Missions Week Edition 2016

HICKORY GROVE CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL

The Pride

“Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy think about such things.” Philippians 4:8

Volume 2016 VOLUMEXIII, XIII Issue Issue21 March October 2015

Serving Locally: Charlotte Page 3 Great Commission Destination: Charlotte Pages 4-5 Serving Globally: Dominican Republic Pages 6-7 Serving Globally: Malawian Orphans Pages 8-9 Serving Locally: Grove Games Page 10 Student Profiles: New International Students Page 11 Winter Sports Recap Page 12

YOU S

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Matthew 5:13-16

t u O g Livin t a e r G The n o i s s i Comm

YOU

ARE the

Light

of the

Graphic by Mitch Berthelot

Serving Nationally: Pittsburg Page 2

are THE T L AF O H T R A E

WORL D

Inside the Pride:

Serving Nationally: Missions Week

Serving Nationally: Pittsburgh “We are a family of missionary servants sent to make disciples who make disciples,” Pastor Aaron Peters

By Christopher Reisenberg Editor What does it mean to truly serve? Is it doing kind actions because we feel bad? Are we doing it because it’s solely “the right thing to do”? These are questions we must ask ourselves before we embark on a trip serving and advancing God’s kingdom.

For the team that went to Pittsburgh, PA, these questions were answered for many. Discovering what it truly means to serve, outside of what feels comfortable or convenient, became a reality during this 11th grade Missions Week Trip.

Over the course of the week, we lived by the phrase, “We are a family of missionary servants sent to make disciples who then make disciples.”

Through our service projects and even spending time talking with Ken Cordray, the Pastor of Living Faith

Community Church, this mindset was truly realized.

“On our last day,” junior Jessica Williams testified, “We went to the Golla’s house, a family from North Campus who moved to Pittsburgh to work with Ken. At his house we did not do any ‘mission work’, but rather we just acted like a family. We ate together, played games together, and even cried together.”

Through Williams’ experience and service in Pittsburgh, she was able to realize the need to have the support of a family around her. Cordray was a distinct example of truly living within your community and merely living life together.

Junior Philip Jennings was also greatly impacted because of Cordray and his church. The first night that we were there, about 4 different church planters (people who leave where they are and start a church from the ground up) came and spoke about their experience and struggles.

“I have as much respect for those church planters as I do for those that serve in our nation’s military. Those church planters are on the front line advancing God’s kingdom, and they are laying everything on the line in order that God’s work can and will be done. It’s incredible,” said Jennings.

Yes, serving the people in Pittsburgh and in LFCC was definitely a focus, but it was not THE focus. Oftentimes when we look at serving, we think of more, “Oh, how can I serve these people and give them what they need?”

And yes, that’s great, awesome, go do that! But we often forget to prepare our hearts for what God may teach us through the opportunity that we’ve been given. Overall, people were impacted, lives were changed, and we were truly able to realize and understand that we are a family of missionary servants, sent to make Christ known to all generations.

Mission Week Photos By Adriana Stowe, Ethan Barnes, Emily Strum, Josie Boggs, and Christopher Riesenberg

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Serving Locally: Missions Week

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Far Top Left: Junior Zach Sisk helped 5th graders at Lawrence Orr with their reading. On the first day, Sisk and Junior Adriana Stowe performed a short skit written by the drama students regarding prejudices, and they talked about what kind of example the kids should leave as fifth graders.

Far Bottom Left: Students Jacob Bennett (junior), Madi Hardman, Jillian Williams and Emma Beverage (sophomores) add finishing touches on the mural.

Left: Art teacher Smith Adams signs autographs for Lawrence Orr students.

By Amya Gainey Editor

For high school art teacher Smith Adams, this year’s mission week was one to remember.

Adams helped to lead and organize the making of a mural to be displayed in the entrance of Lawrence Orr Elementary School. For Adams, organizing the mural, which is comprised of 360 wooden squares, was no easy task for one man.

“I had a lot of anxiety going into the week. There was a lot of planning and organizing that [we] had to do. We knew we wanted to do a mural this year but we didn’t know how it was all going to come together,” he said.

This is the inaugural year for Lawrence Orr Elementary, which made the mural extra special for many at the elementary school.

Located right down the street off of Hickory Grove Road, Lawrence Orr Elementary was named after Lawrence Orr, one of the first African American business owners in Charlotte, who helped promote the building of more schools in Mecklenburg County.

The mural consisted of Hickory Grove and Lawrence Orr students tearing up different colors of paper and gluing them onto a wooden square. When complete, the mural shows a picture of Lawrence Orr with a border of flags of the different nationalities represented at the school.

“I was expecting to just go into the school and do the usual [helping kids with reading, writing, and math] but doing the art mural was a really nice change,” sophomore Cassidy Campbell said.

"The students were able to sit down together and really get to know one another," Adam said.

Far Right: Freshman Jaelen Whitley helps a student with their daily work.

Right: Sophomore John Grabowski works with a Pre-K student on the alphabet. Throughout the week, students assisted the teachers by working one-on-one with students in reading and math.

Right Bottom: Sophomores Jaylyn Hargett-Boyce and Lauren Hood walk with Kindergarteners. “I’m going to miss them,” said Hood after a very emotional goodbye.

Serving Locally: Hickory Grove Elementary

By Leighann Vinesett Editor

According to the Collins English Dictionary, ‘missions’ are defined as, “The callings of a religious organization, especially a Christian one, to go out into the world and spread its faith.”

To some, missions are seen only as international opportunities, meaning that if travel is not involved, mission trips cannot occur. For others, missions is seen as not only an international opportunity, but something that can be done everyday in local communities. This outlook was one many students saw during Missions Week 2016.

On January 11th through 15th, high school students spent three to four days serving others locally and abroad in the annual Missions Week service project. One of the local mission projects that high school students participated in was serving at Hickory Grove Elementary School (HGES).

Before sending students into the mission field that is HGES, two training sessions were held to equip the students for the upcoming days of service. During these sessions, students were taught songs, dances, crafts, and skits that students would be using in HGES classrooms.

“(These sessions) were held to prepare students with hands on activities to lead the kids, they helped make a clear path for relationship building, and provided a way (for HG students) to engage with elementary students,” high school drama teacher Abigail Thomas said.

After being trained on how to do things such as make spider web and snowman crafts, students began their first day of service at the elementary school, where they participated in many activities to help assist with teacher and student needs.

“At HGES, we did things such as making copies and sharpening pencils for teachers, helping kids take their tests, playing games with the kids, and making a crafts,”says junior Jordyn Brynildsen.

While interacting with kids at HGES, many high school students made connections with the kids in their assigned classes.

“I had a special connection with a student named Kash. Before we got there his classmates told me that Kash didn’t like to share, but I taught him how nice it is to share, and he started to share with his classmates,”says freshman Ashley Jarrell about a first grade HGES student, “Kash made a great impact on my life. I remember on my first day (at HGES) he told me 'This is the funnest day ever!' and he called me his best friend. He was always hanging around me. It was just really cool to see that you can connect with a person in a short period of time.”

While serving the school and making connections with elementary students, HG students began to see why they were serving at HGES.

“I saw (HGES) as a school that needs the Gospel.

It’s was so strange to go somewhere and for people not to be Christians or know about God. It puts things into perspective for me that these kids need the Gospel and it is our mission to show the love of Christ through our mission work,” freshman Morgan Davis said.

Freshman Grace Carpenter also shares Davis’ view on why Hickory Grove students served at HGES.

Carpenter says that, “The need in this school was obvious. The kids we worked with needed love and a deep connection with someone who really cared about them.

I think we served at HGES so that we could be blessings to (these) people’s lives, even though we did not have a history with these individuals, the way that we behaved, listened, and willingly helped with things was a slight yet monumental action that showed them the love of God we have in us.”

Page Design By Kirsten Herberg

Serving Locally: Lawrence Orr Elementary

Top: Freshman Ashley Jarrell shares a special moment with a student at recess.

Serving Locally: Charlotte Community Service Page 4

The Pride

Great Commission Destination: Charlotte

By Addison Parrish Editor-In-Chief Interact Club President

As students reflect on Mission Week, many are thinking about the work they did that left an impact and are wondering how they can continue serving God and others by being the salt and light of the world. There are many local service opportunities that make it possible to continue serving the least of these in the community while spreading the gospel to fulfill the Great Commission.

Urban Ministry Center:

Crisis Assistance Ministry:

A Child’s Place:

The Urban Ministry Center is a not-for-profit organization located in Charlotte, North Carolina that is dedicated to bringing the community together to end homelessness. The Urban Ministry Center is an interfaith organization that draws on support and volunteers from more than 130 houses of faith and serves as an entry point to services offered by a network of agencies that work together to provide opportunities for the Charlotte homeless population.

Crisis Assistance Ministry is the largest agency in Mecklenburg County that provides the working poor with rent and utility assistance, clothing, household goods, and furniture. It is a nonprofit organization that focuses on preventing homelessness and preserving dignity for Charlotte’s working poor.

A Child’s Place is a nonprofit organization that aims to eliminate the negative impact of homelessness on children and on their education.

The Urban Ministry Center began in December 1994 as a partnership of uptown congregations and businesses with a specific purpose to address the needs of the poor and homeless in the community.

The organization has a soup kitchen that opened in 1979 and moved in 1994 to the Urban Ministry Center, becoming the largest and oldest soup kitchen in Charlotte and the only one that serves lunch 365 days a year.

The Soup Kitchen meets a crucial need not only by providing meals for individuals, but also by offering a welcoming place for those faced with poverty. The kitchen is only one service of many offered through the Urban Ministry Center and the Homeless Services Network.

The Urban Ministry Center offers basic services for those in need in order to affirm the dignity of all homeless individuals in hopes that it will provide an opportunity to break the cycle of homelessness. Some of the services provided include: showers, laundry, telephone & mail, nurse, and dental van, transportation, counseling, and support groups.

Because the Urban Ministry Center relies heavily on volunteers to meet the daily needs of homeless individuals, there are many service opportunities available.

Crisis Assistance Ministry was founded in 1975 as a place for families in urgent financial crisis to get help. Their mission today is still the same as it was 40 years ago: • Address the immediate crisis with emergency rent and utility assistance, clothing, household goods, furniture and appliances; • Provide counseling, services and support to give families the tools they need to move toward financial stability; • Educate the community about the realities of poverty in Mecklenburg County.

The agency’s goal is “to provide assistance and advocacy for people in financial crisis, helping them move toward self-sufficiency” and their vision is to “inspire our community to justice and generosity as we provide help, hope and understanding to people struggling with limited financial resources.”

To help the agency achieve their goal, they rely on volunteers and their support. There are several ways to partner with Crisis Assistance to serve at your convenience.

A Child’s Place began in 1989 when a group of women were walking in Uptown Charlotte and encountered a group of children playing outside during school hours, who then explained that they were not in school because they were unable to enroll without a permanent address.

The women began a school for 27 homeless children in a room provided by First Presbyterian Church with a teacher from CMS, naming it A Child’s Place.

Since 1989, the organization has expanded its service capacity, helping 2,843 homeless children during the 2013-2014 school year.

A Child’s Place hopes to remove the obstacles of instability that poverty imposes on homeless children. Their purpose is to allow homeless children the same access to educational opportunities as other children. Because of the instability homeless children face, they are hungry twice as often as other children, sick four times more often, two or three grade levels behind others their age, twice as likely to repeat a grade, experience emotional and behavioral problems three times more than their housed peers, and the graduation rate for homeless children is below 25%. (Source: National Center on Family Homelessness) A Child’s Place has many volunteer opportunities to help support their organization as well as the children they serve.

The Pride

Serving Locally: Charlotte Community Service Page 5

How To Serve: Weekday Support Monday – Friday, 8:20 a.m. to noon; 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; or 1:20 to 4:00 p.m.

Shower Attendant, Laundry Attendant, Basic Services Desk/Counseling Desk, Phone Center, Mail Sorter, Counselor, Job Counselor, Van Driver Weekend Support Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Front Desk support, Mail and office organization Information adapted from http://www.urbanministrycenter.org/

Photo: https://goo.gl/CZzGLt

For individuals: Snack Deliverers: Deliver snacks to a designated school regularly (once/week, twice/month or once/month) for the school year.

Office Volunteers: Assist in the main office with answering phones, office projects and organizing resource rooms.

On-call Volunteers: Support special events, represent the agency at various functions or assist with other needs that arise throughout the year.

Information adapted from http://www.achildsplace.org/

For individuals: Tuesday thru Saturday between 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Photo: https://goo.gl/OyA3Gu

Inspectors: Help inspect and sort donations to the Free Store. This volunteer activity is available to individual volunteers and to groups.

Information adapted from http://www.crisisassistance.org/index.php

For Groups:

Family: Celebrate a holiday by making sandwiches for the homeless Civic Group: Sponsor a donation drive Corporate Department: Donate and serve drinks during our center’s meal time as a team-building exercise Church group: Collect basic living supplies for residents of HousingWorks Athletic team: Pull students together to donate soccer supplies Book club: Organize a shopping trip to Common Grounds Farm Stand Drink Groups (4-6 people): bring and serve drinks for 400 (200 on the weekends) Operation Sandwich (any number to assemble, 1 to deliver): make 100-800 sandwiches for the Soup Kitchen GardenWorks945 (2-12 people): Help us weed, harvest and get things accomplished in our garden. Use the Group Form to self-schedule your group.

For Groups:

Upkeep resource rooms: The charity receives generous donations from the community and could use help organizing their resource rooms that hold snacks, uniforms, toiletries, and other items students need.

Conduct a donation drive: The children’s critical needs vary throughout the school year, so check out their wish list and organize a donation drive based on those needs.

Assemble snack bags: Drink: Juice, Capri Sun or Small Water, Fruit: Applesauce, Fruit Cup, Grain: Crackers, Cereal/ Nutrigrain Bar, Pretzels, Goldfish, Trail Mix, Animal Crackers

For Groups:

Breakfast or Lunch Ministry teams: Provide food and beverages for those who wait in the line or lobby at Crisis Assistance Ministry.

Free Store Production teams: Help inspect, sort and stock donated items in the Free Store, our community’s only large-scale resource for donated clothing and household items that are given to families in need at no charge.

On-Call Furniture Pick-Up teams: Transport furniture and appliances and assist with various activities at the Furniture Bank.

Clothing, Furniture and Housewares Drives: Conducted by volunteer groups help secure donations of furniture, appliances, and other household items to be distributed through the Free Store and Furniture Bank.

Relocation Crews: Assist formerly homeless individuals and families transitioning to stable housing. Groups of 4-8 provide a truck and the muscle to transport furniture from our Furniture Bank to the new home.

Page Design By Leighann Vinesett

Photo: https://goo.gl/KL4eK3

For individuals:

Serving Globally: Senior Missions Trip Page 6

By Caitlin Bailey Editor

anymore and all I want is a break. I get tired of fighting the good fight. And if I’m being honest, part of me says what’s the point.

Mitch Berthelot Graphic Designer

Yes, I am a mess. Yes, I make mistakes. BUT GOD has taken my messy life, my failures, my sins and washed me clean.

Caitlin Bailey, Josie Boggs, Graylin Locklear Photo Editors Everybody talks about the Dominican trip being life changing. The DR definitely changed my perspective. However, probably not in the way it did for everybody else.

My first day working in the DR I summed up as messy. I don’t like messy things. If I had it my way, everything in my life would go smoothly.

I’d have all my ducks in row and keep my hands clean. I don’t like literal messy things or figurative. However, messy has stuck with me. Actually, my life could be summed up by that word.

I know deep in my heart I have an unshakable call to missions. How that plays out. . . I don’t know. But I do know that God has placed missions on my heart. But time after time I’m discouraged. The unending amount of “if you want to do missions you can’t ___” or “you have to ____” always end in me doubting myself. I am a mess. I often feel unworthy of my calling or even unusable.

I feel like I drown in a sea of things I didn’t do right or could have done better. From cracked phones to things I wish I hadn’t said, I always feel like a failure. The waves of disappointment in myself come. Drama follows me everywhere I turn. I feel like I can’t take it

I am not defined by them. I am defined by Christ. My worth is not in what I have done but what HE has done. When I feel unusable, I will remember that I am redeemed. He has grace upon grace for me and I am so unworthy. What a reflection of the Gospel.

When I was in the DR, I was reminded how God takes the mess and makes it beautiful.

There I was with no makeup, shorts to my knees, drenched in sweat, dirt on top of that, and covered in paint and it was beautiful.

Why? Because in that moment, I wasn’t proud of anything I had done. It wasn’t look at my outfit or how great my makeup looks. In that moment, it was about Christ. Me doing the work of His Kingdom. I got to lose myself in His service. In my mess, He made something beautiful out of it.

Getting to see the happiness on those people’s faces made the paint and sweat and dirt worth it.

So just like God could bring something beautiful out of that mess. I know He will do the same in my own life. Yes, things will get hard. BUT GOD, rich in mercy has this for my good. Just like in the DR, when it’s hard and I’m in the midst of the heat, I need to think about the end result. He will take my mess and use it for His glory. And yes, I am so unworthy. God is sovereign and on the throne. I will keep my eyes on Him.

The Pride

“The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display His perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in Him for eternal life.”

1 Timothy 1:15-16

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Page Design By Jason Fernandez and Leighann Vinesett

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Serving Globally: Senior Missions Trip

Serving Globally

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By Leighann Vinesett Editor “I went into town to run errands, and all I could picture (in my head) was them being at the edge of my driveway. I can’t get that picture out of my head. [To me] they are right there, right at the edge of my property, (just like) at the edge of the orphanage, eating out of a trashcan.”

These words come from high school English teacher Ginger Isenhour, who is speaking about two 10-year-old Malawian orphans named Try and Tynesse. Try and Tynesse’s story was one that impacted Isenhour so greatly that soon after she heard it, she decided to bring it to the school's driveway.

On January 11th through 15th, high school students spent three to four days serving others on a local to international scale in an annual week-long service project called Missions Week. But one thing about Missions Week this year was different. After returning

from a trip to the Dominican Republic with senior students, Isenhour texted her friend Thandie, who runs the Good Samaritans Children Orphanage (GCSO) in Malawi, Africa, to check in.

“I asked Thandie how everyone was doing, and she said ‘We are all doing very well,’ and I said Thandie, you know I need more details than that, and she said to me, ‘Momma G, you don’t want to know what’s really going on here; it’ll break your heart.’” Isenhour says, recounting how she first heard about Try and Ty. The story that Thandie proceeded to tell Isenhour was the story of Try and Tynesse. This story, of two 10-year-old girls without a home, who were living on the edge of an orphanage, would be one Isenhour could not stop thinking about days after it was told to her, one so close to her heart that she imagined it was her own home they were living at. This story would be the story that she told to all high school English classes, and that students would immediately respond to.

This story is the story of Try and Tynesse.

Before they took shelter on the edge of the orphanage, the two girls lived with their

The

father, mother, grandmother, and baby sister Dorothy. When the three girls were very young, their mother died of HIV, and their father, who was very ill, could no longer care for them all.

This is when he took Dorothy, who Isenhour has met while in Africa, to the orphanage. Soon after Dorothy was taken to live at GSCO, both the girl’s father and grandmother became very ill, and they began to make preparations for the girls to also go to the orphanage.

Before these arrangements could be made, both of the girls guardians passed away leaving them without a family, and without a home. To survive, the girls made their way to GSCO, and began living on the edge of the property, eating out of the orphanage trashcan.

Now, because of Isenhour, this story has been placed at the school's driveway, and Isenhour is calling students and administration, to respond.

“For both girls to live at the orphanage, it costs about $150 a month. So, the kids at school started brainstorming (ways to raise this money) and the quickest way (we thought to do so) was change jars,” Isenhour says.

Immediately, Isenhour told the story to every high school English class and placed a change jar, labelled with a photo of Try and Ty, in them. The response to this call of action was immediate, and in the first week of change jars being placed in classes, students had raised $352, enough money

Serving Globally

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Edge to cover two months for the children to stay in the orphanage.

To be a part of Try and Tyneese’s story, you can give to their orphanage fund in your English class or in the places listed in the change jar graphics below.

“I always had a heart for missions and when Mrs. Isenhour told me about [Try and Ty] I knew there was more I could do than give $2 every month, so I decided to do the fundraiser. It was just awesome to see how God took that little idea and made it [so that] it could impact them in a big way," Boggs said, speaking on why she was moved to raise money for the orphans.

orphans who needed a home.

Now, almost two months later, their story has made a far bigger impact than some, such as Isenhour, could have expected.

Try and Ty’s story began as a small story of two

“I was excited to share this story with [the classes] because I feel like they are all part of

Page Design By Leighann Vinesett

Soon after change jars were put out to raise money, senior Josie Boggs decided to also raise money for Try and Ty. On February 5th, Boggs announced that before school began, she would be selling donuts in the FLC lobby for $7 a box, or $1 per donut. Within 10 minutes of selling donuts, Boggs had sold all 25 dozen donuts she brought with her to school that morning, and raised over $100.

it, like God has his hand on this orphanage, and we all get to be a small part of what He’s doing,” Isenhour said.

Serving Locally: Grove Games

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Below: Freshman Lucy Jennings volunteers with the baseball station at Grove Games. Each year, Hickory Grove hosts kids from Metro School, giving them a day to play and be loved on by our students.

Near Right: Junior Tim Smith and Sophomore Sylas Williams help with the basketball station. Grove games gives the students an opportunity to get out of their comfort zone and show the love of Christ in their actions.

Far Right: Senior Kaylin Claiborn and Junior Phillip Jennings interact with the kids from Metro School by encouraging them to participate in Grove Game activities.

Grove Games: Playing for a Cause

Tori Pope Photojournalist In a special event organized by PE teacher Megan Wisehart, the fifth graders and a select number of seniors, including many students in the club “Project Unify” lead by Senior Ryan Mayhone, participated in the annual event called the Grove Games with the special needs and disabled children from Metro School .

In gyms A, B, C and the racketball court, HGCS students and teachers set up stations for the

children from Metro School to play games. At each station, 2-4 students were interacting with children.

The event took place from 10:30 to 12:30 Friday, January 8th.

“It was fun to do. I really enjoyed doing it, and I really hope we can do it next year because I loved the kids,” Williams said.

Taken From The Pride Online, hgcpride.org

“It was an experience that allowed me to show the love of Christ,” said sophomore Jillian Williams.

Each group of students interacted with the kids for about seven minutes, talking with them, playing games, making them smile. Grove Games providing a way for Metro School kids to unwind and just have fun.

Above: Junior Brianna Billings bowls with a student from Metro School while attending Hickory Grove’s annual Grove Games. Grove Games gives the students an opportunity to get out of their comfort zone and show the love of Christ in their actions.

Left: Hickory Grove and Metro students gather around the parachute to play.

Page Design by Madeline Backes

By Lauren Mayhone Journalist

Student Profiles

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International Newbies on Campus The Pride Staff Photos by Caitlin Bailey

Addison Parrish Editor-in-Chief

Khanya Thunyiswa, Sophmore, South Africa

Q: What hobbies do you have?

A: Debating, Speech and Drama, Reading and Photography.

Q: What job do you wish to have?

A: Nurse practitioner or Doctor, because I enjoy interacting with people and being of service.

In addition, my life would be centered around helping people

Asim Topcic,

Senior, Bosnia & Herzegovina

Ron (Tri) Tran,

Helen Le,

Junior, Vietnam

Senior, Vietnam

Leighann Vinesett Design Editor Mitch Berthelot Design Editor Caitlin Bailey Photo Editor

Q: If you could do anything, what would you do? Why?

Q: If you could have any superpower, what would it be? Why?

Q: If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

Why?

Christopher Riesenberg Photo Editor

A: Travel through all the countries in the world because I like to meet new cultures and people.

A: To run around the world in 1 minute so I can see the different things in the world and go to Vietnam whenever I want.

A: Teleportation so that I can go anywhere, even in America or Vietnam.

Bobby Kerns Photo Editor

Q: What is one thing you wish people knew about you?

Q: If you could do anything, what would you do? Why?

Q: What are some things you miss about your home country?

A: I would like for people to know about life in my country and the history of its people.

A: I would help people to avoid all physical and sentimental hurts.

A: My old squad, beautiful places, my parents, and my relatives.

Josie Boggs Photo Editor Amya' Gainey Editor Christina Smith Editor Madeline Backes Designer Kirsten Herberg Designer Maddie Barga Designer

Q: What are your hobbies?

A: I like to play drums, table tennis, and hang out with friends.

Q:If you could have any superpower, what would it be? Why? A: It would be a power which makes it so I never feel tired. If I had this power, I could have more time to do my stuff as I don’t have to rest or sleep.

Moritz Kremke, Sophmore, Germany

Son Nguyen, Junior, Vietnam

Q: What do you like most about America?

Q: What job do you wish to have?

A: The language, basketball, and that you can drive at 16.

A: President, just because that job is a wish.

Q: What is your favorite part of Hickory Grove?

Q: If you could have any superpower, what would it be? Why?

A: ESL, homecoming, math, Missy Smith.

A: It would be energy, because I can do most everything when I have energy.

The Pride is published three times a year by the student-run staff in the Student Media classes of Hickory Grove Christian High School. The mission of the Student Media Department is to make Christ known through Christian journalism. The purpose of The Pride is to convey school news to the students, faculty, and community. It is governed by the First Amendment rights granting freedom of the press and the guidelines established by the Supreme Court, which interpret those rights for school publications. The Pride content is determined by the editorial board. The Pride is a N. C. Scholastic Media Association Award Winner.Circulation is 150. Printed

by Mullen Publications of Charlotte, NC.

Page Design by Leighann Vinesett

Celine Lau,

Junior, Hong Kong

Brandy Caton Adviser

Winter Sports Recap JV Boys’ Basketball

The Junior Varsity Basketball team finished the season with a record of 12-6. In the beginning of the season the leading scorer was sophomore, Jaylyn Hargett-Boyce. Towards the end of the season dynamic duo sophomore, Austin Hadden and freshman Regin Larson averaged 15 points per game played. Freshman PJ Holtzclaw not only lead in rebounds for the year, but also won the Lion’s Pride Award. Assistant Coach Shaun Gaines said, “PJ was a hard worker and who always went the extra mile.”

Freshman Regin Larson jumps high, going for a layup. Larson averaged 15 points per game this season.

Photo By Christopher Riesenberg

Freshman PJ Holtzclaw looks up at the goal as he is about to rebound the ball. Holtzclaw won the Lions PRIDE award for the JV team this season.

Photo By Christopher Riesenberg

Top: Senior Josie Boggs is fully focus during the varsity girls basketball game against Gaston Christian. Josie is the only senior on the varsity girls basketball team and has lead the team faithfully all year.

Photo by Christopher Riesenberg

Junior Ashton Pope swims Butterfly in the 200 Medley relay at the Rock Hill Aquatics Center at a conference meet.

This is Pope’s seocnd year on the team.

Photo by Sydney Pressley

Junior Jake Hardman prepares to push off at the start of his relay team’s 200 Medley relay race on February 22nd, 2016 at Greensboro Aquatics Center for the 3A division state of North Carolina championship meet.

Photo By Ashton Pope

Varsity Men’s Basketball This season for the Varsity Basketball team was a challenging one, given the loss of star player Mark Lewis. The team learned how to come together and play through the adversity faced. The leading scorer and rebounder was freshman with Cartier Jernigan, who averaged 15 points a game.

When reflecting on the season Cartier says, “It was a great learning experience. I learned so much about myself.” Senior and foreign exchange student Asim Topcic was the winner of the Lions Pride award. Coach Titus Ivory described Topcic as, “A hard worker and one who was the first and last one in the gym. He always asked what he could do or work on to get better.”

Varsity Women’s Basketball Varsity Women’s Basketball ended the season with a record of of 9-16. 8th grader Nya Tillery stood out among the team, making All-Conference as she was leading in scoring and rebounds. Freshman Dani Calhoun won the Christianship Award.

This year in the MAC conference tournament the girls made it to the semi-final round, beating Southlake Christian in the first round 55 to 68.

AboveTop: Swimmer Morgan Smith holds up medals after the Conference Meet.

Photo by Sydney Pressley Above Bottom: Sophmore Hailey Davis pumps up the crowd during halftime at the varsity basketball game. “Even though we had a small team this year we have become closer,” says Davis.

Freshman Cartier Jernigan shoots a freethrow. Jernigan was moved from JV to Varsity during the season and made All-Conference.

Photo By Josie Boggs

Sophomore Austin Hadden defends in-bound play.

Hadden played pointguard for the Varsity Men’s Basketball team this season.

Photo By Josie Boggs

The Varsity Swim team had six regular meets this season, placing third in every meet. For the MAC conference meet the team placed 4th overall, with four swimmers winning a medal individually and five relay teams winning medals as well.

The team also had six swimmers who qualified for individuals events and relay teams who qualified for the state meet held in Greensboro.

Page Design By Maddie Barga

Varsity Swim