HLA Today 13-14 Issue 3

ISSUE 03 | DECEMBER 31, 2013

Benefits of Band Contemplating the Dorm Soccer Success A Refreshing Restart Hillcrest students enjoy a day at Glendalough State Park as part of the Sports Week connection time.

Forming Foundations

Elisabeth Peterson | Staff Reporter

Highlights from Hillcrest’s Sports Week Position Students for Success The foundation for the year is laid during Sports Week. New faces begin to appear across campus as final touches are made on summer renovations. With sports, dorm life, planned activities, friends, and the anticipation of a new year all packed into one, Sports Week is a taste of what students can expect for their year at Hillcrest Lutheran Academy.

Sports Week is the first week of practice for fall sports, as well as the scheduled move-in week for the dorm students. It is a time for students to receive class schedules, reunite with friends, make new friends, and get involved in the activities planned by the Hillcrest faculty.

Many students are not only stepping into a new school, they are also stepping into the hallways and rooms of their new home.

In preparation for the hectic week, Leadership Camp takes place at Inspiration Point Bible Camp the preceding weekend. The ninth through twelfth grade Student Council representatives spend time planning and praying for the upcoming year, looking to pinpoint goals and place focus on the important ahead of time.

Mr. Gaylen Peterson, faculty advisor for the Student Council, said of the the eighth year of Leadership Camp, “The purpose is to bring the leadership team together and lay the founda-

tions and establish our goals, as they are key to setting the pace for the start of a new school year.” He also added that one of his favorite parts about the time spent at camp was, “a moment of praise and worship that [the group] shared around the campfire.” He emphasized the musical talent of this year’s group.

Sports Week provides an opportunity for coaches and players to get to know their team as they work hard to prepare for the upcoming season.

Fall sports at Hillcrest include football, volleyball, and girls and boys soccer. The sports season beginning is unique at Hillcrest as students never know what their team will look like until the first day of official practice. There are several states and countries represented on the teams, with various talents and abilities. Senior Eva Fleischer, who played soccer this past year, mentioned how much harder everyone worked in preparing for the upcoming season.

The heartbeat of Sports Week doesn’t only revolve around athletics. Meeting new people is also an exciting event during the opening week, with new students representing 70% of the incoming student body this year.

As dorm students arrive in packed cars, vans, and school buses throughout the week, the Student Council and local students served as the

welcoming crew. Roommates met for the first time, and friends helped each other unpack and move into their new home. Plenty of mixers were planned, and the competition to come up with the most original questions to ask during introductions was heated.

Along with new faces and friendships starting, many returning students reunited with friends after a summer apart. Looking back on the first few days of her Hillcrest experience, Freshman Maddie Vangrinsven commented, “My favorite part was getting to know everyone and build friendships.” Freshman Ellen Jacobs reflected how much fun she had at the campfires, mixers, and introductions that took place over the span of the week.

Sports Week is particularly special because of all the activities the dean staff and faculty plan.

Cookouts and bonfires take place at the boys dorm, drawing in Hillcrest staff, on-campus and off-campus students. As the summer aroma of hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill overtake campus, intense sand volleyball tournaments take place below the boys’ dorm patio.

Thinking back, Tony Preston said, “It was great seeing and meeting everybody (during Sports Week). It was really interesting this year, because of how hot the weather was!” Thankfully, Forming Foundations continued on page 4... |1

A Refreshing Restart Amanda Doiron| Staff Reporter

Before I came to Hillcrest I had a misguided view of the school. I viewed it as a place for people to get their lives straight with God. I thought I was being sent to the Christian boarding school by my parents because they wanted me to have a better understanding of God’s love for me. I was too focused on the wrong things in life, and I let those things take control of me.

I was disrespectful and disobedient to my parent’s before I attended Hillcrest. In my heart I knew something was wrong, but I didn’t want to face the truth. The truth was that God was trying to get a hold of my life.

Hillcrest’s Concert Band joined the Concert Choir for the annual Christmas Concert.

Band Provides An Exceptional Experience Brandon Doering | Staff Reporter

Hillcrest Academy’s bands affect life in a beneficial way. God’s gift of music carries long after many others have faded away. As music blesses those who play, it also encourages those who listen, and at a Christian school like Hillcrest, whose mission is to equip students for a life of significance, the students have a chance to use their natural talents to minister.

Playing in a band is an unique experience. Hillcrst’s bands give students the chance to play many different styles spanning genres throughout history and around the world.

Hillcrest’s Concert Band members play music spanning Broadway tunes, to classical Baroque pieces. Familiar music from Disney Pixar movies join traditional songs from various cultures.

But a staple in the Band program is the traditional and contemporary songs of the Christian faith. The band offers a solution to the varying tastes an audience has.

Adding further variety the Jazz Band. offers a special kind of music. The Jazz band provides a group music experience with the smoothness of swing and the upbeat style of Latin charts. “I really enjoy getting to play and experience the the various styles of music that we play,” said trumpet player Kris Lein, senior at Hillcrest Academy. “They are a lot of fun to perform.”

A third way students experience music in yet another different style, pep-band is both an iconic pop-tunes band made popular in collegiate sporting events and a high school performance band playing fun arrangements of contemporary music. The pep-band is a fan and player favorite at sporting events. The upbeat music helps the fans get-going and causes players excitment in preparation for the games.

The band program at Hillcrest offers students a memorable experience that lasts a lifetime. The purpose of the bands is to serve and minister to audiences through music that God has gifted.

Students give back to God in praise and worship through their music.

Hillcrest’s Band members also see their performances as a powerful tool to minister. Music has the power to make hard hearts soft, enemies become friends, and sinners come to repentance. The bands at Hillcrest use their performance abilities knowing the impact their performance can have in the power of God. One major way the band accomplishes their ministry is through Hillcrest’s Band Tour. Occurring every other year, the tour travels to specific parts of the country to play concerts at welcoming churches. The tour is a great way for band members to experience playing in different venues. Their band’s ministry to new audiences use music carefully selected to coincide with the church calendar.. Students will never know the extent to which this music affects them or their audiences, but it is safe to say that the music is a blessing to both.

There are other chances students have to minister to the community. Along with the band tour, the Veterans’ Day Concert honoring those who fought for our country, and the Noon Rotary concert given to community supporters, are just a few local ways Hillcrest’s bands fulfill their mission.

Quincy Undseth said, “I like to play the various styles that Jazz Band has to offer.”

The Band program at Hillcrest Academy is a great way to experience something special during the high school years. The Hillcrest Academy band program not only makes for a more dynamic student, but also provides an opportunity for students to minister in a creative way.

Instead of facing my problems, I ran away from them. I avoided God because I was scared of changing. I knew deep down inside that my life was making me depressed and angry. I didn’t know how to make myself happy.

I turned to making myself fit-in with everyone at my former school. I made the school’s soccer team, dated a guy on the football team, and didn’t care much about academics.

Coming home from school each day, and not wanting to talk to my parents, was the worst feeling. I felt there was something controlling my every move, thoughts and feelings. The truth is the devil was taking a hold of me. He was making my family and I suffer from my wrongdoing.

It was getting harder and harder each day. I would act-out or sneak around my parents and lose their trust. I always understood why I was getting in trouble, but couldn’t get a grip on why I did what I did.

I was confused. I lost all faith in God and questioned if there even was a God. I didn’t see God active in my life. At this point, my parents told me I had to go to Hillcrest my junior year.

I told them multiple times that I didn’t want to follow in my sisters footsteps. I definitely didn’t want to give up my perfect life, especially for some “Christian school.” I knew the rules and expectations are set high at Hillcrest, and most importantly I would be surrounded with people who believe in God. At that point in my life I didn’t want to know God. I wanted nothing to do with him. So once Hillcrest came in the picture I became very angry.

Everything changed at that moment and began to go downhill. One of my best friends didn’t want to be around me or spend time with me.

That made my other friends stop talking to me.

I became confused at what I had done wrong.

I would think back to try and figure out what I did, but there was nothing. I didn’t understand.

When I would ask my friends what I did to upset them, they wouldn’t give me an answer.

Having my best friends turn their backs me was the worst feeling.

Soon after my friends became secluded, my boyfriend and I split. That put me over the edge.

I came to realize that the people who chose to A Refreshing Start continued on page 4...

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Boys Soccer Experiences Incredible Season

Dorm Life Examined Rena Fedorova | Staff Reporter

In I Corinthians 12:12-31, Paul writes about unity in the body of Christ. “For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body - Jews or Greeks, slaves or free - and all were made to drink of one Spirit. For the body does not consist of one member but of many.” For the Hillcrest Lutheran Academy dormitory residents, these verses feel even more so relevant than they may to others.

“Even though living with fifty other girls can sometimes feel stressful,” commented Norwegian student Raquel Kvamsdal, “I feel blessed to be able to share my faith with so many other people.”

Hillcrest dorms provide teens with a unique opportunity to grow in relationships with their peers. Junior Will Choi remarked, “[Living in the dorms] has given me an experience of interacting with people more than I would get living in a host home.”

HIllcrest’s Boys Soccer program unites nationalities and provides an avenue for Hillcrest players to communicate Christ to their teammates in meaningful ways.

Quincey Circo | Staff Reporter

This year the Hillcrest boys soccer season was like no other. Not only did they dominate their conference, but they were great leaders on and off the field. Even though the boys ended in defeat, they had an extremely successful season, and grew closer as a team.

With a record of 16-1-1, the Comets dominated all of their oponents in the the regular season.

Not only could they score goals, but their defense was phenomonal. They didn’t have a goal scored on them for the first eleven games, which is almost unheard of in high school soccer.

There were also state records the Comets broke this year. They had the best record in the state for the 2013 soccer season. They also broke an all time state record of fewest goals allowed in a single season, with six total goals allowed.

Not only did they set the fewest goals against record, but they also set a record for the most goals scored. Needless to say the soccer team was exciting to watch.

Each year Hillcrest combines their soccer program with Pelican Rapids High School to form a soccer team for both the boys and the girls.

Some of the best players come from Pelican Rapids, and of course there are a number of great Norwegian players on the soccer team.

The diversity in the soccer team creates different styles of play, joining styles from around the world. The team adapts to the styles as they play together throughout the year. This year the team did an exellent job getting to know eachothers strengths and weaknesses.

An interesting highlight to Hillcrest’s soccer program is the Pelican Rapids’ students on the soccer team. Hillcrest students get the chance to be a witness to their teammates from Pelican Rapids and show them what Hillcrest is all about. Great freindships are built between the Hillcrest and Pelican Rapids students, especially this past year.

The two captains from Hillcrest this year were Chris Pellegrino and Quincy Undseth. Quincy

has played Hillcrest soccer since 7th grade, and Chris came as a Junior last season. The two captains were great leaders of the team. They set a good example on the field and in the hallways at school.

Quincy is a defensive player, while Chris is a forward who contributed to many of the goals scored this season. Chris set the all-time school record and the state record for the most goals scored in a single season. Chris scored 50 goals this year, and was also selected to the all-state team. He played in the all-state game in the Metrodome after the season ended. Chris said “The bus rides were definetly a lot of fun, cause we got to get to know eachother as a team real well, while having some fun as well.”

After a phenomenal regular season, the Comet boys entered the playoffs with very high hopes for themselves. They won their first two games with ease, having the home field advantage. The third playoff game was against St. Cloud Apollo.

After a hard fight the Comets suffered defeat for the first time in the season giving up two goals finishing the game with a score of 2-1.

It was a record breaking year, but more importantly Comet soccer represented Christ in the way that they played and conducted themselves on the field.

Most will remember the season as pure dominance. “It was a season with great memories.

There was just a few small things that made the good season end.” Jongkyu Lee explained about this past season. The boys put on a great show, and caused lots of excitement from students, faculty, and parents. It was the best and most dominant soccer season Hillcrest has had.

Both the girls’ and boys’ dormitories are led by caring deans who share a passion for youth ministry and support. “In college, I worked for a residence life program,” said boys’ dorm dean Armin Jahr III, “and I’d always wanted to go into youth ministry. I like being able to use my college experience in helping young people with their everyday decisions.”

Senior Gus Anderson told about his desire to one day enter youth ministry. “Working with [boys’ dean] Seth Kinrade at iPoint, and being with him in the dorms has encouraged me a lot.” he commented.

The deans serve both to establish order within the dorms, and to mentor students with an attitude of love and understanding. “I see the deans as my friends.” said one student.

Deans take personal interests in students’ lives; they will often sit down with students and have one-on-one discussions with them. Boys’ dorm dean Ben Baker commented, “My favorite part of the job is getting to know the kids and their cultures, as well as interacting and building relationships with them.”

Since the start of the school year, the dorms established ‘family groups’. Each dean takes on a group of 5-8 students and holds ‘family nights’ with them. Family nights range from praying and pursuing theological discussions to laughing and watching movies.

Family groups provide students with an opportunity to spend time with people outside of their close friend groups. Many students enjoy bonding with their brothers and sisters in Christ.

Although the dorms are a great environment, some students love resident life less than others do.

“Students sometimes have issues with a lot of our policies,” explained Armin Jahr III, “but it comes down to this - the dorms are one big household, and various households have various rules. A lot of people take issue with the dorms in comparison to their personal houseDorm Life Examined continued on page 4... |3

Forming Foundations (cont.) the rope swing on the edge of Hillcrest’s property, installed last year, was up and running as a place to cool off after practice. In the evenings, the Comet Cafe was open and is always hopping due to its cool atmosphere, extended curfew option for dorm students, and all of the great specials on malts, smoothies, and other treats.

As students settle-in to the Hillcrest routine, they also begin to get a taste of the town itself. Many dorm students have never experienced anything like Fergus Falls. Returning and off-campus students take initiative in introducing the new community, suggesting group walks to Holiday and Dairy Queen. Trips to Applebees for half priced appetizers, or Perkins for late night pancakes are also among the list of firsts for many students as they get into the smalltown routine.

Amidst all the craziness, there is also a night where Principal Isaac shares the Gospel with all of the students in a nightly chapel series.

For some this is the first time they have heard the good news. These nightly sessions are so important, giving an impactful time to unwind

from all the noise and commotion of sports week to focus on what’s ultimately important.

It’s also a time to lay out the foundations, purposes, and aspirations for the year.

After the high energy of the first week has be gun to settle, everyone piles into the school buses and travel to Glendalough State Park for a relaxing picnic the day before classes begin.

Some students see it as a celebration of the last day of summer while for others it is the day before classes begin. Over the past years it has become a signature part of launching into school.

builds friendships and looks forward to the upcoming year. Not only does the comfort level rise, but also the excitement level. Students begin to realize that Hillcrest isn’t just a school, but it’s a place to call home. It’s a place of fellowship, rest, excitement, and growth. Sports Week sets the tone for the school year, and in just one short week that never fails to fly by, draws everyone at Hillcrest together.

Sports Week is a crazy and busy time jampacked with meeting new people, reuniting with friends, jumping back into the sports season, returning to the swing of things at school, and having a lot of fun hanging out. It’s always a successful jump start to the rest of the school year, as well as an experience like no other.

As a huge part of the Hillcrest experience, it serves as a great preview to all that is about to unravel in the upcoming school year. Sports Week gets students comfortable, as everyone

Refreshing Restart (cont.) Dorm Life Examined (cont.)

Amanda Doiron joins friends in celebrating the Junior class Powderpuff Championship during homecoming.

forget me were not my true friends. My true friends were the ones that had been there for me, even when I chose to forget them. Once I came to realize that I needed my true friends they welcomed me back and were so forgiving.

I never thought they would take me back.

It was refreshing to be myself again. It was a struggle going back to school and feeling hated by everybody, but within a few weeks I got over the negativity. It felt good to be back with the people I had been friends with since 6th grade.

I became more happy and I found myself not getting into trouble.

My parents were very happy for me although they never seemed to tell me. They spoke to me through their actions. Slowly I started spending more time with them. That lead to my parents making plans for us to do stuff as a family.

Which made me really happy. I was progressively earning their trust back.

My first semester at Hillcrest has been life changing and I am greatful for the road I have traveled to get here, even though it was difficult. The obstacles have prepared me for the growth God has in store for me as I prepare to live a significant life for Him. 4|

Top: Brita Lindas particpates in a game during Sports Week.

Bottom: Senior Girls enjoy dress-up days during Homecoming

Top: Gus Anderson takes a pitch at the Faculty/Senior game.

Bottom: Junior girls finish their super-fan t-shirts.

holds, however it’s important to communicate to students that our rules are set as healthy guidelines, rather than imprisonment.”

Students possess different levels of maturity and responsibility, and the Resident Life Staff members show patience towards students.

“I like how you can go to the deans when you have problems,” said junior Tori Unruh, “I’m glad I live in the dorms.”

This edition of the HLA TODAY features highlights of the staff recalling the first semester.

Staff Quincey Circo Brandon Doering Amanda Doiron

Rena Fedorova Elisabeth Peterson

The HLA TODAY is published inconjunction with Hillcrest’s Journalism class