If you want to know about the intentionality behind PAA's culture and community building, Beach Day pretty much shows it. Student Association officers and sponsors planned an incredible day of community, connection, and fun for the entire student body at Blue Lake, and it delivered on every level. The day kicked off with a handshake line, where every single student met every single other student. It sounds simple, but it is anything but. That moment is a foundation, a deliber

Sunday, August 23 was a perfect day in every sense of the word. Cougars past and present gathered at Glendoveer Golf Course for a morning of golf and an afternoon celebration that reminded everyone in the gathering exactly what it means to be part of this community. Gorgeous weather, familiar faces, old memories surfacing, and a whole lot of laughter. And yes, a few tears too. The good kind. This year's Cougar Hall of Fame inducted the 1999 and 2000 Golf Teams, Todd Manley, a

Before the first bell rang, before the hallways filled back up, the senior class was already doing the work. The weekend before school began, PAA seniors headed out together for Senior Retreat, an intentional and beloved part of the PAA experience. Not a vacation. Not just a fun trip. A purposeful gathering designed to shape who this class will be and how they will lead. At PAA, each class is anchored to a core value that grows with them. Freshmen explore curiosity. Sophomore

What a weekend. What a class. Graduation Weekend 2026 was everything it should be: a beautiful, full celebration of accomplishments, community, and the memories and history made together over four years at PAA. Sabbath evening opened with Consecration, a sacred and meaningful service featuring Pastor Kevin Wilson, who challenged our graduates to lean into character, curiosity, and courage as they journey into their next steps, all with Christ as their foundation. The candleli

Last Sunday evening, PAA students traded their school clothes for their best dressed looks and headed to Sah Hah Lee Golf Course for the Student Association Spring Banquet. And it did not disappoint. Beautifully dressed students, delicious food, mini golf, and a whole lot of laughter. That is the recipe for a special night, and that is exactly what it was. A full 80% of PAA students were there, which says everything about how much this community loves to celebrate together. E

Last Friday evening, more than 100 students and more staff than we have ever had at a Community Vespers showed up for one last gathering before the school year ends. And it was everything. Hot dogs, volleyball, basketball, lawn games, and the kind of easy laughter that happens when people just genuinely enjoy being together. Even the intermittent drizzle could not slow anyone down. These are PAA people. A little rain is not a problem. Seniors led everyone in worship singing,

Every spring, PAA empties out. Students and staff load up and head into the community to serve, and every year it reminds us of something important: teenagers are capable of tremendous things when you give them the chance. It also reminds us that this is exactly what Jesus called us to do. This year did not disappoint. Freshmen and sophomores headed to Gladstone Campground, taking on cleaning, weeding, and outdoor maintenance across this expansive outdoor space. They worked h

In the last two weeks, PAA's drama class has been doing what they do best: making us laugh, making us think, and pointing us toward something bigger than ourselves. Last week's chapel brought us a modern retelling of Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, and the BFF. Yes, the Big Fiery Furnace. We laughed, we were captivated, and we watched three young people stand firmly in their beliefs no matter the pressure around them. The humor, the rhyme, the deadpan wit, all of it worked beaut

Sunday evening, something special filled the air at PAA. Students, families, friends, and fans gathered together for a night of live music and a whole lot of heart, all in support of the Ellis-Johnson Fund and the Music Studio program that has become one of PAA's most unique and beloved offerings. The fundraiser came together from the visions of Emily and Mia, two PAA juniors, and students in the Performance & Production class. The audience was treated to performances from lo

Some weekends at PAA feel like a gift. Alumni Weekend 2026 was one of them. On the first weekend in May, alumni of all ages came back home. Back to the halls, the faces, and the memories that shaped them. From the class of 1948 all the way to recent graduates, alumni gathered to laugh, cry, reminisce, and simply be together. That kind of connection doesn't happen by accident. It happens because PAA leaves a mark. Friday evening, the Golden Agers gathered for a special dinner

Every spring, something magical happens at PAA. The music room empties out, two very full buses pull up, a trailer and truck are filled with instruments, and 77 students head out into the world to do what they've been practicing all year long: share their gifts. This year's music tour brought all five ensembles together: Alegria, Band, Bell Canto, Choir, and PASO. From Portland to the San Francisco Bay Area, students performed at Rogue Valley Adventist Academy, Pacific Union

For PAA's April Week of Worship, our students were poured into, prayed over, and pointed to the one love that never fails. Each day, a different staff member opened their heart and spoke straight into theirs. One week. One unchanging truth. Tuesday, Miss Merrills gave our students something to hold onto in every season. Life changes. Seasons shift. Circumstances come and go. But our students walked away reminded that God's love never wavers. No matter what they face, nothing

PAA students once again had the opportunity to celebrate the beginning of Black History Month by participating in Walla Walla University’s annual Gospel Choir Festival. For many years, this has been a meaningful tradition for PAA students, and this year was no exception. Under the leadership of Mrs. Tina Cooper and Dr. Carter, students traveled to WWU to participate in music workshops, learn from talented clinicians, and collaborate with other musicians. Throughout the festiv

Each January, the Friendship Tournament at Walla Walla University brings together schools from across the Northwest for a weekend where competition and community go hand in hand. This year, our Cougars varsity boys and girls basketball teams stepped into this staple tournament ready to compete and represent our school with pride. On the court, both teams rose to the challenge. The girls played with poise and determination, leaning on teamwork and resilience in every matchup,

Last Saturday night, our Campus Ministries students brought the Christmas spirit to life as they hosted a festive, joy-filled Christmas party for the entire PAA student body. From the moment students walked in, the campus was buzzing with energy, laughter, and the kind of togetherness that makes our community feel like family. Students led the way in planning every detail—from creative games and friendly contests to group singing that carried the warmth of the season through

As we head into Thanksgiving break, we’re celebrating the incredible ways our students filled this week with energy, laughter, leadership, and community. Even in a short week, they made PAA come alive. 🎭 Students Took Center Stage Our Drama students kicked off the week with a fun and thoughtful performance all about gift-giving. Their acting, humor, and creativity had the whole school entertained from start to finish. They made us laugh, made us cheer, and reminded us just h

Saturday night’s PAA Game/Gym Night was a perfect example of what makes our students so incredible. More than 100 students—middle schoolers and high schoolers—came together and truly made the night unforgettable. From the moment the doors opened, our Student Association leaders took the lead. They provided food, they opened the gym, arranged a movie, provided games, and created a space where every person felt included. Their energy set the tone for the whole event. In the gy

Wow—what a wonderful night of celebration for our senior class! Our annual Senior Recognition, held at Sunnyside Adventist Church, honored the incredible PAA Class of 2026 with an evening full of meaning, memories, and joy. Students shared their talents and stories with an audience of families, friends, staff, and loved ones. Highlights included Ethan’s original song and performance, a beautiful musical piece by Makayla, Cori, and Kaw, Ricarda’s heartfelt class history, Profe

What a blessing it was to welcome 8th-grade students from across the Portland metro area to our annual PAA Academy Day ! Students joined us for morning worship led by a PAA student praise band and then spent the day exploring what makes PAA so special. They toured classrooms, met teachers, enjoyed lunch, and had plenty of time to play and connect with each other. Our Student Association led the visiting students in fun games, academic departments hosted scholarship contests,

Last Friday, more than 80 PAA students brought music and joy to Rivergate Adventist Elementary School in their first performances of the year! Band, Bell Canto, Choir, Alegria, and PASO all performed, filling the gym with incredible sounds and energy. Rivergate students loved seeing and hearing the high school musicians—it was a wonderful time for everyone. The music continued on Sabbath, as Bell Canto and Alegria shared special music for both services at Pleasant Valley Adve