Highland Academy Cornerstones Winter 2022

Message

from

the Principal

Greetings Highland Academy Alumni and Friends!

It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to this first edition of the Highland Cornerstones; a new bi-annual newsletter that is all things Highland Academy. We are off to what many have said is a historic start to the school year, and it is an exciting time to be part of the ministry and the experience that is Highland Academy. From steady growth in enrollment and student services to continued improvements with campus grounds and facilities, our staff and faculty continue to seek new and innovative ways to uplift our mission of “Developing Christ-like Characters and Lifelong Learners” in our students.

Currently, Highland Academy serves 130 students from 14 different states and six different countries. Enrollment has been on a strong and steady incline over the last five years. Most excitedly, we are blessed to be the recipient of a $296,000 grant that will allow us to offer Christian counseling services by a licensed school psychologist for both our academy and elementary students. This fall, we unveiled renovations to Ponce Hall that will house our new Center for Student Success. This center will offer counseling, testing, tutoring, ministry, and support services to help address the ever-growing mental health needs of our youth. In addition, we have also begun an equestrian program that will offer classes, rides, lessons, and more.

While we continue to seek what God has in store for the future, we are reminded of how He has blessed in the past. As one of 27 staff members who give their hearts and souls to the mission of Highland Academy, we recognize there is still much to be done. We invite you to seek ways to support the school, whether by participating in the many campus activities, donating to school projects, or choosing to make an impact for a student by giving to the Worthy Student Fund.

May the Lord continue to bless the mission of Highland Academy and may His return be soon.

Chadd Watkins Principal

NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY VOLUNTEER AT PORTLAND PAY IT FORWARD

BY: ADRIEL GARCIA

National Honor Society, led by Highland Academy teacher Ken Hallam, has a yearly requirement of service hours for all students accepted into the program. Lois and Don Brown, grandparents of Ben and Sam Fernandes, approached our academy this past summer about an opportunity close to campus for our students to give back to the people of Portland, TN. Portland Pay It Forward (PPIF), was founded by Ashley Anderson in 2018. The mission started out as a Facebook group page using this platform to pass out food to those in need. In the beginning, bread was donated, and the charity bought milk and eggs. PPIF served approximately 5 families. However, during the pandemic, there was a greater need, and the program has grown to serving approximately 220 families. Ashley took the house that she was living in and converted it into the Charity’s home with shelves of food, including multiple refrigerators and freezers. The charity does weekly pick-ups from grocery stores and Second Harvest Food Bank. In addition to food giveaways every two weeks, the charity passes out fresh fruit, veggies, bread, and so much more four days a week through their Facebook page. “It's such a blessing and you provide so much more than food. They are family, and each day you wake up ready to serve the community. It's beautiful and so very special,” says Founder of PPIF, Ashley Anderson.

Stephanie Rufo, Highland Academy’s communication and marketing director, coordinates students to volunteer twice per month helping fill up food boxes, load the food boxes into cars, and give warm smiles to those in line. Families wait in line for hours ready to pick up food to help them through the week. Stephanie states that “The volunteers and people picking up food are so grateful to our Highland students, who have smiles on their faces, don’t complain, and jump in wherever needed. As they say, many hands make light

work!”

POWER OUTREACH WHY

WAS SPECIAL TO ME

BY: SAMANTHA RODDY

Power Outreach, a Highland and Madison Academy local mission trip to Appalachia, KY, is a wonderful ministry that started in October of 1989 by two great men (one of which I know personally). These two great men are Don Keele Jr. and Alan Craig. Alan Craig is my late grandfather, whom I love and miss very much. I immediately signed up when I was given the opportunity to go on this trip! Obviously, I heard many stories about this trip many times and how much fun it was, the work you did, and the different ways you could be a blessing to others. I looked forward to the trip, although I did not look forward to the long car ride. When we got to the church where we would be staying, we unpacked, ate supper, had worship, and went to bed. The next morning, we woke up and were split into different working groups. My group went to a property that was badly affected by a flood. At this property, there were two houses we would be working on. In

one we installed insulation and drywall on the bottom half of the walls. The other house’s condition was much worse. When the flood waters had come in, it swept the house away about one hundred feet and wrapped it around a telephone pole. The house was then almost in an L shape. It was devastating to see that a place a family once called home, was now completely ruined. We did our best to get most of the remains torn down and up to the road so that the state could come get it. It was hard work, but we pushed through.

Getting to connect with the family was so special. We had the pleasure to meet Ms. Joyce, who was so positive even though she had many reasons not to be. She was such an inspiration. I loved getting to do the work we did, but most importantly, I loved getting to help those people spiritually.

Power Outreach was a great experience for us to help people in need, learn new skills to help others in the future, and make new friends. It was amazing to see their reactions and the impact a little time and a lot of effort had made. - Abigail Hosler

Power Outreach was an incredible experience of service and outreach. I thought it was cool how we went out in the Appalachian community to help others and be an example of what God’s love is. The trip fits the theme of this outreach, “Loving God and Loving People.” This was a great opportunity for me to make new friends and being a servant for God. – Nathaniel High

BOUNDARY WATERS CANOE TRIP

BY: ANDY WADE

Iwas blessed to grow up in southern Kentucky in a time when cell phones were not in everyone’s pockets, the internet was uselessly slow, and with loving parents who would not buy me a Nintendo. I grew up playing in the woods, building forts, and riding bikes, all while exploring the hollers and hills around Lake Cumberland with my friends. As I grew older, my love for the outdoors grew as well. While being a student at Highland Academy and then at Southern Adventist University (SAU), I continued to broaden my interests and hone my skills in backpacking, caving, climbing, whitewater rafting, and canoeing, all the while learning about God through His book of nature.

When I returned to work at Highland in 2005, I wanted to share my love of the outdoors with my students. For several years I struggled to plan and execute small weekend trips that would include floating the Caney Fork and the Big South Fork rivers, climbing trips, backpacking trips to Savage Gulf, and many caving trips. With each year it would become increasingly difficult to slip these trips into Highland’s already busy schedule, making it

difficult to create momentum and interest with the students.

In the fall of 2009, as I was finishing up my Masters in Outdoor Education, I was blessed with the opportunity to go to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) as part of some of my classes. That trip introduced me to the beauty of the North Woods of Minnesota. In the BWCAW, life somehow became real, time disappeared, and the story of God’s love was broadcast across every pristine lake we paddled. I came back from that trip with a new passion and desire; I wished to one day introduce my students to the place and experience that had changed my life in so many ways.

Fast forward to 2011. I recommended to the administration that we needed to stop focusing on trying to do periodic weekend trips and focus our efforts on a larger, longer trip that would be worth the time, energy, and money spent. So that September, I planned what would be the first annual Adventure Ed. Boundary Waters trip. With the BWCAW regulating group size to nine, I remember those first few trips when sometimes it was just seven of us headed

north. I believe the first three years, my fellow teacher, Shelly Miller (’04) and I took some of the same students every trip. Signups usually filled up the year before, but there were times that we were inviting more students at the last minute to fill up the boats we had reserved. It did not take long, though, until word got out that there was something special about the trip and the experiences that were taking place. After a few years we maxed out one group and began filling another. Today I am excited to say that we have both groups booked up for three years out. This is due to the in-coming freshmen signing up to go their Senior year!

This past September was our 11th annual BWCA trip. So far we only missed one year, 2021 because the BWCAW closed due to an overly active wildfire season. We have gone from having absolutely no gear and having to borrow most of it from very supportive contacts at SAU, to today, having industry standard portage packs, and all the other canoe tripping gear we need. Last year, we purchased two more new canoes to make our fleet of four boats and are working toward acquiring an additional four boats so that we will be self-sufficient!

I have been blessed to have many Highland alumni volunteer their time to be Adventure Ed. staff. Doug Thompson (’95) joined me in 2015 giving the program another experienced guide able to lead our, much needed, second group. In 2016, Kaleigh Benge (HA Chaplin ’15-’18) and I put together a BWCA Journal, full of information, guides, and daily worship for each student to use while on the trip. Today, with the help of Sara Bagshaw (’16), Sandy Haviland Miller (’04), Kim Kassaw(’15), Gabbie Clifford Groft (’11), and many other sponsors, we have been able to use wilderness canoe tripping through the beautiful BWCAW to show the Creator to nearly 150 students and counting.

BY: WILL LABRENZ

Last spring, as the school year was drawing to an end, I found myself feeling spiritually drained.

One day I was impressed to look through my bookshelf filled with devotionals and other inspirational books that I have accumulated over the years. I came across a small booklet that I do not remember ever seeing before about the power of praying out loud. This book, The Power of Crying Out by Bill Gothard, is based on Psalm 18:6, “…I called upon the LORD, and cried out to my God; He heard my voice from His temple, and my cry came before Him, even to His ears.”

Of course, God hears the silent prayers of our heart but something powerful happens when we pray out loud. So, I began praying my prayers out loud and was amazed at how my prayers became more like a conversation with God–not to mention how these verbalized prayers seemed to get answered more directly and with more frequency. As I shared

my experience with praying out-loud with my classes during our prayer & praise time, I challenged my students to start praying out loud as well. Within a few days I had students giving testimonies about how God had answered their prayers prayed outloud-including a quiz being canceled in another class! Over the next few weeks as students came to my office to share their concerns, I found myself prompting them by asking, “did you pray about this?”-to which they would reply, “oh yes, Pastor Will! I prayed about this-out loud!” When it came time to choose the spiritual theme for Highland Academy this year, it only seemed natural (or should I say supernatural) to carry on the emphasis of the power of prayer.

This year’s theme is based on Philippians 4:6 which says, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.” Whenever someone expresses a worry, concern, problem, or frustration, our theme reminds students and staff to invoke a call to prayer by asking, But, did you pray about it?

First Annual Highland Academy CHAPTER MEETING

BY: STEPHANIE RUFO

The first Highland Academy Alumni Chapter meeting took place on Sunday, October 23, 2022, on the campus of Southern Adventist University. The purpose of the gathering was to bring alumni in the Chattanooga area together to re-connect and reminisce. We had approximately 42 in attendance, ranging from the class of 1955 to 2022. A presentation highlighting new programs, staff, and building updates was presented by Chadd Watkins, Principal, and Aaron Raines, Alumni president. Eric Johnson handed out Highland Academy Yeti Cups to the trivia question contestants, as well as the youngest and oldest in attendance. Overall, everyone enjoyed a lovely brunch provided by Southern Adventist University and restoring highschool friendships. Be on the look out for future chapter meetings, and mark your calendars for Alumni Weekend, April 21-22, 2023.

HIGHLAND ACADEMY PARTNERS WITH

TO BEGIN EQUESTRIAN PROGRAM ON CAMPUS INDIAN CREEK CAMP

BY: ERIC JOHNSON

If you love horses, then Highland Academy is the place for you! At the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year, the school entered into a partnership with Indian Creek Camp to house their horses here on the campus of Highland. “I am excited about the partnership between Highland Academy and Indian Creek Camp. This partnership will strengthen both the camp’s horse program, as well as help Highland as they build their own program,” states Indian Creek Camp’s Head Ranger, Ben Copley. We currently have 20 horses that we are keeping here during the school year. The school has fenced in about 20 acres for pasture and plans are being made to fence in additional acres for the future.

The school hired Sara Bagshaw as their full-time Equestrian Director this summer. Sara is an alumnus of Highland, and has many years of experience working with and training horses. “I am thrilled to be a part of the Highland family and love the opportunity to teach our students how to care for and ride horses,” states Bagshaw. The equestrian

center is currently in the process of becoming a fully accredited American Riding Instructors Association horse facility. Plans are underway to use this program as a benefit to our local community as well.

Highland is not just keeping the horses for Indian Creek Camp. HA is using them to teach an equestrian class for the students as well as give private lessons. With the strong support of the Kentucky-Tennessee Conference, the school has been able to build a barn to house hay and keep the horses out of the weather during the cold winter months.

“This new equestrian program goes hand in hand with our mission to educate the whole person here at Highland,” states Principal Chadd Watkins. Our desire is for students to be able to bring their own horse here to campus and board it here. We desire to eventually be able to build an indoor riding arena and create several riding trails around campus for our students to enjoy.

Please take some time and visit this exciting new program the next time you visit Highland Academy.

PHOTO BY: JONATHAN & KATHY (SMITH) ROSS 11

Highland Academy NEW STAFF

Logan Johnson School Psychologist, Director of Student Success

Logan Johnson graduated from Valdosta State University with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with an educational specialist degree in School Psychology. Following her graduation from UTC, Logan was hired by Hamilton County Schools to serve as a school psychologist. She worked at Allen Elementary, Loftis Middle School, and Signal Mountain Middle/High School. Logan views her work as not only a vocation, but also as a calling. She is passionate about identifying students with learning differences and those struggling with mental health. Logan is married to Eric (Vice Principal of Development). They have five children.

PHOTO BY:KATIE MCCONNELL

JP Mathis

JP Mathis was born and raised in Michigan. She graduated from Cedar Lake Academy in 1976, and Andrews University in 1980. She met and married her husband Don at Andrews. Don and JP have 3 married adult children: Nikie & Chadd, Renee & Eric, Tyler & Lauren. They have 3 grandsons (Carson, Camdon, Owen) and 4 grand dogs (Mac, Rizzo, Nash, Piper). Don and JP have been blessed to work at Fletcher Academy, 8 years; Southern Adventist University, 19 years; and Highland Academy, 15 years. During their free time they love being with family and friends, walking, talking, and praising God!

Stephanie Rufo Director of Marketing & Communications

Stephanie Rufo was born in Michigan and moved to Tennessee, to attend and graduate from Madison Academy. She is married to Rodney. They have 3 children, Parker and Paige who attend Southern Adventist University, and Preston is a current student at Highland Academy. She previously worked as an Administrative Assistant for Madison Campus Elementary with a variety of duties including recruitment and marketing. Her fondest memories are from her time working with Indian Creek Camp from 2012-2017 starting in the Creative Arts Department to then becoming Assistant Director/Public Relations. Stephanie enjoys traveling, cooking, and spending time with her friends and family.

Eric Johnson

Development, Alumni & Recruitment Director

Eric Johnson graduated from Southern Adventist University in 1997 with a degree in Physical Education, Health, and Wellness and then from La Sierra University in 2015 with a Master’s degree in Administration and Leadership. Eric has served as the principal of Palau Mission Academy, Fresno Academy, and most recently, Upper Columbia Academy. Eric is passionate about connecting students to Jesus Christ. Eric is married to his amazing wife Logan. They have 5 children. Eric loves most all sports, but golf is by far his favorite.

Highland Academy 2022-2023 STAFF

Jennifer Southard

Asst. Dean of Women/Director of Health Services

Jennifer graduated from Southern Adventist University in 2001 as a Registered Nurse. She has worked in Emergency Departments across Tennessee and in Ohio, where she served as a department Team Leader for the last 7 years. Nursing has allowed Jennifer to work at youth camps as year-round staff and as Nursing Director for summer programs, including Camp Alamisco, Indian Creek Camp, and Camp Mohaven. Until recently, she also home-schooled three daughters: Callian, Alena, and Lydia, who now attend Highland Academy and Highland Elementary school, respectively. She has enjoyed helping with their Pathfinder and Adventurer programs, and running youth/young adult career mentorship programs through her workplace and in local churches. In her free time, Jennifer enjoys hiking, camping, exploring new foods and places, and reading.

Bliss Kuntz

Life Science Instructor/Library Specialist

Bliss Kuntz earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at Western Kentucky University and her Master of Library and Information Science through the University of Denver. Her science teaching experience includes Springfield High School, Highland Academy, and Union College. Bliss is married to Timothy Kuntz, a Physician’s Assistant, and has two children; Lily is a student at Highland Academy, and Linus is a student at Union College. Bliss enjoys reading, knitting socks, and gardening.

Roger Schmidt

Junior Bible, World History, American Government and Economics

Roger Schmidt began his career as an academy teacher, serving at both Madison Academy and Mt. Pisgah Academy before returning to school to study for the ministry. He served 5 years in the Gulf States Conference as pastor of the Bass Academy Church which included teaching Bible at the academy. His wife, Latonia, and two children, Sam and Madison, moved to the Kentucky-Tennessee Conference in 2005 to pastor the Jackson/Leach district. In 2010 he was able to once again blend his teaching and pastoral ministries by moving to Highland where he served as the lead pastor of the Highland Seventh-day Adventist Church as well as teacher of Junior Bible. After 12 years in this role, Pastor Roger decided to return to the teaching ministry full-time. He earned his undergraduate degrees in History and Theology as well as his Masters of Religion from Southern Adventist University. Pastor Roger’s favorite hobbies are backpacking, kayaking, and motorcycling.

Sara Bagshaw

Equestrian Director

Sara Bagshaw was born and raised in Portland, TN, and is a proud graduate of Highland Academy’s class of 2016. After graduating, she went on to obtain a Veterinarian Technician Assistant license as well as an Advanced Emergency Medical Technician License. She is also a certified instructor through Certified Horsemanship Association. When she is not riding and working with horse’s, she enjoys boating, camping, canoeing, and simply being with her dog.

Class of 2022

PHOTO BY: HOUSTON BECKWORTH

Newest Alumni

Class of 2022

Adrian Reeves

Brandon Ogden

Ana Deleon

Gabriel Barreda

Alejandra Camacho

Caitlin Cook

Heather Payne

Alyssa Bagshaw

Cordell Bray

Helena Wade

Amelia Ashcraft

Daelyn Barkholz

Imani Msibi

Magaly Bran

Nasir Brevig

Victor Reynoso

James Smartt

Matias Mena

Sedona Hesler

Yudieth Rios

Megan Carney

Thomas Copley

Karis McConnell

Linus Kuntz

Miranda Cortes

Nathan Hillebert

Houston Beckworth

BY: ERIC JOHNSON

THE CENTER FOR STUDENT SUCCESS OPENS AT HIGHLAND ACADEMY

Highland Academy has been blessed to receive a $296,000 grant that will fund the creation of a counseling center on our campus. This counseling center is being led by a licensed, Christian school psychologist. The center will offer both counseling and testing services to students at the high school as well as the elementary.

Plans for this project began last January after school administration noticed that there was an increase in the number of students seeking local or remote counseling services. “We've been seeing, just like everyone else through the pandemic, that the mental health of our students has taken a toll,” Watkins said. “We’re talking about kids who are dealing with depression, broken homes, or struggling with relationships. We wanted to provide some sort of professional help here on campus so that all students, despite finances, can have access to quality mental health services.”

With full support from the Kentucky-Tennessee Conference, Highland Academy secured the grant to launch this program. The funding has covered the renovations to Ponce Hall as well as assisted with the cost of operation for the Center. Steve Haley, Kentucky-Tennessee Conference President, states, “I am thrilled that Highland Academy has chosen to invest in their students and has made good mental health a top priority.”

The counseling center will offer a variety of services such as one-on-one counseling, group counseling, addiction therapy, peer tutoring, and ADHD testing. As an Adventist school, Highland Academy wants to be proactive in meeting their students’ mental health needs.

“At Highland, we do a great job with the academic, social, and spiritual aspect of our school,” Principal Watkins said. “The counseling center is a continuation of our desire to really reach the whole person, which includes mental health. We are just grateful that God has blessed us with this opportunity to make an impact for our students and provide a service to them that can address overall mental health wellness.”

The grand opening for the center was held on November 2. Conference President Steve Haley and Education Superintendent Pegi Flynt were present for the ribbon cutting. The center has a room for telehealth where students can connect with a counselor remotely. It also has a relaxation room complete with a massage chair to take out the stress of those rigorous academic classes that Highland Academy offers.

Highland Academy is deeply grateful for the grant that provided the funding for this new center on campus and looks forward to seeing how this new addition will help students in their journey to know Jesus Christ as their best friend.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

50’S

CLIFTON '54 AND DOROTHY (NELSON) KELLER, currently live in Lebanon Junction, KY. They have two children Rhonda and Dale. Clifton enjoys his retirement with the studying of nature, gardening, math and science.

60’S

DONALD '64 AND CHARLOTTE MCKEE) '63 TAYLOR are both retired. They have 2 children: Rob (married to Jennifer HA class of '90) and has two children and Renee (married to Donald) have three children and a son-in-law. Don spent three years in dean’s work and then changed careers to nurse anesthesia, which he did for 38 years. Charlotte says she has primarily been a stayat-home wife and mom. When she did work, she had several secretarial jobs, and was registrar at Fletcher Academy for three years and girls’ dean at Highland Academy for three years. Don and Charlotte enjoy playing golf together and Don also enjoys tennis and pickle ball. They tent camp at state parks a few times during the year. They also enjoy keeping up their home and three acres and spending time with family and friends.

JUDY (VINING) '65

AND

T KIRK

CAMPBELL, live in Zellwood, Florida and have been married for 53 years. They have 3 children: Shelley (Cambell) Leonor, Wendy Campbell, Hart Campbell and 3 grandchildren: Alexandra, Micah, and Lena. Judy is a retired teacher and high school registrar who enjoys playing the piano, gardening, interior design, reading, and looking at art.

80’S

JOYCE (HOLLAND) '70 AND RANDY BARBER live in Lynnville, KY. They have four children: Michael, Sunshine, Brandy, and Wendy. While enjoying retirement, they also enjoy time with their nine grandchildren.

RONNA BAUERMEISTER BARKER '71 lives in Chattanooga, TN and has four children: Andrea: Amie, Luke, and Alex. She has retired from Little Debbie (McKee Foods Corporation) after 50 years. Ronna held several different positions throughout her career and was working in Corporate R&D till retirement. She plans to do more traveling in retirement, with Alaska being a top destination. Volunteering in Children’s Ministry at the Collegedale University Church and spending time with friends and family on her list of things to do.

LINDA GIBSON '75 lives in Pikeville, KY and is proudly retired. She enjoys her retirement by being outside and spending time in her garden.

KATHE (MICHAELIS) '76 AND RICHARD SCHELLMAN live in Marietta, GA. They have 4 children: Kingsley, Madeline, Melanie and Michael; two granddaughters: Harper and Sloane. Kathe is currently a nurse and enjoys singing baritone in a women’s barbershop organization called Sweet Adelines: there her chorus, Song of Atlanta, recently placed third in the world at an International Competition in Phoenix. Also, her quartet, Presto, Placed fourth in the world!

JANET TURNER DENNIS '79 currently lives in Lexington, KY, and works in food service. She has two children: Austin and Samuel. Janet has never missed an Alumni Weekend since her graduation in 1979.

TRINA (FRIST) '85 AND BO SMITH have two children: Trè, studying Math at Southern Adventist University and Carolina, a student at Andrews University studying Animal Science, Pre-Vet Program. Trina is the communication manager on the Marketing and University relations team at Southern Adventist University for the past 11 years. When not working or studying for her master’s in biblical counseling, Trina enjoys reading, boating and spending time with friends.

PENNY HOWARD FRANEY served as a Task Force worker at Highland Academy 1985-1986, and currently lives in Martinsville, Indiana. She has one son, Kyle who works for Chewy.com. Penny enjoys her retirement and keeping in touch with friends and former students of Highland Academy.

DOUG

90’S

'95

AND MELISA (MEREDITH)

THOMPSON '99 have been married for 19 years and have two girls: Jillian age 12 and Kelsey age 6. Doug is the manager of Nourish Christian Marketplace (formerly known as ABC) in Goodlettsville, TN. He loves the outdoors, playing disc golf, enjoying coffee and good music. Doug continues to help at Highland Academy with their Boundary Waters trips and looks forward to his time with the students. Melisa is the Art and Technology teacher at Madison Campus Elementary and loves all things creative.

00’S

SHELLY (HAVILAND) '04 AND SCOTT MILLER live in Greenbrier, TN with their 5 children: Emily, Luke, Brielle, Avery and Thomas. Shelly has math and science credentials and worked at Highland Academy for eight years before becoming a stay-at-home mother after her second child was born. Besides spending time with her family, she enjoys music, art, and the outdoors, learning and fixing things. She recently had her fifth child who is her miracle baby due to having her fallopian tubes removed after her fourth child.

BRIANA SULLIVAN '08 lives in Greenbrier, TN, and has been a nurse for nine years. During those years, she spent most of that time working in various ICUs, it has been such a blessing to her! When she is not studying or working, Briana loves spending time in the outdoors hiking and running. She also enjoys spending time with her family and cats. She enjoys helping at church and Indian Creek Camp, where she volunteers as a nurse. Other hobbies Briana has include traveling and baking.

DONALD “WES” '11 AND MEKENZIE WELCH

, lives in Cicero Indiana. He is currently the Dean of Men for Indiana Academy. He loves bringing the Gospel to the modern world.

SARAH (EVANS) '17 AND HER HUSBAND DYLAN EVERSON live in Orlando, Florida where she is working on her Master of Social Work. She has a passion for working with kids and fighting for women’s rights. Sarah enjoys being outside and at the beach, but misses the mountains more than anything.

Stephanie Rufo at srufo@highland-academy.com.

CAMPUS PROJECTS

Highland Academy is blessed to have such strong support from our alumni, parents and from the Kentucky-Tennessee Conference. It is only though this support that we are able to provide the quality program that we have here. As we enter into planning for next school year, there are two projects of which we would like to make you aware of.

The first project is our gazebo on front campus. This has become the symbol of Highland Academy. It has been a fixture on our campus for the last 35 years. Over time, the wood has suffered damage from termites and we are needing to rebuild the gazebo. We would like to make it a little larger as well as include lighting so that we can have activities there at night. The sidewalk that is leading from the gazebo to the administration building is in need of repair as well.

The second project is renovating the basement of the boy’s dorm so that we can have more guest rooms on campus. One of the problems that has arisen due to our increased enrollment is the loss of guest rooms that we have available for parents who would like to come and visit campus during the year as those rooms are now being used to house students. If we were able to renovate the rooms in the basement, it would provide us with an additional 10 rooms we could use for parents and guests when they visit.

As you consider your end of year giving, please prayerfully consider a gift to one of these two projects. We have included an envelope for you to use if you would like to send a check or you can visit our website at www.highlandacademy.com and make a donation online.

211 Highland Circle Drive

Portland, TN 37148

Cover Photo by: Jonathan Ross (Task Force worker 1996) and Kathy Smith Ross (class of 1991)