Alumni Spotlight - Ella Keene

LCA alum Ella Keene ('24) has spent the past few weeks in Costa Rica as part of a mission trip with Experience Mission. The journey began in August when she joined other graduates from across the country in Seattle to prepare and train for the mission. The team traveled to San Jose and is currently in Shiroles, a village in Costa Rica.

Ella and the Experience Mission team completed a Spanish immersion certificate from the College Reading and Learning Association and have been working and living in the Shiroles community. The team has been working to build the foundation for a new church by leveling dirt, as well as mixing and pouring cement. They've also been helping to haul bamboo out of the forest and onto the plantain farms to use as support for the trees. Ella has been cooking and has learned to make everything she eats. She helps with household chores for her host family and whatever else they need assistance with. 

The mission team enjoys playing basketball, volleyball and soccer with the community in their downtime. It's been especially fun to play soccer in the rain, as the field becomes more like a Slip-'N-Slide! Ella also stressed how they've been taking time to rest, journal and spend time participating in devotionals. Ella's prayer is that the Lord will help them love like He does and that they will be His hands and feet. God has provided peace, reassurance and strength throughout her journey so far.  

LCA is where … You can grow your faith through the community of students, teachers and the culture of the school around you.

What did you love most about your time at LCA? The community I had at LCA was amazing. It's so tight-knit, and we all knew each other, even if we weren't in the same friend groups. My friend group was amazing, especially my senior year. It grew a lot, and I love staying in touch with everyone, even after we've gone our separate ways. The teachers are also a big part of the community. They cared about each of us, and you could tell we weren't just a name on a class list.

Tell us one of your favorite memories at LCA: One of my favorite memories is probably the senior retreat. I got to talk to so many people in my grade that I've been in school with for years. It was just cool to get to know them better. 

Why do you believe it was important for you to attend LCA? It was important for me to go to LCA because the Bible classes we had were so helpful and important. In talking to friends who didn't go to a Christian school, they always told me they wish they had a Bible class. I learned so many things about the Bible and my faith through those classes.I still ask Coach Seamands when I have questions about things in the Bible or faith in general.