HLA Today - Issue 6 (10-11)

HLA

Hillcrest Lutheran Academy’s Bi-weekly News

Today

November 18, 2010 Volume 17, Issue 6

Visit the HLA Website ffhillcrest.org Short video highlights of school activities are available.

HLA Today is produced bi-weekly by the Journalism class.

HLAToday Staff Annalise Boyum Wil Twedt Chris Christenson Frankie Sandnes

Angela Holmen, Laura Basile, Andrea Christenson, and Mollie Jacobsen helped the DR team pack suitcases full of supplies to bring to the Dominican Republic. The team met in the STU on Sunday night, Nov 14, to pack and weigh suitcases.

Counting Down the Days The Dominican Republic team readies itself for the upcoming trip.

By Chris Christenson

If you are interested in having the HLA Today mailed to your house, contact the front office, 218-739-3371.

The cost is $30 per year.

Anticipation grows as the DR team makes some final preparations for the trip this Thursday. With the day of departure drawing steadily nearer, supplies are purchased, bags are packed, and tickets are booked.

On Sunday a group got together to pack some suitcases with things to give out in the Dominican. Each bag ended up with an assortment of clothes, care packages, school supplies and toys. The group, numbering around 10 to 15 people, also

made sure to check the weight of each bag, redistributing when necessary, to keep them under the airplane regulations.

The team plans to drive down to Minneapolis after school Thursday, spend the night, and then fly out to the Dominican the next morning. The plan is to spend a week there, but as Mr. Preston, one of the leaders, said on Tuesday, if it’s the Lord’s plan for them to stay longer, they will be more than happy to obey.

Seasons Change but He Remains Hillcrest Christmas banquet brings the school together.

By Frankie Sandnes

Christmas is coming, and that means the Hillcrest Christmas banquet, or “CB,” is right around the corner.

“The Christmas banquet is really about bringing the student body, faculty, and staff together for a family-like Christmas gathering,” said Mr. Peterson.

“Although some girls and guys have ‘dates’ for the night, every student is encouraged to come, with or without a date. Christmas

Banquet isn’t about finding a date for the night; it’s about being with friends and sharing fellowship as a Hillcrest family.”

The banquet will be held on Dec. 3, in the old gym. It will start with the Hillcrest orchestra at 6 p.m. Dinner will be prepared and catered

by A’viands food service.

After dinner we can expect musical performances by our three major demographics:

Norwegians, Koreans, and Americans. Dean Erkenbrack will be the speaker for the night.

To end the evening, students and staff will be invited to ice skate and play broom ball behind the boys dorm, where there will be an ice rink, or instead, join some activities in the Student Activity Center. Also, back by popular demand, the Late Night Show will return to the old gym from 10-11 p.m.

Jesus Loves You

We know Jesus loves us, but how much do we love Jesus?

By Annalise Boyum

We’ve been told ever since we were babies, “Jesus loves you”. Most of us believe this is true, me being one of them, and we also tell Him in return, “I love you, too.” But how many of us actually show we love Him? Some ways we can do this are:

#1. Don’t be afraid to tell others. (Luke 9:26)

If you’re afraid to tell someone you’re a follower of Christ, it means you’re ashamed to call Him your Lover and Lord.

#2. Show that He matters in your life. ( James 2:17)

Don’t take God’s gift of grace for granted. You don’t love Him if nothing in your life reflects Him. You can’t say, “I’m a Christian” and then turn around and live as though you don’t know what being a “little Christ” is like. Show that Jesus is truly in your life, that He truly does affect you. Show people that He truly does make you a new creation.

#3. Honor Jesus with your body. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

We all know the meaning of virginity, but do we know the meaning of purity? Jesus wants us to save our bodies for our future spouses and I believe He doesn’t mean it in sexuality alone. For me personally, I want to honor God by saving myself completely for my future husband.

Completely meaning in my affections as well as virginity. I believe this kind of commitment not only honors my future husband, but also God.

#4. (This is my encouragement to you all!)

1 Corinthians 7:31 says to the young men, “An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs—how he can please the Lord.” Guys, above everything and everyone, strive to please the Lord! He’s your creator, your everlasting Savior, and your Eternal Lover. He desires and deserves your daily devotion.

1 Corinthians 7:34 says to the young ladies, “An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit.”

Girls, your daily aim is to give the Lord--to give Jesus!--your devotion; not only your mental devotion, but also your physical honor.

Therefore, make your #1 concern—when you awake, eat, spend times with friends—make it all be to love and honor your Eternal Lover!

One of my constant prayers is that Jesus would mature my spiritual walk with Him every day! I pray that this is yours as well. Remember to love Jesus in the same ways He loves you. And let that love…SHINE!

Page 2

Oh, Say Can You See…

Concert band plays at Bethel’s annual Veterans Day service.

By Chris Christenson

As the last clear, poignant notes from the trumpet resonated through the sanctuary, many found themselves wiping away an unexpected tear. There was a renewed spirit of national pride that filled the room on Sunday night, Nov. 14, as “Taps” brought the Veteran’s Day Service to a close.

As is tradition, the concert band is invited every year to

play at the Veteran’s Day Service held at Bethel. Among other patriotic numbers, the band played a medley named “Marches of the Armed Forces” along with the timeless “Star Spangled Banner.”

Mr. Doering, the concert band director, said, “I always enjoy seeing the veterans get recognized during the ‘Marches of the Armed Forces.’”

Strength and Honor Hillcrest Senior’s father is serving in Afghanistan.

By Frankie Sandnes

Veterans at home who have served their country are praised as heroes on Veterans Day. But the soldiers overseas that are still serving, and the families whose loved ones are away, must not be forgotten.

Senior Grant Stroud’s father, Shawn Stroud, is a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army and is serving in Kabul, Afghanistan. Mr. Stroud has been on a one-year tour since Aug. 1, 2010.

The Stroud family misses Shawn and cannot wait for his return. Even though Grant’s dad is missing Grant’s final year of high school, he understands that if his dad could be here, he would be.

“Our family has gotten closer

since we moved a lot for my dad’s work,” said Grant. “My mom misses him a lot since all of her

kids are at school now, but we are all proud of him for serving his country.”

Page 3

Shall We, Ladies and Gentlemen?

Some fun tips on how to be prim and proper for the annual Christmas banquet.

By Annalise Boyum

Taking a girl to Christmas Banquet? Well, here are some tips to keep in mind if you’d like to be a true gentleman for at least one night.

Don’t forget to open the door for your date. Whether the door to the gym, the door to the car, or the door to her heart (...well maybe not that far), open it.

Pull out the chair for her when being seated, as well as pushing it in when she sits down.

Please keep your mouth closed while you’re chewing your food; no one wants to see what you’re chewing!

Refrain yourself from releasing unwanted gas into the air; instead coat yourself with an extra spray of cologne and an extra rub of deodorant.

Keep those pricey ties of yours nice and clean; be cautious of spilling any kind of food or beverage on them. A $25 tie is too good to have Kool-aid spilt all over it.

And lastly, if you’d like to up your gentleman side an extra level, you might offer your elbow to escort your sweet lady.

The Band of Brothers’ Last March Football team loses in the Section Championship.

By Wil Twedt

The return of the Cosmic Chaos didn’t have the result that the Comets football team was looking for in the Fargodome.

They fell to the Underwood Rockets with a 27-14 loss, and ended their season with an 8-3 record. The game was close during the first half, as the half time score was 7-7. But the team wasn’t able to score again until the last seconds of the game.

“It was disappointing that we couldn’t execute or move the ball and the breaks just went their way,” senior Danny Tungsth said. “But the season was still good and I had a lot of fun playing with the guys on the team. If you would have asked me six months ago if our football team was gonna go to Section, I would have said it wasn’t gonna happen.”

Tidbits

By Wil Twedt

Matt Fox forgot he was a twin. Andrew Stender idolizes Rajon Rondo. Wil Twedt ran over a cat and Katie Mohagen cried.

Heidi Christofferson and Allison Battillo played Black Ops. Kelsey Nersten beat Andrew Twedt in a staring contest. Sunny Mollandsoy beat everyone in Pokémon Stadium for the Nintendo 64. Dillon O’Sullivan got kicked out of the movies for his phone going off. Cooper Patch played 18 hours of Call of Duty: Black Ops. Marli Johnson and friends had a giant ninja war in the Mall of America. Grant Stroud is having knee surgery on Wednesday. Allie Steinle dropped a 6-foot Subway sandwich on the ground.

The total amount of money spent on the trip to the Mall of America was a little over $8,000. That means that they were spending $22 a minute. (For about 6 hours)

SENIORS

The Beacon staff will be needing your portraits in order to get them into this year’s yearbook. Head shot is preferred. Digital if possible.

Deadline: December 15.