10/29/2025
We have had an exciting start to our 25th school year! For starters, we have five amazing seniors that we will introduce throughout the year.
To start us off, please meet Hakeem. Hakeem has been at Eastside Academy since 2023 and we are so encouraged by his growth and progress. Earlier this month, he got up on stage for all five services at Bellevue Presbyterian Church and spoke about his faith, educational journey and living in the Renew Boy’s House. Hakeem shared that he instantly felt like the staff at EA cared about him and he is on track to graduate high school in June, despite previously thinking that he never could! He would love to pursue a career as a Marine or Wildlife Biologist after college.
Excitingly, a week after speaking at BelPres, he made the choice to be baptized! Hakeem was raised in a Christian home and has always gone to church, but his faith has been reinforced by his time at Eastside Academy and from regularly attending BelPres. He says that everyone here is so friendly and there is a lot more diversity here, which makes him feel comfortable. Hakeem can see himself in others who look like him here, better than at churches he’s attended in the past.
Thank you so much to our community and donors who have supported students like Hakeen through prayers, mentorship, and donating to our school & housing program. We are privileged to tell these stories, but only because of your support!
