The Lord continued to bless and the 2001-2002 school year began with 29 students ready to go, but this year we needed a name that reflected us more. The name "Voices of Diversity" was chosen and a new mission was born--not just to sing, but to minister to young and old through music. Mrs. Middleton thought it was time for a trip, so plans were underway for a tour of Saipan, a neighboring island, in December. Our first official trip fundraiser was a full concert on Oct. 6, 2001 (in formal dress, thanks to a generous donation from an Angel Donor) which was a great success. In December 2001, we had the pleasure of touring the island of Saipan. We were the first choir ever to sing at Hard Rock Cafe to help celebrate the Chef's birthday. We had many concerts at schools, hospitals, churches, hotels and for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The highlight of the trip was singing at the Senior Citizens Center. In honor of our new name and mission, the poem below was written by Katrina Weaver, a talented writer and poet in her own right: Voices of Diversity In April 2002, the Voices of Diversity, along with the GAA Bell Choir, was invited to perform and minister in Korea. While there, we traveled to several schools and churches, performing for thousands of people. We ended the school year in May 2002. The 2002-2003 school year did not get off to a good start. A typhoon came through in July and did major damage to our school, causing a delay in opening. I'm proud to say we started school (although late) and the choir now consists of 35 students. We hope that this year will be as rewarding as prior years--for us, our audience, but most importantly, for God. We praise Him for bringing all of us together, and we pray that (ultimately) He will be glorified through our many voices and talents.Who We Are:
At the beginning of the 2000-2001 school year, the Voices of Diversity--known then as the Guam Adventist Academy Senior Choir--began with about 15 students under the direction of Celeste Middleton. We enjoyed class so much that we had our first performance two weeks after school started and the audience was amazed to hear what we had accomplished in such a short time. Out of the choir was born a male group (consisting of Bret Mahoney, Alex and Peter Vercio, and Cary Hann) and a female group (consisting of Martina and Valerie Yow and Bernelle and Fressie Taitague). One of the highlights of the men's group was a musical tribute to honor their mothers at the end of the school year.
I am the voice of Strength
Booming like the thunder
I am the voice of Love
Soft as a gentle breeze
I am the voice of Integrity
Not afraid to stand alone
I am the voice of Happiness
Bright shining as the sun
I am the voice of Many
But I as the voice of One
Together united in sweet harmony
But separated by some type of diversity
We hold separate voices
Yet together we are one
For all of us hold a voice
And united by our differences
We become "Voices of Diversity"
A different you, a different me
Yet together we will be
United by one voice
Destined to become
"Voices of Diversity"
Katrina M. Weaver