RMCNews with MHA and BAA communication – Highlands Ranch, Colorado … “It was fun to play [basketball] because we got to make new friends,” remarked Irene, Brighton Adventist Academy (BAA) sixth-grader on two Adventist schools uniting to worship and enjoy a friendly game of basketball between middle schoolers on April 17.

The evening began with a devotional thought by Walter Weber, MHA middle school teacher who encouraged the gathered students to remember social media doesn’t love them and to remember to listen to the people who do love you.

“Middle schoolers have a lot of voices telling them what to do. It can be confusing for them. I wanted to remind them to listen to the really important voices–the ones that love them–God and their parents being the most important among them,” Weber commented.

The activities, organized by both school administrations and athletic departments as well as MHA’s middle school coach Kurt Fesler, included a friendly co-ed basketball competition followed by a close game between Brighton’s middle school boys’ team versus MHA’s middle school A-team.

The students enjoyed the “normal” evening. “We’ve only been able to play one other game this season due to COVID,” said Logen, MHA middle school student. “It was fun hosting another school and playing basketball again in our gym.”

Remarking on the friendly competition, Gizelle, BAA seventh-grader said, “I enjoyed playing with Mile High Academy because I love basketball. It was fun because it was an official game and not just playing basketball with my classmates at school.”

Jodie Aakko, BAA Principal, was thankful for the event. “Thank you, Mile High Academy, for inviting us to play basketball. [It was] a great evening to celebrate our students’ abilities, youthfulness, and great sportsmanship. Great job students—you used your teamwork, just like coach Morrison taught you!”

Students will remember the time together and the chance to get acquainted with new friends. “It’s always fun playing basketball, but this evening was great because it was more [than] just a game. It was a time to get to meet new friends and life felt a little more normal,” said Logen.

— RMCNews with MHA and BAA communication; photos by Jodie Aakko