My FLA Story

Isabella Fredrickson-Valdivia

FROM FLA TO CARNEGIE HALL

Isabella Frederickson-Valdivia, a student from the class of 2024 at Forest Lake Academy, had the extraordinary opportunity to perform on the iconic stage of Carnegie Hall in New York City. Isabella was a part of the Honors Performance Series, a program that offers students in Band, Orchestra, and Voice the chance to perform in renowned venues across the globe.

    

Mrs. Helen Woldemichael, FLA’s choral teacher, first brought the idea to Isabella as a way to expand her repertoire of work outside of Forest Lake Academy. After receiving a teacher recommendation from Mrs. Woldemichael, Isabella was invited to apply to the program in June of 2022. She wasted no time in preparing for her audition recording, which was required to be in a foreign language. She worked closely with her voice instructor, Esther Henson, to practice the piece “Caro Mio Bien” by Tommaso Giordano. She submitted her audition by the end of June and eagerly awaited the results.

In October, Isabella received an email notifying her that she had been accepted as a finalist and would be performing in the Honors Choir. She was overjoyed, as many applicants were waitlisted or placed in other choirs. She received the dates of her performance and her assigned part in December, just before Christmas. With only a little over a month to prepare, Isabella had to learn seven new songs, including one in Hebrew and another written by the conductor himself.

On January 31, 2023, Isabella and her mother flew to New York City, where they enjoyed a Broadway show before rehearsals began on February 1. Isabella’s mother bid her farewell as she embarked on several intense days of closed-door rehearsals.

  

The days of hard work and rehearsals paid off as Isabella took the stage at Carnegie Hall on February 4. “This experience was just a dream come true. Having the opportunity to be in an environment where so many kids loved the same thing as me and were just as passionate about that subject was very refreshing and fun to experience,” says Isabella, “I’m so happy to be at a school that provides opportunities for their students. FLA has so many great teachers like Mrs. Helen, and I’m very grateful for everything she and this school have done for me.” 

Dr. William Chen

FLA class of ‘92 alumni, Dr. William Chen, knew early on that he wanted to pursue professional school. Now almost 30 years later, he’s an established business owner and CEO of his company, Chen Dental.

Despite knowing that he wanted to go into professional schooling, Dr. Chen wasn’t initially anticipating attending dental school. His original thought was to attend medical school after graduating from Rollins College (1996) with a BA in Biology. However, he showed promise and found a passion for dentistry, and completed his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the University of Florida College of Dentistry in 2001.

“When you’re young, do you really know what you want to do for the rest of your life? I know I didn’t,” says Dr. Chen.

In his opinion, you have to gain life skills and experiences in order to discover who you are and what you want to be. Whether that be through extracurriculars, classes, work or sports.

Dr. Chen shares, “You’re not going to learn life experiences in school alone, whether it’s Adventist school or not.”

He believes working and stepping outside of your comfort zone is how you learn. He shared that while he was attending FLA, he worked at Taco Bell and quickly realized that he wasn’t a fan of fast food. Dr. Chen pursued a job the next year working for the dean instead. While his initial work experience wasn’t what he wanted to do, it was helpful in realizing what he liked and disliked.

Dr. Chen advises working, interning, or volunteering in different areas to find out what you like. Additionally, he encourages striving for good grades, not because they are the most important, but because he believes that they pave the way for good opportunities in the future.

“You don’t have to have these things, but it definitely helps give you options when you’re older,” Dr. Chen says. “Education is important, grades are important. But not getting good grades doesn’t mean you can’t do something. You need to try your best, get the grade that you can get, and focus on future opportunities. Always plan ahead.”

Looking back at his time spent in Adventist education, the aspect Dr. Chen is most fond of is the relationships he has created and maintained since he was a student.

“The friendships and families you grow up around in the Adventist education world are lifelong connections,” he states. “You can go away for eight years and come back and it’s just like it was yesterday.”

Dr. Chen attended school at some point in his Adventist education years with a lot of his current employees. In his opinion, the one thing that Adventist education has over other forms of education is the lasting relationships.

 

“You can go back and look at how the Adventist school system has been so integral in those long lasting relationships,” reflects Dr. Chen. “I definitely think that’s their strong point.”

He stresses how important it is to socialize your children in this way, allowing them to be positively influenced by lifelong relationships.

Dr. Chen hopes that this next school year will provide an environment where students can connect in person again instead of just through social media and online school.

With an impressive dentistry career in which he has been voted “Best Dentist” nine times, received multiple Business of the Year awards, and has gained the Innovation and Leadership Award, Dr. Chen has a lot to be proud of. Currently, he practices dentistry on a limited basis but is now focusing his efforts more on the administrative side of his business and his family. He enjoys spending time outdoors and continues to make lifetime memories with his three sons and wife of 21 years, Geri. Dr. Chen is an inspiring example of what Christians should strive to follow, building meaningful relationships, passionately putting to use God’s many gifts and all the while continuing to seek out Christ in all we do.

Daryl Meyers

THE JOURNEY

It was 1957, and I was about to begin an adventure my 14-year-old mind could not have anticipated much less prepared for. My parents drove me from our home in Atlanta, Georgia to a small country school called Forest Lake Academy, and it was definitely country.

Across the two-lane road from the Academy was a pier that went out a short distance on a small waterway called Mirror Lake where faculty and students could relax a little or enjoy a beautiful sunrise or sunset, that is if the mosquitoes didn’t drive them away.Just behind the Academy but still on school property was another small lake (where an alligator was found) as well as grapefruit and orange groves, with some of the best fruit trees anywhere. As to businesses or restaurants nearby, there weren’t any, or if there were, they were well-hidden. No fences or gates surrounded the school for there was no reason to have any.

Since this was my first time away from home, I had no idea what to expect; given that I was a bit shy (quite a bit, actually) and homesick didn’t help either. Before I knew it however, my new adventure was underway; attending classes, being involved in the school’s work program, and other student activities.

Early in the school year all the students took part in what was known back then as “Ingathering;” a church related program designed to raise funds for mission work. Supervised by faculty, all the students were assigned locations within 100 miles or so from the school where they would spend the day soliciting funds from the community, returning later in the day.

Our car of boys was headed to St. Petersburg and by mistake one of the girls’ cars was headed to the same location. We made it; they did not. Four of our beautiful young ladies lost their lives in a terrible car accident, a tragedy that few could even begin to imagine much less forget. The feelings of loss and the sudden absence of these young women hung like a cloud over the student body and for many of us who experienced this tragedy, the scars still remain. It was difficult to keep going, but we did the best we could with the help of parents, faculty and friends.

Somewhere in September or October a Week of Prayer was held at the school for the students. It was during this week that I had a deep life-changing spiritual experience which has served as a light and powerful influence in my life ever since. Although I wasn’t sure how, I wondered if God could actually do something with someone like me who was not only timid, but didn't feel he had the ability or talents others had. My place was to stay behind the scenes; let others more capable lead the way.

Apparently God had other plans in mind, for it seems He could see possibilities in me, as He does with all his children, that others could not. “Average” as I overheard a teacher tell my parents when I was younger, does not seem to exist in the mind of God. To Him, all His children are extraordinary with gifts and talents they may not be aware of.

After graduating from academy, I continued my education at Southern Missionary College, now Southern Adventist University, except for one year taken to study abroad in England (Newbold College). Not only was that year a great experience, but it was there I met a young lady from Sweden named Kerstin, who eventually became my wife of 56 years now and still counting.

After returning to SAU from England, I graduated with a BA in Theology and went on to Andrews University where I eventually completed Master’s and Doctoral degrees. Towards the end of 1969, my wife and I were invited to Liberia, West Africa where I served as Mission Evangelist and Youth Director from 1970 – 1974.

Les Pitton, who was in Liberia at the time, and I worked together to plan a special trip to West Africa (1973) for a wonderful choral group from Forest Lake called “The Last Generation Singers.” Their ministry in music and the testimonies they shared were a tremendous blessing to our African church members and others, both in Liberia and Ghana.

In time my wife and I were eventually asked to move to Nigeria where I served as Union Evangelist (1974-1978) and Youth Director as well as editor of our church paper. In 1976, through efforts on both sides of the Atlantic, arrangements were made for the King’s Heralds quartet and HMS Richards Jr. to go on a musical tour of Nigeria. To be involved in the planning as well as their tour throughout the country was a wonderful and uplifting experience not only for me, but for so many who attended their performances.

As with a tiny seed that needs a certain environment and special care in order to fully develop into what the Creator had in mind, it would seem God works with us in the same way, leading us to experiences often unexpected and sometimes uncomfortable that allow us to develop in ways we might not expect or even feel capable of. This was my experience in Africa where I discovered certain abilities I didn’t know I had.

While overseas I had opportunities to meet leadership within the countries where I worked as well as dignitaries from abroad, such as President and Mrs. Jimmy Carter, Billy Graham, William R. Tolbert, President of Liberia and Shirley Temple Black, American Ambassador to Ghana; the last two of whom were interviewed for national church publications in Great Britain and the U.S.

After returning to the U.S. in 1978, God apparently had some plans I was not aware of nor could have anticipated. Doors opened unexpectedly in healthcare where for 40 years I was involved in hospital ministry as a chaplain, including 38 as both chaplain and Director of Community Relations. Although I had already had opportunities to contribute through music (humble beginnings of which began at FLA) in this country as well as Africa and Europe, this new chapter in my life included recording opportunities as well.

Though now retired from healthcare, I have not retired from life. It would seem God is not finished with me yet. I have just completed a book based on this amazing adventure I have been on and though I have begun a new decade (80’s), I am still writing and recording.

As I look back across the years and reflect on my life’s journey and all the experiences I’ve been through, I understand something that when I was younger I could not. There is no such thing as “coincidences.” God’s timing is perfect and His ability to bring about situations or circumstances that encourage us to make important decisions or move in certain directions is once again anything but coincidental.

And by the way, like me, you might be a bit shy or feel like you can’t quite measure up to what others can do, but as with me, God has a way of seeing abilities we cannot, of transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary.

And no, you don’t have to be perfect or even close. Who hasn’t fallen from the path, missed the mark, yielded to temptation? We all have. What’s important is paying attention to the spirit within, grateful for each moment we have and doing the best we can. The rest God will take care of.

Like me, perhaps a few of you are now a bit older than what you were as students at FLA or even, could it be, moved into that rather interesting experience called “retirement.” If you have, do not allow society or well-meaning friends to marginalize your ability to contribute to life and the people around you. You are still alive not some relic to be observed. The gifts and talents you’ve been given and the wisdom you have gained over the years are still there. Be present, a “present” to others. You have much to give. Reach out and touch the lives of others and make a difference. You will never regret it. You will only regret it if you don’t.

Daryl Meyers is an alumnus of FLA; a speaker, writer and musician. Additional information about him can be found on his website at:meyersmusicandmeditation.com

Karen Ong

TEACHERS THAT SHAPED MY LIFE

Karen Ong is a Forest Lake Academy (FLA) alum and was a part of the class of 2002. After attending FLA, she moved onto Pacific Union College (PUC) in California, where she pursued a career in science and medicine. She would later specialize in aerospace and preventive medicine, and she currently works in the commercial space industry.

“I chose to be a biochemistry major based partially on my enjoyment of chemistry at FLA and the excellence of the PUC chemistry department. Because I finished my major one year early, due to dual enrollment classes at FLA, I ended up taking aviation classes at Pacific Union College,” says Ong. This was pivotal in Ong’s career, sparking her interest in aviation and ultimately inspiring her to choose aerospace medicine as a specialty. But Ong’s interest in space cannot be fully credited to PUC’s aviation program; much of it began years earlier in Mr. Steve Hopkins’ science classroom at Forest Lake Academy and with science teachers at Forest Lake Educational Center such as Mr. Orndorff and Ms. Inman.

Even in high school, Ong had a passion for science. She took chemistry, astronomy, and AP physics. All three of these courses were taught by Steve Hopkins, a former teacher in the science department at Forest Lake Academy. 

“He was incredibly passionate about science and chemistry. He encouraged not only curiosity about the world, but relating science to our life, our community, and God. He was someone who cared a lot about us as students,” continued Ong.  “Because of the excellent foundation in chemistry and AP physics at FLA, I was able to do well in my college classes at Pacific Union College. That scientific foundation is a large part of why I am a physician-scientist today.” Because of her former teacher’s passion and how he shared it with his students, Ong frequently thinks of him when using concepts from astronomy or chemistry. She also feels that she owes some of her success to her time in his classroom all those years ago.

“I feel that much of my enthusiasm for science and ability to excel in it are because of what I learned from Mr. Hopkins and many others, which gave me a solid foundation to do well in college science classes.” 

Sadly, Mr. Hopkins retired from teaching and ultimately passed away several years ago after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. This made Ong feel especially proud that as part of her job, she was able to assist in sending the second person to space with Parkinson’s disease.

“I thought Mr. Hopkins would have gotten such a kick out of it, and I wish I could have invited him to be there,” Ong said.

“Every time I look up at the sky, I know what the constellations are because of Mr. Hopkins. His interest in teaching all about the planets, stars, and astronomy are part of the reason I am currently in the aerospace industry today. I am just utterly grateful for all the teachers that cared so much and were so enthusiastic.”

Getting to Know Anthony Bosman

Anthony Bosman is a current associate professor of mathematics at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan. He is a Forest Lake Academy alumni, class of '08, and went on to attend Stanford University to receive his undergraduate degree in Mathematics. Get to know him in this interview with FLA, where he shares his most cherished memories from being a student, what he loves about teaching, and what his favorite hobbies are.

What years were you at FLA? What are some of your favorite memories from being a student here?

I attended Forest Lake from 2004 to 2008. Oh Eight! I remember well the class trips, from mission trips to Senior Outbreak, and enjoyed participating in the honors program and student government. At FLA I had a great sense of community with my classmates, faculty, and staff. I feel deeply indebted to the many individuals who modeled true Christianity and invested in my whole person development, caring about both my academic success as well as my well-being. That kind of care is really unique and something FLA should be proud of.

Where did you attend university and what did you study? What brought you to choose your field of study and what did you wish to do with your degree?

After graduating FLA, I attended Stanford University where I earned an undergraduate degree in mathematics and then went on to earn my PhD in mathematics from Rice University. I also had some opportunities to study and do mathematical research at Oxford University, Pohang University, and elsewhere. Even while at Forest Lake, through dual enrollment courses, I was exposed to quite a bit of mathematics as well as a number of other college courses. Such opportunities helped me feel like I was entering university a step ahead, prepared well for the challenging coursework I took there. Most importantly, I developed a sense of service while at FLA that translated to my passion for helping others learn mathematics and use it for the betterment of the world.

When did you begin teaching at Andrews? What is your current position and some of your favorite parts about teaching?

Since Adventist Education was so formative in my own life, upon completing my doctorate in 2017, I was happy to join the faculty at Andrews and give back through whole person education. I'm pretty ambitious in my teaching -- I want our students to have an education second to none -- and I love seeing students develop in their expertise, confidence, and resilience. I particularly enjoy working with students through our undergraduate research opportunities where they participate in real, original research. It's really cool to be the first one to make a mathematical or scientific discovery, and it helps to distinguish our students when they apply to jobs or graduate programs

How did you make it through high school and college? Any tips for students on how to navigate their academics while also enjoying themselves at the same time?

I tell my students that they should make a list of things that they know they can't do -- run a marathon, learn Calculus, preach a sermon, etc. Then, they should pick something on that list and do it. Find a support network and an expert to help coach you through it. Sure, it will be challenging, but once you do something that you thought you couldn't, the ceiling on your life is suddenly lifted. A new world of options and opportunities opens up that you previously thought was closed off to you. Then the question just becomes what should you focus your time and energy on. That can be a challenging problem, especially for one who doesn't know their "passion." But the latest research shows that passion develops alongside expertise, so try out lots of things and get really good at some of them -- often, the better you get at it, the more you'll come to enjoy it. Finally, take peace in knowing that while we should make plans and follow through on them, ultimately God is the one who directs our steps (Proverbs 16:9).

Lastly, what are some of your hobbies outside of teaching?

I've been developing our YouTube channel Math at Andrews where I have a growing number of lectures, including a series on mathematical knot theory and another series on graph theory. I suppose that is not "outside of teaching," but it is really neat to get messages from people all over the world who stumbled upon the channel and learned some thrilling mathematics! I also enjoy hiking, kayaking, and anything else that gets me outside -- the Great Lakes here in Michigan are pretty incredible.

Shelley (Jones) Veal

In 1993, Shelley (Jones) Veal arrived at FLA as a freshman ready to start her high school experience. Little did she know that 26 years later, her son Nicholas would be following in her footsteps beginning his freshman year at FLA. Shelley was a four year senior from 1993-1996. She says her favorite memories from her high school experience was playing intramurals sports and getting involved in the arts.

"I loved playing all the sports possible," Veal said. "I was also really into the arts and photography, which meant that I spent a lot of time in the art department."

While Veal said the art department still stands in the same place today as it did during her time, the big difference is that back in the 90's, there was no digital photography; only film. Due to this, she said she dedicated a lot of her time to the dark room where she spent hours developing photos for various projects.

"The art and photography teacher at the time was Mr. Dietrich. He was so great," Veal said. "If I wasn't in class, I was either in intramurals or doing something in the art building." After graduating from FLA, Shelley continued her education at Southern Adventist University in Collegedale, Tennessee. She said one of her biggest challenges was deciding what she wanted to study.

"I think I was officially at least six different majors throughout my time at Southern," Veal said. "This frustrated my parents because they had to pay each time I changed my major, so my dad flew up to talk to me about what I wanted to do with my life."

During her father's visit, she said he encouraged her to consider a business degree, because you can do most things with a business degree, so she decided to give it a try. Fortunately for her, she said she finally found her calling.

"As I took more classes, I began to formulate some thoughts related to what I wanted to do with my degree," Veal said. "For me, it had to be in an area where I was helping people and helping to make the world a better place. At the time I was considering all sorts of things including healthcare, public service, starting my own business and working for the church."

Currently, Veal is the Executive Director of Network Development in AdventHealth's Population Health Services Organization. However, she has been involved within the company, when it was known as Florida Hospital, since 1995 during which she worked as a candy striper delivering magazines to various waiting rooms.

"I continued with the company on and off throughout my schooling mostly in the summer when I'd be home on break. When I graduated from SAU in 2000 and came back home, I started back at the hospital which felt to me like a very natural transition due to the work I had done with them in the past and the fact that healthcare had been an area of interest to me," Veal said.

When asked what she enjoys most about working for AdventHealth, she said the influential people she's met during her career there have made her eternally grateful to work for the company, however, the most important aspect has been the mission of AdventHealth.

"Since helping people and making a positive difference in the world has been something very important to me since I was young, I can not think of a better way to do that then to exemplify Christ and His work and mission," Veal said. "I have the opportunity everyday to work to make people's lives better and not to do it just because it's the right thing to do, but to do it because there is a God in heaven who loves us all with an eternal and everlasting love and I want people to know that and to feel that."

Now 26 years later, Veal's two children Nick and Emily are following in her footsteps as students living the FLA experience. Nick began his sophomore year this fall, and Emily entered her freshman year.

When asked how she feels about her children walking the same grounds she once did, Veal said it feels a bit surreal, but is nostalgic in the best way.

"Since the campus itself hasn't changed that much, I'm able to help them know where things are. I will tell you, coming to View FLA with Nick was really neat. As I was walking the halls I was remembering the classes I used to take there and the teachers I had," Veal said. "All these memories just kind of flooded back to me."

While Veal said the campus is still very similar to when she attended FLA, she noted how in other ways, a lot has changed.

"When I went to school here, we still had home economics class and auto mechanics classes. I wish there were still classes like this that teach practical skills," Veal said. "Another big difference was that FLA was a boarding school when I went here. That changed the whole vibe and dynamic of the campus. There were always people around and it was really nice. It was like a home away from home."