ISSUE 02 | DECEMBER, 12 2013
Junior High Christmas Mission Basketball Update HLA’s Top 5 Christmas Happenings Dave Strom’s choir students enjoyed a brief break in the snow as they walked to Bethel LBC for rehearsal in preparation for the Christmas Concert.
Welcoming Winter
Liz Peterson | Staff Reporter
Hillcrest students greet old man winter in Minnesnowta The snow has certainly started to fall in full force this winter, adorning the Castle and everything else in sight with white. Several students stepped onto the steps of Hillcrest Monday afternoon, rushing to make the first snowballs and snow angels of the season. For some, winter may not be their favorite season. However, an obvious excitement builds throughout the school as some students experience snow for the first time, and others finally get what they’ve been waiting for since last spring. Many students are excited for the snow because they look forward to snowmo-
biling, snowboarding, skiing, ice fishing, and ice skating.
vorite thing about winter is when the sun shines on the snow, causing it to sparkle.
As snowmen begin showing up around campus, the sand volleyball court by the boys dorm is flooded and turned into an ice rink. All winter long, heated games of broomball take place here, typically as a weekend pastime.
Kelly Dzialo described how fun it is to see the beauty and fragility in a single fallen snowflake. However, Emma Royce said her favorite part of the snow is throwing it at people.
Connor Aasness said his favorite activity in the snow is snowmobiling. He mentioned he usually travels to Montana to snowmobile over Christmas break.
School cancellations due to snow are not out of the question in Minnesota. This past week, students already got to experience an early release and a two-hour late start because of the weather.
Laura Tungseth mentioned how the snow makes everything pretty. She said her fa|1
Christmas Top-5 Amanda Doiron | Staff Reporter
Students are excited for Christmas. Families decorate the house and buy Christmas trees to introduce the Christmas season. However, some dorm students don’t go home to participate in family traditions. Here are five ways Hillcrest helps students and staff get in to the Christmas season. 1) DECORATING THE DORMS Craig Nersten, Director of Resident Life Staff, believes decorating is a good way to get our hearts and minds ready for the Christmas season. Walking into the dormitory, students see Christmas trees, lights, garland and glass bulbs on the Christmas tree. 2) CHRISTMAS BANQUET
Junior High students gathered resources to aid in the care of God’s creation through the Humane Society.
Junior High Highlights Humane Society Brandon Doering | Staff Reporter
Hillcrest’s Junior High students participate in two different giving projects each year. One project occurs around Christmastime, and the other in the spring. Students are given a choice on ministries to support. This year the Junior High students chose the Ottertail County Humane Society. Every year students put their resources together to support their selected ministry. Projects in the past have included collecting school supplies for students in the Dominican Republic, raising money for items at the Health Resource Center, sending care packages to soldiers, supporting local families in need, the Green Sneakers Program, and many others. Students enjoy helping an organization that many of them have benefitted from. This year the students saw the impact through their pets. “It’s great knowing that what you do really makes a difference,” said one student. “It lets people know that we care,” said another. The students made a difference this year by collecting donations for the shelter. Donations included blankets, toys, food, litter, and even big items like kennels. 2|
Donations are accepted through December 13. A representative from the humane society is visiting on Friday to pick-up donations and speak about what the Humane Society does. The Humane Society plans to bring in a few animals for the students to play with. “The animals, which are part of God’s creation, help to bring comfort and companionship to many people,” said Jane Shulstad, science teacher at Hillcrest, “and we can give back to many of these animals by helping to make their lives a little better.” Another way the students help is by donating loose change. Monetary gifts help provide access to items that student can’t donate, like vaccines and other medicine. “It’s fun for the students to be able to bless this local, non-profit organization in any way that they can,” said Kathy Doering, English teacher and Junior High Director at Hillcrest.
Christmas Banquet is a big school Christmas party. Girls dress-up in formal dresses, spending the day getting ready with make-up, hair and nails. Boys at Hillcrest wear suits or shirtand-ties to mark the Banquet as a special event. Student Body President Daniel Nersten said he likes the Banquet because, “It’s a time to have fun bonding with the student body.” Nersten also said the boys learn how to serve and respect their dates from the experience. 3) SECRET SANTA Presents are a part of Christmas that every student likes. Secret Santa is a way students give presents to each other. Students pick a name out of a hat filled with the names of all the dormitory students. Students give small gifts to their secret person throughout the week. During the Dorm Christmas party students guess who their secret Santa is, revealing themselves with a large present. 4) DECORATING THE SCHOOL Seeing the school decorated gets the students in the Christmas spirit. Some decorations scattered around the school include wreaths on the front doors, garland and glass bulbs placed in the windows of the cafeteria, and a Christmas tree in the Comet Café. The decorations throughout the school day remind the students of the Christmas season. 5) CHRISTMAS CONCERT The Christmas concert is a big part of the Christmas season. During choir rehearsal, Laura Tungseth enjoys singing Christmas songs even before Thanksgiving. Throughout the weeks of rehearsal, Mr. Strom explains what the songs mean and helps students understand what Christmas is all about.
The Boys’ Basketball team ended last season with a 14-9 record. The Comets are hoping to improve on that mark this season.
Lady Comets Home Sched. Brandon/Evan
Dec. 10
7:30pm
Ashby
Dec. 12
7:30pm
Underwood
Jan. 17
7:30pm
Oak Grove
Feb. 1
4 pm
Rothsay Feb. 7 7:30pm Park Christian
Feb. 8
4pm
Parkers Prairie Feb. 11
7:30 pm
Battle Lake
7:30pm
Feb. 21
Hillcrest is honored to have Mr. Preston as the head basketball coach, entering his 22nd season in the position. According to Coach Preston, the main thing that will make or break this team is how hard the boys work together as a team. “We have some good outside shooters, some guys that can be physical in the post, and Daniel (Nersten) who can penetrate to the basket,” commented Preston. Senior Daniel Nersten commented on the upcoming season, “Some of our strengths this year are that we have height, and we can push the ball up the floor. We really need to work on our defense in order to be successful.”
Comet Guys’ Home Sched. Rothsay
Top Left: The Lady Comets secure the hoop in their zone defense Top Right: Senior Liz Peterson picks a pocket during a hard-fought game Bottom: Senior Daniel Nersten takes in a layup against a Chargers defender
Comet Cagers Gear-up for New Season
The Lady Comets are looking to improve their skills in their quest to win more games than last season. The girls are emphasizing teamwork, and are growing closer as a team on and off the court. Senior Kelsey Nersten said her goals for the team were to play for God, learn to play as a team, and win more games than they have in past years.
7:30pm
Parkers Prairie Dec. 17
7:30pm
Hancock
7:30pm
Dec. 19
Ashby Jan. 21 7:30pm Underwood
Jan. 28
7:30pm
The Lady Comets are coached by Mr. Charlie Brue. The Lady Comets coach for a number of seaons, Brue’s teams are netorious for their relentless play and hard work.
Oak Grove
Feb. 1
7:30pm
Park Christian Feb. 8
4pm
In their home opener the Lady Comets lost 64-47 after Ortonville shot 59% from the floor. Junior Laura Tungseth had 22 points, Senior Kelsey Nersten added 15 points. and Sophomore Emma Royce pulled down 7 boards.
Parkers Prairie Feb. 11
7:30 pm
Battle Lake
7:30pm
Quincy Circo | Staff Reporter
While many are dreading the cold Minnesota winter, Hillcrest students look forward to basketball season. Many Hillcrest athletes look forward to the start of the winter sports season, while others see it as a time to show their school spirit by superfanning at the games.
Dec. 13
They play Brandon-Evansville on Tuesday and Ashby Thursday as the Ladies open the season with 3 straight home games.
Henning Feb. 3 7:30pm
Feb. 21
The boys face a tough schedule this year, but are all determined to work hard as a team and play for the glory of God. A hallmark of Comet Basketball, playing under-control and working to share Christ through their play.
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College Calling Brandon Doering | Staff Reporter College looms large in the mind of many seniors. Whether applying to college, applying for scholarships, or touring various campuses, college task lists need to be accomplished, and what better way to make students think more about completing these tasks then to take a college trip. On Friday, October 25, the juniors and seniors spent a day touring North Dakota State University (NDSU). NDSU is known for it’s historic campus and dynamic course offerings. North Dakota State University is a Land Grant College, with a total enrollment of over 14,500 students. They offer over one hundred academic majors, and participate in a Tri-College program with Concordia University and Minnesota State University Moorhead, that allows students to participate and learn more about other fields of study. The NDSU Bison are an NCAA Division 1 competitor in the Summit League and Missouri Valley Football conference. The Bison football team recently won two consecutive national championships, attracting the attention of athletes and fans. Students were given the chance to see an average college campus through their tour. Even though many students may never go to NDSU, the experience was valuable in their college search. “I felt that the trip was very helpful in showing me what a college campus is like,” said Jonathan Eckhardt, Junior at Hillcrest, “It helped me understand what steps I need to take to prepare for college.”
HLATODAY is produced by the Journalism program at Hillcrest Academy.
Quincy Circo Amanda Doiron Liz Peterson Maddie Veum
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Brandon Doering Rena Fedorova Kara Nash Zoey Schweitzer
Senior Han Gao shares his story of faith and freedom found at Hillcrest Academy.
Crossing Cultures to find Christ Kara Nash | Staff Reporter
Despite heartache and questions, Han Gao found comfort and peace by studying the Bible and establishing a family at Hillcest Academy. Born and raised in China, Han had a different upbringing than most of his western friends. Han had no opportunity to develop personal faith being raised in China. Because of this, he didn’t think about religion or religious ideas, commenting that the topics were never introduced to him. In 2011, Han went to an American boarding school in Boston, Massachusetts. The school was not religious, and the ethnic groups were isolated from the American students. While in Boston, Han received news that his father had a heart attack and passed away. While trying to cope with the pain and sorrow, Han returned to China to be with his mother. The next school year Han and his mother decided he should go back to America, but to a different school. Searching many different American schools, Han’s mother found Hillcrest and thought it would be a good fit for him. Even though she is not a Christian, Han’s mom thought a faith-based environment would be comforting as he grieved the loss of his father.
Now a senior, Han has learned the fundamentals of the Christian faith. Through his two years attending Hillcrest he understands the Gospel and God’s love, and has accepted it as truth. Han’s father’s passing still occupies his throughts. Han’s father was a generous and hardworking man who did many great things. In working through the void left by his father’s passing, Han finds prayer and discussion with his brothers in the dorm encouraging. Han shares that he has peace and answers despite facing uncertainty and hard times. Because of Han’s faith in God, he has grown to experience peace and comfort in Jesus Christ. Worrying about things occupied Han’s thinking before his time at Hillcrest, but now he has a focus on other people after finding purpose through faith in Christ. Han spends most of his time caring for his fellow Hillcrest students, especially those working to assimilate from other countries. Han is also ministering to his mother, notably by sending her a Bible last year in the mail. Han has had meaningful conversations with his mom following this act of love, finding his mother honestly serarching and testing the Scriptures. Han hopes that she will understand and come to know the Heavenly Father.