On a breezy, see-forever day, nearly 200 people gathered on the foundation of the new Escondido Adventist Academy to pray for God's blessing on future students and faculty.
Squinting against the sun, well-wishers sat on folding chairs in the dust where the new gymnasium will be. The all-enclosed, two-story, 72,000-square-foot structure will rise at the base of a hill just west of the I-15 corridor on Deodar Road. Atop the hill, construction is also underway for the new Escondido church.
During the event, representatives from the community, school and church contributed mementos for a time-capsule that will be sealed in an EAA wall for 25 years.
Children presented class photos. School board trustees poured soil from the school's new and previous two locations into a single flask. Southeastern California Conference leaders donated a Bible marked with promises. Pastors from several constituent churches provided a small scroll of prayers they had written.
Principal Kris Fuentes and SECC associate superintendent of education Bill Keresoma led the hour-long dedication ceremony on Sabbath, March 31. Lori Holt-Pfeiler, mayor of Escondido, attended the event with a representative from City Hall. Dozens of cameras clicked and a helicopter circled above.
Judy Jones-Cone, owner of the Lexus car dealership that is buying the school's Ninth Street property, said, "I may be a car dealer, but I'm one who prays."
With great emotion, she recalled being impressed by God to make a difference for children. "I see the students here as my spiritual children," she said. And, in overcoming the obstacles that challenged the consummation of the sale, Jones-Cone stated that, "God has worked miracles to bring us to this day."
The Escondido school was founded more than 100 years ago. Although the structure on West Ninth Street was built in 1956, no one had expected to change locations. When the car dealer approached EAA in 2004 about selling the property, however, it seemed like a golden opportunity. The estimated cost to rebuild is about $10 million. Following an accelerated construction schedule, builders hope to complete the school in the fall of 2007.
