Jo-An Ritchie

The escapades of a freshman girl at Columbia Academy makes exciting reading. Joni gets her arm in a ringer, falls on the dining room floor in front of the whole student body, and gets called to the principal's office for her part in a broken window. Joni is in trouble when the pet hamster that she shouldn't have had in the dormitory has babies in the Dean's apartment.Add to these and many more funny happenings the serious times in an Academy freshman's life, such as the conversation of a show more friend in the protection of God in a rough part of the city, and you have a book that young and old will find enjoyable show less

Jonie spends the summer in Arizona helping her mother cook for a group of student coal porters. Her parents are not sure that they will be able to pay for another year at Columbia Academy and hope that Jonie will decide to stay home for her senior year. Jonie takes her problem to the Lord, and with the help of the academy principal, she gets work at Columbia that will pay for her room and board.Back at Columbia with Gail, Donna, Chuck, Dick, and even Linda––her best friend from grade show more school––she has a rather hectic year editing the school paper and doing all the other things seniors do. show less

"That Wendy is absolutely a doll. She's just it. She wears that soft white sweater, and with those huge eyes she looks like a Persian kitten, all soft and cuddly. And every night I have to meet her in the bathroom." Jonie laid down her toothbrush and hung up her towel."So?" Gail said quizzically, laying aside her secretarial science books and watching Joni kick off her slippers."Well, she always asks the same question." Joni's voice raised to knows that she mimicked Wendy. "'Have you been show more dated yet?'"Gail fought back a giggle.Yes, Jonie is in college, and engulfed in the accompanying laughter and tears, victories and defeats. The year is one of discovery and Christian growth, and for Joni the interaction with her teachers and classmates has far reaching and permanent results. show less

"Of the specifications of the charge you have been tried and found guilty."Stunned, Joni hardly heard the president of the court as he continued to read the verdict."Of the charge, guilty. Privates Numan V. Hafner, Richard M. Spencer, Robert L. Nelson, Harold L. Massey, you will be confined at hard labor for a period of six months, and forfeit $30 per month for a like., Except Spencer, who will forfeit $10 per month for a like. Since an allotment is being sent to your mother. There is no show more evidence of previous convictions to submit. Court is adjourned."Again the military police led the foreman away."No, no, no! It can't be!" Jonei pleaded within herself as she pushed her way through the noisy, crowded aisle to the exit. The elated gamblers who had one were joshing the losers, and Jonei's heart was crying, "how could You let this happen, Father?"Jonie and her husband were now stationed in Alaska. Four of their best friends had been arrested for refusing to work on Sabbath. Why hadn't God intervened? She had been so confident that he would. But Jonie had to learn that sometimes you have to lose to win. show less