Katrina Comeback Celebration Thanks Maranatha Volunteers

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Hurricane Katrina devastated the gulf states region and destroyed most of the buildings on campus at Bass Memorial Academy in Lumberton, Mississippi...

Hurricane Katrina devastated the gulf states region and destroyed most of the buildings on campus at Bass Memorial Academy in Lumberton, Mississippi. Just one year later students were starting school in their brand new classrooms. That quick recovery was a miraculous turnaround for the school, which received aid from many individuals and organizations. Maranatha volunteers spent weeks in Mississippi framing two brand new classroom buildings. Many other buildings on campus were refurbished as well.

After months of work the Bass Memorial Academy campus was rededicated on October 14, 2006. Principal Craig Ziesmer welcomed a host of visitors for the occasion, including Gulf States Conference President Mel Eisele, Architect Don Kirkman, and Don Noble, President of Maranatha Volunteers International.

After a year meeting in cramped siderooms and corner spaces, students and staff alike were delighted to move into the spacious classrooms. During campus tours on Sabbath, students took turns answering questions about their bright new buildings. The two buildings comprising 25,000 square feet house the library, science lab, computer stations, amphitheatre, classrooms, office space and more.

Don Noble was part of the ceremony. "I think the campus is exceptionally nice. That you can take something so devastating and turn it into something great in this amount of time is phenomenal. That happened because of great effort from donors, volunteers, and incredible sacrifice from staff and students. All of those factors have combined to hold together a campus that could have just died off. Apparently God still wants it there and wanted it to be better than it was before!"

Date published: November 15, 2006