Music Department Makes an Impact in Durango

Campion broke a record this weekend for taking the largest S.W.A.T. (Students with a Testimony) trip ever! The entire music department, which accounts for about half the school, made the journey to share their musical ministry with the Seventh-day Adventist churches and community in Durango. This was a giant task and a great accomplishment for the head of the Music Department, Yves Clouzet. He comments, “The music was really well-received, and it was an honor to worship with the Durango and Pagosa Springs churches.”
 
We faced some challenges such as forgotten instruments and small performance stages for the large groups, however all 75 of us were able to perform two concerts in the Durango SDA Church, and the Pagosa Springs SDA Church. The music inspired the congregations and even some tears were shed.
 
Not only did we perform music, but we also participated in the church service. Freshman Christine Eagan-Foster told of her adventures in Africa for the children’s story. Seniors Josie Reeves, Cristian Marin, Hilary Simamora and Austin Rotinsulu led-out in the song service. Freshman Shelby Waller, who is from Durango, was able to pray for her congregation. Student chaplain, Pastor Esequias Perea gave the sermon.

In addition to being a blessing to another community, Campion students are always drawn closer together on trips such as these.  When asked about her favorite part of the trip, junior Beverly Onsoe stated; “My favorite part of the trip was getting closer with people that I wasn’t close to before and sharing a host home with them.” Lots of laughter and life-long memories were created this weekend.
 
The return trip in bad weather ended up being an adventure in itself.  The forecast for Sunday morning was cold and snowy, yet we still made the trek back to Campion safely. To avoid going over dangerous mountain passes in bad weather, the staff chose to drive the long-way-around through the southern part of the state. An eight-hour trip turned into a 13-hour trip, and we arrived back to Campion at 11:00 pm. When freshman Faleula Matangi was asked if she was scared on the trip back to Loveland, she replied; “No, the people in our vehicle were very talkative, so I was distracted from thinking about the snow, and even though we did skid once, I knew God was going to get us back safely.” 
 
The students would like to thank the Durango SDA Church, the Pagosa Springs SDA Church, and our host homes for the hospitality and the fantastic food! We would also like to thank all our supervisors, especially Mr. Clouzet, for all the hard work and planning.
 
Article by Sydney Michalenko, Senior and Campion Academy Orchestra Student