focuses on the “why?” This stage of learning continues to reinforce needed elements from the grammar stage, but it incorporates logic and critical thinking in order to infuse our students’ writing with persuasiveness.

As our students transition out of the grammar stage of learning in elementary, they need to build upon those foundations in order to move toward the ultimate goal of the rhetoric student: to communicate persuasively and effectively defend beliefs and opinions with supporting evidence from a biblical worldview. But newly-minted seventh graders aren’t ready to defend a worldview-infused senior thesis on stage. We need to take the time to guide them there.

The goal of writing in the logic stage is to develop and defend thesis statements (arguments–not just topics) with textual evidence. To that end, the logic stage purposefully reviews punctuation, grammar, and organization to make sure that sentences and paragraphs make sense. Moreover, we use PEAS (Point, Evidence, Analysis, and So What/Significance) to guide our body paragraph structures. We’ll spend time with the details of writing–lots of paragraph writing, thesis statement practice, and gleaning of evidence to prove their points.

We want students to persuade with logos, logic and reason, so that they don’t simply say, “Because I said so,” when attempting to convince someone of an idea. In this way, their humane letters classes walk hand-in-hand with their logic, science, and math classes. We discuss heavily in class, wrestling with bigger ideas and requiring that all students turn to their readings to inform their opinions and support what they say. This, then, translates to their winsomeness in writing.

During this logic stage, with an increasing amount of purposefulness, secondary classes integrate with one another to encourage students’ thoughts and writing to develop beyond the surface level, laying the groundwork for the rhetoric stage which goes even further in its persuasive aims. Ultimately, we want our students to be able to deliver their senior thesis and graduate, but more importantly, we dream that they will eloquently and earnestly speak in defense of their faiths to spread the Kingdom of Christ.

Tyler Howat

Dean of Academics

The Grammar Stage of Learning

One of the end goals of a classical Christian education is to communicate persuasively and effectively defend beliefs and opinions with supporting evidence from a biblical worldview. To achieve this goal we start in Kinder-Prep with teaching letter recognition and primary sounds. These are mastered in Kindergarten as consonant blends and other phonograms are introduced, along with providing students with a lot of practice writing letters, words, and eventually sentences.

As a student progresses through the lower elementary years (grades 1-3), the 70 most common phonograms in the English language are mastered and less common ones are introduced, along with 29 spelling rules. Students memorize and practice using phonograms and spelling rules to correctly read and spell new words. At the same time, they are memorizing, using joyful chants and songs, the definitions of the eight parts of speech, five parts of a sentence, four types of verbs, lists of 53 prepositions and 23 helping verbs, different categories and lists of pronouns, capitalization and punctuation rules, 4 types of sentences, 7 sentence patterns, and so much more. Students also analyze how the grammar of words and sentences are put together and get plenty of practice writing their own sentences and, eventually, paragraphs.

Next, they begin learning about topic sentences and the “sandwich” style of paragraph writing, using supporting examples and evidence to explain their topic and support their opinion. Second and third grade students practice writing three paragraph essays. They are taught how to write a letter, as well as narrative, informative, and opinion writing. There are people who apply to work here who don’t know how to format a letter, but our elementary students practice it! 

Upper elementary students (grades 4-6) continue reviewing and hopefully mastering the grammar of spelling and English grammar, while learning how to read a source text and capture the main ideas.  These young students are able to summarize what they have learned about a topic, which is the beginning of higher learning itself.  Then they “dress up” their writing with different writing conventions, and then edit their writing independently by using a checklist. They also learn more literary devices, such as metaphors, similes, hyperbole, idioms, alliteration, imagery, onomatopoeia, allegory, and personification, and practice incorporating them into their writing to make it more effective and interesting to read.

By the time TRA students move on from elementary to secondary (grades 7-8), they hopefully have mastered the tools required to be excellent spellers (phonograms and spelling rules), and have mastered the definitions, parts, structures, and rules of English grammar. They will understand the mechanics of writing paragraphs and how to edit their own writing. They will have the tools required to organize their thoughts and communicate clearly. Learning the “grammar” of writing prepares them well for the next stage of learning, the logic or dialectic stage, where they use quotations and rules of argument and logic to support their beliefs and opinions with evidence from the literature and texts they read, as well as the Bible. Come back next week to hear more about how persuasive writing is taught and practiced in the logic stage of learning (grades 7-9)!

-Lisa Hysom, Interim Head of School

Why Read the Classics?

One of the primary focuses of our recent Bridge event was our determination to read—widely and broadly—the classics. In a recent article, the President of the Society for Classical Learning, Eric Cook, wrote about this ethos. He gives us four reasons why we should read the classics in a classical school setting: 

1. “Reading and discussing the classics makes us better human beings”

2. “Reading the classics keeps us from acting as Cyclops”

3. “Reading the classics compels us to ask the most important questions in life.”

4. And that Christians should discuss the classics. 

Enjoy this short article in which he expounds upon these ideas:

Love is an Action

True love is an action, and specifically an act of sacrifice. “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13). God demonstrated His unconditional love for us when He sent His Son to die as an atonement for our sin. In response to this greatest gift and act of love, God commands us to love Him with all our heart, soul, and mind, and to love others as yourself (Matthew 22: 37-39). Not just on February 14.

Modern American culture bombards us with messages that love is a feeling to be expressed in any way that feels right. However, as Christians, we know that God - not any person - is the definition of love. He describes love as patient, kind, rejoices in truth, always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. (1 Cor. 13:4-7) Love is a choice that requires thinking of yourself less (not envious, not boastful, not self-seeking, not easily angered, not a keeper of records of wrong) and of others more. Selfless acts that bless and serve others - such as inviting someone different from you to have lunch with you, getting to know them, helping clean up messes you didn’t create - require more thought and effort than writing someone’s name on a card or giving them some candy. 

We have not traditionally exchanged valentines with classmates at TRA, so there is no need to buy or make anything for your child to bring into school. Instead, we celebrate, in class, the love of God and our call to love others. People should know we are Christians by our love. If we as Christians are not looking for ways to share God’s love with others, after having experienced the greatest act of love ever shown in Jesus’s death and resurrection, then who will? Part of educating future Christian leaders requires looking to God’s definition of love and teaching students how to express that love well to all people - not just on Valentine’s Day, but every day.

-Lisa Hysom, TRA Interim Head of School

Words of the Wise

It is commonplace in the world at large, for women to choose to use their words as weapons against one another. However, we want our girls to grow into young women who honor each other, recognize gossip and avoid it. Many people justify speaking ill of others because, “well, it's the truth, so it’s not gossip.” This is patently untrue. Gossip is defined as any conversation, held in a person’s absence, that makes them appear in a lesser light to the listeners. It is also talking about a person or a situation with someone who is neither part of the problem, nor part of the solution.  We always have the choice to have grace to overlook small offenses but we often choose to make them bigger by talking about them. The Bible is pretty clear in Proverbs 17:9:  “[a]nyone who overlooks an offense promotes love, but someone who gossips separates close friends.” Gossip kills relationships.

We hope to instill in all of our students the desire and skills to build true community.  This starts by valuing relationships and knowing how to protect and sustain them. Relational harmony, as any married couple can corroborate, requires a great deal of care. Cultivating an authentic community requires similar care and a commitment to transparent, and sometimes uncomfortable, conversation; asking for what we need, sharing when we’ve been hurt, admitting our mistakes that have hurt others, and asking forgiveness.

Our staff members model this type of commitment to real relationships through sometimes uncomfortable conversations. I’m entirely blessed to work with people who will come to me and say, “I feel concerned about the way your words affected our co-worker yesterday. I know her feelings were hurt and you need to go make that right.”  This way of speaking the truth, in love, paves the way for me to mend a relational tear that I didn’t realize I had made. The opposite action would be for the person who noticed the hurt to go to the wounded one and commiserate about how insensitive I can be. Though they might not be wrong in fact, but would be wrong in heart. Talking about me, rather than to me, would result in relational damage. We must not forget the potential for healing or hurting in the power of our words. 

In James chapter three we are told that the tongue is one of those tiny little body parts that can start big fires! This rings true in my personal experience. At times I’ve been too quick to snap at someone when I’m frustrated or give a snarky retort before I even think of the potential consequences. And as I repent and ask God to work in me, I am growing in prudence through the grace of Jesus. I find I’m able to choose my words more carefully and practice greater restraint in giving a slow and thoughtful answer. 

Prudence, or making wise and careful choices, is a virtue we value at TRA. We are focusing on cultivating virtue in our own lives and in our students.  We strive to build up one another with our words, rather than to tear each other down. We want to graduate young women who know how to create and maintain authentic relationships by refraining from gossip, courageously entering hard conversations, and showing prudence in their words and actions, so they will be lights of God’s love in a world that desperately needs it.

-Tonya Griffith, Principal