ISSUE 07 | March 4, 2014
Library to Biffleys Tournament Snapshots Norwegian Visitors Lowell Quam Testimony Hillcrest’s Senior Knowledge Bowl team deliberates in a practice round prior to their meet in Concordia last week.
Knowledge Bowl or Bust
Brandon Doering | Staff Reporter
Hillcrest’s Knowledge Bowl follows honored tradition looking to blaze new trails “What city was created from the unification of Buda, Óbuda, and the east-bank of Pest?” A shrill beep sounds, signaling that the time allotted to answer the question has ended. “Budapest!” is blurted out. A correct answer after intense diliberation from the Knowledge Bowl team. When it comes to Knowledge Bowl, Hillcrest is successful. An ambitious attitude, the will to win, and a desire to honor God are ingredients that contribute to Hillcrest’s Knowledge Bowl team’s defined characteristics. Hillcrest’s tradition in the academic competition is established for most students in Junior High. Like most Hillcrest clubs, transferring students add a unique flavor to the blend of talents cultivated through club and team programs. And whether students are “old-timers” or a newer member, Knowledge Bowl provides an outlet for academic competivness.
One might think Knowledge Bowl is a boring competition where people answer random science and math questions, but this could not be further from the truth. The atmosphere is intense as each team struggles to ring in first with an answer, struggling to remember facts learned throughout high school in fifteen seconds. It is nerve-racking. A typical Knowledge Bowl meet follows a strict regimen. A forty-five question written round determines initial rankings. Four oral rounds follow where questions are read aloud giving teams a chance to ring in with an answer. Fifteen seconds of critical debate is the only time a team may converse before they answer. When the fourth oral round is complete, points are totalled and the winners are announced. This year, Hillcrest’s three teams are doing very well. The senior team, comprised of Rena Fedorova, Quincy Undseth, Brandon Doering, Kris Lein, and Tony Preston, has
placed in the top three spots three times in the past four meets. The other two teams made of Lucas Holzner, Jonathan Eckhardt, Luke Jennen, Matthew Lein, Ellen Jacobs, Sam Isaac, Hans Holzner, Reggie Undseth, Thomas Martinson, and Daniel Preston have also consistently placed well. “It is great seeing our team improve from last year and I look forward to seeing how we do next year,” said Jonathan Eckhardt. “We are doing pretty well.” During the coming weeks, the Knowledge Bowl teams are preparing for the sub-region meet. The highlighted competition is still weeks away, but preparation is crucial as the Comets hope to continue Hillcrest’s long tradition of success. Last year, two of the teams advanced to regionals, and one of the two had the opportunity to go to State. Hopes are high for the teams this year as well, fulfilling goals of honoring God with ambitious attitudes and a will to perform well. |1
Britta Iverson hunts for a classic during a photo-shoot
From Library to Biffleys Jonathan Eckhardt | Staff Reporter School libraries are changing. Hillcrest’s library is full of books covering many topics, genres, and authors. Yet the library we have today is not the same library we had in previous years.
Current students reconnect with former roommates from Norway before chapel.
Traveling Norwegians Make Hillcrest A Priority Eddie Jiang | Staff Reporter
Traveling to Minnesota in the most treacherous winter conditions, Maria Aarvik, Maria Jacobsen, Maria Bakke, Karoline Baugsto, Eivind Bjornoy, Simon Ottera, and Daniel Schjelderup wanted to relive their Hillcrest experience for a few weeks.
The visiting Norwegians note that self-imposed curfew and bedtimes are appreciated in their native Bergen, but being back in Hillcrest’s monitored rhythm still feels like home. Living in the dorms feels weird in some aspects, most notably computer free Fridays and restricted WiFi, but the visiting students appreciate how interwined their lives were with their friends, building life-long friendships in a ten-month span. Living with fifty best friends makes Hillcrest feel like home.
Pulling up mattresses to stay with old roommates, the visiting group from Norway drank in the nostalgia of their past Hillcrest experience. Walking Hillcrest’s halls in 2014 is exciting, with the former students noting the new classroom section and a few updates made to the dorm. But a pass through Hillcrest one year later left Maria Aarvik noting many changes in the faces of students. “The kids in the hallways look like little kids.”
The Norwegians’ first trip home last May was marked with suitcases full of their American experience. Most of the items in the suitcases were edible; Skittles, Mountain Dew and Starburst packed before new shoes and a favorite sweater. The second trip back to Norway is helping many bring back items they left. Maria Aarvik found snowboots, a ski jacket and balls of yarn that will undoubtedly occupy her knitting fingers for their 24 hour trip to Bergen.
While the classrooms, textbooks and dorm furnishings have changed, the teachers former students had are still found in familiar classrooms. Maria Jacobsen noted that despits some of the changes, “It’s good coming back, Quincey is still here.”
While much is made of the tangible goods students bring to Norway, the former students are quick to direct the conversation to the most treasured souveniers. Lessons learned in Hillcrest’s classrooms and dormitory are really what ignites the Norwegian exodus back to Hillcrest after graduation. Maria Aarvik and Maria Jacobsen both say they learned more about life than school in their Hillcrest experience, commenting primarily on their faith formation and how to take care of themselves.
Traveling from Norway to the United States sounds thrilling. Places like New York City or Seattle would be at the top of most lists, unless you’re a former Hillcrest student.
Dorm policies and student life have changed little, as noted by the Norwegian visitors. The Walmart bus still leaves promptly after study hall every Monday and curfew still calls students to run up the stairs beating out dorm discipline by fractions of a second. 2|
Due to the summer classroom renovation, Hillcrest’s library has received some extra care with new shelving and a renovated reading area. The updates decreased the amount of shelf space in the library; a difficult trade-off in a school of readers. Mrs. Larson, the Hillcrest Librarian, said, “We had to get rid of about one third of the books.” It was both easy and hard to get rid of some of the books. Some hadn’t been checked out in over ten years, garnering an musty smell from years on the shelf. There were multiple copies of other books that had to go. Where does one dispose of 1/3 of a library’s collection of books? Students and faculty were free to take books at the end of the 2012-2013 school year. Books like Robinson Crusoe and Louis Lamour westerns were quickly taken, but around seven hundred books remained after everyone left. This is where Mr. Crowser comes into the equation. Instead of throwing the books away, Mr. Crowser stored them in hopes of sparing them from the landfill. Biffley’s, a small business downtown sells video games, board games, records, cds, dvds, and thousands of used books. Mr. Crowser utilized the local business in finding a new home for the collected books. . Biffley’s gave Hillcrest credit for future purchases due to the book donations. Mr. Undseth’s English classes took a field trip earlier this year where every student was given the opportunity to choose a free book. “The problem is, no one reads books anymore,” commented Mr. Crowser after noting that Hillcrest still has a great deal of credit at the used book store. Biffley’s has some books whose pages have hardly seen the light of day. Mr. Crowser was glad he didn’t have to throw the books away, but still wishes that the credit would be used. Who knows what books students might find hidden in the depths of the Biffley’s basement? Students are free to use this credit. To receive credit, a student simply needs to visit with Mr. Crowser for a coupon, and promise they will use it. He doesn’t want this opportunity to go to waste. This is an opportunity that most people don’t have.
Tournament Time Senior Snapshots Quincey Circo | Staff Reporter
Quincy provides consisten play off the bench
Derek supports through meaningful minutes
Daniel is a powerful weapon for the Comets
Tony serves as manager following injury
Quincy Undseth
Derek Lillestolen
Daniel Nersten
Tony Preston
Quincy Undseth has also played Hillcrest basketball for the past four years. His quickness and ability to pass the ball is often just what the Comets need. He helped lead the soccer team to an incredible season as a captain, and also plays baseball.
Derek Lillestolen is a senior post from Connecticut that has been in the Hillcrest basketball program for the past two years. He is a great leader on and off the basketball court. Lillestolen also played football both his junior and senior year.
Daniel Nersten has been in the Hillcrest basketball program for five years, starting varsity since his freshman year. As well as scoring 1000 points, Nersten also holds the all time school scoring record. He also played football and baseball.
Tony Preston has been sidelined the past two season with a serious heart condition. After realizing he wouldn’t be able to play basketball anymore Tony still supports the guys and is a huge part of the Comet basketball team as a senior.
Liz has provided leadership during her 3 years
Evan’s play gives Comets a presence in the paint
Connor Aasness supports team inspite of injuries
Kelsey’s consistent play is inspiring for fans
Elisabeth Peterson
Evan Newman
Connor Aasness
Kelsey Nersten
Liz Peterson has had the opportunity to play basketball at Hillcrest since her sophomore year. She serves as a captain, and leads by example through the way that she plays. Liz is a great leader, and is a role model to many younger girls at Hillcrest. Liz enjoys long boarding through the streets of Fergus Falls with her friends.
Evan Newman has played Hillcrest basketball for two years. He played baseball, and was an all-conference football player. When asked what his favorite part of this year’s basketball team, Evan said he enjoyed spending time and growing closer to his teammates whether it be on the court, in the locker room, or on the bus ride to the games.
Connor Aasness played Basketball at Hillcrest for the past four years. Missing most of his junior year basketball season due to a severe concussion, Connor also sat out a majority of his senior year due to a wrist injury. Inspite of his injuries, Connor supports his team through encouragement from the bench. Connor also plays baseball.
Kelsey Nersten has played Hillcrest basketball for five years. The leading scorer both her junior and senior years, Kelsey has been a consistent face for the Lady Comets as she closes her senior year at Hillcrest. As a captain, Kelsey is a great leader on the court and throughout the school. She also plays softball.
Sports Recap February 11th the Lady Comets played the Parkers Prairie Panthers. Despite an ending score of 60-26, the Comets showed incredible mental toughness. Even though the score showed an impossible obstacle to overcome in five minutes, the Lady Comets continued to whittle away at the deficit showing their relentless character developed throughout the season. Emma Royce led the Comets in scoring with 9 points and 6 rebounds, while Kelsey Nersten added 8 points and 4 boards, and Laura Tungseth had 8 points as well. February 14, the Hillcrest boys took on Battle Lake at home. The conference championship was on the line and both teams brought their best effort for a full house in the Student Activities Center. The see-saw battle ended with the Comets falling short 68-57. Daniel Nersten had 22 points, Jake Isaac added 17 and Chris Tungseth scored 12. Evan Newman pulled down 6 rebounds and Isaac led the team with 5 assists. Tuesday, February 18th, the Lady Comets lost a hard fought battle to Underwood, 59-47. Despite their loss, the Comets gathered with the Underwood team to encourage them through a team prayer. The leadership from Hillcrest’s senior captains was contagious as sophomore Emma Royce
took the mantle of leading scorer for the Comets posting 17 points and 4 rebounds. Captain Kelsey Nersten contributed 12 points, and Megan Aasness finished with 8. Thursday, February 20th, the Lady Comets traveled to Brandon-Evansville. The road trip saw the Comets board the bus with a final score of 67-39. Kelsey Nersten led the Comets with 13 points. Emma Royce closed in on a double-double finishing with 10 points and 8 rebounds while Elisabeth Peterson helped in giving out 3 assists. Thursday, February 20th, the Hillcrest Comets closed their regular season home schedule with Minnewaska. The boys lost a heartbreaker, refusing to become engulfed in the tension of the night. A last second shot by Jake Isaac rimmed out and the Comets closed Senior Night with the scoreboard reading 65-63. Evan Newman contributed a symmetrical stat line with 8 points and 8 rebounds before committing his fifth foul. Jake Isaac netted 26 points while giving out 3 assists and creating 3 turnovers. Nersten added 20 points and 3 assists.
Liz Peterson | Staff Reporter Hillcrest pulled within 8, but couldn’t close the game on top, with a final score of 70-62. Friday, February 21st, the Lady Comets lost to Battle Lake 59-38. Nersten led with 13 points, Laura Tungseth with 12 points and 4 assists, and Royce finished with 9 rebounds. The friendly foe spurred the Comets on as the teams gathered at half-court to close their final contest of the season in prayer. In the last week of regular season games for the ladies, the Comet girls traveled to Hancock. Grabbing a 55-48 win, Senior guard Kelsey Nersten ended with a dominant 22 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 steals. Laura Tungseth jumped into a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Emma Royce added 11 rebounds, Elisabeth Peterson contributed with 3 assists, and Megan Aasness had 4 steals.
The boys closed their regular season traveling to Pelican Rapids on February 21st. After a 15-0 run by Pelican to start the game the Comets rallied. |3
Basketball season closed with pep-band changing the world through the new song “Hey Jacob”, previously known as “Hey Baby”. Nine people drank out of a milkshake ordered by Kelly Dzailo for Emma Royce. The remaining shake boosted Emma’s immune system, warding off the stomach flu that followed in the girls dorm the following weekend. Jonathan Eckhardt tried to drive his snowmobile through a barbed wire fence last weekend, earning street credentials with the local crew that spends copious amounts of time outside the new ShopKo center. Eddie Jiang traveled through the frozen Minnesota winter to visit Target’s Brandon Doering. When arriving at Target Eddie couldn’t find Brandon, begging the question of whether Target really is better than Walmart without the loyal worker. Dairyland opened this week to the chagrin of all students who battle lactose. The Norwegian students were furious after their trip to Minnesota State Community and Technical College was cut short of their expected lunch. The faculty at Hillcrest are participating in a fitness competition in spite of the cakes and donuts that are consistenly available in the faculty lounge. Ryan Erickson and Jason Walkup have double-handedly fixed the internet, which has given them god-like status on campus. Hillcrest’s spring play, “13 Ways to Screw Up Your College Interview” has been a smashing success for those participating, leading to the question of how successful the participants will be later in life after studying how to be unsuccessful. Hillcrest’s Band Tour is visiting “Hillcrest East”, also known as Liberty University. With Secret Sister week complete, many Hillcrest students have turned to asking girls to the Junior Senior (J.S.) banquet in hopes that girls will respond by giving the boys a tiara, wings and a bag of Starburst.
HLATODAY is produced by the Journalism program at Hillcrest Academy.
Quincey Circo Amanda Doiron Liz Peterson Maddie Veum Jonathan Eckhardt 4|
Brandon Doering Kara Nash Zoey Schweitzer Eddie Jiang
Lowell Quam teaches Spanish and Bible at Hillcrest after training in the mission field, continuing his missionary work at HLA.
Lowell Quam: God’s Faithful Agent Pt. 2 Quincey Circo | Staff Reporter In last week’s column we left off with Mr. Quam trapped in a predictament. A tragic traffic accident called Ecuadorian police to investigate the scene. Mr. Quam was a driver and someone was injured. The sad tale left Mr. Quam, unable to pay the bribe asked for by police, with a tour of the inside of an Ecudaorian police car and an introduction to the local jail. Mr. Quam has seen the inside of a jail, but this time he was the criminal, not the visiting minister. After being in jail less than a week, Mr. Quam was released until his court date. Facing six months in jail time he had to make a tough decision. Rather than wait around and risk imprisonment in a court system that could be fickle he fled the country. He grabbed the first plane ticket to the United States. Commissioning his lawyer to resolve matters while he was stateside, Mr. Quam found solace on U.S. soil. After a months of waiting Mr. Quam was safe to go travel to Ecuado to continue his missionary service. The legal scare caused concern for his
family, but the story is now a hallmark of God’s grace and is an added piece to Mr. Quam’s life story of faithfulness. After serving in Ecuador with his wife for 20 years, Mr. Quam moved with his family to Fergus Falls where he started teaching Spanish and Bible classes at Hillcrest. His tenure at the school has been punctuated with mission opportunities in Mexico. His role in missions at Hillcrest helps students understand how they can better communicate Christ through their understanding of foreign languages. Teaching 7th and 8th grade introductory Spanish, college preparatory Spanish, and bible classes, Mr. Quam has influenced many hillcrest students over the years. Unlike most foreign language instructors, Mr. Quam uses his opportunity in teaching to incorporate the Bible into the Spanish curriculum. A level of preparation that will help students in college, and their future as they imitate their Spanish instrcutor, a special agent for God’s kingdom.
Contemplative Comet Dear Contemplative Comet:
Dear Depressed Dresser,
I have developed a syndrome following Secret Sister week. I can’t pick out outfits. Day after day I was given outfits during Valentine's week. Monday I received a toga in my locker. Tuesday a tee-shirt. Wednesday I was given a pair of wings and a tiara. Sadly, with secret sister week over I have stopped receiving outfit plans in my locker.
I too fall into February’s fashion funk. I think your first mistake was seeking advice from Camo Craig. Camo fashion is seasonable at best, and is simply impossible to match for someone unfamiliar with its tones. Take 15 minutes with Kelsey or Liz Nersten next time. They keep Craig on the up-and-up and both are dazzling dressers.
I have grown despondent. I sense my grades will fall. I asked Craig Nersten to help yesterday, but he sent me out the door with a black plaid shirt, camouflage pants tucked into my socks, and snow boots. While it helped in picking out my outfit, I don’t know that this is good for me. You must help me! Yours Truly, Depressed Dresser
I would also recommend befriending a well-dressed Norwegian girl. She will keep you up on the latest new European trends. She will most likely have you participate in Fancy Friday. Dress pants, nice shoes, a button-up shirt with a fashionable tie is a good way to fit-in with the other dressed-up students. Avoid asking the guys who take part in ugly sweater Wednesday for advice on outfits. They will try to talk you into wearing an ugly sweater and tell you it is cool. Signed, The Contemplative Comet