Dakota Adventist Academy

During a conference-wide Men's Retreat, many men came to Dakota Adventist Academy to bond and discuss the meaning of being a Godly man.  However, there was one slight problem.  The dorm was filled with the female students attending DAA!  What were these ladies supposed to do?  Well, on March 5-7, they packed up, headed to a hotel in Bismarck, and enjoyed their very own Girls' Retreat, sponsored by the Women's Ministry department!

Spending the weekend at the Comfort Suites hotel in Bismarck, the twenty-two girls spent the weekend discovering what it means to be beautiful, inside and out.  With lots of help provided from female DAA staff and Dakota Conference staff, these teenagers were able to address real issues in their lives concerning modesty, vanity, inner beauty, and God's desire for their purity.  The girls were treated to facials, complete with cucumbers masks.  Saturday evening was spent discussing fashion tips in relation to what had been learned over the weekend.  Special presenters included, Lunelle Bertresse, Jacquie Biloff, Rachael Boyd, Medgy Chapman, Valerie Haveman, Tonya McCombs, Kari Morrison, Angela Peoples, Rebecca Ryberg, Julie Vieau,  and Anne Wham.  Also, meals for the weekend were provided by volunteers from the Bismarck and Mandan churches - thank you so much for your delicious food and help!
 
For the weekend, a room mother was paired with three students in each hotel room.  Room mothers were able to spend quality time with their students, getting to know them on a personal level and providing games, snacks and advice during the downtime.  The students and staff also enjoyed the water slide, swimming pool and hot tub at the Comfort Suites hotel, providing a treat for the weekend.
 
After a weekend of relaxation, the DAA ladies came back to campus in time to get ready for the SA Spring Banquet.  With a theme of Candyland, bright dresses and smiles filled the old ABC room on campus.  Students enjoyed playing the game Candyland, taking pictures, and dipping strawberries and shortcake in a chocolate fountain.  The night ended with a viewing of the 1971 version of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. 

Overall, the weekend was an unique opportunity for the female students at DAA to bond with each other and other women, and come home refreshed to see their male classmates for a special banquet.  Thank you to everyone who helped make the weekend  a success for our DAA ladies!