Sacramento Academy Disc Golf Tournament Raises Funds for Kids Abroad
By Mark Janke
In March, Sacramento Adventist Academy (SAA) hosted its first-ever disc golf fundraiser at the Little Oaks course in Carmichael. By the end of the morning, 64 players had shown up—and together they raised $2,200 to help provide athletic equipment and musical instruments for children in Peru and Zambia.
The tournament was the idea of fourth-grade teacher Chris Duckett, who also built and cares for the 18-hole course on SAA’s campus. Watching other teachers find creative ways to raise money for Maranatha mission trips, he wanted to do his part—and realized disc golf might be the perfect fit.
With encouragement from Principal Matthew Jakobsons (who even jumped in to cook breakfast), the event quickly took on the feel of a true community gathering.
Players came from all backgrounds—families, beginners, and experienced competitors—and many others supported the cause even if they couldn’t attend. One highlight was a raffle featuring a custom electric guitar built by SAA woodshop teacher Duane Calkins, which drew plenty of excitement.
The money raised will go toward simple but meaningful supplies—balls, recorders, guitars, and keyboards. For Duckett, it’s personal. His family will be traveling to Peru this summer, where he hopes to help deliver the items in person.
Rio Lindo Provides Tools of Real-World Learning
By Nick Sigler
At Rio Lindo Adventist Academy, learning goes beyond textbooks. Its Industrial Arts program gives students hands-on experience in woodshop, metal shop, and auto shop—skills less commonly taught in schools today. While Adventist education has increasingly emphasized college preparation since the mid-1980s, programs like Rio Lindo’s maintain a connection to vocational learning at a time when skilled trade professionals are in short supply.
In these classes, students move from raw materials to finished projects, learning to measure, cut, assemble, and weld with precision. Working with wood from fallen campus trees or shaping metal for practical campus use, they develop problem-solving skills, adaptability, and confidence. They also learn to plan, collaborate, and tackle projects, preparing them to apply their skills in real-life situations. Junior Kyler King said, “It helped me develop skills I didn’t know before, which I am confident I can use to help others in the future.”
These hands-on skills translate directly to service. Students trained to build, repair, and adapt are prepared to meet practical needs wherever they go—whether in mission settings, community projects, or everyday life. In an era dominated by technology and automation, Rio Lindo’s Industrial Arts program demonstrates that a well-rounded education remains valuable, equipping students with the confidence and competence to serve wherever they are called.
Culture Shifters: Honoring 100 Years of Black History
By Kathy Batchelor and Rudy Peters
In 2026, the 100th anniversary of Black History Month offered a meaningful opportunity across the Northern California Conference to reflect on how the church values cultural diversity and creates space to celebrate it.
At Pacific Union College, a Black History Day Celebration brought together an engaged campus community under the theme “Echoes of Hope: Our Faith, Our Story, Our Tomorrow.” Students, faculty, staff, and community members filled the gathering, with many students actively participating and responding throughout the program. Planned by the conference’s African American Ministries Department, the event created a space where students could see their heritage recognized and where the broader campus joined in learning, worship, and celebration.
Throughout February, that same spirit continued at the conference office. Weekly worship services explored the lives and influence of Black leaders whose courage, creativity, and leadership helped shape American history and culture. Staff members wrote and acted in several unique presentations, including dramatic interviews with historical figures portrayed by employees, bringing these stories and contributions to life in a talk show–style setting.
For many, the month served as a reminder that history is not only something to remember—it is something that continues to shape the church today. African American Ministries Coordinator Rudy Peters reflected on how God has worked through people with different gifts and backgrounds at different moments in time to move history forward. Throughout the month, those moments of reflection and storytelling gave employees and students alike a chance to pause and appreciate the voices and experiences that are part of the conference community.