The Core of Connection

Connection is at the core of our lives. Essentially, we connect to survive. We build relationships with others, our friends, and ultimately ourselves. Surprisingly, this is one of the things that young adults struggle with nowadays.

That explains why the first lessons on campus are centered around this realm. Patrick Sedivy, Cumorah Academy founder, is perfect for these classes. In the classroom, he conveys enthusiasm for the rising generation. Patrick is particularly passionate about seeing students grow and expand their skills. Since the semester has just started, now is the perfect time for students to enhance their connecting skills.

Connection in Business and Life

In business terms, connecting is vital for the performance of all involved. A team that is purpose-oriented is likely to perform better. Employees who proactively seek out solutions and are united and supportive contribute significantly to overall success.

Seeing the benefits of collaboration and connection, Patrick suggests students make their relationships a priority. In class, he enjoys using this adage: “The best time to plant a tree was 30 years ago. The second best time is right now.” The lesson in this motto can be applied to nearly all aspects of life, but Patrick focuses particularly on relationships.

Now is the best time to work on our relationships. Patrick’s experience uniquely qualifies him to teach young adults this vital topic. Having graduated from Brigham Young University (BYU) in Civil Engineering, Patrick has since been involved with several businesses.

As a successful businessman, Patrick values core beliefs and attributes including accountability, resilience, and lifelong learning. His experience has given him the rare privilege of observing successful leaders in every realm. Thus, he ensures these skills are thoroughly taught on campus.

Patrick emphasizes the importance of students understanding and developing these core values, which guarantees the fulfillment of Cumorah’s mission. One of the principles students learn to become better communicators is genuinely paying attention to others. It seems simple, but it is a challenge in the overly-informed world we live in today. As sharply observed by American author Rachel Naomi Remen:

“The most basic and most powerful way to connect to another person is to listen.”

Facing the Future with Faith

Communication is firmly rooted in connection. As previously mentioned, we communicate to survive. Collectively, we can achieve more than we can alone. However, focusing solely on social networking overlooks one of the most important aspects of life at Cumorah Academy. Yes, we want students to connect with each other and succeed.
But most importantly, we value and encourage spiritual connections. Faith and spirituality go hand in hand on campus. These principles can be applied to all students, regardless of their faith. Our goal is for them to return home more focused on their projects, happier, and with greater enthusiasm.

Patrick, along with everyone involved at Cumorah Academy, shares the same feeling of hope for this generation. Semester after semester, year after year, more and more students have their lives transformed thanks to Cumorah Academy.
On another occasion, Patrick was asked what drives him to this cause. “This IS the generation that will have an impact on the world.” It’s hard not to feel the same enthusiasm when hearing him express his feelings about young adults.

His faith in this generation influences how they see themselves. True, we are responsible for our own decisions. But having someone who believes in our potential expands our imagination about our own talents. In a few words, Patrick sees his role as providing them with the tools they need to truly change their lives. It is that faith that drives him.

With mentors like Patrick as their guiding leaders, there are no limits to what students can accomplish.

Written by Fernando L. Ferreira Jr.

Photos by Felipe Echeverri Carrillo

Supervision by Kamila Uberto Fullmer