The Arrow Fall 2022

President’s Paragraph

Following of the text of Dr. Groves’ Convocation Address: August 29, 2022

Good morning and welcome to Oak Hill Academy, in this, our school’s 144 th Year. Know that you are part of something special. Since 1878, students from all over the world have been gathering in this tiny place called Mouth of Wilson to live together, to go to school together, to build a community together. So, congratulations on becoming a member of the OHA Family. Our theme for this year is CONNECT, and of course there is no family, there is no community, without connection. Rest assured, everyone in this room is a member of the “family” and we are all “connected” with

one another. Please take a moment to look around at the faculty, staff, and administration who are all here to show their support for you on this first day of school. We are going to make connections with you-- today, tomorrow, and all year long; this is our pledge to you … you can count on it; you can count on us. I also want you to know that the connections you have with our school—which is now your school— extend far beyond this room. Today we have students enrolled from 18 countries and 20 US states. Multiply this number by 144 (years) and in an instant, you, sitting here today, you are connected to generations of alumni from all over the world. Oak Hill Academy alumni include presidents of colleges, pastors, doctors, lawyers, teachers, professors, engineers, psychologists, owners of businesses, and, yes, a few famous basketball players. The Oak Hill bloodlines run deep and wide; the connections are far-reaching and all-embracing. And, lastly, I want you to know that, unmistakably, the presence of God is with us. Here at Oak Hill you shall be reminded often that you are a child of God, that you are loved by God, and that you are created in the image of God. For over one hundred years students have been called to order at Oak Hill Academy by the Academy Bell. We toll the bell in the summer—once for each alumnus who has passed in the previous year. We toll it on Graduation Eve—once for each graduating senior. And, we toll it today, to signal the start of our academic year.

Follow Dr. Groves on Twitter @DrGrovesOHA.