Issue 1: February 2023

The Highlander

The word of the month is “patience”. What does the word mean and what does the Bible say about patience. pg. 4

THE RETURN OF THE HIGHLANDER

Highland Academy recovers a part of history and brings back

The Highlander newspaper to its campus!

This year, Highland Academy is excited to announce that the The Highlander newspaper is on our campus!

We believe it started in the 1950’s. “Each week students looked forward to seeing the latest news, from what was happening in the dorms, to who won the last intramural games,” said Pastor Steve Rose, a former member of the highland newspaper. As the New Highlander staff, we hope to achieve this for our generation. The newspaper is something that parents, grandparents, and friends can read the magazine to see what life is like for their student on campus. The we hope that the paper will publish practical information to make campus life easier and more fun for students, staff, and people around them. In an interview, Principal Watkins, he was asked what he hopes the newspaper will be like. He said that it is another great way for students to be informed about what’s happening in the school. Additionally, he said, “It is a great way for students with a love for journalism, writing, and photography to use those skills in a more organized way and possibly pursue them later on.”

“Each week students looked forward to seeing the latest news, from what was happening in the dorms. To who won the last intramural games”

In December 2022 some of our newspaper staff had the opportunity to visit Southern Adventist University’s campus and talk with the staff of their newspaper, the Southern studnet editors.

The southern student editors demonstated how they work together with their staff and the work that goes into behind the newspaper. They gave our students a direction of where to start as well as advice and tips for the desgin.

not only provide something for students to enjoy once each month, but will be something they will be able to hold on to for memories. They will be able to look back on and remember among the highschool days.

Bringing

Among students from the 1950s through the 1980s some still look back, and reminisce even today about their Highlander articles. With The Highlander coming back to our campus, we will have a keepsake for ourselves and future generations to look back, and remember what life was like at Highland during their time. We have nothing but excitement for the “Revival of The Highlander” on our campus!

Carlie Alveraz and Abigail Hosler

back The Highlander to the highland academy campus will

The Staff of “The Highlander” 2022-2023

SANTIAGO AVILA WINS A JOURNALISM AWARD AT SOUTHERN ADVENTIST UNIVERSITY

Melissa Weisner

Academy.

One of the respondents, Avila began his entry with the example of “The War of the Worlds” entering American homes on October 30, 1938 through their radios. This was a unique broadcast as it was made to sound like true journalistic news when in reality it was a hoax. Avila wrote of how the chaos that ensued because of the broadcast cost the American people. He spoke of integrity. He spoke of honesty and he drew a parallel to modern news outlets today.

presentation. It was at this event that the winners of the contest were announced and received their awards for their submissions.

Once the winners of each category were announced, it was then that Avila realized he was the grand prize winner of $1,000. Prior to his name being called, he was acclaimed for connecting the previous chaos with the “War of the Worlds” to modern journalism. It was this insight that set Avila apart from the other submissions.

On December 1, 2022, Santiago Avila loaded up and headed to Southern Adventist University (Southern) for an event about the importance of truth in journalism. The School of Journalism and Communications Department of Southern (SJC) sponsored a journalism contest for academies within the Southern Union. Students could win cash prizes by submitting written journalism, photographic journalism, or video journalism that demonstrated the theme of the importance of truth. With the top award offering a $1,000 cash prize. Highland Academy’s very own, Santiago Avila won the best overall entry for his written work on why it is important to always be truthful in journalism. While reviewing multiple opportunities for scholarships in the senior ACT Prep/College and Career Readiness class at Highland Academy, a unique contest crossed the teacher’s desk. The SJC had sent flyers about a journalism contest, asking students to submit a response to why truth matters. The contest was a way to introduce the topic and also promote an event that would feature the famous journalist Carl Bernstein, who was scheduled to speak at the university on December 1.

There were several cash prizes,within each category with the overall prize offering $1,000 to the talented winner. Many students entered with several entries from our very own Highland

The SJC at southern invited all of the winners to their campus for the special presentation by Carl Bernstein. The winners had the opportunity to meet Mr. Bernstein prior to his

Congratulations Santiago Avila! Truth in journalism matters as much today as it ever did.

Santiago Avlia before accepting his award

Let us get better acquainted with Principal Chadd Watkins. He has been the Principal of Highland Academy for a number of years, and prior to that worked as a gymnastics coach and boys Dean. If a student wanted to celebrate his birthday, it would be difficult, as it lands on a month that Highland is not in session: It is June 15,

1978.

If Principal Watkins could go anywhere in the world right now, it would be to Europe with his wife because she has wanted to go for a while now. When he is not dreaming about a trip to Europe, Mr. Watkins enjoys birdwatching. He claims to have picked it up from his dad, Pastor John Watkins.

“...I love being outside in nature and in pursuit of something hard to find or difficult to see,” he said, “the pursuit of something you never thought you would see before.

” Mr. Watkins finds satisfaction in finding something uncommon or rare. His favorite pastime or hobby, however, is

Hannah’s Highland Highlights HA STAFF OF THE MONTH!

playing golf. He enjoys being outside in nature. He loves reflecting on God’s creation whether it be bird watching, hitting a few balls on the green, or another pass time.Principal Watkins said that everything that has happened in his life has taught him many important lessons.

Joyful accomplishments and trials alike have molded him into the man he is today. He says he would not be the same without them. He would tell his younger self, “Hey, stay faithful. Keep fighting the good fight.” These are words we could all stand to hear once in a while, especially when life gets difficult.

Mr. Watkins strongly believes in our mission statement at Highland Academy: To develop Christ-like characters and life-long learner. He loves to see students give their hearts to God and says he wants to continue seeing students find Jesus on this campus. Most importantly, he wants “our kids to find a relationship with Jesus

while they are here.”

Principal Watkins wants to continue growing the spiritual atmosphere of the campus with the students. “... Learning how to pray, communicating with Jesus”, he said, is one thing he wishes to continue to grow on this campus and is one of his daily goals he strives to incorporate in his life every day. Principal Watkins

highlight of this year for Principal Wakins would be the introduction of the Student Success Center. He realizes and sees the need for student mental health, and he understands the struggle, he said, because he was a student once. He said, “Managing stress is a daily challenge.” His techniques when managing stress include morning worship time, exercise, internal prayer time, and a quiet space. Lastly, “Remind yourself that God will be with you.”

The advice Principal Watkins would give the students for the New Year is that “ To wake up every morning, fall on your knees, and invite the Lord to be part of your day and into your heart.” Going back to the theme, “But have you prayed about it?” he said, “I find myself often seeking wisdom and counsel from prayer and reading my Bible.” He said daily communication reminds us to seek the Holy Spirit to impress where we should go and what we should do. “Whatever you are dealing with, are you allowing the Holy Spirit in your mind and reflecting on it?” he asked. This is a question principal Waktins asks daily. As he reflects on this, he adds, “I do believe that the more and more that the students put themselves in a relationship with Jesus, the greater they have at building and connecting one; [this] school [was] designed for this purpose.”

incorporates this year’s theme, in everyday Highland life. He asks himself questions like, “Do we embody it? Does what we are doing support our mission?” He tries to challenge himself spiritually to grow in his walk with God and others. The biggest

Events around the world CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD

Across the globe, Christmas is celebrated widely in various cultures through unique festivities and traditions. The holiday adds to the air of excitement that brings families together to share warmth and love amidst the snowy month of December. Regardless of the differences in celebration in every family, culture, and country, it’s the time of the year that everyone looks forward to. Although we have entered the new year of 2023, let’s take a moment to look back on the memories we had in 2022.

The moment winter break started, the Highland Family scattered throughout the country and even abroad, giving everyone a chance to regroup and share their unique experiences.

Aurora Gomez, a junior, had spent the holidays in Mexico where she spent the two weeks spending time with her relatives.

“In Mexican culture, Christmas is an enormous deal.Gomez said. “Every person in my family’s neighborhood has huge statues that are decorated.”

”Christmas is all about loving everybody. What made this experience even more special was the “Pasadas’ that Gomez was able to take part in. This comes from Catholic roots. The family would carry statues of pilgrims, angels, and Virgin Mary and walk around the house.

Lillie Lelko, a senior, spent her Christmas celebrating Hanukkah instead. In the Jewish culture, they hold a week-long celebration commemorating the rededication of the building of the second temple. Lelko’s family spent their time together playing a traditional game called a dreidel, a game that consists of spinning a with four marked sides.

day one, we only light one candle, let it burn out. And on day two, two candles would be lit , and burnt out. This is repeated everyday to mirror the way Jews had done in the past. When asked what Christmas, meant to her, Lelko responded that,“It’s a time I can get together with famil, and I like how it’s not really centered around gifts, just a miracle… It’s about family, and it’s about God. It’s important to me because of those things.”

in a cozy setting and appreciating the birth of Jesus.”

“Everyone puts an even number of chocolate coins and spins. If it lands on gimmel they take everything and everyone has to put one in. But if it lands on shin or hay, you take half from the pile. In the end, whoever takes all the chocolate coins wins. Then you get to eat them.”

The sweet victory is rewarded by chocolate gelt. Along with Hanukkah songs, there’s also the Hanukkah prayer. The oldest in the family or an honored guest typically reads the Hanukkah prayer, which opens up the lighting of candles on a menorah that is set facing the East, towards Jerusalem. Candles from left to right are chronologically lit day by day in a sequence. For example,

Alexandria Reid, a junior, was also able to spend winter break surrounded by family. She had actively helped prepare delicious dishes of traditional Caribbean food, such as oxtail, curry goat, roti bread, sorrel tea made with spices from hibiscus flowers, and more. If she could change anything about Christmas, Reid said, “After all the prepping, as a cook, it gets exhausting. So when the food is prepared, I don’t even feel hungry.”

Although delectable, it’s hard to ignore all the effort that goes into cooking for large family gatherings that can last for days. But family reunions are what makes Christmas so special, and all the fun family traditions that come with time. Alexandria shared her family tradition of videotaping Christmas intros every year.

“Every year we videotape our Christmas opening stuff and ever since I was a baby we’ve been videotaping. We always dress up. Me and my sister were elves, and mom was Mrs. Claus and dad was Santa Claus.”

Amidst the joy and the festivities of Christmas, Reid feels as though “It’s not about yourself,your gifts, but it’s spending time with your loved ones

Khumbula Msibi and Zion Kwon, both juniors, spent their Christmases in a very memorable way. Msibi spent his Christmas eating beans and his personal favorite, mac and cheese while,Kwon enjoyed eating ramen noodles under the sunny weather of Florida. Kwon said if he could’ve changed one thing about Christmas,“I want it to snow in Florida. There’s no snow in Florida.” While Msibi said “The idea of Santa.” .When asked what is the true meaning of Christmas, Msibi said, “(It’s the) birth of Jesus…a blessing to this world.”

The word Christmas holds different meanings and memories for everyone. It’s about seeing family. It’s about the birth of Jesus, it’s about sharing the blessing of being together, thankful and joyful as we remember the good times we carry into 2023.

“Remind yourself that God will be with you.”

Hannah Louden

Suhjin Yoon

“It’s not about yourself, your gifts, but it’s spending time with your loved ones in a cozy setting and appreciating the birth of Jesus.”

THE THING ABOUT PATIENCE

Adriel Garcia

Ever get stuck in traffic or behind someone moving so slowly they are going to make you late for something extremely important? You have an appointment you can’t miss, and they will cancel if you don’t show up within a 10 minute window. You have a job interview that could change your life and your family’s life forever. If you don’t get your child to the game on time, the team will have to forfeit and it will be all your fault!

This often happens to me. Many times there is no obvious reason for the holdup especially in traffic. Then sometimes after the slow poke in front of me FINALLY turns off, I race to get to my destination only to find an accident that could have been me if this slow moving vehicle hadn’t interrupted my commute.

Then sometimes after the slow poke in front of me FINALLY turns off, I race to get to my destination only to find an accident that could have been me if this slow moving vehicle hadn’t interrupted my commute.

After talking to others who experience the same struggles, I have come to appreciate the interruptions in my travels and even in my life. When I find myself getting frustrated in traffic or wanting to pass the “turtle”in front of me on the double yellow lines, I whisper a “thank you” to God for knowing what is up ahead even when I don’t. That is something that has taken a lot, of time to practice, and even when I don’t mean it, I still speak it, knowing my feelings will catch up.

Patience takes

deliberate effort. It is a very difficult concept to utilize because, as sinful human beings, we are naturally impatient. The dictionary definition is “the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset” (Google). Therefore, the opposite of patience is impatience, the act of not waiting or not tolerating something and getting mad

Christians who strive to be like God, we should be patient as well. This can be a daunting undertaking, especially if circumstances fail to go our way. We have to fight to have things go our own way, but ultimately it is not our jobs to make things happen the way we want. It is God’s will that decides that for us. Submitting to His will despite circumstances is the first step in

more restful life instead of being worn out and filled with anxiety and stress.

God does not want us to live life tired, anxious and stressed. He invites us to find rest in Him (Matthew 11:28). This is why He gave His Son to come to earth, save us from our punishment of sin, and set a perfect example for us of how to live a God glorifying life.

Still, one may ask the question, how can we be patient with God? To have the patience that God wants us to show, we work to develop trust in Him so that we can stand still and trust that God will do the work and that He knows the beginning from the end (Isaiah 46:10). The key word here is trust. We should trust God enough that we don’t want to take things in our own hands and do things our own way even when we don’t understand what God is doing. We trust that He is working on our behalf and that is enough.

Take the story of Abram and Sarai for example (Genesis 16). They were told by God they were going to have a child, the one thing that they desired more than anything! Year after year passed, and the couple started to lose hope. Instead of trusting in God and praying to Him for guidance, they decided to take things into their own hands. They lost patience and did not take God at His word. Sarai convinced Abram to take her maidservant, Hagar, and she conceived her son Ishmael. That was not a part of God’s plan, and because of their unbelief, their decision led to a complicated life and future for their descendants. Centuries of discord and war could have been avoided by trusting God and having patience in His timing. Because of Jesus’ example for us, we are called to live a life like Him. Paul reminds us of that saying,

“Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and [PATIENCE]”(Colossians 3:12 NKJV). Throughout Proverbs the writers set a great light on how to be patient and the outcomes of what patience can bring. Most importantly, we should not let our impatience make us stumble in our walk with Jesus, or weaken our relationship with God. As the Psalmist said, “I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living.

or angry about it. So the question is, as Christians, why does being patient matter?

The Bible has a lot to say about patience. A verse often quoted about patience is Galatians 5:22, which gives the fruit of the spirit.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness…”

(NKJV). God is patient, and therefore, as

understanding how to have this ever elusive fruit.

We are reminded in Isaiah, “But those who [WAIT] on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31 NKJV). If we stop resisting God’s timing and His plan, allowing Him to do what He does best for us, we will live a better and

Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!” (Psalm 27:13-14 NKJV).

Be patient with God! He knows what He is doing, and He will never leave you or abandon you. He’s got you but let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:4 NKJV).

THE CENTER FOR STUDENT SUCCESS MAKES ITS DEBUT ON HIGHLAND ACADEMY CAMPUS

On November 2, 2002, the ribbon cutting ceremony officially opening the Center for Student Success commenced. The center is a needed and greatly appreciated addition to the services Highland Academy can offer the student body, including counseling services, testing, and a quiet place to study and relax.

The center was developed because of the uptick in anxiety and other mental health struggles affecting the student body after COVID-19 changed so much of society and campus life. Not only is our new Center for Student Success a beautiful renovation project, but it also serves some very important roles on our campus.

Mrs. Logan Johnson, the school psychologist running the center, revealed in an interview why the counseling center is such a big deal and its purpose. Johnson and other staff members, after much discussion, have come to the conclusion that students are under a lot of pressure. I’m sure any student reading this would agree, and it is nice to hear that someone sees the struggle. They understand student struggles and hear their cry for help.

The Center is the answer to this persistent struggle.

Not only do students deal with the pressure of getting good grades and keeping up with extracurricular activities, there is also a lot more that goes on in the life of a typical student that no one may know. The person right next to you could be struggling with all sorts of issues from trouble making friends to home life issues. Supporting each other by being kind and compassionate is incredibly important, but sometimes more is needed, and that is what this center is designed to address.

When asked how she felt about the new center, Johnson said, “I feel very fortunate to be in a position to meet students where they are.”

As Highland Academy’s school counselor, Mrs. Johnson specifically provides psychoeducational counseling. Psychoeducational counseling is more goaldirected and specific than traditional counseling. Psychoeducadional counseling not only focuses on students mental health, but also helps students

learn important social skills, and offers academic support.

Mrs. Johnson is certified to diagnose students with various learning disabilities, giving them access to the help they need. Students who struggle with scholastics are now being given new opportunities to help catch up and keep up.

The center gives students opportunities for what they think will work for them. Nothing is more frustrating than being told how to tackle an issue even when you have tried the method given and know it does not work for you personally. Mrs. Johnson wants to make sure that each student is able to find what works best for him or her individually. She said “(It’s important to) understand why a child might be struggling and create a game plan with them not for them.”

We need options to learn how to best help ourselves. Now we are being given access to a much wider variety of resources and tools.

Looking for help is not something to be ashamed of. In fact, it is an important part of reaching goals and learning about yourself. God did not create us to walk this earth alone. We are to work in community and uplift one another. Thankfully throughout the years, people have become more open to asking for help, but there are still some reservations held by many.

“A major goal of The Center for Student Success is to break down those leftover

stigmas that asking for help is a sign of weakness. On the contrary, it is a sign of strength and self-advocating,” said Johnson.

We emphasize that there is no reason for you to suffer in silence. There are now resources for anyone who is struggling with their mental health or even scholastically or socially. The new Center for Student Success is a great addition to the Highland campus and is here to help students succeed as the name suggests. It is not just here for mental health, although that is definitely part of it. Students are offered resources to help them do well in school, and opportunities to learn more about how they learn and what they can do to help themselves learn even more. Students are encouraged to seek the help they need, and we are reminded that asking for help is worth the effort.

She says “(It’s important to) understand why a child might be struggling and create a game plan with them not for them.”

The Center for Student Success has a very cool resource to help you relax and destress. It is a full body massage chair that you need to sign-up to use. To sign up, go into the center and ask Mrs. Johnson or one of her workers for assistance.

Lillie Lelko

JUNQUE GAMES

Jan Gonzalos

Junque Games 2023 brought new vigor to campus to kick off the new year! All classes participated in a class-on-class competition to see who could bring the right “junk” for whatever Mr. Watkins called out.

The event brought record numbers out January 7, as pizza was served in the gymnasium for both community and dorm students alike. The event officially kicked off at 6:30 p.m.

Raphan Ley Gymnasium looked like it was cut into four pieces of pie with each class separated on each of the four corners of the gym floor. Classes demonstrated their enthusiasm and class spirit by wearing class colors. Freshmen wore green, and sophomores donned blue attire.

Juniors dressed in red, and seniors sported black. Many students even painted spots and streaks on their faces with their class colors.

The night began with Principal Watkins, the principal of Highland Academy, giving instructions about how the competition would work. As items or “junk” werecalled for, a representative from each class would grab the item and race to the center of the gym where a crash mat was positioned.

Judges Eric Johnson, Bryce Reading, Roger Schmidt, and Tim Kuntz (parent of a student and local family practice PA), stood guard to determine who smacked their item on the mat first. Students were cautioned not to crash into the mat but instead come to a complete halt with their item. If someone ran past the mat they would not get any points for that specific run. This was a tricky rule for Azar Airapetov as he enthusiastically crashed into the mat unable to stop himself with the momentum he built up getting there first. It cost his class, the freshmen, any points they could have made on that “junk.”

Tony Verderaime, a junior, also faced this challenge and rather than crashing into the mat, ran past which still disqualified him and the points his class could have received.

Some students struggled to attain the correct item from their class piles of junk missing potential points for their teams. Points accumulated as they were gained by being the first to the mat, for having the correct item, and also for having the specifics of said item such as a black hoodie or a Highland Academy T-shirt.

All teams began strong as Principal Watkins called out items such as the Flix Book, a picture book of all students and staff taken at the beginning of the school year, a class syllabus, a textbook, and other such school items. As the competition heated

up, classes demonstrated understanding of Principal Watkins as he called such items as a golf glove. The Junior class took that one. When he called a black suit jacket, students looked around their piles in confusion. Attempting to gain at least a point, their representatives raced to the mat with black hoodies and black outdoor jackets, but only the sophomore class, anticipated this unique item for Junque games, receiving the only points for any class on that one.

Seniors claimed the title as winners of the 2023 Junque Games for the second year in a row. But at this event, no one was a loser. As music played between challenges, students sang. Laughter and cheering for each class echoed throughout the gym. Smiles were the décor of the event. This was truly an event of fun and fellowship.

BABY ASA THOMAS IS BORN!

Stephanie Rufo

The first baby of the New Year at Sumner Regional Hospital in Gallatin, Tennesee was Asa James Thomas.

The son of our very own teacher, Mrs. Christen Thomas and her husband, Alex, Asa was born on January 1, 2023, at 11:19 am, weighing 6 lbs and 10 oz. Because he was the first baby of the New Year, the family received a bin of all kinds of baby goodies. The infant’s birth was announced in the Gallatin newspaper and on its social media platforms.

The name Asa was chosen from King

Activities

Asa, a faithful King of Judah who turned the people back to God and away from the idols they were worshipping. Mrs. Thomas first heard the name at one of her all-time favorite bands concerts that she had attended with her brother. She wanted to learn more about the name and has had it hiding in her heart ever since. As a math teacher, she also loved that it stands for “angle-side-angle” in Geometry.

Mr. Thomas loves that he can call Asa “Ace” due to his love of sports. Mr. Thomas was once a cheerleader for Ohio State University (OSU),and on the day that Asa was born,

the doctor was wearing a Georgia Bulldogs surgical cap. The team had just beat OSU the night before in the Peach Bowl which is what the Thomas’s were watching when she went into labor. Being a huge fan of OSU, Mr. Thomas thought it was funny moment when he walked into the OB unit.

The Thomas’ are enjoying every moment with baby Asa, and laugh about him being the “tootinest baby” they have ever met! Highland Academy can’t wait to meet baby Asa!

The

Aurora Gomez