Sunrise Academy: Light, Hope and the Pride of Community

Two great things happened at Sunrise Academy today: a students’ pep rally in the morning and a stakeholders' meeting in the evening.

Although the context and participants of both events were very different from each other, the message was same that the Sunrise Academy is light and hope for us all.

The students' pep rally was organized by the school’s new PTA. It was a kick start event for the preparation of an upcoming “gigantic” fundraiser in May, 2011. The theme of the fundraiser is “Sunrise Academy, light and hope for the Ummah.” The rally itself was an amazing event in which PTA’s young, energetic, and very passionate officials, through their moving speeches and superb performance, successfully motivated about 400 students.

I have been to several youth events and I must say that today’s rally was one of the most successful youth/kids events I have ever attended. Students were not only informed about their potential performance in the upcoming event, but they were actually pumped up about their identities as Muslims and as Sunrisers, and about their roles in the Muslim Ummah and the rest of the world. By the end of the rally, regardless of their ages and grades, all students were thrilled about being light and hope for the Ummah.  A beautiful message was conveyed in a beautiful way.

The stakeholders' meeting, “Call to Action,” in the evening was called by the school board. The purpose of this meeting was drawing support from the community for the expansion project. It was held in the same gym that witnessed the beautiful glowing faces of the young sunrisers in the morning rally. More than hundred teachers, parents, and community members came forward to support their children and to invest in the future of the community. School’s super performance report was shared and analyzed. Genuine questions were asked. Professional and logical information was requested. Valid concerns were raised. A heart-to-heart conversation occurred that brought all stakeholders closer. The trust in the school board and the administration was revived. The faith in Allah and the goodwill of people was expressed. The support to the project was heard loud and clear. And the gym, once again, witnessed that this community means business. From a pre-schooler at sunrise to the senior members of the community, we are all committed to deliver the best to the world, God willing.

Being a former teacher of two Islamic Schools, a former PTA secretary of another Islamic school and a parent of kids in different Islamic schools for 17 years, I can honestly say that I have never been so satisfied and thrilled about any Islamic school ever before.

Since its establishment in 1996, the school has been growing and stepping up the ladder of success and achievement steadily. Its excellence is a product of several dedicated students, volunteers, donors, teachers and community members throughout the years. It is the only chartered Islamic school in Ohio. Its performance index has reached 96.66 in 2010.

In addition to a track record of success and growth, by the grace of Allah, something new has happened at Sunrise this year. With many old faces, it has a new team of talented students, passionate teachers and staff, super-dedicated principal, sincere and professional school board and young, energetic and promising PTA. They are all together at right place on the right time. All they need is the community’s support and a little push in taking the next step up the ladder of achievement.

It’s a call to expand the Sunrise Academy. As the building across the street is open for sale, this call can be answered easily. Regardless of several ifs and buts, it’s the best step forward for the school and for the community. It's a good opportunity since the price is fairly low and the owners of the proposed building are desperate to sell it by the end of this year. The school is asking community members to either one-time immediate donations or loans that can be returned in coming months and years. The schools has done this before and it is confident that by the will and help of Allah, the Almighty, it can be done again, 

Indeed, Sunrise Academy has proven to us that it is our glorious past, our bright future and our today’s pride. Perhaps, the sun is rising with brighter light and more shine in this corner of Hilliard, Ohio. It’s up to us, the community, to make sure that its warmth and shine continue to grow and it helps making this world a better place for us all.

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For more info about Expansion Project and ways to help, please contact Sunrise Academy.