Blog Archives

Staff Spotlight: Roy Vargas

8/26/2019

To describe Roy Vargas as one of our campus “guards” doesn’t begin to tell the story of how Roy contributes to New Summit Academy. Roy joined the NSA family eight years ago, and his organization, intelligence, and people skills have helped Roy develop into one of our “indispensable” members of the school.

Not only does Roy spend his days ensuring that each of our students is safely where he needs to be, he manages all of NSA’s transportation logistics, checks in returning students, coordinates logistics for Bridge students arriving to campus, and much more. Roy is even one of our go-to staff for technical issues, troubleshooting internet and printer problems with ease.

Roy says that his favorite part about working at NSA is knowing that he is being of service in a job that helps young people, adding humbly, “even if the support is minimum, it is satisfying to be able to help in some way.” He needs to take more credit. Roy spends his free time with his family and doing small projects around the house.

Thanks, Roy, for your invaluable service!

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August Experiential Session Part I: WAFA

8/21/2019

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This past week, our students have been engaged alongside out staff in working toward earning their Wilderness Advanced First Aid (WAFA) certifications.

New Summit Academy has been pairing with the Wilderness Medicine Institute for years in facilitating this professional-level certification for students and staff as an opportunity to truly challenge themselves in an experiential, hands-on curriculum, as well as to help with our risk management during Integrated, Recreational, and International Aventuras.

Throughout the week-long course, our dedicated WAFA instructors teach students how to recognize and respond to a variety of situations that include:

- Risk management and assessment
- Patient assessment techniques
- Injury management
- Common wilderness medical problems

Each time students learned classroom content, everyone sprang into action, with half of our students and staff simulating medical emergencies on campus, and the other half acting as the first-aid responders, with the support of our teachers and instructors throughout the process. This is true (and very valuable) experiential education!

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Romeria: A Cultural Immersion Highlight

8/19/2019

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Last month, students and staff participated in one of the most awe-inspiring cultural experiences of the year: the annual pilgrimage to Cartago known as the "Romeria."

This pilgrimage began nearly 400 years ago when a young girl found a statue of a woman holding a child in her arms near a spring. After taking the statue home, the girl found the next day that it had mysteriously returned to the spring. The same happened when the girl took the figure to the local church.

Since then, the devout of Costa Rica (nearly 2 million of them!) walk to the site, now a basilica. Our students participate in 13 kilometers of the walk in order to help develop more cultural awareness and connect with the people of Costa Rica.

This year’s highlights include photo opportunities with the ex-president of Costa Rica and, perhaps even more exciting, the chicken mascots of a local department store!

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August Experiential Session at New Summit Academy

8/13/2019

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This month brings exciting, hands-on experiential learning for our students and staff!

Below is a quick introduction to the once-in-a-lifetime opportunities that our community will be engaging in during the coming weeks:

Wilderness Advanced First Aid & CPR Certification
Students and staff will work together in this week-long, professional-level certification program, guided by the Wilderness Medicine Institute. Lessons on risk management and prevention, site surveys, CPR, and emergency treatment will be paired with hands-on simulated emergency scenarios where students will put their knowledge into action.

South Africa International Aventura
Some of our more senior students will travel to South Africa for what is sure to be a life-changing adventure. After getting to know Cape Town and introductions to local communities, students will participate in wildlife safaris, team-building exercises with local nonprofits, visits to museums and historical sites, and even a workshop with a local artist on using graffiti to bring positive change to communities!

Peru International Aventura
Many of our NSA students will travel to Peru to experience the Sacred Valley as few visitors ever get to do. The journey begins with an introduction to the ancient city of Cuzco and exploring the Incan site of Machu Picchu and Pisac. Students will then raft the Apurimac River before hiking the challenging but stunningly beautiful Ausangate Trek!

Costa Rica Orientation Aventura
Our newest NSA students will spend a week on two separate trips, with some relax time on campus in-between, getting to know the beauty and fun that Costa Rica has to offer. The first leg will introduce students to the Pacific Coast, where they will spend time on the beaches and sea kayaking. White water rafting on the world-famous Sarapiqui and zip-lining through the rainforests of Arenal make up the second trip. What a way to start at NSA!

SCUBA Certification in Bocas del Toro
To round out the August Experiential Session, a group of students and staff will travel to the archipelago of Bocas del Toro in Panama to earn their SCUBA Certifications. Bocas is world-renowned for its stunning beaches, coral reefs, and populations of marine mammals. This Aventura is sure to be remembered!

No other school on the planet engages its students in experiential learning like New Summit Academy!

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Staff Spotlight: Diana Rojas

8/1/2019

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Diana is our beloved Family and Student Services Coordinator.

All of our families are familiar with Diana, as her dedication to helping them arrange travel, logistics, mail packages, prepare for workshops, and much more are one of the major reasons for their positive experiences at NSA.

Diana spent 10 years in California, so understands our families very well. She has been a part of the New Summit community for nearly nine years. She loves helping all of our families and students, and collaborating with her co-workers every day.

Outside of NSA, Diana enjoys spending time at her house, admiring the beautiful view with her dog Chispa and her cats, crocheting, and visiting her family on the beach in Puntarenas.

Diana has a vibrant spirit and enjoys life to the fullest, and we are very grateful to have her as part of the team at New Summit Academy!

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Staff Spotlight: Roy Vargas

August Experiential Session Part I: WAFA

Romeria: A Cultural Immersion Highlight

August Experiential Session at New Summit Academy

Staff Spotlight: Diana Rojas

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