82R12659 MGR-D
By: Martinez H.R. No. 883
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Valley Grande Adventist Academy in Weslaco is
celebrating the 75th anniversary of its founding in 2011; and
WHEREAS, Early in the 20th century, Seventh-day Adventists
living in the Rio Grande Valley began to desire an education for
their children that was grounded in their religious beliefs, and a
number of adults taught children in their homes or at churches; a
permanent school, originally named Valley Grande Academy, was
founded in 1936, and classes were held in a Weslaco church
auditorium until construction was finished on a classroom building
the following year; and
WHEREAS, Valley Grande Academy had an enrollment of 100
students by 1944, and the coming years saw many improvements, as a
vocational building and garage and a new building for the
elementary grades were added; the most dramatic change came in
1964, when the decision was made to turn the school into a boarding
academy; local congregants opened their houses to students until
dormitories were completed, and in 1972 the school was chosen as the
boarding academy for the Texas Conference of Seventh-day
Adventists; and
WHEREAS, Renamed Valley Grande Adventist Academy in 2005, the
school currently educates children enrolled in kindergarten
through the 12th grade, and it is accredited by the Southern
Association of Colleges and Schools and recognized by the Texas
Education Agency through recommendation of the Texas Private School
Accrediting Commission; providing its pupils with a well-rounded,
quality education, the academy emphasizes the harmonious
development of the spiritual, mental, vocational, social, and
physical powers of each individual student; and
WHEREAS, Valley Grande Adventist Academy encourages its
students to lead worship services and Bible study, and offers
extracurricular activities such as band, wind and string ensemble,
chorale groups, and interscholastic competitions in many different
sports; and
WHEREAS, For three-quarters of a century, the faculty and
staff of Valley Grande Adventist Academy have committed themselves
to meeting the educational needs of their students, and the school
has played a vital role in helping numerous young Texans build a
bright and prosperous future; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby commemorate the 75th anniversary of Valley
Grande Adventist Academy in Weslaco and extend to all those
associated with the institution sincere best wishes for continued
success; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the academy as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.