Hillcrest Academy | The Current | Issue 1 - December 2014

THE CURRENT ISSUE 01 | December, 2014

THE CURRENT | 1

CLASSROOM // SPANISH OFFERS MORE THAN A SECOND LANGUAGE

Students learn more than Spanish with Mr. Quam. Walking past his classroom students are often greeted with an exuberant, “Hola!”

As the bell for first period rings Spanish is launched into action and students prepare for a class that touches the heart.

Mr. Quam takes time for devotions in every class. The eight students seated in his first period class easily display their understanding of Spanish. They diligently follow along, interpreting the Gospel message presented to them from the devotional, given in Spanish, and now the lesson, that revolves around the Bible.

English is fluently spoken, for the first time, in a prayer to start class. Although, devotional time is split between two languages, Mr. Quam ensures students comprehend and grasp meaning, pausing to explain complex terms given in Spanish with an English definition.

Following devotions, Mr. Quam presents flashcards of the vocabulary the students have been learning. The students giggle in anticipation as Mr. Quam switches to another approach. He presents a stuffed animal. This captures the students’ full attention. Mr. Quam proceeds in telling a story, entirely in Spanish, with accompanying actions and vocabulary.

They laugh in understanding. “When I have a small class, I like to use this method because they can learn so much faster.”

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Taking advantage of the small class and classroom, Mr. Quam navigates personalities and strengths. The class receives information and engages in dialog throughout the class. Mr. Quam understands his students, and uses the classroom as an opportunity to build a relationship and give confidence to students.

After laughter dies down, Mr. Quam announces homework as the next order of business. Steering away from boredom, Mr. Quam keeps the students’ attention with direction and steady conversation. Students willingly display their understanding and recite answers­ —in Spanish—as they’re called on. No student raises their hand, being trained to be focused at all times , students are prepared with answers and participate willingly.

Mr. Quam leads the class into a story after giving the homework assignments. He starts a discussion on the homework; drawing in a real-life application. He closes the discussion saying, “We’re not all perfectly good. We need to repent of our sin.” The truth of the Gospel follows, drawing a connection between sharing the Gospel and speaking Spanish.

Nearing the end of the hour, Mr. Quam wraps up, interacting with his students before preparing for his next class. Teaching with a friendly a demeanor, Mr. Quam captures the essence of the Spanish class while also presenting Biblical themes.

Kelly Dzialo

CULTURE // TAYLOR SWIFT VS. BROOKE FRASER

Taylor Swift, the perfectly blonde­­ —red lipped girl—is an American icon. Brooke Fraser, a Christ-centered musician, who started her music career under the Hillsong banner, leads hearts to worship. The two singers are very similar, yet very different.

Brooke Fraser’s newest solo album, Brutal Romantic, sounds similar to Lorde. Her music carries deep meaning that may take some time to decypher. Specifically, Fraser expresses her opinion about social media in her song, Psychosocial.

Psychosocial is a challenging song that drives listeners to think deeply as Fraser sings, “I love your protection but I don’t love you. Your perceived perfection though it’s just not you. I want an escape and tonight that’s you... I want a cliche I can click on cue.”

Listeners may have the impression that Fraser is singing about a failed romance, but that is not the case. In interviews she reveals writing the song to make the point that humanity is now on the hunt for satisfaction through social media.

Julie Kasulis

You can click on cue and be entertained, but only temporarily. The song, and others on the album, drive listeners to think deeply of life, and the consequences of actions that can either support or destroy lives.

Swift made connections with fans using heartbreak in failed relationships. Her song Wildest Dreams is a ballad about knowing a relationship will not last as she sings, “I can see the end as it begins” then pursuing the relationship with ill intentions for the sake of memories and temporary Throughout the album Fraser reveals the way joy, “And when we’ve had our very last kiss, my popular culture objectifies humanity. Writing last request is say you’ll remember me...even if some songs in haiku, and others with a pop beat, its just in your wildest dreams.” the album keeps listeners attention with each song bearing a unique personality.

Swift’s album is a work of art in riding the wave of society. There is a forboding rhythm of utilitarianFraser speaks of gold wrapped people in songs ism as she uses heartbreak and fleeting relationlike Brutal Romance. Looking at men and women ships as a crutch for relationship satisfaction. through the eye of social media and other failed lenses, her music drives listeners deeper into life Growing-up in an era where music is a large inby questioning if society views the individual as fluence, music lovers need to pay attention to sacred or expendable. the message that is getting replayed in the lyrics that replay in minds, dorm rooms, and hallways.

Taylor Swift also has a strong opinion about soci- A catchy beat and rhyming chorus is easy to ety and social media. Swift held listening parties make one over look the lyrics. The lyrics affirm a prior to creating her album 1989. Teenage twitter view of the world, and that view of the world has and facebook followers joined Swift in her home consequences for listeners. to listen to sneak peaks of the new album. She used the sessions to hone her songs, ensuring she delivered exactly what fans wanted to hear.

STUDENT LIFE // FRIENDLY FACES FROM SPECIAL PLACES

Coming from over 7,500 miles away, Shantinu Mallick always brings smiles to the Hillcrest faculty and students.

Shantanu decided that Hillcrest was a better choice than public school because he wanted to grow in Christ. His favorite part so far is the loving atmosphere Hillcrest provides. Shatinu is looking forward to thinking about future plans such as college and a career. He is very excited this year because he will be going back to India.

Elias Pribbenow

Coming from a warm, wet, mountainous area, Bao Bui, also know as Bill. will be in for a big shock when winter hits. He first heard about Hillcrest from his cousin Nhi who also attends Hillcrest. He chose Hillcrest because it was a better financial choice for his family plus, he’s got a relative here. Who wouldn’t want to go to school with family? Bill’s goals for this year are to dig deeper in his faith and learn more about his Creator. His favorite part so far about hillcrest is meeting many great friends. One thing he wants to do is to bring more people from back home, to experience what going to school is like in the States.

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STUDENT LIFE // FRIENDLY FACES FROM SPECIAL PLACES Elizabeth never really thought of going anywhere else than Hillcrest because her family has always give here. She has always grown up hearing about hillcrest and about the amazing friendships that you make there. She’s always grown up going to church and loves the Bible classes at Hillcrest. Elizabeth looks forward to the eighth grade graduation and becoming a true high schooler. Mr. Peterson has been one of her favorite teachers at hillcrest this year and she looks forward to being in many more of his classes.

STUDENT LIFE // KARI DRAWS CLOSE TO JESUS

Elias Pribbenow

Growing up going to Hillcrest sports games, Thomas Zwiers never really thought about going to school anywhere else. He has grown up going to church and sunday school and continues to grow in his faith. His favorite part about Hillcrest is being in a non judgemental environment where everyone is loving. Thomas is looking forward to playing basketball and joining the track team.

One thing he wants to have an impression on is the basketball team.

Emily Pribbenow

There are a few things one would see with a quick glance at Kari. Kari Simonsen: 18, from Fergus Falls, a senior, involved in soccer, softball and music. What people don’t know, however, is that there is so much more to her than what is on the surface.

Kari was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado and moved to Fergus Falls when she was four. She was homeschooled before attending Hillcrest her freshman year. Kari’s friends know that she loves the smell of oranges.

Spending time with her will reveal her love for cats and appreciation for a good bowl of pasta and laughs around the dinner table.

Kari grew up attending Inspiration Point Bible Camp during summer breaks. She dedicated her life to Jesus at the age of six while attending the summer camp. Inspiration Point has also been a place where she has experienced incredible faith formation. “I realized that I really had sinned--like, a lot.” Spending time with her reveals her understanding of grace and sense of forgiveness found in Jesus Christ.

Recently, Kari’s cheerful demeanor has been tested. Her dad is suffering from cancer. “We found out that it’s in his lungs, and it’s moving…..They said it was terminal so we don’t really know how long he has left.” This has been a major struggle for Kari and her family. However, she says that God has helped her realize that even though her dad may not have long left on earth, she will be with him in heaven again.

Kari does not know for sure what she is going to do after she graduates from Hillcrest, but she has an interest in art and wants to focus on that. As she continues to walk the road of cancer with her family it is important for Kari to realize that her family at Hillcrest is here to support her, as many have watched her faith solidify during her years in Hillcrest’s halls.

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CULTURE // ALEX FROM TARGET

A sixteen year-old Target cashier is famous.

A picture 2 teenagers took and posted on twitter catapulted Alex Lee into the spotlight, and many teens are noticing.

Alex accumulated over 737 thousand followers on twitter after the two girls posted his picture online. He has 2,300,000 followers on Instagram, and “Alex from Target” is searched on Google more than Justin Bieber. He was on The Ellen Show, and is likely to grace Target advertisements in the future. His girlfriend receives death threats by crazy fan girls, while at the same time being searched by teenage boys from around the United States. That’s the influence of the social media. Without it, Alex is just a nice guy stocking shelves.

Kristina Kvamme

files on Twitter and Instagram are marked as “favorites”. Tweets dominate breakfast, and “liked” pictures and comments on Facebook distract from homework. Students clamour for phones when a new post is up, double-tapping the screen in approval of a picture, pithy comment, or retweet. Never before has a generation felt so connected to people they’ve never met.

result is hard to understand how social media can humanize.

Ideas of people taint reality. The image of Alex From Target is glorified over the person.

Slowly, all social media attaches worth based on followers or the number beside the heart icon under a selfie. People aren’t people, they become an object, and reality is replaced with an image on a glowing rectangle.

So, as culture wrestles with value, it may be important to continue to use social media to support eachother’s value by friending, liking and posting comments, pictures, and inspiring words that uplift.

Not because it will be popular, but because it is true. Alex from Target is important beause he is real, not because he is cute and popular. Social media is a tool, the problem with it is found in the hearts of users. It is likely time to put down the phone and pick-up a conversation.

It is likely that most students have heard all The story of Alex’s celebrity rise tells the trappings of social media, but haven’t something about teens. Youth culture been educated in the good. Alex From Tarhas a pattern of objectifying people. Pro- get causes teens to objectify people, and the

A Christian view says that all people have worth because they’re made in the image of God. So, Alex From Target isn’t important, but Alex is. Following him on Instagram isn’t bad, but viewing him as important because he’s popular is.

I . C . Y . M . I // INCASE YOU MISSED IT

Kicking it easy at youth group is what students say, playing games, worship and homework carries them over hump-day

Dodgeball games take over the gym with the Junior High determined to win.

Norwegian Christmas is often cray-cray, but it has nothing on boxing day.

Bro-time pictures at banquet inspire a trend with classes for a spiritual fire.

Roomies at Hillcrest light up the world, making friends wear sweaters with lights uncurled.

A new paradigm guided the Christmas concert with hard work paying-off for students.

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STUDENT LIFE // FRIENDLY FACES FROM SPECIAL PLACES

Kara Nash

Kjetil Aron Nielson’s best friend’s brother died, and it was the most memorable time of his life. Aron met daily with his friend helping him cope with the journey his friend’s brother was walking. “We grew so close that summer, and I will never forget it.”

The time Aron spent with his friend reveals a great deal about his character. Talking with Aron is very easy, and his humor and genuine love for life makes conversation fun and comfortable. It is easy to see that Aron has a supportive family, and he is quick to share his love and appreciation for Ellen, his sister, who attended Hillcrest a few years ago.

Aron spent much of his childhood playing guitar, engaging in outside activities in the summer, dreading homework, and spending time with friends. His talent in stomach rolling has helped him break the ice with his roommate, Nick Boe. Their strong friendship is evident. Nick has listened to Aron sleep talk using the English language and the two have shared their fears, Aron’s is being burned. There is no doubt that Aron is building more incredible relationships at Hillcrest, and his friendship is what makes Hillcrest a great place to go to school and grow in an understanding of Jesus.

TEACHER PROFILE // PRINCIPAL ISAAC

From Omaha, Nebraska to Denver, Colorado, Time in Los Angeles, California transitioned to Fergus Falls, Minnesota reveals the journey of obedience for Principal Isaac.

Principal Isaac grew up with the influence of a Christian household. “I Believed in (Christianity) early on, but I wouldn’t say I obeyed it until later.”

Throughout his journey from state to state, Principal Isaac encountered faith-forming difficulties.

His parents divorce caused a period of wandering during Mr. Isaac’s high school and early college years. Coming to faith at the age of 23, Mr. Isaac’s life changed dramatically as he received mentorship and redirected friendships to reflect his faith.

Mr. Isaac’s early teaching carerer began at David Starr Jordan High School in Los Angeles, California. His faith began forming as Christ called him to make it known he was a Christian.

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When Principal Isaac taught at Jordan High School it was in one of the poorest counties in the country. The school was in the ninety-ninth percentile in teen pregnancies and offered daycare at the high school to encourage students to attend. Gang related activities at the school put Mr.Isaacs faith to the test. “It was divided, you were either Christian or not,” states Principal Isaac. “I grew in my faith. I became more emboldened to share. I was brave, well I was afraid, but God gave courage.” Principal Isaac found his education at Biola University helping him share his faith.

Mr.Isaac transitioned to an assistant principal at Sunny Hills High School in Fullerton, California. At the time Sunny Hills was in the top 100 best well-kept schools in the nation. “I thought it was heaven on Earth going from Jordan to Sunny Hills.”

Julie Kasulis

He experienced a rude awakening at Sunny Hills. Much like the human condition, he saw that what is in better condition on the outside isn’t necessarily better on the inside. No matter the facility, the human condition of sin was still very real and testing as Mr.Isaac was in his first large disciplinary position.

After continuous outreach from President Steve Brue, Mr. Isaac felt led to the position as Assistant Principal at Hillcrest Academy. Principal Isaac’s giftings, and God’s hand, enable a culmination of his education and path of obedience; using his Bible minor, and educational experience, in one job.

CULTURE // MUST SEE YOUTUBE CHANNELS

Alexandra Larson Youtube is more than just cats and Taylor Swift dancing in a tutu. In fact, it’s more than Taylor Swift dancing in a tutu with cats.

There are many educational channels that are fun. If a student is interested in hearing a subject explained by different teachers, many professionals upload podcasts. This can be helpful if you’re a visual learner or looking for a new explanation or review of a subject, even subjects like Worldview I or Understanding the Times (UTT).

A channel called the One Minute Apologist explores real world issues. Topics ranging from God’s existence to what Scientologists believe are some of the channel’s most popular uploads. In one minute segments the host, Bobby Conway, taps the minds of famous apologists and provides simple answers to very complex topics.

The slogan that plays at the beginning of every video says, “Apologetics seeks to give credible answers to curious questions.”

Conway interviews apologists, scientists, and professors in black and white on a simple set. At the end of some videos there are recommendations for books to do more study on the topic of the video.

These videos connect with the curriculum Hillcrest uses for Worldview classes, and are a resource to use for students who need insight on a topic, or reasearch for a paper.

Entertainment is what Youtube is all about.

Sometimes it is hard to pull away from Vevo music videos or a teenage girl singing about what day of the week it is. Entertainment isn’t bad, but when it shifts to simply, shallow and ammusing videos, it’s not the best use of time.

Jesus was likely very entertaining as he told stories of heaven and roadside robberies.

But Jesus never called people to stop thinking, which is what amusement is. Jefferson Bethke’s Youtube channel falls more in line with Jesus’ view of entertainment, and it is captivating.

Jefferson Bethke’s self-titled channel discusses modern issues. His criticisms of religion and legalism are relatable and make the viewers reevaluate their habits.

Bethke’s videos are entertaining and take the form of ‘Spoken Word’ a poetic/rap style.

The artistry is brought out in his rhyming, creative locations, and various camera angles. Key words from the poem pop-up on the screeen during the video, giving visual emphasis to his work.

Bethke’s most popular upload went viral, with 28 million views. It is called ‘Why I hate religion, but love Jesus.’ He explains his thoughts on a relationship with Jesus, and how it differs from a religion.

These videos are a resource for youth group sharing or Chapel presentations for students. Bethke is not a theologian nor a pastor, so his videos need critical thinking. The videos are however, entertaining, thoughtprovoking, and culturally relevant.

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CULTURE // CHRISTMAS SONGS TO MAKE A MERRY CHRISTMAS

Bing Crosby’s White Christmas is the classic Christmas Eve album to play with the yule log burning in the background.

Still popular today, while written in 1941, White Christmas is still reigning as the number selling single of all time. The 11 other classics on the album are equally as celebrated with

It’s Beginning to Look Like Christmas, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, and Jingle Bells. Stories told through lyrics are complemented with drums and chimes of a holiday cheer.

Crosby’s album is the ever prominent Christmas classic.

Kelly Dzialo

Born Is the King by Hillsong opens with a 30 second procession of wind chimes and fast, light plucking delivering a soothing sound matching the sound of the 7 songs to come.

With various artists on the album, anticipation builds for the next voice to to come. Dave Ware on O Holy Night surely shines. His full, unique voice resonates with the lyrics. Definitely a heartfelt Christmas album to put in a playlist to pull out every December.

Many Christmas albums bring celebration, but Page CXVI’s Advent to Christmas is a walk through anticipation. The album can be summarized “to celebrate the holy birth of Israel’s king.”

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel is particularly captivating. The tap of the tambourine makes for a great rhythm to move to while the lyrics anticipate the coming of the King of Peace. It invites you to rejoice in our Savior. Silent Night ends the album with a 20 second enchanting piano interlude setting up the proclamation, “Christ the Savior is born.” The ultimate, praiseworthy good news of the Christmas season, “Christ the Savior is born.” In preparation for Christmas, Advent to Christmas is a great album to contemplate the coming of the Savior.

Everyone can recognize Michael Buble’s Christmas album. It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas opens the album with a whimsical interlude struck by Buble’s deep resonating voice. Buble’s unique voice carries lyrics with style. The jazzy feel of Santa Claus is Coming to Town is another unforgettable track to keep bringing out year after year. The album brings life Christmas classic’s with his undeniable charisma.

EDITORS NOTE //

Wayne Stender

The vision behind The Current is The Current is also a chance to provide a venue for students for students to write responses to comment on their culture. to some classroom conversations on culture.

The title of the publication has a dual meaning. It is our prayer This venture is an opportunity that students will receive an ed- for students to share aspects of ucation that will enable them to their world through the lens of a stand for truth no matter the cur- Biblically-based perspective. rent of the cultural forces.

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HLA TODAY STAFF Maddie Veum

Elias Pribbenow

Ali Larson

Kara Nash

Danny Atwood

Kristina Kvamme

Kelly Dzialo

Evan Malmstrom

Emily Pribbenow

Kevin Thorkildsen

Julie Kasulis