February 2025 by HighlandAcademy

By: Bertin Shyaka

The Highlander

A LESSON IN ADVENTIST HERITAGE

Historian and theologian Michael W. Campbell visited Highland Academy from January 24-25, 2025, to present a weekend series on Adventist heritage. Campbell, who serves as the director of Adventist history at the North American Division Research and Archives, was invited by Pastor Benjie Maxson, a longtime friend, to share insights on the denomination’s past Campbell’s visit began on Friday with a special presentation at the church. Upon learning of his arrival, Pastor Will Labrenz, Highland Academy chaplain, reached out to arrange a session for the junior Bible class at Ponce Hall, where students were studying Adventist history.

Campbell engaged with the students, surprising them with socks featuring Adventist pioneers Joseph Bates and Ellen White. Labrenz described the session as eye-opening, noting that it provided “a balanced view of Adventist history” beyond the commonly repeated narratives.

On Friday evening, Campbell spoke at Vespers at Highland Church, using personal anecdotes and humor to captivate the audience He introduced his family’s tradition of naming pets after Adventist historical figures, including Annie Smith, Lucy Miller, and sugar gliders Jones and Waggoner. He also shared his experience meeting Ellen White’s great-granddaughter,

Editor In-Chief

Magdalen Carlson

Reporters

Addison Atlee

Shiloh Bushey

Bertin Shyaka

Stephanie Silva

Samantha Anderson

Design & Art Director

Tristan Naumann

Photographer

Miguel Bittencourt

The Highlander

FLYING HIGH AT ACROFEST

By: Magdalen Carlson

KY-TN SCHOOLS VISIT CAMPUS

Nowa30yeartraditionworthcelebrating, the annual Acrofest’s performance took place on February 1, 2025. Highland Academy joined approximately 14 other gymnastics groups for the highly anticipated event, with most participants staying overnight on campus Students from any elementary or middle school in theKentucky/Tennesseeconferencein5th grade and above had the opportunity to participate in a special clinic from Thursday to Friday Skilled Gymmasters from Southern Adventist University led the training, teaching students new moves and helping them refine their skills Acrofest not only allowed students to learn and grow but also provided a chance to connect with fellow gymnasts from other schools. While the experience was exciting, it required extensive planning and effortbehindthescenes

For three days, the cafeteria staff faced the challenge of feeding up to 200 extra people notincludingHighlandAcademy’s regular student body The kitchen staff worked tirelessly to prepare and serve meals for everyone Additionally, many students had to share their dorm rooms, with some rooms accommodating up to fourextrastudentsasguests

This meant limited personal space and free time, but it also fostered new friendships and a strong sense of community Each day, Gymmasters led different skill stations, including circus tricks, tumbling, elevators, three-highs, headstands/handstands, tossing, and stunting

Each instructor taught at a station corresponding to their advanced skill level John Mark Armstrong, a current Gymmaster and Alumni of Highland Academy said, “I honestly was impressed with the HA students.

They were there to not only have fun but to learn more about gymnastics I was in the three-high station and I know that three-highs can be daunting and they jumped right in and did it.” In preparation for Saturday’s final performance, every Gymmaster group developed a small pyramid routine to practice on Friday, in addition to routines that some teams had already choreographed

Photo taken by Miguel Bittencourt

The Highlander

SUICIDE AWARNESS

By: Shiloh Bushey Mental Health

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the United States, with nearly 49,000 deaths and 1 7 million attempts each year Due to the social stigma surrounding suicide, many individuals who struggle with these feelings often do not seek help. However, that does not mean there are no signs.

Warning: This article discusses suicide, self-harm, and eating disorders.

Signs that someone may be at risk of suicide include: Behavioral changes: Risky behavior, such as reckless driving or impulsive actions, dramatic weight loss or gain, self-harm, social isolation, excessive or insufficient sleep, giving away cherished possessions and sending “I love you” messages or saying goodbye

Emotional changes: Increased irritability, aggression, feelings of depression, shame, or anxiety The person may talk about feeling hopeless, trapped or as if they are a burden Individuals who attempt suicide often do so in a moment of crisis, seeing it as a “quick fix” or an escape from an overwhelming problem

Three C’s of Suicide Prevention

Dr John Draper, president of Link2Health Solutions, offers advice on preventing suicide through what he calls the “Three C’s”: connection, collaboration, and choice.

• Connection: Ensuring the person in crisis feels understood and not isolated.

• Collaboration: Working together with the individual to identify potential solutions.

• Choice: Empowering the person by involving them in the decision-making process for their care and recovery.

Being vulnerable with those around you can help show that you are a safe person to talk to Sharing your feelings can also help others realize they are not alone in their struggles.

Social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook and TikTok have played an important role in spreading awareness about suicide. These platforms have educated many people to recognize when someone is struggling and have provided spaces for individuals to share their stories and testimonies. TikTok, in particular, has created a community for those who have lost loved ones to suicide or are struggling with suicidal thoughts, where they can offer support and awareness, but one must not simply scroll. They must seek these groups out and become an active part of those communities

No matter how difficult a situation may seem, or how stressful the future feels, suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem Hope Squad's mission at Highland Academy is to connect with God and each other. Highland Academy holds a student-led “Hope Squad Vespers” once a month. These vespers serve as an opportunity to connect with others and share what's heavy on their heart. Logan Johnson, school psychologist at Highland Academy says, “Without vulnerability, you can't have a connection. You can't ‘connect’ with someone on a surface level. The idea of the Hope Squad members is to have them be vulnerable. They set the stage and lay it all out and show others it's a safe place for them too.” There is always something to live for. People care about you, and there is support available. Your story is not over, and there is always hope for recovery God has a plan

Photo from Google Photos

Photo

By: Bertin Shyaka

The Highlander

GETTING TO KNOW OUR STAFF MEET VERNE SHERMAN

erne Sherman, Highland Academy’s registrar, director of admissions, and vice president of academics, has dedicated his career to education, helping shape students’ academic journeys Sherman’s path to education was not immediate His first job was as a busboy, clearing tables at Holiday Inn. However, after graduating from Hannibal Central High School in New York, he pursued a career in teaching His experience spans multiple positions, including two years at Horace O Porter Alternative School in Columbia, Tennessee, where he taught all grade levels The school serve students who have been expelled, offering them alternative education opportunities Sherman also spent 12 years at Alpine Christian School in Rockford,d Illinois, formerly Rockford Adventist School, where he taught grades 5-8 During his tenure, students affectionately called him “Shermanator,” a nod to The Terminator, inspired by a student who was a fan of Arnold Schwarzenegger Sherman embraced the nickname, often mimicking Schwarzenegger’s accent in conversation Reflecting on his time at Highland Academy, Sherman recalled a particularly rewarding experience: “One of the most rewarding moments was when Mr. Ashcraft, Mrs. Rufo, and I had to replace a diploma for a graduate from 1967.” He enjoys the variety his role brings but admits he dislikes attending Ad Council meetings, where he helps decide the futures of students who have made poor choices

Interests and Hobbies

A Family Man

Sherman and his wife, Sandra, have been married for 47 years They met while playing racquetball, and 10 months later, they were married The couple has two children Their son, Thomas, 29, transitioned from auto mechanic work to a full-time firefighter in Chattanooga, while their daughter, Molly, 28, is a paramedic in North Carolina Both graduated from Southern Adventist University

Originally from Hannibal, N Y , Sherman reflects on his upbringing in Hannibal, NY, with nostalgia “It was a safe place In my time, if you came home late, parents would be waiting Now, you have all kinds of things to worry about when kids don’t come home on time,” he said.

Sherman enjoyed playing various sports as a child, including cross-country running and golf, which he considered his favorite These days, his interests have shifted to fishing and target shooting When it comes to food, he favors Mexican cuisine, and his favorite restaurant is Los Cantaritos in Gallatin, Tenn

A Passion for Travel

Sherman’s office is filled with artifacts representing the places he hopes to visit. His travel bucket list includes Uganda, Kenya, Scotland, Ireland, Argentina, New Zealand, and several Asian countries, including Japan and Thailand. In retirement, he plans to focus on traveling and exploring new hobbies, such as gardening

A Dedicated and Witty Educator

Although Mr Sherman describes himself as an introvert, he is well known for his breadth of knowledge, often displayed through postings on his office door, and his sense of humor at graduation something he inherited from his father, who also had a dry wit Beyond his administrative duties, Sherman plays a crucial role in Highland Academy’s academic planning He oversees student schedules, assists students in meeting graduation requirements, and monitors the school’s academic standing His efforts have led to new courses, including arts, physical education, personal finance, ACT prep, study skills, and Boundary Waters, expanding student opportunities Sherman’s dedication to Highland Academy is evident in his commitment to its students and academic programs. His passion for education and unwavering support for student success make him an invaluable asset to the school

By: Addison Atlee

The Highlander

JUNQUE GAMES

The Junque Games was a fun and fast-paced event at Highland Academys gym, as students from each grade level raced to bring various items to the center mat based on themes announced by Highland Academy’s Principal, Chad Watkins. The event, designed to promote school spirit and teamwork, had students scrambling to retrieve items from their houses and dorms based on Watkins’ carefully rotated list of mystery items

Each year, Watkins changes up the games and rotates the items and challenges to keep the competition fresh and unpredictable, ensuring everyone gets to participate. He has developed these ideas from his 15 years of experience running Junque games at Madison and Highland Academy. Watkins states, “The goal is to get people involved and included ”

This year’s four judges were Antonio Lopez, Timothy Kuntz, Rodger Schmidt and Tyler Mathis Watkins chose these judges because they all have experience, are not a class sponsor and were willing to take on the job Each judge was assigned to a team, where they decided if the items brought by the class met the criteria for points

The competition was fierce, as class officers and sponsors spent weeks preparing for the event. Many students compiled lists of items from past games, with some even reaching out to alumni like freshman class vice president Sienna Shoemaker and junior class president Caiti Murrell Sophomore class president Tessa Wade and classmate Saniya Livingston organized the items into categories, while the seniors relied on their “GroupMe” chats to coordinate their efforts.

Class sponsors also played a key role Freshman class sponsor Mrs. Markie created a Google Classroom list for students to add items, while senior class sponsors Mr Sherman and Bliss Kuntz helped organize the senior team Mrs Lopez, one of the Sophomore class sponsors, helped her class by letting them drag her to the mat to get the points for bringing a class sponsor

On the day of the event, each class organized their items in different ways to maximize efficiency. Freshmen kept their items near the front for easy access and practiced their six-person pyramid and air aid Sophomores divided their items into clothing and shoes, school books and supplies and Highland Academy-themed items Juniors kept their items next to the line and organized with what each person brought. Seniors categorized their items and pushed them up to the line for accessibility

On Wednesday, during the assembly, Watkins revealed that the winners of the game were the seniors He acknowledged that this was the first time this year’s senior class had won any Junque games

This year’s Junque Games proved to be a success, showcasing both the creativity and teamwork of the Highland Academy students With Principal Watkins promising new surprises for next year’s event, some classes have already prepared for next year’s Junque games by marking the items used this year

Photo taken by Mrs Rufo

Photo taken by Miguel Bittencourt

The Highlander

THE TIKTOK BAN

By: Addison Atlee

On January 18, 2025, TikTok, a widely popular social media platform among students at Highland Academy, was temporarily banned for 12 hours in the U S due to ongoing security threats and investigations. The brief interruption led to mixed reactions, with some students expressing concern, while others quickly moved to alternative platforms

The ban, enacted by President Joe Biden and passed by Congress, followed allegations that TikTok had been spying on American journalists and stealing data from U.S. citizens. The FBI and the U.S. Department of Justice launched investigations into these claims, as reported by TechTarget TikTok CEO, Shou Zi Chew, based in Singapore, was questioned as part of the probe

Many students at Highland Academy were caught off guard by the early implementation of the ban at 8:00 PM on January 18, 2025 hours before the scheduled midnight restriction "It was just shocking, especially because it went off early. I just wasn't ready," said student Rosie Fernandez, a junior at Highland Academy Some students were visibly upset by the unexpected loss of the app with some even crying, while others switched to different platforms like Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, and RedNote (Xiaohongshu), a Chinese app similar to TikTok without giving the ban much of a second thought. Scientific American noted that many users turned to RedNote in protest of the ban even though it, too, is an app based in China

However, not all students were upset by the ban. "People seemed to be on their phones less," said student Lyla Litchfield, adding that she was happy about the break from TikTok. Fellow student Sienna Shoemaker shared similar sentiments As conversations about cell phone usage has been a hot topic on the Highland Academy campus as of late, these sentiments echoed by others throughout campus was an unexpected turn of events.

On January 19, the ban was lifted after President Donald Trump extended the deadline for TikTok’s U.S. sale within 75 days. The news quickly spread among students, with many celebrating the return of the app. However, for those who deleted TikTok during the ban, the situation grew more complicated Upon attempting to redownload the app, students discovered that TikTok was no longer available in the App Store much to their chagrin As friends began using the app again and sharing videos with one another across campus, this handful of students were unable to access what was being shared.

Some of these students went on a mission trip to Kenya Africa and found that it was possible to download the app while traveling since it was not banned in other countries The question is, will this affect their ability to use the app if the U.S. permanently bans TikTok

According to The Tennessean, the law required TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to sell its U.S. assets in order to continue operating. If ByteDance failed to meet this deadline, the app would be removed from U.S. app stores. As a result, TikTok was temporarily unavailable for reinstallation until the U S cleared the app for download, four weeks after the extension of the ban, which is why the students who deleted the app were unable to restore it

The temporary TikTok ban at Highland Academy raised important questions about the role of social media in the lives of young people and the influence of global geopolitics on their digital experiences The situation also underscored concerns about online security and privacy as students navigated a rapidly changing digital landscape

Photo from Google Photos

The Highlander

CARRYING M.L.K.J.’S DREAM FORWARD

By: Magdalen Carlson

On January 20, America paused to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. A man whose dream of equality and justice reshaped history. More than five decades after his voice was heard, on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, his words and actions continue to inspire movements for freedom, justice, and unity.

King grew up with a father as a Baptist preacher but in a time of inequality. From the time that King was born in 1929, he knew that black people and white people had different rights in certain parts of America. If a black family wanted to eat at a restaurant, they had to sit in a separate section of the restaurant. They had to sit in the back of the movie theater and use separate restroom facilities. King earned his Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia where he started college at the young age of 15.

King became an important figure in the civil rights movement through his leadership in multiple events that changed America’s history. The Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955 was sparked by Rosa Parks’ refusal to give up her seat to a white passenger. At 26, King became the spokesperson for the movement, leading the Supreme Court to rule that segregation on public buses was unconstitutional.

During the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963, King spoke his famous “I Have a Dream” speech to over 250,000 people on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, creating a vision of nations unified no matter the race. In his speech, King said, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today.”

Honoring Dr Martin Luther King Jr ’s legacy demands action. He once said, “The time is always right to do what is right ” Those words are as relevant today as they were during the civil rights movement Racial inequality and social injustice continue to affect communities across the nation. King’s dream was not meant to be remembered once a year, it was meant to be lived every day to remember that he died for this dream The fight for justice is not over, but by carrying his message into action, these nations take a step closer to the world he envisioned, where freedom, dignity and equality belong to all

Painting by Dan Wilson

Photo from Google Images

The Highlander

MEET OUR STUDENTS

By: Magdalen Carlson and Stephanie Silva

Jasmine Warren is a sophomore and a dorm student who comes to us originally from Colorado She currently lives in Beechgrove, Tennessee Jasmine enjoys reading, drawing, and spending time with her friends Her favorite movie is “Ever After,” and her favorite song is “Rewrite the Stars” by Zac Efron and Zendaya Her favorite subject is history What she loves most about Highland is the opportunity to spend time with her friends and grow closer to God through the various programs offered Jasmine stays involved at Highland by being a behind the scenes person in the drama class and being part of the National Honor Society

Continued from page 1

Melissa Natalia Gongora Espinoza, a new junior dorm student. She was born in Monterrey, Nuevo León, as was her dad Her mother is from Guadalajara, a city in Mexico Gongora’s dad is a doctor, and her mom is a marketing designer and “a master in administration hospitals ” Gongora has three dogs, one golden retriever and two springer spaniels. Her favorite classes are History and Bells, while her least favorite is math Gongora plays the piano, flute and piccolo. She’ll even play piano with her dad using four hands! She also likes playing the sports volleyball and basketball as well as watching volleyball, American Football with her dad and basketball If she could travel anywhere in the world, she would go to either Australia or Hawaii Gongora loves the outdoors; she likes to do a lot of outdoor activities, “like camping or going cycling in the mountains ” She looks forward to “having a nice experience at Highland Academy, meeting new people, making new friends and participating in school activities ”

FLYING HIGH AT ACROFEST

Both Friday and Saturday nights featured studentled vespers services Highland Academy students provided music and shared messages of faith On Friday night, Emmett Stevens, Zariah Hamilton, Saniya Livingston, and Levi Lopez recited monologues portraying four different Bible characters and their take on the theme of this year’s event, “In it to Win it ” On Saturday, Highland Academy junior, Sam Dennis, gave his testimony to all Acrofest participants, inspiring those in attendance.The final performance was a thrilling spectacle with Gymmasters, Brianna Trott, “Pinning the Beam” right out of the gate

The beam is slightly higher than twenty feet in the air and many tossing groups work hard to be the first to “pin” it or grab it while flying and swing from it before dropping back to their tossing groups. During the annual “Pinning the Beam” contest between Madison Academy, Highland Academy and Gymmasters, Madison Academy’s Milly Crecelius was tossed into the second successful “pin” and finally, Emmett Stevens was tossed into the third successful “pin” that night–a highlight of the evening

The Gymmasters’ routines showcased incredible skill, earning audible gasps from the audience keeping everyone on their seats An injury of a Gymmaster flyer unexpectedly cut the night short, with local medical officials onsite throughout the evening the gymnast was treated immediately and taken to the local hospital with minor injuries and released Thankfully they are doing well and in full recovery and were back to performing a few weeks later Despite a few challenges, Acrofest 2025 was a remarkable experience filled with learning, teamwork, and unforgettable performances.

Throughout Acrofest, Highland Academy’s gymnastics team, Gymnix, took on several responsibilities They cleaned dorm and gym bathrooms, maintained the gym floor, and organized a group hike and a Bible games station for entertainment. They also helped set up for the final performance, ensuring everything was tidy and well-organized.