Academy Connect was held at Camp Winnekeag from March 11–14, 2026. The annual event sponsored by the Atlantic Union Conference Office of Education brought together student leaders from the six academies across the Atlantic Union for a weekend of worship, learning, and fellowship.
Throughout the weekend, 78 students, along with chaperones and clinicians, participated in hands-on, interactive activities designed to strengthen their connection with God and with one another. Small-group sessions focused on art, leadership, media, and spiritual growth. Students also received disaster relief training as part of the program. Leaders and administrators from several Atlantic Union academies also attended, mentoring students and supporting the weekend’s activities.
Morning and evening worship services, led by Emmanuel Contreras, Atlantic Union Conference vice president for Youth and Young Adult Ministries, encouraged students to reflect on how they can lead and serve in their schools and communities.
Clinicians for the event included Nkarlo Alexander, pastor of the Norwalk church, who led the spiritual emphasis sessions; Reynolds Rodriguez, New York Conference Youth Ministries and communication director, who presented leadership training; and Lorraine Graham, Northeastern Conference administrative assistant, who coordinated the art sessions. Media training was led by Lavern Sturrup, the Northeastern Conference’s communication director, and Amy Gallimore, the conference’s assistant communication director.
Ollyce Gardner, principal of South Lancaster Academy, and James Reid, chaplain and teacher at Pine Tree Academy, coordinated prayer activities throughout the weekend. Everette Samuel, Adventist Community Services director for the Greater New York Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, led the disaster relief training sessions. Sherina Phillips, associate superintendent of schools for the Northeastern Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, and Walter Szoboszlai, assistant principal and physical education teacher at Greater New York Academy, organized the recreation activities.
During the event, attendees collected nearly $700 to support hurricane relief efforts in Jamaica.
_____________________
Theresa Robidoux is the associate director for the Atlantic Union Conference Office of Education.
Photos: Amy Gallimore
