by Sean Connolly and Chris Meehan
Governor Pence addresses Trinity School students, faculty and guests.Indiana Governor Mike Pence visited Trinity School at Greenlawn today to offer his “heartfelt congratulations” to the school on its fourth Blue Ribbon Award from the US Department of Education. Governor Pence said that Trinity Greenlawn is the first school in Indiana and one of just nine high schools in the US to win the award four times. In an address to students, faculty and guests, he said that the Blue Ribbon is “widely considered to be the highest award that any US school can receive.”
“The award is a tribute to the hard work of the students,” he said, but he was quick to credit Trinity’s teachers. “No doubt . . . this is one of the finest assemblies of teachers in the United States of America.”
He took time to honor Kerry Koller, the president of Trinity Schools, and one of its founders, for his vision and his faith in starting not just one but three Trinity schools across the US. He recounted how Kerry had told him the story of how God had given the Greenlawn property to Trinity and to the People of Praise in 1981. He quoted Kerry’s short summary of the story, “It was just God.”
Students talk with Governor Pence.The governor told the students about his childhood growing up in the small town of Columbus, Indiana. He said that a pivotal moment of his life came at age 18, during his years as a student at Hanover college, when he “made the decision to trust Jesus Christ as my Savior.” He went on earn a law degree and serve six terms in Congress, before becoming governor of Indiana in 2013.
His advice to students: “Make sure that you take time at this time in your life to grow in the inner man and the inner woman. Work to become the kind of person that people will follow, and that begins with character, wisdom, understanding and compassion,” ideals already on display at Trinity.
Head of School John Lee presented the governor with some gifts from the school, including a Blue Ribbon t-shirt and a copy of The Peloponnesian Wars, written by the Greek author Thucydides in the 5th century B.C. “It’s a great read,” John told the governor.
Responses
chris urbanski says:
April 2nd, 2014 at 4:44 PM
Such encouragement from the governor to our students to hear he trusted Christ at a young age!
Trinity you are cutting edge in this day and age!
Chris Urbanski
Carmen Fraga says:
April 2nd, 2014 at 4:54 PM
Trinity is a wonderful work of God's! The recognition of its impact is wonderful to see in the lives of our alumni. Surely, God is establishing his Kingdom very concretely! Glory!
Thank you V&B for the great coverage!
Stephen and Susan Busk says:
April 2nd, 2014 at 6:09 PM
Praise God for Gov. Pence's visit to Trinity today. He seemed genuinely happy to be with us and duly honored Kerry, John Lee,the faculty and students. The governor also called the students on to greatness and encouraged them to live in Indiana :) Now on to our 5th Blue Ribbon-praise God.
Liz Loughran says:
April 3rd, 2014 at 9:34 AM
Wow, Praise God!
Bob Badham says:
April 4th, 2014 at 2:31 AM
Great recognition for Trinity Schools, the leaders and teachers, and students! We are all proud of you and we encourage you to paddle strong for continued growth and honors. Keep the canoe pointed toward the horizon!!
Aloha to all of you!
Joanne Bologna says:
April 4th, 2014 at 3:49 AM
It is quite a gift to all who love The Lord , that His work at Trinity shows what only God's workers can accomplish in this not so Christian world we live. I wish I was younger and could go back to school at Trinity. Thanks for sharing this with us older POP members . Love you all
Joanne Bologna
Nancy Grams says:
April 4th, 2014 at 12:07 PM
Congratulations to Trinity staff and students over the years for your perseverance and dedication to this work of making a difference in education throughout the country. May the Lord continue to guide you all in this mission and labor of love.
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