Hillcrest Connection Winter 2009

Hillcrest Winter 2009 • Volume 71 • Number 1

A MAGAZINE FOR FRIENDS AND ALUMNI OF HILLCREST ACADEMY

Inside this Issue:

Homecoming Highlights Norwegian Royals at Hillcrest Campus News Alumni News

CONNECTION

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GREETING Dear Alumni and Friends,

The Advent Season is here!

What a blessing it is to openly proclaim the true reason for this season to all the students at Hillcrest Lutheran Academy. Jesus Christ, our Savior came into the world as a baby – fully human, fully God. We celebrate his birth, and look forward to his coming again.

I’m also mindful of the many wonderful gifts that God has blessed Hillcrest with through the partnership of so many who support the ministries of this school. As we reach the halfway mark of the academic year, it is the encouragement and support of alumni and friends that provides additional energy to continue to uphold the school’s mission.

Thank you!

This is a wonderful time to ponder the names of Jesus – Immanuel, Prince of Peace, the “Word,” Wonderful Counselor, Savior, the Messiah.

We are encouraged to continue equipping students for a life of significance! And from all of the staff at Hillcrest Lutheran Academy, we wish you a very Merry Christmas, and a Blessed New Year!

It is also a time for us to give thanks to the Lord for the greatest gift we could ever receive. He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. (Titus 3:5a)

We live in uncertain times. This impacts the Hillcrest community. But we hold our lives and ministry in the hands of a merciful, loving God who knows our future. Advent gives special attention to the coming of our salvation. It reminds us of the promise of Immanuel, God with us.

Steven J. Brue, HLA President

thank you... for your generous support of the mission and ministry of Hillcrest Academy. We wish you and yours a Merry Christmas.

Hillcrest CONNECTION

CONTENTS 4 Feature Homecoming

7 Focus

Norwegian Royals at Hillcrest

8 Finance

Charitable Connection Financial Update

10 Campus News Prayer Day New Faces at HLA

14 Alumni News HIT’s Auction Art Show Alumni Updates

Winter 2009 The Hillcrest Connection is published quarterly by Hillcrest Academy.

Hillcrest Lutheran Academy 610 Hillcrest Drive Fergus Falls, MN 56537-2699 STEVE BRUE | President Editor-in-Chief sbrue@ffhillcrest.org CONNIE JENSEN Managing Editor cjensen@ffhillcrest.org RYAN ERICKSON Graphic Design rerickson@ffhillcrest.org STEVE HOFFBECK Contributing Writer KEVEN CRABTREE Contributing Writer

HILLCREST ACADEMY BOARD OF DIRECTORS DWIGHT SCHMIDT | Chair Jamestown, ND RICH HEGGLAND | Vice Chair New Port Richey, FL ROD SCHEEL | Secretary Fergus Falls, MN DAVE EGGE Alexandria, MN RICH IVERSON Barnesville, MN KATHY JOHNSON Fergus Falls, MN

J. BURDEAN ROGNESS Eden Prarie, MN

MISSION STATEMENT

LISA SCHULTZ-FRED Fergus Falls, MN

The mission of Hillcrest Lutheran Academy is to equip students in a Christ-centered, Bible-based environment for a life of significance.

OLAV SANDNES Mt. Bethel, PA

HILLCREST ACADEMY PARENT ADVISORY TEAM LISA SCHULTZ-FRED | HLA Board Rep CARLA BJORNLIE LORI HESTENES ANDY LACEY LESLIE JENNEN

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FEATURE

HOMECOMING 2009 Every year students, faculty, alumni, family, and friends get excited to gather at the castle for one of Hillcrest’s main events; homecoming. Between the sporting events, on-campus activities, the alumni dinner, Rock n’ Bowl, and the concert there is never a dull moment during this special week.

the week the girls flip a switch as they step onto the football field for Powder Puff. For the last three years the 2010 class has struggled with conquering their number one rivals, the 2011 girls. Once again they came up short as the class of 2011 remains Powder Puff champions.

Throughout the week, Hillcrest hosted sporting events for both boys and girls soccer, volleyball, and football. With such big crowds coming in, Hillcrest really took advantage of that time to showcase what the school is all about.

With every year homecoming kicks off the week with “Spirit Week”. Each day has a designated “dress up” day, in which most of the student body and faculty participate.

Closing the weekend is the annual Homecoming Concert which takes place at Bethel Church. Both the choir and band diligently practiced with only four weeks to prepare.

As the week progresses the students get a little more hands-on when the athletic events begin. The tradition is for the boys and girls to mix it up and step into each other’s shoes for an afternoon. The boys start off with a volleyball tournament. The teams are primarily split up by grade with the exception for the Norskie team and Team Asia. Later in

Junior, Marisa Monacelli said, “My favorite part about Homecoming was the football game and Rock n’ Bowl.

Everyone was able to connect and really have a great time together. It was also exciting to have my mom and sister come and be able to have the opportunity to show them around.”

FEATURE

The 2009 Homecoming at Hillcrest was once again celebrated in true Comet fashion. One of the highlights of homecoming each year is the opportunity for reunion of ‘past comets’…otherwise known as alumni. Homecoming events draw alumni from all over. This year, the Alumni Association hosted a tailgating party before the Friday night football game. Though weather moved the party

ALUMNI TAILGATING inside, the spirit of Hillcrest was still present in the old gym as former classmates and friends caught up with one another’s stories, and shared old memories from their days at ‘the castle’.

The evening wouldn’t have been complete without a trivia contest and prizes. All attendees at the football game had an opportunity to win various prizes by answering a question about Hillcrest’s history. A special contest was held exclusively for alumni, at a chance to win a thirty-two inch plasma TV donated

by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and Cullen’s Home Center. Contest slips were filled out by alumni at the tail gating party, and the grand-prize winner drawn at half time of the football game. This year’s winner was Melissa Pribbenow (Missy Stokes H’88). Melissa graduated from Hillcrest in 1988, and lives with her husband and four children: Emily, Elias, Elise, and Elliott in Fergus Falls, MN. Prior to winning the TV, Melissa and her husband had recently been having conversations about the choice of whether or not to cut their cable. When her name was drawn, Melissa says one of her first thoughts was, “This is not funny, Lord! What is going on!” And while no final decisions were made that night, Melissa said that the Pribbenow family would enjoy the remainder of football season on their new plasma screen!

Homecoming has always proven itself as a display of Hillcrest’s rich history. As family, friends, classmates and students: past, current and future, join together, the Comet pride comes alive.

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FOCUS

Landmark Events in Hillcrest’s History: The Norwegian Royal Couple at Hillcrest, 1939

by Steve Hoffbeck

The old gym at Hillcrest Academy seems like a pretty quiet place in 2009, for the new gymnasium is a sparkling gem of a gym. But the old hardwood court and the nearby stage are filled with memories of basketball games and phy-ed classes, mission conferences and parent-teacher conferences.

Yet few would remember or know that the future king of Norway and his lovely princess once were there at the old gym for a royal reception visiting with Minnesota’s governor, enjoying coffee and a “little lunch,” charming young and old alike on a rainy day in June of 1939. How wonderful it was, seventy years ago now, to have present on the Hillcrest campus, the Crown Prince of Norway, Olav, and the Crown Princess, Martha. It was a day that should be remembered.

Norway has always held a special place in the hearts of those immigrants who left its fjords and shores for America.

And the founders of the Church of the Lutheran Brethren sought to preserve the links of language and culture with the Old Country.

So it was entirely fitting that Fergus Falls was chosen to be on the American tour of the royalty of Norway when Olav and Martha came to the U.S. in 1939. It was entirely a divine blessing that the Crown Prince and Crown Princess set foot upon the Hillcrest school campus in early June.

Prince Olav was born in 1903 as the first-born son of King Haakon VII and baptized as Alexander Edward Christian Frederick, but Haakon, elected King in 1905, later renamed him Olav to give him a heroic name recalling the old Viking rulers. He married Princess Martha in 1929 in the Oslo Cathedral, the first royal marriage in Norway in over 400 years. The couple was blessed with three children, daughters Ragnhild and Astrid, and son Harald, heir to the throne.

FOCUS

The royal couple came to the U.S. to dedicate the Norwegian Pavilion at the 1939 New York World’s Fair, arriving in the city by sea on April 27, in time for participating in the Opening Day ceremonies on May 1st. They visited with President Franklin D. Roosevelt at his Hyde Park estate and they were said to be “the stars of the second day of the World’s Fair.”

Where upon Olav and Martha set out upon a two-and-ahalf month tour of the U.S., the “most extensive tour of this country ever planned for European royalty.” It was on that tour that the Crown Prince and Princess came to Fergus Falls. Security was tight for the protection of the Norwegian royal couple for the motorcade from Moorhead to Hillcrest via Highway 52. While in Moorhead, Prince Olav urged young Norwegian-Americans in the audience to “keep open the windows to the country [from] whence your fathers came.” Twenty-five proud highway patrolmen escorted the royalty, barreling down the two-lane roadway at speeds approaching seventy miles per hour, for the tour was behind schedule. However, the route passed through the towns of Barnesville and Rothsay, and in each of the villages, the cars slowed down so that Olav and Martha could “wave a cheerful greeting to those who . . . gathered to welcome the visitors from the homeland beyond the seas.” Minnesota’s governor, Harold Stassen, rode with them in the car, sharing accolades with them.

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When the royal couple arrived at Hillcrest, they were escorted directly into the gymnasium which had been turned into a “veritable flower garden” with “three truckloads of greens” brought in from the countryside and arrayed on the walls as “garlands of green.” The environs were graced with the splendor of spring flowers in bouquets and baskets and vases. The “finest silver and china” sparkled on the three long tables arrayed with silk-white tablecloths.

Olav and Martha were first greeted by young Harriet Svensrude, dressed in a colorful traditional Norwegian costume with her hair braided in the Scandinavian fashion, who smiled brightly when she presented her highness with a bouquet of red roses. Little Harriet’s great-grandparents had settled in Minnesota long ago, coming from Norway among the first waves of arrivals from the land of the fjords.

She and dozens of other school children serenaded the distinguished visitors with two verses of “Ja vi elsker dette landet” (“Yes, We Love This Land”), the Norwegian national anthem, and two verses of the “Star Spangled Banner.” Among the little girls in the choir was Joyce Bruns, of Norwegian extraction from nearby Rothsay, and a future teacher at Hillcrest Academy.

Stassen arose and gave his “welcome and good wishes to our royal guests, because we are wrapped up in one central thought--Norway----and to honor the land from which so many here came.” He praised the establishment of the academy and Bible Crown Prince Olav and School and seminary and the “pioneers who Preparations for their arrival in the city and Crown Princess Martha of Norway at the Academy grounds were extensive. loved their churches, their homes and their Citizens decorated the city with welcoming schools” and who saw fit to maintain it as a signs along the motorcade’s route and flew Norwegian portion of their Norwegian heritage. flags and American flags along the boulevards. Throngs of spectators lined the way, carrying umbrellas to ward off The governor lauded the “close tie between the homeland showers of summer raindrops. of Norway” and Minnesota and applauded the “love of the motherland” that was “evidenced by the fact that these The only glitch in the preparations was that the skies children were able to sing today the national anthem of that opened up with an inch-and-a-half of rain, a gift that was country beyond the sea.” He concluded by expressing “a appreciated in the fields during a dry time, but inconvenient sincere wish that health, happiness and prosperity may be for the planned festivities on the front lawn of the school’s yours and your children’s today and throughout the future.” grounds. Still, “many thousands braved the soaking rain When the reception was over, the clean-up of the gymnasium to welcome the royal entourage and Governor Stassen and the divvying up of the flowers and greenery proceeded on their arrival” in the city. “The rain failed to dampen the apace. Memories were made that day and the glow of the spirits of the assembled throng, many of whom were able to visit was recorded in the pages of Faith and Fellowship gain admittance to the auditorium.” Estimates were that the magazine, the flagship journal of the Lutheran Brethren. crowd numbered as high as “four or five thousand people” The school considered “it quite an honor to have the Crown and a host of cars were “parked south, west and northwest Prince and Crown Princess of Norway with us” and “to have of the school building.” the festivities staged” in the auditorium. It was clear that Continued on Page 14

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FINANCE

Charitable CONNECTION Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters, Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.”

Looking for a way to evaluate the priorities in your life? Look at how you spend your money. Here is a creative way to serve God with your money. The following benefits can be accomplished through the use of a Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust (CRAT): 1. An immediate tax deduction.

2. A fixed income from the trust for a specific period of time.

3. A future gift to your favorite charity.

A CRAT works like this: • You transfer property to a trust. It can be most anything (money, securities, real property).

• You choose a qualified charity (a charity must be a qualified one in order for your contribution to be tax deductible).

• You designate a noncharitable beneficiary. This person can be most anyone (you, your spouse, a friend).

• You determine, within set guidelines, how much money the noncharitable beneficiary is to be paid each year out of the trust assets (called the annuity rate). IRS rules require this payment to be at least 5%, but no more that 50%, of the fair market value of the trust assets.

• You determine how long the trust will last. It can be for the life of the noncharitable beneficiary (or joint lives for multiple beneficiaries) or for a fixed period of years up to 20 years.

• At the end of the stated period of time, all the remaining trust assets pass to charity.

Example: Bob decides to donate some money to his favorite charity. He transfers $100,000 to a CRAT and names his wife as the noncharitable beneficiary. Bob decodes the annuity rate will be 7% and that the trust will last for 10 years. The result is that every year for 10 years, Bob’s wife will receive an annual payment of $7,000, which is 7 percent of $100,000 Continued on Page 11 Keven Crabtree RFC Securities offered through USAllianz Securities • Member NASD, SIPC, Registered Investment Advisor 5701 Golden Hills Drive, Minneapolis, MN 55416 888.446.5872

HLA

Legacy club The HLA Legacy Club acknowledges individuals whose accumulative giving reaches $25,000 or above.

Adleide Gunhus Agnes Freeland Charitable Trust Clara Olsoe David & Val Egge Donald & Marie Roberts Charitable Foundation Dwight & Gwen Schmidt Edward D. Jones & Co. Eleanor Sollie Elling & Barbara Halvorson Evelyn Ebner Estate First State Bank of Alex-Carlos G. T. & Ann Gunhus Gladys Jensen Interstate Inc. Irv & Kay Bergsagel J. Burdean & Kay Rogness Joel & Barbara Egge John & Cheryl Backstrom John & Donna Olson Kenneth & Mavis Austin

LaWayne & Bev Rogness Lori Fedje Mabel L.Foss Estate Marian Egge Estate Minnie Nelson Nordic Contracting Co Inc Norma Senum Olav & Gina Sandnes Olsoe Charitable Remainder Trust Otter Tail Power Company Richard & Linda Heggland Ron Powell Roy & Barbara Heggland Security State Bank Stanley Arlton Estate Steve & Linda Brue Steve Benjamin Victory Lutheran Brethren Church Viking Construction Corporation Wesley & Ruth Orrestad

HLA

Heritage society The HLA Heritage Society acknowledges those who have named Hillcrest in an estate gift.

Annual Fund Goal 09-10 $375,000.00

Contributions as of 10/31/09 Actual YTD Budgeted YTD Shortfall YTD

$149,525.00 $146,406.00 ($ 3,119.00)

STUDENT ACTIVITIES CENTER LOAN INFORMATION

Original Loan Amount Total Loan Amount Due Principal Paid against Loan to Date Monthly Payments (Interest & Principal)

As of 10/31/09 $1,326,565.00 $1,104,807.17 $ 221,757.83 $ 8,150.00

FINANCE 10000-5000-1000-500-120 Club Membership George & Alice Aase Fergus Falls, MN Kathi Abel Fergus Falls, MN Guy & Beth Adams Naperville, IL Roy & Marie Barsness Kirkland, WA Irv & Kay Bergsagel Minnetonka, MN Tim and Mary Bigelow Erhard, MN Paul & Olive Blikstad Dalton, MN Roger & Kay Borowski Campbell, MN Doug & Nancy Bounds Jamestown, ND Harold & Cathy Brokke Minneapolis, MN Benjamin Brue Fergus Falls, MN Charlie & Carrie Brue Fergus Falls, MN Lindsey Brue Fergus Falls, MN Matthew & Faith Brue St. Louis Park, MN Nick & Dahlia Brue Minneapolis, MN Steve & Linda Brue Fergus Falls, MN Titus Brue Fergus Falls, MN Thor & Edna Bugge Willow Street, PA Lorraine Burt Woodbury, MN John & Larissa Campbell Vermillion, SD Keven & Debbie Crabtree Fergus Falls, MN David & Dagney Christenson Lynnwood, WA Lane & Lori Christopherson Lynnwood, WA Sharon Daines Bozeman, MT Thelma P. Dalene East Hartland, CT David & Val Egge Alexandria, MN Joel & Barbara Egge Fergus Falls, MN John N. Endrud Rockford, IL Spencer Endrud Fargo, ND Rich & Jeanene Engebretson Edina, MN Elroy and Judy Erickson Vancouver, WA Gary & Cynthia Erickson Dalton, MN Gerald and Sheri Erickson Mukilteo, WA Micah Erickson Redding, CA Ryan & Kristin Erickson Fargo, ND Carol Featherstone New Hope, MN Lori Fedje Beaverton, OR Gay & Carol Folden Fergus Falls, MN Mark & Joan Folden San Jose, CA David & Ruthann Forland Huntington , NY Allen & Goldie Foss Everett, WA E. Thor & Lillian Foss Succasunna, NJ Mark & Joanne Foss Glastonbury, CT Lisa Schultz-Fred Fergus Falls, MN Sharon Fuhrman Fergus Falls, MN Grand Lake Trust Lake Park, MN Wayne & Ruth Goats Scottsdale, AZ Adleide Gunhus Fergus Falls, MN GT & Ann Gunhus Underwood, MN Victoria Hackett San Francisco, CA Elling & Barbara Halvorson Woodinville, WA Evelyn Hansen Snohomish, WA Greg & Rita Hayek Fergus Falls, MN

Kim Hazel Joy Headrick David & Beverly Heggen Amanda Heggland Rich & Linda Heggland Diane Ihrke Gary & Renee Isaac Jeff & Missi Isaac Rich & Karen Iverson Martha Jacobs Elizabeth Jacobsen Herbert & Helen Jacobsen John & Annie Jacobsen Gladys Jensen Ken and Ann Jensen Tim & Connie Jensen Dennis & Kathleen Johnson Fred & Elsie Johnson Tim & Karen Johnson Brent & Ruth Juliot Elmer & Julia Kaardal Curtis & Elaine Kavlie Vaughn and Deb Kavlie John & Janet Kilde Kermit & Grace Kvamme Andy & Brenda Lacey Jack & Sharon Lacey Josiah Larson Lawn Pro of Fergus Falls Frank & Elaine Legerat Brian & Jennifer Leivstad Patricia Linson Lloyd & Thelma Listor Steve & Heidi Listor Harry Ludvigsen Joel & Alice Lunde Dennis & Dorothy Madsen Jeffrey & Eileen Mahn Brad & Trena Martinson Jerry Martinsen Masson Family Foundation Luther & Adeline Mathison Bruce & Irene Miller Jr. Tom & Gladys Moline Alice Monson Peter & Lillian Nilsen William & Marcia Nilsen Clara Olsoe John & Donna Olson Wesley & Ruth Orrestad Graham & Priscilla Parker Kevin & Linda Patch Rollin & Beverly Pederson

Make a Difference

Eden Prarie, MN Denver, CO Rothsay, MN Gainesville, FL New Port Richey, FL Fergus Falls, MN Denver, CO Fergus Falls, MN Barnesville, MN Seatonville, IL Minnetonka, MN Mt. Bethel, PA Succasunna, NJ Staten Island, NY S. Huntington, NY Fergus Falls, MN Fergus Falls, MN Boone, IA Little Falls, MN Fergus Falls, MN St. Paul, MN Richville, MN Eden Prairie, MN Fergus Falls, MN Fergus Falls, MN Wendell, MN Wendell, MN Minneapolis, MN Fergus Falls, MN Fairbanks, AK Loveland, CO Fargo, ND Brooklyn, NY Mt. Bethel, PA Kerhonkson, NY Fergus Falls, MN Fergus Falls, MN Albuquerque, NM Fergus Falls, MN Fargo, ND Laguna Beach, CA Maddock, ND Mt. Bethel, PA Wahpeton, ND Minneapolis, MN Brewster, NY East Hartland, CT Seattle, WA Fergus Falls, MN Bellevue, WA Richland, WA Fergus Falls,MN Billings, MT

Club Giving Levels

Kenneth & Norma Peeders Richville, MN Irv & Helen Peterson Menomonie, WI Frank & Karen Pellegrino Mt. Bethel, PA Gregg and Marie Preston Fergus Falls, MN LeRoy & MaryAnn Quernemoen Fergus Falls, MN Nick & Leanne Roberts Houlton, WI Burdean & Kay Rogness Eden Prairie, MN Darren Rogness Moorhead, MN Glenn & Vonnie Rogness Fergus Falls, MN Kevin & Brooke Rogness Fergus Falls, MN LaWayne & Bev Rogness Fergus Falls, MN Eugene & Rhoda Rubey Eugene, OR Ron and Barbara Samuelsen East Hartland, CT Jack and Rochelle Sand Moorhead, MN Olav & Gina Sandnes Mt. Bethel, PA Will Sandnes Minneapolis, MN Matthew & Lynn Scarfo Island City, OR Rod & Jo Scheel Fergus Falls, MN Dwight & Gwen Schmidt Jamestown, ND Nick & Danielle Schmidt Jamestown, ND Security State Bank Fergus Falls, MN Ewald & Alice Sems Lehigh Acres, FL Norma Senum Mt. Bethel, PA Ed & Shirley Smith Laquey, MO Alf & June Soholt Bloominton, MN John & Tess Soholt Golden Valley, MN Eleanor Sollie Brooklyn, NY James & Pauline Stalsberg Viroqua, WI Arna Stedjan Fergus Falls, MN Wayne & Nancy Stender Fergus Falls, MN Dan & Eleanor Stenoein Minneapolis, MN Robert and Lorrette Strack Rochester, MN Shawn & Amy Stroud Basehor, KS Wai Nam Tam Flanders, NJ Guy & Amy Taylor Fergus Falls, MN Borgny Thompson East Hartland, CT Gary & Dorinne Thompson Fergus Falls, MN Justin & Phyliss Thompson Antler, ND Nancy Thompson Boca Raton, FL Rosemary Traina Roxbury, NJ Randy & Diane Trettevik Mill Creek, WA Lois Tweten Helena, MT Marvin & Opal Undseth Salem, OR Steve & Lois Undseth Fergus Falls, MN Fred & Mayling Valder Moorhead, MN Marty & Mim Valder Everett, WA Ruth Vall Aitkin, MN James VerSteeg Fergus Falls, MN David & Lynn Vettrus Watertown, MN Victory LB Church Jamestown, ND Les Watson Fergus Falls, MN Bettee Woodburn Rolling Hills, CA

Club|120

Join the Club!

Club|1000 Club|2500 Club|10000

How do I join?

Club|500

Club|5000

at Hillcrest

Joining a Hillcrest giving club is simple. Just fill out the attached envelope and send it in with your gift. Make sure to check the box next to the club you would like to join. Gifts may be given monthly or in one lump sum. Please contact the President’s office at 218-739-3371 if you have any questions.

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CAMPUS NEWS Hillcrest Students Participate in Prayer Day and Spiritual Emphasis Week

by Elisabeth Listor

“Prayer is an indispensable part of our relationship with Christ.” -Laurel Oke Logan With over two hundred heads bowed and four hundred hands folded, a silence filled the room as the Hillcrest student body prayed to our Lord Jesus Christ and gave Him praise. For those at Hillcrest, this day is known as “Prayer Day.” Years ago a tradition was born when a class of students felt that they were being called to prayer. After being convicted, they went to the administration and requested that a day during the school year be set aside for prayer. Since then, Hillcrest has established two days a year to pray for things such as our school, our families, our city, and our nation. On Tuesday, October 27th, the student body first gathered in the chapel to hear the message of “God Loves You” given

by Andrew Foss. Shortly after, everyone commuted over to Bethel Church where the rest of the day’s activities would be held. When the students arrived at Bethel, everyone entered the sanctuary. There, each student had the very unique opportunity to have the teachers and staff of Hillcrest approach them to tell them that God loves them, and then pray with them. From there the students went into the Fellowship Hall for a time of individual devotional time.

Everyone was given a packet of material that paralleled stations that were set up throughout the room. Closing the day, Amanda DeYounge lead worship and the student body was able to spend time together in small groups to pray.

Three years ago the administration at Hillcrest decided that they felt it was necessary to designate a focused time to talk about more than just the things that are taught in the classroom. This is when the idea of “Spiritual Formation” week first originated. Every year, Hillcrest brings in a guest speaker to speak to the student body on some of the big issues in our world today. Following Prayer Day, Brett Kunkle, from “Stand to Reason Ministries” made a big impact on the student body when he spoke about theology, philosophy, moral relativism, and truth. His messages really challenged the students to understand

why they believe what they believe and how to put that into practice. Senior, Brett Quernemoen said, “After experiencing prayer days for the last six years, and more recently spiritual emphasis weeks for the last three, I have learned that it is important to remember that these different events should not be a spiritual high, but that they are training for a lifestyle that we need to carryout everyday.”

CAMPUS NEWS

new faces at HLA

The Hillcrest family continues to grow in both students and staff members.

This year, Hillcrest welcomed nine new faculty and staff members serving in different areas throughout Hillcrest. These new staff members come from a variety of backgrounds and are pulled different parts of the country but join together in a common purpose with the rest of the body at Hillcrest Academy.

Allen Aase

Athletic Director “I’m excited about watching our athletes excel at their sport and be a good christian witness when the y compete.”

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Kaitlyn Cornell

Resident Assistant Communications Assistant “I’m excited to be a part of the lives of the girls in the dorm and to be a part of what God is doing throughout Hillcrest.”

Cassandra Gorman

Resident Assistant “I’m excited to see how these girls mature; in their social circles, in their academics and in their spiritual lives. To come along side them and help guide them in their choices is a challenge and a joy. I pray they learn from me and I know I’m learning from them!”

David Listor

Resident Assistant “What I am most excited about this year is to see how God will use and grow me and to see the guys in the dorm grow.”

Nate Nash

Resident Assistant “I am most excited to see the guys in the dorm grow in their faith!”

Craig Nersten

Boys Resident Director “I’m excited about having the opportunity to shape the young men in the dorm into godly young men who follow Christ.”

Abby Scheel

Resident Assistant, Volleyball Coach “I’m most excited about building relationships with all the different girls in the dorm. I feel so blessed to have been given the opportunity to be a dean at Hillcrest and have the chance to make an impact on these girls’ lives.”

Greg Solberg

Resident Assistant “I am most excited about impacting the lives of the guys in the dorm as a role model in the name of Jesus Christ.”

Linda Patch

Alumni Relations Assistant “I’m excited to be back at Hillcrest and to be able to help alumni reconnect with classmates...most of all, it has been a blessing to be a part of the Hillcrest family again and to be around the students here as they not only receive an education, as they grow spiritually and prepare for their future.”

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ALUMNI NEWS

Mark Your Calendars for These Upcoming Events Saturday May 1, 2009 Student Activities Center Dinner at 5:00pm Live Auction at 6:30pm

6th Annual Auction & Banquet

ALUMNI NEWS

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A Tribute To Janet Aasby

by William Colbeck I first met Janet when she was a sophomore at Hillcrest Lutheran Academy. It was the fall of 1953, and I was in my first year of Seminary.

After her graduation, Janet lived in Chicago, where her father served as pastor of Calvary Lutheran Brethren Church, which was also my home church.

Janet was a guest at our wedding in 1956. I also remember the day President J.H. Levang and I drove to Minneapolis to meet with Janet and to convince her that she was the right person for the Dean of Women’s position.

Janet was a day brightener, with a pleasing smile and humble spirit. She was an encourager and a prayer warrior.

It was a privilege for me to work with her for ten years. She brought so much to this position through her love for Christ to the students that were like younger sisters to her. She was a Godly woman and an excellent role model for these young girls, as well as to the rest of us.

Janet’s husband, Harold shared with me some cards sent by former students to Janet in the last days of her life. I would now like to quote a few of them.

Janet had spoken to a young lady who had lost a loved one, and she writes: “Janet, I have thought often of the words you spoke to me when I struggled with my pain. You told me that God would do an amazing work in me through my pain and that you were waiting to see what He would do and where He would lead me in my life. Those words inspired me more than once to keep putting one foot in front of the other and to persevere through the pain. Thank you so much, Janet, for your life-giving words. They were like a life preserver that was thrown out to me and gave me hope.”

Another writes: “Remember the night you and I prayed so long ago and I asked Jesus into my heart? He has been

close to me ever since and I have only grown closer to Him. Thank you for your tenacious love for me during my teen years and for leading me to Jesus.”

Another writes: “Your friendship and mentoring mean so much to me. I have looked back on your presence in my life from 8th grade on as a good gift of God. It meant so much then to have a woman of character and caring in my life, and continues to mean so much today.”

These excerpts from some cards give us a little insight into the life of this caring and kind woman who touched the lives of many as she lived her life for Jesus.

Janet taught physical education at Hillcrest and was the first girl’s basketball coach. Back in 1971, when I asked Janet to coach the girl’s team, she said, “I don’t know much about coaching basketball, but if you help, I’m willing.” We had a very successful basketball season. Janet had a love for music and was always willing to sing a solo when asked. She traveled as the speaker with our summer gospel teams. She was also gifted in working with children.

I observed this when we put on a Vacation Bible School for an LB church in Iowa.

Janet was the person who started the Christian Janet (Monsen) Aasby’s yearbook photo.

Women’s Club in Fergus Falls.

After her marriage and move to New Jersey, I heard Janet was applying for a job at the Chester Police Department

in Chester, NJ. I knew she would get the job with her ten years experience as Dean at Hillcrest!

Janet was my friend. She was a gracious, loving, kind and compassionate woman. She impacted the lives of hundreds of young teenage girls while serving as the Hillcrest Dean of Women.

May God bless the memory of Janet Monsen Aasby.

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ALUMNI NEWS

In Memory: Marie Rose Valder Nelson Marie Rose Nelson, 84, of Dana Point, CA, passed away at her home on Friday morning, July 31, 2009. Marie graduated from Seattle Pacific College receiving a Licensed Practical Nurse prior to marrying Vern Nelson in 1945. Twenty - four years later, at the age of 44, Marie graduated with honors from North Iowa Area Community College’s Nursing Program receiving her Registered Nurse status.

Joining the cardiology division at Mercy Hospital in Mason City, Iowa, she was honored in Who’s Who of America for her involvement with the pioneer program of ambulance servicing of cardiology patients in rural areas who could be served through qualified staff vs. dependency on other means. Marie retired having served as Head Nurse for Cardiology.

In 1996, she and her husband, Vern, moved to San Clemente, CA to spend time with and be close to her four daughters, Rachel Grina, Melinda Masson, Valerie Lamb and Patricia Nelson. She is survived by her daughters, son-in-law Maurice Masson, nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Vern in 2005 and her son John in 1988. A memorial service for the family, followed by a Naval military protocol was held on Tuesday, August 11, 2009 at 3:00pm at Fort Rosecrans in Point Loma, CA where she was buried alongside her husband Vern.

Norwegian Royals at Hillcrest (continued from page 7) there were “so many blood ties and spiritual ties which [bound] us to the little country of Norway.” The leaders of the school “stood with the prayer of the poet” in their hearts as the “Royal party left our grounds,” proclaiming “Gud signe Norigs land.”

Little did the church people or the Norwegian royalty know the suffering that would follow that glorious visit. In 1940, the Germans invaded Norway and attempted to capture King Haakon VII and Prince Olav and their families. Finding shelter in the mountains, Haakon and Olav defied the Nazi menace and the Norwegians attempted in vain to half Hitler’s takeover of their sovereign nation.

resistance forces that vowed to retake their homeland. That hope was realized after difficult years of warfare.

Prince Olav never returned to Fergus Falls, but he did return to the region in 1942, in the midst of the wartime, when he spoke at Grand Forks, North Dakota, telling his American friends that Norway was “more united than ever, its spirit still unbroken.” His visit to Grand Forks and Fargo had “none of the joy” of the visit three years previously. Hillcrest still remains a proud host of such rich history, and will ever remember the moment of such a prestigious vistitor, as Prince Olav.

The royal family slipped away to safety in England, and it was from that base that Olav organized and led the Norwegian

Charitable Connection (continued from page 8) (the initial fair market value of the trust assets). After 10 years all the remaining money in the trust will pass to the charity.

The distinguishing feature of a CRAT is that the annual payment is a fixed amount that remains the same over the life of the trust.

The payment is based on the initial fair market value of the trust assets, which is valued only once at the creation of the trust. This is significant because the payment amount cannot be changed later

to account for new circumstances, such as increase in the value of the trust assets, inflation, or a change in the income requirements of the noncharitable beneficiary.

The next time you evaluate your priorities and are looking for a way to serve God with your money consider a CRAT.

ALUMNI NEWS

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Annual Fund Gets Boost through “Give to the Max” About $22,000 was raised for HLA on Tuesday, November 17th, as donors of Hillcrest participated in a matching incentive through GiveMN. org, an online service for funding nonprofit organizations

CLASS UPDATES 1960’s

Rev. David A. Thompson (H‘64, S’71) recently coauthored a book entitled “ Beyond the Yellow Ribbon: Ministering to Returning Combat Veterans” (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2009). The book is designed to assist churches in understanding the needs of soldiers and their families as they deploy and return home from war and assist them in creatively reaching out to those in uniform in this challenging time. After years of being a military chaplain (and more recently a Military Family Life Consultant to the National Guard and Reserves in Minnesota), I felt such a book was needed to mobilize churches to minister to the next “greatest generation” returning home from war.

ALUMNI UPDATE

Name

Grad Year Complete this form and mail it to Hillcrest Connection, 610 Hillcrest Drive, Fergus Address Falls, MN 56537, or email your update to City, State, Zip connection@ffhillcrest.org Phone Email News

Hillcrest CONNECTION

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in Minnesota. Nearly 50 contributors supported “Give to the Max,” over the 24 hour period. Each dollar contributed received an additional match from a pool of $500,000 that had been provided for this philanthropic effort. Thanks to all donors who participated!

Rebecca Gregersen Sandberg Hall (H’67) I met a wonderful man and was married May 23, 2009. We spent our honeymoon in Israel. Now we have combined total of 5 children and 10 grandchildren with 2 more on the way!

We have a wonderful new home and plenty of room for company!

1990’s

Ryan & Cara Langlie (H’97) We moved to Florida from Minnesota in October 2009. Ryan was blessed to go back to teaching at Creel Elementary.

PAID

Classes resume after vacation End of 3rd Quarter All School Band Concert Bethel Lutheran Church, 7:00pm Concert Choir Concert Bethel Lutheran Church, 7:00pm Easter Vacation Hillcrest Band Tour - Pacific Northwest Alumni Art Show – Chapel HIT’s

Fergus Falls, MN Permit #14

Jan. 4 Mar. 5 Mar. 15

Mar. 22

Mar. 27 - Apr. 11

Apr. 15-18 Apr. 16-17

Non-Profit US Postage

Upcoming Events

Three ways to

Make a Difference at Hillcrest

Create an endowment.

You can do this now with cash or stock, or later with an estate gift. Your fund will make a lasting difference by producing income every year for the stated purpose.

Leave a bequest.

Designate an amount or percentage of your estate for a specific purpose or for unrestricted use. Such gifts provide encouragement and always make a difference.

Give “obsolete” insurance.

You may no longer need the protection of a life insurance policy and can transfer ownership to Hillcrest Lutheran Academy, thereby making a significant difference to us and providing yourself with an income charitable deduction now.

Contact Steve Brue at 218-739-3371 or sbrue@ffhillcrest.org for more information

Hillcrest Lutheran Academy 610 Hillcrest Drive Fergus Falls, MN 56537

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