March 22, 2024

The Highlander

Celebrate Women’s history month Pg.7

Read about banquet Pg.2

Created for connection Pg.3

MUSIC FEST IS A SUCCESS!

Music Festival 2024 of the Kentucky-Tennessee Conference was a success as students from all over the conference and Ohio arrived on the Highland Academy Campus on Thursday, February 29. “Put a Little Love in Your Heart” was the theme this year. Students were separated into groups for band, choir, middle school choir, orchestra, and bell choir to practice together before the Friday and Saturday night performances, during which they practiced for up to six hours.

Five expert clinicians came to direct the different musical groups, all of whom have distinguished careers in music. The amazing clinicians were: William Chunestudy, Joshua Gaines, Craig Mohr, Kelly Wiedemann and Shelly Miller. Music Festival Chairman Elaine Will said the committee went a long way to get the best of the best for the festival. They came from all over, including California, Kentucky, Virginia and Greenbrier, Tennessee. Will went on to say that, “The focus of our dedicated team of clinicians at this festival is to strengthen and validate our young people through inspiring leadership and positive role modeling. The students’ musical, spiritual, and social well-being and development are of the highest values to all the clinicians and staff. We are all deeply invested in their futures as successful musicians, students and spiritual

leaders in our schools, churches and communities.” Between rehearsals, every musical group could hang out and meet others. Thursday evening, many chaperones drove their school to Strike and Spare Family Fun Center in Hendersonville.

While the schools were there, the students were given the opportunity to rollerskate, win tickets by playing arcade games, and ride in bumper cars. The staff provided pizza for hundreds of students while others bought their own food. Being able to participate in the Strike and Spare activity brings so many people together, creating friendships, comradery and an even bigger love for Music Fest.

Highland Academy has a 30-year history of hosting the festival. Although there have

been many festivals and many outstanding performances over the years, the work these students and staff put into the program created a magnificent performance yet again. The conference and academy staff work together to create the event and prepare the student.

Planning for the festival begins only a short time after the final performance the previous year, usually around June and July. Will works with each clinician to select the music to be performed. Individual schools practice during their school year and come prepared to mix with the students from other schools. That is the only way for them to learn such intricate music so quickly before a performance. Music Fest held two performances: Friday

evening showcased a sacred concert and Saturday evening was a secular concert performance.

The Raphan Ley Auditorium held approximately 750 people each evening, including the participants, school chaperones, and audience.

Performances began with a small talk or devotional. Then each night the various musical groups would perform two or three songs each. The finale for both evenings was the wellknown anthem, “From Sea to Shining Sea.” All ensembles participated with each one being led by their own clinician and an overall clinician directing each of them. It was a powerful performance culminating in a standing ovation from the audience

Pictures by: Sabrina Mann and Naomi Houston

Naomi Houston and Magdalen Carlson

A GREAT GATSBY THEMED BANQUET

Magdalen Carlson

The formal banquet of the 2023-24 school year was held February 25 at the Emerald Union venue in Gallatin, TN and was themed “Great Gatsby.” The Gatsby decor was very 1920s and true to era and theme. Formal and Informal banquets are an essential part of high school memories and leading up to the banquet, during the banquet and after, everyone made fun and lasting memories.

The “Great Gatsby” is a novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald published in 1925. It tells the story of Jay Gatsby, a selfmade millionaire, and his pursuit of Daisy Buchanan, a wealthy young woman whom he loved in his youth, but was too poor to pursue. The 1920s were known for being the Jazz Age with extravagant spending and lifestyles, the cause of the Great Depression and the aftermath of the First World War.

Banquets are for creating memories and taking students’ minds away from school and even reality if only for a little while. That afternoon of the banquet, everyone in the dorm was in a frenzy, trying to get ready. All of the girls were putting on makeup and doing their hair; pictures were taken, trying to get the perfect shot. At 4:20 p.m. any guy who had a date walked over to the girls’ dorm and waited at the bottom of the stairs for his date to appear at the top of the staircase. Several dates arrived with a boutonnière or

a corsage for their date. “The corsage is a small bouquet worn on a woman’s dress or around her wrist for a formal occasion. At school events such as homecoming or prom, couples generally coordinate the corsage and boutonnière, signifying their connection and distinguishing them from others” “A boutonnière or buttonhole is a floral decoration, typically a single flower or bud, worn on the lapel of a tuxedo or suit jacket. While worn frequently in the past, boutonnières are

the beautiful venue that the Student Association selected for the banquet. Inside, there were two floors. The main floor had all of the food and tables. On the second floor, there were a few couches and chairs. Across the room was a photo booth with a sign that said “Great Gatsby” in black and gold in true Gatsby fashion. Next to that was the drink station with hot chocolate, tea, and punch. A green couch with a sign above that said “Emerald Union,” bragged to be a perfect spot

now usually reserved for special occasions for which formal wear is standard, such as at proms and weddings” (A Suitable Wardrobe). Once all the girls had walked down, everyone headed to the buses that drove them to downtown Gallatin.

Emerald Union was

winners of the best banquet ask: Maggie Carlson and Luke Weisner.

The staff then announced that there was entertainment. A magician named Ramtin Koushkbaghi went around each table separately. He knew exactly how to catch people’s attention and make them laugh. Rosie Fernandez said, “He was so incredible. I had my mind blown. Just when I thought I figured out how he did it. Ten out of ten would I see him again.”

As the conversations around each table created a joyful rumble throughout the venue, songs like “Milenberg Joys” by Bob Mandell and “Any Rags?” by Georges Bruns started playing over the speakers. As the meal began to wrap up, most of the students headed upstairs to the photo booth while others sat or stood around talking. The entire place was perfect for the theme, capturing the essence of the 1920s and still being a banquet.

for photos with the couch contrasting the dresses and suits. Around 5:20 p.m. they served everyone pasta and a piece of cake. A salad plate was already on the table when they arrived. While eating, Bailey Darrell, Student Association president, walked up to the microphone and announced the

Eventually, students made their way outside. The boundaries were set to stay around the square. Most stores were closed in the square, but there was a barbershop and the Sumner County Chancery Court. There were benches to sit on and hang out. The weather gave the slightest breeze, so thankfully, it wasn’t too cold. After some time, the teachers started gathering the students as it was time to go.

“I liked the decor; it was

Pictures provided by: Stephanie Rufo

beautiful and I was really impressed with the whole thing,” said Rhiana Powers. Lastly, making memories by getting out and attending the Banquet is always fun. Every year, a few of the village students go out to eat afterward and check their dorm student

friends out of the dorm. Banquet may be stressful, but it also gets people off campus. The Student Association worked hard to make this event something to remember, which they accomplished. They did so well that it will be a challenge to beat next year.

religion

CREATED FOR CONNECTION

I

I checked my email as soon as I woke up. Then I made breakfast and checked it again. Had my devotional time and checked it again. Ran some errands and checked it on my phone. When I got home, I checked it once more. Now, I admit I have a thing about keeping white space in my inbox, but this was about more than managing emails. I sensed the Holy Spirit nudging me to pause and ask myself, “Why do you keep checking your email?”

I wasn’t sure if it was God or me answering, but my thoughts intertwined with His Spirit whispered: You keep coming back because your heart longs for connection with a friend.

Yet no matter how many times I checked email, it was never enough to satisfy my craving. Somewhere in the busyness of life I had let many of my friendships reduce to quick connections via email. My schedule had gotten full with kids, school projects, investing time in my marriage, and work.

knew something had to give, so I asked God to help me find balance. God had recently led me to cut back on the amount of time I spent talking on the phone, socializing with neighbors and hanging out with friends. Although I hadn’t completely cut out my friendships, our face-toface connection time had been reduced to a minimum as I obeyed God’s request.

I realized I had not found a good balance, and let the pendulum swing too far. So I checked email repeatedly, trying to fill a God-created need for relationships with a white screen and black alphabet keys. My heart was craving more.

That day as I sat in front of my screen for the fifth time, Jesus revealed the source of my incessant email

checking and reminded me I am created for reallife connections. I need to fill that lonely place in my heart with friends I can share life with - in person.

That day I called one of my best friends. She happened to be available so I turned off my computer and spontaneously met her at a coffee shop. It was just what I needed: in-person, heart-to-heart, eye-toeye connection and conversation.

I know friendships are not easy to build. They take time and most of us don’t have enough of it. But in this age of technology, it’s important to evaluate and balance connections that are screen-to-screen rather than face-to-face.

We need to pull away from our computers,

phones and televisions to intentionally carve out time for friends. Times where we can meet in person to share what’s going on in our lives. Hebrews 10:25 instructs us not to give up meeting together to worship and encourage one another. As we see here and throughout the Bible, “meeting together” is important to God. Jesus needed face-toface connections, too. He surrounded Himself with intimate friends - first His Father, then close friends like John, Peter and James, and then the other disciples.

He also had friends like Mary, Martha and Lazarus. People He spent time with sharing meals and having conversations about spiritual truths that applied to their lives. Through His example we see how important it is to satisfy our craving for connections by spending face-to-face time with friends.

Although social media is great in moderation, computer “connections” can’t substitute real-life relationships. So, who will you connect with face-toface this week?

Picture provided by: google photos

Renee Swope

Pictures provided by: Stephanie Rufo

Abi Hosler

Wednesday, February 28, Iowa

CAITLIN CLARK MAKES HISTORY!

Hawkeye player Caitlin Clark made college basketball history! She has beaten the record for the most points scored by men and women in the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association). She also announced that she is entering the 2024 WNBA draft. Her phenomenal statistics and hard work are paving the way for more success! This is something to truly get excited about as we consider the contributions women have made to athletics.

On Wednesday, February 28,

Clark broke Lynette Woodard’s women’s record for most scored career points in the NCAA.

Then on Sunday, March 3, she broke Pete Maravich’s (nicknamed “Pistol”) men’s record for most scored points in a game against Ohio State. The NCAA reports that

Pete Maravich has held this record for 54 years.

According to Fox Sports, she is the first person (man or woman) in NCAA history to score 3,000 career points, around 1,000 assists, and 850 rebounds. Lynette Woodard was at Clark’s game supporting her saying, “I think records are made to be broken. One day, it’s going to happen again, (and) I’m glad to be a part of it” according to NPR.

According to Hawkeye Sports, Clark made her debut for Iowa on November 25, 2020. Over

this time, she has risen to fame because of her dedication and talent for the sport. With a net worth of $3 million, the 22-year-old will graduate this coming season. This raises questions about what will happen in the next season. Where will fans be able to see her play? The answer is simple: The WNBA. Thursday, February 29, Clark announced on her Instagram that she will be entering the WNBA draft, and fans have high hopes for her. Indiana Fever gets the first draft pick this season, so it

looks like they are in luck.

There is no question that she has made an impact and is an essentially important topic in the basketball world. Shaquille O’Neal commented on her accomplishment on TNT during the Inside the NBA broadcast, saying,

““I’m gonna go on the record and say she’s the best female collegiate player ever.””

Many fans all over the country have eyes on the star now that she has broken so many records. Caitlin Clark is making history, breaking men’s and women’s records even before graduating college. Women everywhere can celebrate her accomplishments right alongside her. She is an inspiration for many young athletes. Fans can’t wait to see what else she brings to the game this coming season and for more to come.

Pictures provided by: google photos

Highlight

MEET SHARA JUANITA CABRALES

Lulu Lopez

Who Juanita is:

Shara Juanita Cabrales has been a student here at Highland Academy for almost one whole school year. Cabrales is from Colombia, and her family sent her to the United States to help her achieve her dreams and watch her succeed. In her short time here, she has already made a mark on the Highland campus, the local community and other students’ lives. She plays violin, and her talent and ability with this instrument have presented her with scholarships to college campuses. Cabrales’s musical talent has and will lead her to many opportunities.

Where Juanita is from:

Cabrales is from Villavicenio, Colombia. She was raised there her entire life. This is a city in central Colombia that is close to the capital, Bogotá and the Andes. Her favorite aspect of life in Columbia is the food because there are various restaurants that she and her family love to try. Her other favorite part about her home is how the people are very welcoming, like a big family. “I love the music. Colombian music is very happy and contagious and radiates good vibes, and the food is very good,” she says. She loves the weather and its warmth: there are no seasons, and it feels like an “endless summer.”

How Juanita got involved in music: Cabrales says, “My whole family is musical and that’s how I grew up. My parents grew up the same way, and when they had me, that’s how they raised me. My mom was in choir and my dad and grandpa play multiple instruments that I can’t even name.” The first instrument she played was the piano. She then started singing in her church choir where she

developed her musical ear. Cabrales says that her mom wanted her to play the violin and “at first I didn’t want to, but she really wanted me to so I tried it then quit and I kept trying and giving up. Three years ago I decided to lock in and complete my violin journey.” Cabrales is glad her mom pushed her to play because it has been one of her biggest blessings. She also knows how to play drums, guitar and clarinet. “My parents have owned a music school for almost 12 years. I have been going there and learning everything I know. My dad also

Why she came to Highland Academy: Cabrales is attending Highland Academy because she wanted to get an American diploma. She says that it would open a lot of doors for her in Colombia and in many countries. “My family didn’t really have the funds to go, but our church pastor gave us Mr. Alvares’ number, so we called him. He asked what I played so we told him and sent him videos. He didn’t answer right away, so me and my family started fasting. The next morning, he texted us saying that he had spoken

directed the symphonic band of my city and that’s how I learned the clarinet. I traveled the whole country playing with them, and when the pope went to Colombia, we played for him. We did a contest for symphonic bands and got second and third place. We played for a lot of political events and city festivals.” Cabrales has a passion for music and loves to share her talents.

to finances, and he told us that I had been given a scholarship that paid for more than half of my schooling.” It was an answered prayer and she is very thankful to God for this opportunity.

What her favorite place to travel has been:

On Cabrales’ home leave breaks, her family comes and visits her.

They travel to different places here in the United States because traveling has been one of her family’s favorite hobbies. Her favorite place to travel thus far has been New York because of the music. “I visited Radio City where we saw a musical concert. At the concert everything was live. They showed the story of Jesus and Santa Claus and for me, it’s way better than a movie. I cried tears of joy because of how beautiful it was.’’ New York is special in her heart because it was one of her favorite Christmases. Her favorite place outside of the U.S. is Cancun, Mexico. She says Mexico is beautiful and it has one of the world’s wonders. She likes the water parks and all of the nature. She says her favorite water park she went to is called Xcaret, and she says that at the end of the day, the park had a show, and she loved it. She says Cancun holds a special place in her heart. The best food, the best views, the best water and she overall really enjoyed it and can’t wait to go again.

How she deals with distance:

The distance from her home in Columbia was difficult for Cabrales. She says it’s the first time away from home without her parents. For months after arriving at Highland Academy, she talked to her parents every day. There weren’t any Colombians on campus and she didn’t know the language well. She felt lonely for a long time. She knows she has grown a lot. “I text them every day, but now I have more friends, and I depend on my parents less. I’ve made friends and that loneliness I felt has worn off.’’ Cabrales says she is blessed and adjusting to change is hard but she is glad she has made it through.

Pictures provided by: Juanita Cabrales and Sabrina Mann

CELEBRATE WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH WITH US!

During March, everyone assumes it’s the time to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day, but March is not only about that. This month, all across the U.S., people celebrate Women’s History Month. It is a month to celebrate women’s accomplishments in history, their influence and impact and their contributions to society over the years.

To this day, women have a significant impact on this world. They overcame so much and set examples for the young aspiring generations. For instance, Susan B. Anthony was an activist for many years, fighting for equal rights for women. She was president of the National Woman Suffrage Association when her work helped pave the way for the Nineteenth Amendment (1920) to the Constitution, giving women the right to vote. She played a pivotal role in the women’s suffrage movement. Her character showed she was brave, strong, independent, intelligent and caring. She is one of the most important people in women’s history who did so much to allow basic equal rights for women. Anthony’s impact even received recognition as her face is on U.S. currency: the 1 dollar coin. Women have been second to men in almost everything: second to vote, second to work and many other things. Over history, they’ve shown how much they can do when a chance is given to them.

Women’s History Month started as just

a week. The week of March 8 is the official Women’s History Day. In 1980, President Carter made this his first presidential proclamation. Subsequent Presidents continued to proclaim a National Women’s History Week in

March until 1987, when Congress passed Public Law 100-9, designating March as “Women’s History Month.” Now, America dedicates a month to celebrating what women have overcome and contributed to society.

The National Women’s History Alliance has made themes for this month, and this year’s 2024 theme is “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.” The theme encourages everyone to recognize that women are all unique. The differences people carry are a pivotal part of their future. Until we, as a people, accept that, there will never be change. So, in March, they hope the theme helps everyone recognize women who embrace change and differences.

Women always had to dare to be different because they had to make their own path. Sandra Day O’Conner, was the first woman in the U.S. supreme court. She had previously served three branches of state governor. O’Conner once said, “Being a member of the

Court is a little like walking through fresh concrete. We look back and see our footprints in those opinions that we’ve written and they tend to harden after us.” Although she admits it would be difficult, she has been an inspiration to many. Another example is Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Ginsburg made history as the first Jewish woman to be appointed to the Supreme Court. Bader’s example to young Jewish girls shows them a dream turned into a reality, a possibility given a chance, and a voice that was heard. Two amazing women inspiring other women and each other for the greater good of other women’s futures.

“If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn the world upside down, these women together ought to be able to turn it right again.’’ This was said by Sojourner Truth, one of the most influential women in black history. She used to be a slave in New York, but she managed to escape, but sadly, left two of her children behind. She fought for equality, rights for women, and against alcohol abuse. Now she is one of the most honored women in history serving as an example that what may seem impossible to others doesn’t have to be impossible for you. The bravery and courage it took to run away from slave owners leaving your children behind

and grieving while at same time changing society is truly inspiring and moving for the women of today. Women’s History Month can be celebrated in different ways. According to sources across the web, people celebrate by supporting small businesses owned by women, or by reading books by female authors all throughout the month of march. Adriel Garcia, senior, when asked how he would celebrate women’s history said that “ I would buy his sister, mom and grandma flowers, or give them a self care spa day.”

Alexandria Reid, senior, when asked the same question said

“I would take a rest day and bake with my girls.’’

Mia Gomez, sophomore, said she would watch little women with her sister and friends. “To me, that movie is girlhood at its finest and it travels back in time to show a different perspective,” she said. Many more women have made a difference over the years, and have learned to strive even when the odds were against them. Women are caretakers and naturalborn leaders.

Women don’t just do what’s expected, but they also do what they dream to do. Sometimes the world tends to label various groups and wants to underestimate their abilities and potential contributions, but the strong women in history have shown that there’s so much more a young woman can do when given a chance. They also inspire that when a path has not been provided, a woman can forge her own path by trying, fighting and dreaming. Happy Women’s History Month, and celebrate the women in your life by loving them!

Pictures provided by: google photos

Lulu Lopez

Picture of Susan B Anthony

This month...

CELEBRATE WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH WITH US!

Samantha Roddy

Ada Lovelace

Augusta Ada King, Countess of Lovelace was an English mathematician and writer, chiefly known for her work on Charles Babbage's proposed mechanical general-purpose computer, the Analytical Engine. She was the first to recognize that the machine had applications beyond pure calculation.

Marie Curie

Maria Salomea Skłodowska-Curie, known simply as Marie Curie, was a Polish and naturalisedFrench physicist and chemist who conducted pioneering research on radioactivity. Curie was the scientific genius behind radioactivity and X-rays as we know them today. Not only did she become the first woman to ever win the Nobel Peace Prize in 1903, but she also became the first person to ever win it twice in 1911.

Danica Sue Patrick is an American former professional racing driver. She is one of the most successful women in the history of American open-wheel car racing—her victory in the 2008 Indy Japan 300 is the only win by a woman in an IndyCar Series race.

Hailie Deegan is one of the best female NASCAR drivers still racing in the competition as of 2024. The American driver is under the stock car racing division and competes in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck series category. She is also among the most successful women in NASCAR, with 18 wins in the last three years and notable pole position wins in the 2018 and 2019 seasons. She also boasts a Young Racer Category Prize and a NASCAR Drive for Diversity team member accolade.

Picture provided by: google photos

Gloria Marie Steinem is an American journalist and social-political activist who emerged as a nationally recognized leader of secondwave feminism in the United States in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Steinem was a columnist for New York magazine and a co-founder of Ms. magazine.

Sally Kristen Ride was an American astronaut and physicist. Born in Los Angeles, she joined NASA in 1978, and in 1983 became the first American woman and the third woman to fly in space, after cosmonauts Valentina Tereshkova in 1963 and Svetlana Savitskaya in 1982.

Hetty Green (November 21, 1834 – July 3, 1916), was an American businesswoman and financier known as "the richest woman in America" during the Gilded Age. Those who knew her well referred to her admiringly as the Queen of Wall Street due to her willingness to lend freely and at reasonable interest rates to financiers and city governments during financial panics. Her extraordinary discipline during such times enabled her to amass a fortune as a financier at a time when nearly all major financiers were men.

Martha Jane Coston was an American inventor and businesswoman who invented the Coston flare, a device for signaling at sea, and the owner of the Coston Manufacturing Company.

Joan of Arc is a patron saint of France, honored as a defender of the French nation for her role in the siege of Orléans and her insistence on the coronation of Charles VII of France during the Hundred Years' War.

Elizabeth Cochrane Seaman (born Elizabeth Jane Cochran; May 5, 1864 – January 27, 1922), better known by her pen name Nellie Bly, was an American journalist, who was widely known for her recordbreaking trip around the world in 72 days in emulation of Jules Verne's fictional character Phileas Fogg, and an exposé in which she worked undercover to report on a mental institution from within.

The Highlander Staff

Editor-in-chief

Magdalen Carlson

Designer and Art Director

Isabelle Laneville Reporters

Magdalen Carlson

Abi Hosler

LuLu Lopez

Kyle Dudegon

Alexandria Reid

Photographers

Ana Anderson

Kyle Dudegon

Naomi Houston

Sabrina Mann

Sponsors

Melissa Weisner

Stephanie Rufo

Activities

Casi Demaree

Samantha Roddy Social Media

Stephanie Rufo

Shara Juanita Cabrales