Student Profiles

Amy is from China and attended OBI her junior and senior years. “Before I came here, I was thinking that the education system in America was different than what I had at home. I wanted a new experience. I wanted to know something different and experience a different culture,” she said.

Amy had a friend in her school who found OBI through the internet. “My parents talked to his parents,” she said. It was a difficult decision for them. “At first, my dad disagreed with this idea, but my mom was always on my side,” she smiled. “They’re wonderful parents to allow me to come. They worried about a girl [alone] in America, but this school is safe. I like the environment, the countryside. It helps you concentrate on your studies. I like that there is a farm. I come from a city, and I experienced a lot of different things at Oneida.”

Amy enjoyed a variety of activities including band, Student Government Association, tennis and cross country. “At my old school there was not much opportunity for cocurriculars like sports and band. School focused solely on studies. [At OBI], I could do many aspects of education. My dad thinks it’s good for his daughter to develop in [these areas],” Amy said.

Living in the dorm helped Amy improve her English while becoming more familiar with the American culture. “The English I learned at home was...like a Shakespeare play. My roommates helped me to know the culture. There is more time to spend with friends and get to know each other in the dorm,” Amy said.

She enjoyed the chance to visit the home of a roommate. “They were so excited to have a Chinese person in their home. They showed me a really great time,” Amy said.

Amy believes she has experienced the presence of God personally in her life while at Oneida. She said, “Before I came to this school, I had no idea about [Christianity]. I asked questions and discussed it with my teachers. My experience here has changed me. I think I’ve been blessed that God found a way for me to [be here].”

This spring, Amy made the decision to be baptized at the Oneida Baptist Church. At OBI, any student who chooses to be baptized is counseled by a faculty member. Amy said, “I was thinking about it a long time and... it was the right decision for me. After listening to preaching and studying the Bible for a year, I found out I need Jesus Christ ...”

From central Kentucky, Wayne (left) enrolled at OBI as a freshman. “I was really looking forward to going to a Christian school and getting closer to Christ,” he said. Being away from his family was harder than he had expected. “You don’t have a parent around to tell you what’s right and wrong. I made a lot of mistakes at first. You become a lot more responsible with how you live your everyday life.”

It took a few months to adjust but Wayne was glad to have the experience of living on his own. He appreciated that at Oneida, the other students were friendly. “There were no single groups or people making fun of other people. We were one big family,” he said.

Wayne was involved in sports at home but enjoyed less pressure and more playing time on Oneida teams. He earned the Coach’s Award in basketball and baseball and the Most Improved award in basketball and cross country. He went to state in cross country three years in a row.

Wayne studied commercial art at OBI for four years. He won first place in graphic arts at the EKU Bluegrass regional art show and an honorable mention at state. He plans to major in graphic design and photography.

Mickie (right front) attended summer school at OBI before ninth grade. She had not been doing well academically at home in Virginia. “My mom was concerned...She was working, and there wasn’t really anybody to help me. She wanted a place where I could get help and keep my faith,” she said.

Mickie did not get excited about OBI until she found out that there were no try-outs for sports. “Sports at Oneida opened up a whole new door for me,” Mickie said. She joined softball and track. She was a team captain and earned top awards in soccer and cheerleading. “I learned to work with teammates and my leadership skills improved a lot,” she said.

Mickie was a four-year member of the OBI choir. She received a Singer of the Year award and the Director’s award. She sang for three years in a regional honor choir. She also participated in drama, FFA, dorm devotions and Baptist Campus Ministry.

Mickie enjoyed her many opportunities at Oneida and learned to use her time wisely. She said, “I wasn’t going to waste my time here. I wanted to stay focused on what I was really here for­—graduating from high school.” Her goals include teaching music or P.E.

Michael enrolled at OBI as a seventh grader from Ohio. He said his life was headed for failure: “It started in sixth grade when I was hanging out with the wrong kids. I got in trouble for vandalism and stuff. I was always grounded, but Mom worked the night shift so I did whatever I wanted.” His mother looked for an alternative school and found OBI.

Michael found his niche in Oneida’s work program. “It’s my favorite part about this school,” he said. He started on the mowing crew. He transferred to the farm, where he learned mechanics, welding and how to drive a tractor. Later, Michael drove tractors for the boys’ work program on the main campus.

Michael was an FFA officer for two years, earning several awards. He joined drama as a member of the stage crew but ended up acting in six productions, receiving the Best Supporting Actor and Best Actor awards. Michael was a five-year member of the OBI choir and an All State singer.

Michael struggled academically, but he was glad to have a C average at OBI instead of straight F’s. “At Oneida, you get to know your teachers, and that helps. Everybody had an interest in me here. At my old school, nobody cared.”

Michael became a Christian at OBI. He appreciates all of the opportunities he had. “If I had been home, I would have failed...and dropped out of school.”

Agnes arrived at OBI at the end of eighth grade. “I was in this stage where I was doing things I shouldn’t be doing. I was in horrible rebellion. I was kicked out of my house several times,” Agnes said. She was sent to a three-week “survival camp” for teens. The people at the camp recommended OBI.

Agnes was born in Hungary. She remembers the orphanage in which she lived until her adoption by a couple from California when she was about six or seven years old. She’s not sure, because her birth records are unclear. Agnes was excited but faced enormous challenges, beginning with learning English. When she finally attended school, she had trouble understanding. She had bad grades despite hours of review each night with her mom. By eighth grade, Agnes gave up. “I didn’t think I was worth anything, so why should I do anything?” she said.

Agnes agreed to come to Oneida but said, “When I first came to OBI, I was so angry. I didn’t like a lot of the rules. I got suspended many times for stuff I could have chosen not to do.” She struggled through her freshman year with grades and behavior, but her sophomore year became a turning point. “I had kind of matured. My slate was clean.” she said. She began to focus on activities instead of problems.

Her grades continued to climb, and the faculty voted her the Most Improved junior girl. “I felt good about that,” Agnes said. “Now, I’m glad I came here. I understand why OBI sets rules. It’s just to protect you from...doing all the things kids might pressure you into doing. OBI provides the stepping stones to improving, starting over and getting better."

Ben came to Oneida as a sophomore from New Jersey. His brother graduated from OBI in 1998. Ben said, “School started to get really frustrating. I had bad grades, and I never did my work. I probably would have dropped out,” he said. He agreed with his mother that he needed a change.

Ben passed all of his classes his first year at OBI. When he met with the guidance counselor at the start of his junior year, Ben saw the results of his hard work. “I was really happy. I had my credits. They got me back on the right track to graduate with my class,” he said. Ben’s improved grades allowed him to play sports his senior year. He joined soccer, basketball and track.

After three years of dorm chores and daily jobs, Ben said, “My work ethic is better. I’m used to working every day.” It wasn’t always this way. He recalled his first day of school at OBI, when he returned to the dorm for a nap: “I heard this knock-knock-knock on my door. It was ‘Mr. J.’ He said, ‘You’re late for work.’ I had to work every day? I was mad.” Ben knows he has improved, because he is different at home. He said, “I do a lot of stuff in the house. Before, I would just go out. Now, I help my mom and then go out. She’s glad that I’m graduating and that she sent me here. She got a lazy child off her hands.”

Education for Time and Eternity