Hanging in Upper Columbia Academy’s gymnasium are flags representing all of the states and countries our students have come from over the years. During graduation weekend this year, we added a new flag.

Kola Shippentower is the first person from the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Reservation to graduate from a Seventh-day Adventist academy. In honor of that achievement, she and her father, Leland Shippentower, presented Jeff Bovee, principal, and the school with the Confederated Tribes’ flag during the Class Night program. By the time Kola marched in her commencement exercises the next morning, the flag was flying proudly above her in the gym.

Kola also honored Ron Turner, UCA director of marketing and recruiting, by presenting him with a Native American blanket. Visiting her family in their home just before Kola’s freshman year, he inspired her with the dream of attending academy and helped her family find a way to make that dream a reality. Due in part to his continuing encouragement and support, Kola was able to attend UCA all four years.