Students Receive High School Diplomas

"This May represents a milestone in the lives of many students at Turning Winds because of the accomplishment they have achieved in anticipation of the completion of a high school diploma.

 

The greatest challenge in life each of us faces is the management of our own selves, not others. For if we can control our own actions, speech, thoughts, and ideas, we have the potential to be available to others and to learn from them. Earning a high school diploma represents one of the major steps in this life long challenge of personal attainment.

 

It is with much appreciation I present to you

 the following students: 
Ryan A.

Evan R.

Kevin I.

Robert W.

Abigail S.

Stefan B.

Logan W.

Austin R.

Alex S.

I am proud of your accomplishments and you have a right to be proud of yourselves. I encourage you to take the discipline, work ethic, and structure of a daily routine with you into your future. Know that every great accomplishment comes with sacrifice. Self indulgence has no good end because it is never satisfied. Seek truth, do good acts, and live well. "

Janet Hanson

Academic Director
Turning Winds Academic Institute

Turning Winds Academic Institute Sponsors Tim Tebow Event

 On March 07, 2012, John Baisden invited a group of students and a teacher from Turning Winds Academic Institute to attend a fundraiser hosted by Stillwater Christian School. The theme for the event was, “For such a Time as This, an Evening with Tim Tebow.” What a wonderful opportunity this was to visit with, and listen to Tim Tebow discuss overcoming adversity in his life and instilling hope, faith and perseverance while speaking to a crowd of over 2000 people in Kalispell, MT. 

 Along with tickets to attend the event, I was given a single pass that afforded the opportunity for someone to have a personal conversation and photo shoot with Tim Tebow. I decided to give that opportunity to our only eighteen year old student, Logan W. I hope that that event made a profound impact upon Logan as well as the rest of the students. Those in attendance from our school were Logan W., Brian S., Matt M., Kevin I. and Steve K. Also, in attendance was our longest standing teacher (nine years) at TWAI, Scott Bertsch.  

 One of the great stories that Tim Tebow shared with us surrounded the events of the BCS National Championship when Florida beat out Oklahoma 24-14. Coach Meyer set the tone that football season with the mentality of not winning the BCS National Championship but, instead he had preached all season to his team that they needed to “finish strong” in everything that they did both on and off the field. When Tim Tebow had just scored another touchdown to put Florida up by ten points, he knew that he had sealed the deal and that they would win the national championship. As Tim walked off the field, Coach Meyer walked over to him as he took off his headset. He grabbed Tim, hugged him and said, “You finished strong, I love you and I am proud of you!”

That is what we hope for with every student that is enrolled in TWAI.  That when they have completed their stay at our school, they are received by a parent, grandparent or guardian and are able to say as Coach Meyer conveyed to Tim Tebow, “You finished strong, I love you and I am proud of you!”  Let us all be a little better in our lives that we may be an instrument for good and finish strong!

Fun in the Snow....

In February, a group of young men from Turning Winds Academic Institute hiked out to the Upper Ford cabin in Yaak, Montana.  There were many first time experiences during the trip as many of the students at Turning Winds Academic Institute have never experienced snowfall like this in their young lives.

The students enjoyed sledding, snowshoeing, and even built an igloo out of snow.  Many team building exercises were played each evening as well.  Below are two of the student’s reflections on the trip:

 

From the pen of Ryan A.:

“The venturing trip was a lot of fun but also very educating.  Along with the fun we had the trip also taught me so much about myself and reassured me on the progress I have made while being at Turning Winds Academic Institute.  We were given a lot of freedom compared to our everyday life at the school.  There were many chances to make the right or wrong choice throughout the trip and I made all the right choices.  In some situations I was in, I would have made the wrong choice before coming to Turning Winds Academic Institute.  It was nice to know I was trusted and it was even nicer to know that when I was trusted I was able to make the right choice.  We were also given a ration of food for our lunch throughout the week.  I learned that I have to work on saving things and using my resources wisely.  Although it was just food this time, I know now that in the real world it could be money and if I don’t spend it wisely I might not be able to pay my bills.  I understand that this could then lead to whole mess of other problems.  All in all it was a great trip with lots of fun and good lessons.  I feel as though I learned so many valuable lessons on this trip while also being given a great opportunity to reflect on the progress I have made while being here at Turning Winds Academic Institute.”

 

From the pen of Brian S.:

“A couple of weeks ago I went a super venturing.  This was a huge privilege for me because super venturing is usually for graduates only.  I was given the opportunity to attend because of my good performance in the program thus far.

We went to a cabin that was a few miles outside of Yaak for a week.  There was no electricity or running water, so we had to boil our water or filter it. 

There were a lot of activities we participated in.  One day we went snowshoeing up in the mountains.  It was fun going through the deep snow.  We also went sledding one of the days.  We made ramps and found anyway we could to gain speed. 

We had a lot of freedom during venturing, and it was a great opportunity for me to see how I would handle freedom at home.  I am proud of myself that I continued to make good choices and did not abuse the freedom I was given. “

Students Participate In Service Project

~ Logan W.
"A few weeks ago, a group of 6 students went out on a service project to Bonners Ferry, ID.  We had the idea of snowshoveling driveways and parking lots, but by the time we arrived in Bonners Ferry the sun had taken care of the snow.  After driving around for a bit we discovered a thrift store that needed a lot of help!  We showed up just in time for these ladies.  They were overjoyed to see us and they kept saying "we were sent from God".  We moved boxes and completed a bunch of different tasks that the ladies assigned.  They were so impressed with our willingness to do anything they asked us to do.  It was incredible to see how happy our helping made them and how accomplished it made me feel to really do something that mattered!"

The Families of TWAI Join Together to Bring Students a Christmas Surprise

"Joy is the simplest form of gratitude."  ~Karl Barth

Through the generous support of many of our Turning Winds Academic Institute families, the school was able to create a game room for the students as a Christmas morning surprise.  The room is located in the new staff bunk house that was completed this past fall.  In a matter of two weeks a "dream" became a reality due to the outpouring of support from so many parents.  Everyone at Turning Winds Academic Institute would like to Thank You for your generosity! 

Students and staff alike are very excited for the new addition and the rewards that will come with having it on campus.  "This gives the students something to look forward to and work towards, shared Enoch Stump, Operations Director at TWAI.  He went on to say, "The game room creates excellent teachable moments as well as many opportunities for building relationships in an environment that is familiar to our students".  Gordon Newell, Program Director at TWAI, is excited for the possibilities to come.  Students have been doing a great job caring for the facility.  They are very interested in earning time to be in the room.  "This is a great tool for rewarding good behavior as well as teaching students healthy boundaries and limits in using activities like these", said Gordon.  Entering the game room you will find a pool table which can also be converted to a ping pong table, a foosball table, popcorn machine, 2 Wii game systems along with 2 flat screen TVs, and bean bag chairs for relaxing.  

"First let me say, the game room is a great motivation.  There's a pool table, foosball table, popcorn machine, and Wii.  This motivates me because it feels like home again when I'm in it.  It is also loads of fun! It gives us a chance to take a break and relax for a while.  It is probably the best Christmas present we could have gotten here!"  ~Casey E.

"The game room has so many fun and exciting things we do in there like play foosball, pool, the Wii, a popcorn machine, and bean bag chairs.  It is so fun and also makes me more motivated to do good and graduate.  Thank you so much for the amazing Christmas gift."  ~Erica S.

"The game room is fun.  We have a pool table that changes into a ping pong table as well as other great things.  It is really fun and we are so very thankful for this amazing gift."  ~Kayla K.

All of the students were given the opportunity to be in the game room on Christmas Day.  Now students who have commenced will be given the privilege.  Again we would like to sincerely thank all of the families that joined together to make this possible.  Your generosity helped to create Christmas Magic!

Pictures of Thanksgiving 2011

“At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.” — Albert Schweitzer

My New Year's Resolution...

Josh B.: Well, the month of December wasn’t the best when it came to avoiding consequences, my New Year needs to be full of positive mindsets, positive decisions and a better outcome. I plan to fully change my behavior so not only can I earn more respect of the staff, but regain the trust of both my mother and father.

Austin R.: Work my program as successfully as possible. I am going to work hard in school, advance in my program, and become a stronger person in therapy.

Ryan A.: Work hard to accomplish all of the goals I set for myself.

Kevin I.: I want to finish highschool.

Andy K-G.: To do better in school and bring up my grades . Study harder, do better work, and express how I feel better!

Robby W.: To gain trust in my family and when I go home be the best Robby I can be.

Brian S.: To express my feeling in a more positive way.

Stefan B.: Finish geometry before the New Year.

Logan W.: To maintain a sober lifestyle once I leave Turning Winds, and to COMMENCE!

Nikolai K.: To go home get a job, buy a car, and start my life.

Abigail S.: Enjoy the rest of my childhood!

Kayla K.: Graduate high school.

Casey E.: To get healthy and find myself.

Megan B.: To do well in my program and keep it up when I get home.

Cameron G.: Do good and get my level back!

Paul H.: Take more control of my life and do what needs to be done in life.

Matt M.: Maintain a positive attitude in everything I do and try to have a positive outlook on life.

Karl S.: Sort out what I should do for my education.

Fabian L.:  Finish high school, then begin to take electives and get a full-time job so I can pay for college.

Evan R.: To be more responsible for me and my actions. To be a better grad and keep my level.

Joey P.: Get my grades up and maybe even finish high school here.