Our April student of the month is Ron Cook, a senior from the sovereign island country of the Philippines who is in his ninth year at Ignite Christian Academy. According to Mrs. Marianne Cole, Ron “always gives more than what is asked for and has a very good grasp of reality, along with a great sense of humor.”
My ICA Story
I have been with Alpha Omega Publications from the beginning of my school experience. My parents wanted me to have a high quality Christian education. They did the research and decided Alpha Omega Publications was the best choice for our family. I was homeschooled using LIFEPAC from 1st through 2nd grade. For 3rd grade, I used Switched-On Schoolhouse curriculum, and I entered Ignite Christian Academy in 4th grade. I do appreciate the superior quality of the ICA technologies, and the teachers are superior, too!
Bicultural
I am Filipino, but culturally, I am both American and Filipino. My friends are here, and my heritage is here in the Philippines. My parents are from Connecticut. I have visited the States, but I have never lived there. I have been to the New England States and the tri-state area of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Visiting the States is like being in a Hollywood movie. It looks too good to be true.
Family Life
My parents adopted me when I was 2, and I have been in the family for 15 plus years. I have a brother in the States. He is 22 years older than I am. We do have a lot in common, even though we do not see much of each other.
In the Jungle
My hobbies include writing, playing music (I play guitar, piano, and violin), hanging out with friends, swimming in the bay, and camping in the jungle (we don’t call it the rain forest here). In the future, I plan to study music, art, and writing.
Aikido
I also enjoy practicing and teaching aikido, which is a Japanese self-defense martial art. Someday I hope to expand my aikido business.
Disaster Relief
I would like to be a disaster relief worker. I went to Leyte, Philippines, six months after Super Typhoon Haiyan destroyed much of the island on November 8, 2013. I was on a mission trip to help rebuild churches. In the areas we visited, very little had been done since the disaster. People were so in need, but at the same time, so generous to those of us who came to help. I will never forget what I saw and what I felt. Disasters are occurring everywhere, and I would like to help.
Words of Wisdom
Enjoy your life. It is a gift from God, not only to you, but to the world. You really are God’s gift to the world!