The Highlander
September 23 . 2024 - Vol. 3. Issue 2
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Students and Staff Unite for Night of Laughter, Games, and New Memories. pg. 2
See how physical health can improve you mental health. pg. 3
A TRIP TO THE PAST The Sophmores Trip to the Parthanon
The Parthenon in Nashville is a small glimpse into the past of ancient Athens, Greece. Highland Academy’s World History class was given the opportunity to visit this replica of what the Parthenon used to look like on September 10. This architectural marvel was initially constructed as a marble temple dedicated to Athena, the revered goddess of wisdom and warfare, exhibiting the cultural and artistic achievements of its time. During the visit, students explored the myriad layers of symbolism, historical context, and the various elements crafted within the structure.
When the class arrived, they admired the outside structure and studied the intricate details of the building’s design. Along the trim, the metopes and statues on the very outside depict Greek myths. The east pediment depicted the birth of the goddess Athena from the head of her father, Zeus. At the same time, the West pediment depicted the struggle between Athena and Poseidon for the land
of Attica.
The tour guide led the class into the temple, where they stood in awe of the massive statue of Athena. It is currently the largest indoor freestanding statue. The Parthenon’s two pairs of bronze doors, which weigh in at 7 1/2 tons per door, are the largest matching bronze doors in the world. The tour guide had Ellie Cortez close and open the doors to show the comparison of person to door. Elkie Tidwell said, “The 42-foot statue and the pair of bronze doors were unbelievably large!” It was overwhelming to experience up close.
Students had the opportunity
to experience up close one of the marvels of the known world making history come alive. Even though it was not the real Parthenon, it was a way for us to get a glimpse of history. Experiencing history this way, is something the class will not soon forget.
It is essential to acknowledge that the original Parthenon, which once stood in Greece, is now in ruin. Time and historical events that have taken their toll on this structure have left it in shambles. Despite this deterioration, the remnants of the Parthenon still create a sense of respect and reverence, as they remind visitors of the enduring legacy of one of history’s most significant architectural achievements and the cultural heritage of ancient Greece.
Maggie Carlson
Photos from Latonia Schmidt
Find out what the word of the month is. pg.
FACULTY FAMILIES
This year, on September 9, students got together with their faculty families for a fun “family night.” Each year, students are assigned to a faculty family composed of groups of students chosen by staff. Some students feel a little out of place in school, so these “families” can bring them out of their comfort zone in a safe space while also giving them a fun time with others within their faculty family.
Faculty Family is a great way to meet people and build friendships. Miguel Bittencourt, a freshman, said, “I got to meet new people and make new friends.” He was a part of Pastor Will Labrenz’s faculty family, along with Analia Paz, Ervin Jeronimo, Nalayne Matheson, and Shiloh Bushey. They started the night by eating dinner at a local Mexican restaurant, followed by going to Labrenz’s house and eating brownies with ice cream as their dessert. Afterward, they sat in the living room and played Apples to Apples.
Labrenz handed out get to know me sheets that everyone filled out while everyone chatted and laughed before leaving.
Paz, a freshman, expressed, “It was fun getting to know everyone’s interests and I can’t wait to do it again!”
Coach Steve Roger’s family included Ethan Atlee, Goi Both, Luke Henry, Emma Dowd, and Neveah Cano. They first hung out, talked leisurely at the house, and played around with Coach’s cute baby, Loui. Then they played a long game of hide and seek around campus. For dinner, they ate lots of tacos, made a fire where they sat, and had a deep, open, and encouraging talk. Ethan Atlee, senior, stated, “I like the fun we can have as a group but I love the conversations where we can be vulnerable to one another as a family.”
Mrs. Diana Drusky’s faculty family went to the Portland Pizza pub where they talked to Mr. Drusky about music and his love for books. Afterward, they went to Mrs. Drusky’s house to eat homemade cookies. Clara Reading, junior, said, “I had a bunch of them, those cookies were so good!” Later, they played multiple games, one of them being stacking rocks. Sienna Shoemaker said, “We were all slap happy. Anytime a rock fell we would laugh super
hard. Plus, we beat Mr. Drusky’s record for stacking rocks!”
Mrs. and Mr. Kuntz’s faculty family left for their house to begin dipping strawberries, cake, and cheese into chocolate fondue. Afterward, they talked for a while and took funny pictures of Mr. Kuntz. Then they played a problematic and laughterfilled game of Bible pictionary thanks to Rosie Fernandez, junior.
to watch football and eat snacks, hoping to become closer outside of the scheduled faculty family nights.
They’re planning to meet once every month for the rest of the school year to continue building the relationships started that evening.
They are meeting againSunday, September 22 when they are going
Other faculty families had similar nights, getting to know one another, gaining new friends, building relationships and participating in fun activities faculty parents made. Thanks to our Highland staff, everyone had an amazing time. Faculty family stories are a blessing to have and experience. Many memories and friendships have been made and more are to come.
Addison Atlee
Photos
Shiloh Bushey
Mental health is essential in keeping up grades and improving quality of life. There is an association between improved mental health, cognitive function, and body movement; it is more than just the chemicals in your brain; it is also in your social life.
Physical health affects one’s hormones quite effectively and positively. When you engage in physical activity of any kind, your brain releases endorphins, also known as the “feel-good hormones.” Along with endorphins, your brain releases dopamine, which gives you feelings of motivation and pleasure. It releases serotonin, improving sleep and digestion; and norepinephrine, which improves cognitive function and regulates your ability to pay attention and stress levels. Chadd Watkins, principal of Highland Academy, shared, “When you are active for at least 30 minutes, your brain’s capacity to learn is greater by at least 30%. So getting up early in the morning to get moving can improve your day quite a bit.” Instead of getting that extra snooze time, crawl out of bed and get the body moving. You may actually see results in your classroom attention span as well as your retention of information because of it.
Those in sports tend to do better academically. The University of Bridgeport says, “Playing sports helps your brain grow alongside physical fitness, allowing it to work better to solve problems, leading to higher academic performance and overall quality of life.” A Minnesota State High School League
PHYSICAL HEALTH
study stated that the average GPA of students playing sports was 2.84, while non-athletic students had an average of 2.68. Along with this discovery, they also found
This speaks to the overall health of more active students. Not only can an apple a day keep the doctor away, but some jumping jacks might also do the trick!
which is also good for one’s mental health. West Wind said, “Commitment, communication, concentration, control and confidence: these 5 C’s are crucial in shaping not just an athlete’s physical abilities, but their mental toughness, too.”
Commitment is what it takes to be consistent. Being intentional leads to good habits for life and those who stay committed tend to have a better flow of motivation. Communication is what makes everything go smoothly. West Wind says, “This is the icing on the cake that ties them all together. Effective communication helps a team work cohesively and can improve individual and team performance. It’s not just about talking, but also about listening and understanding.” Concentration is a big bonus from playing sports. The ability to silence distractions in your
that athletic students missed fewer academic school days. The study showed they missed an average of 7.4 days, while non-athletic students missed an average of 8.8.
The social side of sports can’t be ignored either. It can feel amazing to be a part of a team. Playing team sports can create a community and a sense of belonging,
mind takes practice and sports is a great way to learn this ability. In order to live a life well balanced, you have to have control. West Wind says, “Athletes need to manage their emotions and reactions, especially during competition. Maintaining composure and managing emotions as an athlete is the definition of control.” Finally, confidence is the key to having that little boost of energy, which makes a big difference. Sometimes you may feel down because you don’t feel confident in yourself, leading you to want to give up. Sports is a good opportunity to practice being confident so that your day to day life feels a bit better, as well. The main goal, however, is to remain active, whether it be in team sports or exercising. By building your activity level, you can build your mental health.
THE WORD OF THE MONTH, “HOPE”
The definition of hope is a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen. Many have their own definition or way to explain or describe hope and here at Highland Academy, we are no different.
When discussing the meaning of hope, David Duncombe, a freshman, answered, “When I think of hope, I think of our beliefs as Christians, the fact that Jesus will come soon and take us home with Him, and I also think of hope as a way of keeping your head up when times are bad, knowing that something better is coming for you in the future.” Duncombe went on to share how he hung on to hope when making the decision to come to Highland Academy. He shared, “I waited patiently for the Lord to convince my parents to get me to Highland. My hope in God did not fail, and God convinced my parents to bring my brother and me to Highland.”
Joshua Moyo, a junior, answered, “When I think of hope, I think of a dove. I say that because it has been depicted in movies, and in general, you would wait for something and have patience for it.”
Moyo also hoped for a way to become a Highland student.
As he prayed and hoped for this answer, he shared that he “hoped for a better environment than public school, and Highland is just the right environment to learn and be in.”
Seth Gagatam, A junior, answered, “When I think of the word hope, I think of second
chances. As long as there is hope, there is another chance for you to recover from a mistake and grow.” He went on to say that “Highland has given me another meaning of hope by seeing how the people here are so friendly, and you think, ‘Oh, there’s another side after all.’ Luke Hallam, a junior, answered, “Hope is inspiring others to do things for God, learn more about Him, and begin a relationship with Him. I can see hope at the academy in many ways, like in the Week of Spiritual Emphasis (WSE). It gave people hope that there’s more to life than what there is in the world.
Sometimes hope is looking forward to something tangible and just around the corner. Highland offers many great opportunities, but sometimes it’s nice to just go home and recharge. Ana Simplice, a junior, stated, “Home leave gives me hope for the future because I know I’ll gain energy and motivation when I return, and it’ll be great.” For Anna, hope also comes with the knowledge that people
care about the students of Highland and pray for us. She said, “I am like, man, this gives me hope because people are praying over me, and God is always looking because God surrounds this school.” Hope is September’s word of the month. Mr. Watkins described that the word of the month began with considering our mission. The mission of Highland Academy is to “Develop Christ-like character and life-long learner.”
Assembly time is a great time to reflect on the character of Christ and how we develop those characteristics. Mr. Chadd Watkins, principal of Highland Academy shared, “I decided to take our ten months of the school year and focus on identifying each month with positive attributes that we all want to portray in building our character and developing Christ-like character.” In discussing this month’s word, hope, he said, “hope covers a lot of ground; being here brings them [students] hope. It gives them an opportunity, a chance to have something that they might never have had before. We prepare for the kingdom and build soft skills, helping students learn to be responsible, manage time and deal with conflicts and people.” Hope is so much more than expecting or wanting. It is character. It is biblical. Hope is what keeps us moving forward in faith knowing that God never changes and keeps His promise. We can hope for and have faith that He answers our prayers and is constantly moving on our behalf. Keep
Bertin Shyaka
Photo from Maggie Carlson
Photo from Tristan Naumann
Bertin Shyaka
MS. MARKLYNN BAZZY
Ms. Marklynn Bazzy (prefers Ms. Markie) joined the Highland Academy family this school year. She has been teaching for 21 years, and this year at Highland Academy, she will make it her year 22. Bazzy teaches English II, III and IV. Before coming to Highland Academy, she taught at Ozark Adventist Academy. Prior to her time at Ozark, she taught at Ekamai International School in Bangkok, Thailand. Before that, she was a contractor at Walla Walla University of the Department of English.
What made you decide to come to Highland Academy?
Bazzy shared that in her desire to go where God leads, she found herself looking at Highland Academy as an option. She shared, “What made me come to Highland Academy was God. God saw I needed a change.” Bazzy and her administration did not always see eye to eye and ultimately she felt she needed a change. Their leadership styles are very different, which clashed at times.
How would you describe your experiences throughout the schools you’ve taught at?
Bazzy shared that there are differences between teaching a college class and teaching at a high school, especially one overseas. She said, “The year I did contract teaching, I was teaching college students. The expectations I had for them were for them to come in with certain knowledge, but I had different expectations for the students I taught in Thailand. I expected them to be at an international school. Therefore, they should know English, but that wasn’t the case. Some students spoke excellent English but would never talk to me, while the ones who spoke to me were the ones with poor English.”
holds a special place in my heart because I’ve lived there for nine years. England holds a special place in my heart because I lived there twice and used to take students for six summers. I did English IV there for 4 weeks. Bazzy taught an intense British English course to seniors and would take them to Britain for the class. She also shared that Italy was a place she would love to return to as well.
What was your best year of teaching and why?
Bazzy shared how she really enjoys teaching and how every year is a good year. Her favorite year, however, was when she added class sponsorship to her responsibilities. She said, “They’ve all been good years, but what makes a good year is when I am a senior sponsor. Seniors are on the verge of adulthood but want to hold on to their childish things.”
there, Bazzy believed that with the teaching credentials she could find a job at a school as a chaplain and Bible teacher. When applying, she was told that teaching Bible was an option, but that she must also teach something else. That’s when English became an option again. She said, “Moving forward, strangely, I have never been a Bible teacher chaplain. I have been an English teacher for 22 years. Just because I didn’t get to be a youth pastor, I still think of teaching as a form of ministry, and I still had that opportunity to be a youth pastor in the form of a teacher.”
Do you have any hobbies? If so, what are they?
“My hobbies include traveling and reading if I ever get a chance. I like reading historical fiction and true non-fiction,” Bazzy shared. She enjoys watching sports. She said, “If you don’t know what pickleball is, picture a smaller version of tennis or a larger version of ping pong with bigger paddles. My Southern Adventist Academy (SAU) students have told me how they would play pickleball worship. It’s worship-credited, and after prayer, they would play pickleball.”
Have you always dreamed or aspired to be a teacher?
What would it be like if you could advise a future English major or teacher?
“My advice to both English majors and English teachers is that if you’re going to major in English, you must love reading. You’ll have to enjoy reading: the love of reading, getting deep, and discovering what the story entails.”
What are your hidden talents?
What are your favorite places you have visited and why?
Bazzy is a world traveler. She has probably traveled to more countries than anyone at Highland Academy. This can be exciting. When asked about her favorite place, she said, “I would say Thailand because it
When she thinks back on it, Bazzy can trace the idea of teaching back to childhood. She said that “as a young child, I thought to myself that if I were ever a teacher, I would teach the grade I was in.” As Bazzy grew up, her interest in teaching waned. It wasn’t until college when the idea reignited. She shared, “I think I got back to it when I did master’s in youth ministry at Andrews, I felt God was calling me to be a youth pastor, but I struggled to find a youth pastor position. There were some challenges in becoming a youth pastor like being accepted into the position with only teaching one subject, so I returned and got my teaching credentials.” From
Bazzy shared that her hidden talents lie in her ability to organize travel for her students. It is not only a talent, but a joy for her as she loves doing it. She believes in hands-on learning and believes that students get a better understanding of what they learn if they get to experience it. She said, “Who doesn’t want to see the Venice Rialto market rather than simply read it? I enjoyed it when my teachers said, ‘Oh hey, this is where Jane Austen lived. This is where she walked, and I wanted to go and do that. Those are the hidden talents I hope to someday bring to the Highland Academy.”
Welcome to Highland Academy, Ms. Markie!
Maggie Carlson
The event of the Paralympics has always brought awareness of the many types of disabilities and impairments people experience. As the hype for the Olympics died down after the closing ceremony, a different part of the world started to get excited. It is the part of the world that supports Paralympian athletes with disabilities. People who may experience being underestimated get an opportunity to show just what they are capable of accomplishing even with disabilities that might slow others down.
According to Olympics. com, The ceremony opened with a popular parade on the iconic Champs-Elysées, involving up to 184 delegations from around the world.
Spectators were able to enjoy this unforgettable and celebratory moment, which was open to everyone, alongside 6,000 athletes and officials.
For ticket holders, the official parade took place on Place de la Concorde, in addition to the protocol and artistic sequences.
The celebration of the opening of the Paralympic Games met its promises to be an exceptional event that will live long in the memories of all the spectators! Perle Bouge, two-time Paralympic Para rowing medallist and member of the Paris 2024 Athletes’ Commission said, “Pride, impatience, determination: these are the feelings inspired in us when we discovered the concept for this Opening Ceremony. I am really looking forward to being there and sharing these intense emotions with thousands of spectators.”
A total of 25 individual American athletes left Paris as
THE PARALYMPICS
Paralympic champions. The U.S. took home a grand total of 36 gold medals behind China with 94 and Great Britain with 49.
During Wheelchair Basketball, sophomore boys could be caught gathered around the television in the media center cheering on those in the game.
It was exciting to see athletes overcoming the obstacles many of us could not fathom how to overcome. Classes gathered around the television multiple times daily cheering and getting excited for the people playing.
The Paralympic Games challenge societal norms and prejudices, pushing audiences to rethink their
understanding of disability and to appreciate the diverse talents that individuals possess. It becomes a celebration not solely of sports but also of inclusivity, resilience, and the extraordinary accomplishments of individuals who embody the essence of determination.
STUDENT HIGHLIGHTS
Sing Muan is a freshman here at Highland Academy. He currently stays in the dorms, but lives with his family in Bowling Green, Kentucky. He was born in India and speaks three languages: Zopau, Burmese and English. Muan is also the oldest of two siblings, Micheal and Dim. He loves sports such as soccer and volleyball. One of his favorite memories includes playing with his soccer team, YZN, in Bowling Green. A quote he loves is, “We did not want to settle for a draw; we wanted to win and did so” by Zlatan Ibrahimovic, a famous soccer player. While at Highland Academy, Muan says that he has learned he should not let his competitiveness get in the way of his and others’ fun. He also states “My favorite thing about Highland Academy is the kind atmosphere and the fact that no one has to be ashamed of praising God.”
Meet Kaleb Galloway, sophomore, and village student. You may see him in the media center during the morning hours as he is a math tutor. If you need assistance in math, he is your guy! Galloway grew up in Philpot, Kentucky and has two brothers named Kyle and Cody. He enjoys building legos and is currently working on a castle he designed. One of his catchphrases is “Brotherrr” and his favorite thing to do for lunch is go to Taco Bell. Galloway’s favorite drink is sprite. . He loves pop music, but the one thing he wants people to know about him is that he loves Jesus. Finally, Galloway’s favorite thing about Highland is hanging out with friends and learning.
Meet Emma Ruckle, Senior, Student Association Fundraiser and lover of books. A year ago, the Ruckle family moved from Louisville, KY to Franklin, KY, a full 135 miles. Emma Ruckle and her brother Elijah Ruckle joined Highland Academy and Highland Elementary that year as a junior and 8th grader. Ruckle has three siblings: Golda, Lydia and Elijah all in order of age. Ruckle loves the color green, turtles, reading, writing and listening to music. One of her absolute favorite book series is the Chronicles of Narnia. She’s loved them since she was a kid! Since the renovations in the Media Center have finished her favorite thing is the brand new couch that makes it more relaxing and comfortable. Ruckle’s favorite thing about Highland is how welcoming all of the students are. Her favorite holiday is Christmas because “who doesn’t like Christmas,” and her birthday is just around the corner from Christmas too.
Anderson
Meet Anastasia Anderson, also known as Ana. She is a junior and village student who grew up in Portland, Tennessee. Recently, she moved to Franklin, Kentucky and enjoys walking around town to look at the murals. In her free time, Ana likes to read and crochet. Currently, Ana is crocheting a cardigan she will wear for the fall festival. She is also a member of the Gymnix team for her third year in a row. Some of Ana’s catchphrases are: “It’s been a day” and “My back hurts.” Ana has three siblings, two older brothers and one older sister. Her favorite cafeteria meal is 3’P pasta, and her favorite sport is football. She listens to indie music and enjoys drinking Dr.Pepper. One thing she wants you to know is, “I promise I’m not staring, I’m just zoned out.” Finally, Ana’s favorite thing about Highland is meeting new people from around the world.
Addison Atlee
Maggie Carlson
Samantha
Shiloh Bushey
Casi Demaree
Neo-impressionism Art-
THE CASI CORNER
There are SO many different genres of art: impressionism, Constructivism, surrealism, pop art, land art, and so many more…
Neo-impressionism, “A term applied to an avant-garde art movement that flourished principally in France from 1886 to 1906. Led by the example of Georges Seurat and Paul Signac, Neo-Impressionists renounced the spontaneity of Impressionism in favor of a measured and systematic painting technique known as pointillism, grounded in science and the study of optics(Art Land Magazine).”
CLASS POINTS
“A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte”
Painting by Georges Seurat
A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte was painted from 1884 to 1886 and is Georges Seurat’s most famous work. A leading example of pointillist technique, executed on a large canvas, it is a founding work of the neo-impressionist
