Paul Amadio was our presenter today, and, as Head of School, he provided a very interesting program. Some facts: Started in 1947, the dream of two college sweethearts….The warren Family. It has 72 years of educational history, is multinational, 140 students, from 16 countries, and 41 day students, rated 15^thin the US as a college prep school. Students are allowed to be themselves, provide service to others, and are expected to provide 1000 hrs of service during their VVI careers. They have achieved academic excellence, attend 6 classes each day, then do some physical labor on campus, then study. Weekends are pretty much open for service projects. 

 

The school, located on Verde Valley School Road, is on 300 acres purchased in 1947 for $8/acre!! First names only is expected between students and faculty. In the beginning there was and continues to be a strong influence from the Native American tribes in Yavapai and Coconino counties. The goal of the school is to help create in their students “Global Citizens,” and take those ideas and practices back to their home neighborhoods and countries, and have a positive impact, as they learned at VVS. 

 

Of course, with a school 70+ years old the buildings are starting to see signs of aging!! A recent donation to the school, of an alum from Germany, of $3M will help fix the infrastructure and buildings that will last for years.

 

Paul is very passionate about the school and students and invited the RC of Sedona Village to meet at VVS and to just come and visit….walk the campus, see the garden. He sees the 4 Way Test and our ideals as being very close to those of VVS and that we should be engaged to reach our common goals.