On This Page
What's happening in Oneida this summer?
Oneida Baptist Institute is not closed for the summer. In some ways, our campus is the busiest during the summer months. Summer 2010 has been no exception!
After graduation in May, the first of two three-week summer work program sessions begins. This year, approximately 30 students remained on campus to work in the first session. The work program is a time for deep spring cleaning of every room and hallway in the dormitories. Floors are stripped, furniture is cleaned, curtains are washed, bathrooms get the ‘toothbrush treatment’ and rooms are painted if needed. Students involved in one of the two sessions of summer work program are typically paying reduced tuition for the regular school year or are attending on a full need-based scholarship. Work program gives students a chance to participate in the cost of attending private school while experiencing full-time ‘employment.’
OBI offers six weeks of summer school with an enrichment program covering all basic subjects for middle schoolers. High school students choose one class from a list of core subjects and have the potential to earn one full credit. Like the regular school year, summer students attend daily chapel services, nightly study hall and have daily chores and lights-out time.
This year, the agriculture department offered a ‘Livestock Intensive’ class for the first week of summer school which prepared students for competition at a regional livestock show the following week. Approximately 20 students showed holstein calves, goats and hogs and were evaluated in the areas of general knowledge, judging and showmanship. Hours of classwork and hands-on training paid off with numerous ribbons and top honors awarded to OBI students.
Summer is when many churches schedule their short-term missions trips, and OBI benefits from the work of numerous volunteer hands as the groups arrive and depart each week. The volunteers enjoy the chance to see some of our students who have stayed for work program or summer school. Students get to watch as people come to serve for no pay, just because they love God and the OBI ministry. It is always a nice moment to tell a student, “They’re here for you!”
Memorial Day was a wonderful time of fellowship for students, staff and volunteers who were on campus that week. After a devotion given by a staff member about the significance of Memorial Day and what it means to us as Americans and as Christians, we enjoyed a picnic supper with all the trimmings.
One of our Korean students enjoyed her very first S’more!
These students may have enjoyed a few too many S’mores!
What’s a picnic without watermelon?
...or ‘Corn Hole?’
Vacation Bible School at Oneida Baptist Church was held the week of July 5th. They offer classes for middle school and high school students and always invite our dormitory students to attend.
Summer school ends on July 16 and the second session of work program begins the next day. It’s a busy week for OBI houseparents and transportation staff preparing for both homegoings and arrivals.
Underlying all of the summer activity is the ever-present awareness that a new school year with both returning students and brand new students starts in just a few months, make that weeks, make that....time to get ready!
OBI Homecoming June 26th, 2010
Homecoming 2010 was held on the OBI campus on June 26th. Celebrating their 50th anniversary was the Class of 1960. The Class of 2000 was well represented for their ten-year anniversary. The link takes you to many more photos from our sunny, fun-filled day including the unveiling of the portrait of James Anderson Burns with several of his descendants and the induction of our latest Athletic Hall of Fame nominee, Charlotte Craxton.
Graduation 2010
It was all smiles for the OBI Class of 2010 when they graduated May 15. This year's class of 50 included 39 graduates who earned advanced diplomas -- the highest known percentage of seniors to receive advanced diplomas in the 111-year history of the school. Congratulations to all!
FAA News
The OBI chapter of the FFA earned several honors at regionals in March. First, they received superior ratings on the chapter scrapbook, treasurer’s book and secretary’s book. Kimberly Withrow and Jessica Vires earned their State FFA Degrees.
Withrow also placed first in the region in her Diversified Livestock Production (DLP) and Beef proficiencies. Kim advanced to state and placed first in DLP. She will represent OBI and Kentucky at the 83rd National FFA Convention in Indianapolis in October, 2010.
The chapter attended Regional FFA Day in Richmond, Kentucky on April 1 where Withrow sang and placed third in the student talent contest. OBI was also represented at the Regional FFA Banquet on May 14.
The UK FFA Field Day in Lexington was held April 9. This year was the first time OBI has competed in the livestock judging contest. The team of Withrow, Vires, Olivia Bevil and Rachel Victory placed second with Vires earning the highest individual score of the contest.
Brandon Swan placed first and John Simpson placed third in the Jr. Division Tractor Driving Contest. Thomas Kornovich and Sara Huerta competed in Dairy Evaluation and Horse Industry Knowledge contests.
On May 8, the OBI FFA and 4-H held its own livestock show. Approximately 85 animals—hogs, goats, Holstein calves, steers/heifers—were shown. Grand Champions: Jacob Nichols, Lauren Nichols, Olivia Bevil. Reserve Grand Champions: Moriah Bevil, Rachel Victory, Fanta Tunkara, Sara Huerta.
Spring Events On Campus
The annual SGA Poetry Slam was March 20. Participants delivered memorized, original poems for prizes.
The Senior Banquet was April 24. Seniors, their guests and OBI faculty and staff enjoyed the formal occasion which included a meal of steak, fried shrimp, shrimp cocktail, potato casserole, green beans, fresh fruit and dip and desserts. The banquet program included recitations and musical performances by seniors.
Light of the World Ballet, a professional, Christian ministry, performed in chapel at OBI on April 19 at the 11 a.m. service and again at 7:00 p.m. as part of OBI’s bi-annual Spiritual Emphasis Week.
Spring 2010 Girls’ Dorm Devotion Group Retreat was April 15-16 with 28 girls in attendance. The girls enjoyed a full schedule of study, prayer, recreation, food and fellowship. The retreat theme and focus of study was Psalm 139.
Congratulations Oneida Players on successful March 2010
production of
Jury Room by C.B. Gilford.
Student teams competed in the “Silly Olympics” at the annual Spring Fling on May 8. Snacks like cotton candy, sno cones, pizza, funnel cake and soda were available to students for a quarter or two. A picnic supper of grilled hamburgers and hot dogs with all the trimmings was followed by a slide show of the school year (available on the OBI web site) and the student Talent Show.
The Senior Trip to King’s Island was May 1. Despite stormy weather throughout the region, the OBI Class of 2010 enjoyed a cool, overcast day and short lines!
OBI 2010 Spring Sports: Track & Field, Tennis, Softball, Baseball
Oneida may be a winter wonderland...
but we still had school!! (and will be getting out in May on schedule)
OBI boys' work program supervisor Dave Jaspersen put in a lot of extra hours in the month of February clearing campus sidewalks and driveways making it easier for students and teachers to get to class!
OBI FFA chapter top in state for "Support Our Troops" fundraiser:
In October, the OBI chapter hosted a bake sale to support a statewide FFA project of sending supplies to a Kentucky National Guard unit on an agricultural mission in Afghanistan. Thanks to OBI staff and volunteers who donated baked goods and OBI students who made the majority of purchases, the event raised $836.50, the largest amount raised by a single chapter in Kentucky. The state goal was $7,000 to purchase tools and educational materials for the Guard’s mission. Three OBI FFA members represented our chapter at a press conference in December held at the Kentucky National Guard headquarters in Frankfort. Proceeds from the FFA fundraiser were presented to General Ed Tonini, Adjuant General of the Kentucky National Guard. The OBI FFA chapter will also be recognized at the state FFA convention in June.
Celebrating Christmas on Campus
Christmas celebrations begin at OBI when the chapel decorations come out of storage the week of Thanksgiving and Mr. Cochran drafts his student helpers to assemble the tree and hang the garland, lights and wreaths around the room. From the first of December until they leave for Christmas break, students meet for chapel services in a fully decorated room that reminds them that Christmas is worth celebrating!
There were several special programs in chapel during December including a Creative Ministries day with skits and music on December 2. The annual music department Christmas program was December 14 and featured performances by an advanced student pianist, the OBI choir and student actors delivering monologues and acting out a contemporary Christian song about the birth of the Savior. On December 16, the children's choir from Oneida Baptist Church which included several OBI students, presented their Christmas musical in chapel.
The FFA and choir teamed up to sing Christmas carols and toss candy in the Manchester Christmas parade. The FFA also distributed fliers inviting the community to their annual Walk To Bethlehem, the Nativity story told in a series of monologues and songs in scenes along a path lined with luminaries from the main campus to the OBI farm. The FFA had been practicing and preparing for weeks and were pleased to have nearly 100 people attend their December 12 performance. They performed again for the OBI students and staff the following night after the campus Christmas party.
On December 13, the annual Christmas party for OBI students began in the afternoon with a dorm open house. Staff members were invited to tour the dorms and see the decorations. The girls have a tradition of filling their lobby with homemade snow flakes and offering Christmas cookies to their guests. Prizes were awarded to the rooms with the best door decorations. Later that afternoon, students enjoyed a variety of games in the gym followed by door prizes and build-your-own sub sandwiches for supper. They moved to the chapel for the annual singing of The Twelve Days at Oneida, written by a staff member over 20 years ago! They also sang a few traditional carols and heard a song by the OBI choir before The Walk to Bethlehem.
Students involved in campus organizations like Baptist Campus Ministry and Student Government Association enjoyed Christmas parties and caroling in the Oneida community.
Go Mountaineers!
The 2009-2010 basketball season is underway! The boys' and girls' teams have played about four games each in December. Their first game after Christmas break is January 5 at Red Bird. Click here for a schedule and come support your Mountaineers if they are playing near you!
Kitchen Staff
We appreciate our kitchen staff! Each year on Thanksgiving, the entire OBI kitchen staff comes together on the same shift to prepare a family-style Thanksgiving dinner for approximately 250 students, staff and guests. This year they cooked 48 turkeys, 150 pounds of potatoes and 800 homemade rolls. Thanksgiving is a great time to grab a photo of our kitchen crew, so we do!
Oneida Players Delight Audiences In Fairy Tale Courtroom
OBI Cross Country Runners Compete At Regional Meets
OBI Cross Country runners compete at regional meet, six qualify for state meet held on November 14. Girls-pictured left to right: Miriam Waslewski, Taylor TerBurgh, Taylor Cochran, Anujin Enkhbat; Boys-Adam Stockton, Landen McCarley.
Before the meet, runners gathered for a student-led prayer.
Design Contest Demonstrates Student Talents
OBI's computer lab needed a new look, something that would spark school spirit when students came in the room and sat down to work on homework or just to catch up on email. Lab supervisor Jerry Worcester came up with the idea of having the desktop background designed by OBI students, so he made it a contest. The criteria was three-fold: the design had to be a certain size/format, abide by OBI standards for appropriateness and incorporate the school logo or mascot and school colors.
There were 40 designs submitted to the panel of judges who scored in four categories. At the start of a chapel service, the top three placers plus an honorable mention were announced and their designs projected for all to see. Placing first was Evan Bracewell, a junior at OBI. Evan utilized graphic design skills he learned in one quarter of commercial art class here at OBI. He received the highest marks in the areas of Concept/Idea and Content/Message. Second place was Nahom Muluneh, also a junior and a first-year commercial art student. His design received the highest score in the Quality/Aesthetics category. Jennifer Skaggs received third place and was voted the best in the category of School Spirit. Emily Mazur's design received Honorable Mention.
Community Fall Festival
The OBI advanced commercial art class worked together on the advertisement banner created for a community fall festival sponsored by the Oneida Baptist Church on Saturday, October 10th. OBI donated the materials for the banner and OBI students provided the labor.
Yearbook Queen Pageant
.jpg)
The Yearbook Queen pageant, an annual event for OBI senior girls, was October 17th. Participants were evaluated by a panel of judges in the areas of personal resume, talent, evening gown and on-stage interview question. A student at OBI since the sixth grade, Kimberly Withrow won the crown and the Talent Award. First runner up was Miriam Waslewski and second runner up was Jessica Isibor. More than a contest, yearbook sponsor Michelle Barnes noted, "The Yearbook Queen pageant at OBI is not really about the contest. It's an opportunity for our senior girls to experience new things, to gain new skills and self confidence and to enjoy each other's company as they work together to prepare for the event."
Fall Festival
OBI's annual Fall Festival began on September 19 with all sorts of fun activities including face painting, apple bobbing, corn hole, water tag and the chance to win prizes in carnival-style games (football toss, "fishing," water table hockey, hole-in-one golf, etc.) For a quarter or two an item, students could use their saved-up spending money to buy caramel apples, cupcakes, cotton candy, sno cones, pizza by the slice, funnel cakes and fountain drinks. The FFA sponsored the fall decorations plus a small petting zoo with pigs, goats and the goat dogs.
Students voted for their favorite OBI staff member to kiss a pig at the Fall Festival. This year, it was FFA sponsor Jennifer Griebenow.
The evening included a picnic supper of grilled hamburgers and hot dogs with all the trimmings, and a hayride.
A few days later, just ahead of their Fall Break, students enjoyed a sunny afternoon of field competition in sandpit volleyball, flag football, kickball and ultimate frisbee tournaments.
Volunteer Creates School Spirit
Volunteer donates his talent to create school spirit for OBI students & staff
OBI was blessed with numerous volunteers from several churches the week of September 21. Among them was the group from Highland Heights First Baptist Church. Some of their projects included cleaning carpets, installing new showers in the dormitory, exterior painting, reorganizing archives and sorting used clothing.
Stephen L. Corrigan and his wife Yvonne were volunteers with the Highland Heights group. Stephen has a unique career—he's an artist who specializes in murals. He spent his week in Oneida painting the OBI logo, mission statement and athletic mascot in a hallway of our main high school classroom/office building, providing a visual connection to our school and a reminder of our purpose.
The Corrigans reside in Ohio. Stephen may be contacted through his website at www.corriganmurals.com.
Around Campus
