Developing Christ-like characters and life long learners.
Highland Academy has enthusiastically welcomed returning students and newcomers to its vibrant campus community. Many students entered the new academic year with a fresh sense of eagerness and expectation after a long summer full of exciting activities. August 12 was a big day for the students as they started getting used to the routine of the school year and started their courses. Every student had the chance to get to know their teachers and become involved with the material covered in each new lesson during the first week. Before long, students were making new friends and forming relationships that would help them in their social and academic lives all year. The atmosphere on campus was filled with enthusiasm as students became eager for the journey ahead.
There are many things to look forward to in just a few months. Faculty family is coming around the corner in September. Faculty family is when the faculty picks out students for their “family” or group for the year. With their “family,” they participate in activities to get to know each other better. The activities vary with each family.
Class-on-class dodgeball is an exemplary event that fosters friendships and builds student companionship. This engaging activity allows participants to strengthen their connections with classmates outside the typical classroom setting. As students engage in the spirited competition, they discover more about one another’s strengths, teamwork dynamics, and
individual personalities, cultivating a sense of unity within the class.
The dodgeball tournament is structured around a series of games where various classes compete against one another in a friendly yet competitive atmosphere. The tournament typically commences with the Freshmen facing off against the Seniors, setting the stage for a lively exchange of energy and enthusiasm. Following this initial matchup, the competition continues, allowing each class to engage with every other class in an organized format, ensuring that all participants have the chance to play against their peers. By the event’s conclusion, participants leave with a greater appreciation for their classmates, having forged lasting connections through the shared experience of competition and teamwork.
Boundary Waters is a trip many students hope to go on and have to sign up for in advance.
Andy Wade, Sara Bagshaw, and Doug Thompson are the sponsors leading the trip every year. Boundary Waters canoe area in Minnesota is where students canoe and camp for eight days. They camp every night, and they claim that keeping your needed supplies dry is the struggle. It truly is the adventure of a lifetime.
Throughout the numerous trips and events organized at Highland Academy, a strong foundation of friendships has been established among students. These relationships play an
essential role in navigating the challenges of academic life, providing needed support during schoolwork and the more repetitive parts of the educational experience. Emma Ruckle, senior, said, “I’m excited to get to do more fun things with SA and the school. I can’t wait to make more memories!” SA is the Student Association that plans various social events and activities throughout the year.
Despite the enriching and stimulating environment of Highland Academy, there will inevitably be classes or activities that do not attract every student’s interest. Friendships can be quite helpful in these situations, turning unpleasant experiences into more tolerable ones. The quality of life at Highland Academy is characterized by remarkable friendships that are deeply intertwined with peers’ spiritual journeys. These connections enhance the enjoyment of school life and create a sense of community and belonging that is key during one’s school year.
by Stephanie
Maggie Carlson
Photo
Rufo
Shiloh Bushey
ICEBREAKER GAMES WERE A HIT!
The Student Association (SA) is a group of students who have been voted to host and plan events for the school. On August 17 SA held an event called Icebreakers where students competed against one another in various games.
There were many games that made it necessary for the teams to work together and figure out how to create teamwork while moving through the activities. Many students did not even know the people on their teams because they were new to Highland or because they have not spent a lot of time with the people on their team. It was a way to learn about each other’s strengths and challenges in a high stress game. Students came together and worked hard in the competitions!
One of the games, A frozen t-shirt competition consisted of pulling apart a t-shirt that had been submerged in water, rolled up and frozen before games.
Students in each group run to get their team color t-shirt and do their best to melt the ice and pull it apart so someone on their team could put it on to win.
Lucas Mills, sophomore and dorm student said, “The frozen shirt competition was fun because the person putting on the shirt almost gets suffocated. Not in an evil way. Plus, I was that person.” That shirt was cold! Students pushed and pulled and even beat their t-shirts on the sidewalk trying to break the ice and make it easier to roll out.
Another game consisted of teams naming themselves and then creating a team flag. All 10 teams were given a blank flag to decorate however they chose and had to decide as a team both what to name themselves and how to decorate their flag. There were some unusual names and some even created mascots! Nevea Cano, junior and dorm student said, “it was so awesome because my team called itself Teddy Terminators and we did a teddy bear mascot!” All of the teams came up with some creative names. The best part was how they decided together.
One of the most awkward games of the evening gave a great opportunity for photographs! This was the Toothpick and lifesaver game. Members of each team have a toothpick each and one life saver candy per team. The goal of this game is to pass the lifesaver from one toothpick to the other using only your mouth. No hands aloud! Samantha Roddy, junior and village student said, “The most awkward game was the lifesavers game, but I hope
they do it again next year.” Students expressed that if they were on a team with people they already knew it was a little easier but it was fun watching all the other teams move through the game with such awkwardness. Rosie Fernanadez, junior and dorm student said, “The lifesavers game is so fun. It’s really funny to see people get super close because people act like they hate it but they secretly like it. I love this game so much. I hope SA never changes it.”
A game that was difficult for people to really wrap their minds around was the banana game. The premise was for teams to sit in a row, one in front of another, with their shoes off and pass a banana to the person behind them using only their feet.
Each team chose someone to stand at the end of the line and receive the banana to peel and eat.
The team that ate the banana first won. Caiti Murrell, junior and dorm student said, “The banana game was probably weird for the person eating it, but logically they didn’t eat where people’s feet touched. Either way I thought it was really goofy.” Many students had trouble wrapping their minds around that game. Even some staff said watching people eat a banana that had been between a bunch of people’s feet was difficult to watch.
One of the games
that got a lot of laughs was the balloon pop relay. Each team blew up balloons for each teammate. The teams stood in lines around the gym and would race to chairs that stood in the middle of the gym. The funny part was watching students move from their corner to the middle with the balloon between their knees. They bunny hopped as fast as they could to the center trying not to lose the balloon and then tried to sit on their balloon to pop it. Josh Mazibuko, senior and dorm student said, “The balloon relay was fun, but it was so funny how people were too impatient and when they tried to break the balloon, it would go flying.” This was not an easy thing to do, but definitely something everyone could participate in doing. Seth Gagatam, sophomore and village student said, “The balloon pop relay was really fun to do. They should do it next year.”
Ice breakers overall seems like it was a success. The events are fun and silly and the night is full of laughter while people enjoy getting to know each other.
Photos by Shiloh Bushey
Photos by Shiloh Bushey
BACK-TO-SCHOOL MENTAL HEALTH
Social anxiety is more common than you think. About 10% of the world has social anxiety according to Cleveland Clinic, 2024. People can have social anxiety without having Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD). SAD is a longterm fear/phobia of social situations. And while yes, it is difficult, it doesn’t always last forever. Most get better with age.
Emotional and behavioral symptoms of social anxiety include but are not limited to: fear of situations in which you may be judged negatively, worry about embarrassing or humiliating yourself, intense fear of interacting or talking with strangers or fear that others will notice that you look anxious according to the Mayo Clinic in their 2021 article about social anxiety. More often than not, those with SAD tend to miss out on “normal” activities like going to social gatherings, going to school, going to work, entering a room where others are already seated, eating in front of others at restaurants, and more. This can lead to depression and isolation. When at events, people with SAD tend to stand on the sidelines, worried about blushing or having a shaky voice. Talking with people can also be a big struggle, as they fear saying the wrong thing or stumbling over their words. Students from all walks of life: popular, musical, artistic, academic and so on, have all experienced some form of social anxiety. So don’t feel alone.
Some physical signs and symptoms of SAD are blushing, fast heartbeat, trembling, sweating, upset stomach or nausea, trouble catching your breath, dizziness or lightheadedness, feeling that your mind has gone blank and muscle tension mentioned by the Mayo Clinic. These symptoms can become a hindrance to those with social anxiety, making it difficult to do things others do with ease. Fast heartbeats cause one to feel out of breath and tired faster. Trembling gives a feeling of instability, dizziness and lightheadedness, which may cause one not to have as much energy. So, while SAD is a mental disorder, it affects more than just your brain. The Mayo Clinic said, “Social anxiety disorder symptoms can change over time. They may flare up if you’re facing
a lot of changes, stress or demands in your life. Although avoiding situations that produce anxiety may make you feel better in the short term, your anxiety is likely to continue over the long term if you don’t get treatment.” Allison Ziegler, junior and dorm student said, “Social anxiety is hard because when you walk into a room, it feels like everyone is looking at you, which obviously isn’t true. Being around large groups of people is also a struggle because all you can think about is ‘are they laughing about me?’” Social anxiety really makes all insecurities so much worse when at social events.
Highland Academy is not immune to social anxiety affecting its students. As a matter of fact, 60% of students surveyed said they deal with social anxiety when going to a new place. When asked how they deal with their symptoms, one student responded that the key is to remind yourself “that people don’t care as much as you think they do.” Another said, “Get to know a few people, and use them to broaden your circle of friends. Just be careful who you choose to hang out with.” Having a small group of people to do life with can make it easier to face the social situations that may cause distress. Facing it can then help you move through it. Savannah Jackson, junior and dorm student shared, “You’ve got to remember they’re a person to. Stop putting people on pedestals and have faith in them. Think of them as another person with another life just like me, you know? You wanna
doing an activity, especially physical activity, you become focused on that rather than what’s happening in your mind. So with the biking club you have a good chance to do that when we ride on the green way by the river in Nashville or in Whitehouse or even just riding here on campus–Weather permitting of course.”
approach it like that. Think of people as equals. You also want to give people the benefit of the doubt. You don’t want to assume that they’re going to think negative things about you?” By giving people the benefit of the doubt, it is easier to face those scary social situations because you feel like you are with people who care.
There are plenty of new students here at Highland Academy, in each class, not just freshmen, who are new to Highland. And it’s okay to feel a little lost and scared. Some advice to help with adjusting to a new place is joining clubs. Gymnix is a great place to start if you’re active and love being part of a team. Drama class is excellent for those with creative minds, whether on stage or backstage with props and set design or working on the hair and makeup. Nadia Bibulovic, senior and dorm student, said, “Drama class is good because it is a safe place to express yourself.” The book club is good for all the bookworms. They read one book a semester and meet once a week to discuss it. Mrs Bliss Kuntz, head of the Book Club, said, “I love hearing other views. I have my own thoughts and perspectives, and it’s nice to hear so many different opinions. Book Club is great because there are so few of us. It’s easy to get lost in a big group, but when it’s only a handful of people, it’s much easier to get comfortable and make friends.” Biking Club is great for those who like the outdoors and riding bikes. Mr. Larry Ashcraft, sponsor of the Biking Club, said, “biking is good because when you’re
STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) Club is an amazing place for those who like to stretch their brains and experiment. Girls and Guys Club is a great way to get to know your fellow ladies or gentlemen. These clubs go out a couple of times a year and do things like mall trips or camping trips. Every student is automatically a part of one or the other. Both Girls’ and Guys’ Club have a Christmas party every year where students bring a gift for their secret sister/secret Santa. Georgia Beckworth, junior and village student, said, “My favorite part of the Christmas party is the cookie decorating. Being in the Girls Club gives you a good opportunity to reach out and connect and it’s a really fun experience.”
Curtis Ballew, senior and dorm student, said, “Guys Club is a great opportunity to come out of your shell in a healthy environment. We do fun things like arm wrestling, and everyone has fun.”
The Student Center for Success is a great place to start if you’re looking for someone to talk to or need alone time to study. Mrs. Logan Johnson, the school psychologist, is located in the student success center and is happy to listen. You can schedule an appointment with her anytime. There is a room for those who already have a counselor at home and need to have their appointment via telehealth, a quiet study room and a relaxation room for decompressing after all that studying!
Social anxiety is common. However, it can feel like a hefty load. There is someone who wants to take your heavy load and carry it for you. Isaiah 41:10 says, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (NIV). It’s a new school year. For some, you’re just starting, but for others, your high school days are coming to an end. Both ends and everything in between can be incredibly stressful. But you’re not alone. So reach out, join clubs, get involved and lean on God.
Shiloh Bushey
In the world but not of the world is this year’s theme at Highland Academy. When talking with Pastor Will Labrenz, the chaplain and Bible teacher, he mentioned the reason for picking the year’s theme. He shared, “It was toward the end of last year when the theme came to mind when I was praying. That’s when I prayed to God and said, ‘ok, God, what’s the theme for next year? Many students are on social media, posting many things, including the videos they would show me and the conversations I would hear. I was like, man, it’s so worldly. We’re a Christian school, and these are Christian students. There is so much worldliness; we know more about the world, like sports, movies, and Marvel, than we know about the Bible.’ At that moment, the verse, be in the world and not of the world (John 17:1415), came into mind. I asked a few students, and they said it sounds pretty good. It seemed to come together, and they went with it.
When researching and looking at videos about being in the world and not of the world, I came across the chart of levels of consciousness (levels of spiritual maturity).
Ellen White said that our greatest work is character development. It’s about spiritual maturity: giving God more control over your mind and heart. The benefit is that you experience more love and more peace. And I saw and said, oh, that is good. It talks about spiritual growth, getting out of the worldliness and becoming more spiritual.” How can Highland Academy accomplish in the world and not of it? “The more we get filled with the Holy Spirit, the more we are going to be content with the things of the Spirit: love, God’s love, God’s joy, God’s peace. The more we are full of the Holy Spirit, the less we will desire things of the world.” When asked, Pastor Labrenz said the meaning of In It, Not of it is that “I went to the bars and clubs and did all those
IN IT, NOT OF IT
crazy things. Even when doing such things in my 20s and being raised a Christian, I was never 100% comfortable being there. I knew that it was not my scene. It was fun, but once the fun was over, it got shallow. There was no real depth to it. It was just not a satisfying life. Part of that scene was drinking and smoking, and that took a toll on my health. I didn’t feel good. I stayed up late, and I saw that as not beneficial. This is not the life more abundant. One week, I drank with a buddy, and he said, “Oh man, it doesn’t get better than this. I thought there has to be something better, and that’s when I started to let God slowly take me out of the world. I still wanted to be an influence in the world. I found that to be more satisfying and more fulfilling.”
When conversing with Mrs. Logan Johnson, Highland Academy’s school psychologist, said, “The world has its agenda and trajectory.
While the world may be fearful, and they may be on a different path, we are to minister to them and look different. There are a lot of people in this world who are fearful about elections, the economy, etc. Revelation gives the end of the book. We know that this world is not getting better. We know that things will only get worse over time, but we are called not to be fearful. No matter what is going on in the world, I have a different peace, hope and mindset that should look and feel different than those around us who aren’t
Christians. We sometimes worry and look to our leaders in the country or the world to solve all the problems. Regardless of how outcomes transpire, we know that will not fix it. So when people see that you’re not fearful or stressed, I am like, let me share where it comes from with you. Suppose we separate ourselves from the world so much. How will they see the light or peace? To be the hands and feet of Jesus is to meet people where they are.”
Speaking with the students on campus, we asked what it means to be in it, not of it. A junior and village student, Connor Silva, said, “We are in the world, but we shouldn’t be doing things as the world does; we should be different.
We are to love our enemies.
We should be kind to one another, and we should pray for our enemies. If there is ever a bad relationship, you must cut it off.” Miguel Bittencourt, a freshman and dorm student, responded, “To be in the world and not of it is to study the Bible with a pastor and go deep in the Word.” Corinthia Lopez, a junior and village student shared, “To be in the world and not of it means to be set apart from the things of this world. We don’t have to be entertained by the world. This isn’t our home. This world is not our permanent home (Hebrews 13:13-15).
Thanks be to Pastor Will Labrenz for coming up with the theme and staff for creating at Highland Academy a safe environment for students to learn more about Christ.
by
Bertin Shyaka
Photo
Rosie Fernandeez
MR. TYLER MATHIS
At the beginning of this new school year, Mr. Tyler Mathis joined Highland Academy’s family. This year will be his tenth teaching, but also his first year teaching at Highland Academy. He teaches Computers 1 and 2, Algebra 2, PreCalculus, Calculus and Personal Finance. He and his wife Lauren have a five-monthold daughter named Emmie. Mathis spent four years teaching at Spencerville Adventist Academy in Maryland, then five years at Indiana Academy in Indiana before coming back to Highland Academy.
If you could go anywhere in the world right now, where would you go?
The first thing Mathis mentioned is a European tour with his daughter and wife. He said, “I got to tour Europe in college, but my wife has never had that opportunity, so it would be fun to go back and do all those things with her.”
How would your 10-yearold self react to where you are now?
“I don’t know about my 10-year-old self, but with my 18 year old self, it’s different. Senior year I was voted by my class to be
classes. He was also working at summer camp, so he was figuring out how to take the summer camp lifestyle and combine it with education: the thing he’d been fighting for a while. If he had been given other advice, saying he would have been quickly hired as an engineer, he would probably still be on that path, which is the case today.
What are your hobbies?
“Right now, it is putting our house together,” he said with a laugh. Outside of that, he loves all types of sports, “so if you’re playing intramurals, you’ll see me out there: not all of the sports though, but most.” Recently, he has discovered an interest in weightlifting, a pursuit that has gained significance in his life. He shared his plans for the future, stating that once the house is fully organized and set up, he intends to create a dedicated space for a home gym within the garage.
What brought you to Highland?
Mathis originally came from Highland. He attended both the elementary school and the Academy. When people ask him where he is from outside of Tennessee, he tells them Nashville because Portland, Tennessee isn’t well known. Mathis said, “This is coming back home for me, so when the position opened up, I sent in my resume.”
by JP Mathis
the most likely to work at Highland Academy and I was so mad about that. I said I would never do that. I was dead certain about it, too. Well, here I am.” When Mathis went to school at Highland, he had fun but never wanted to work there. He eventually got older and wiser and realized that working at a boarding school, even though it’s long hours and teachers are at school late, it’s fun work. “Ultimately, here at Highland, we are hoping for students to build relationships with Christ. And that’s the thing you don’t get at public school and even sometimes at other Adventist schools.”
Have you always wanted to be a teacher?
“No, when I graduated I never planned on teaching. I was actually going to be an engineer. If I could go back, I would probably still do that, but at the time, people were saying there was a shortage of jobs for engineers and so if you were going to go through and get your general degree, there wouldn’t be a job for you.” At the same time, he wasn’t even enjoying the engineering classes, but he did like his math
Who
inspires you?
“Daily, I am inspired by my wife, a wonderful mother, and seeing how much hard work she puts in for our baby is incredible. She gets no sleep, yet she still has more energy and time to work with Emmie than I do. I’m always in awe of everything she’s able to do.” Out of the Bible characters, Mathis is inspired by Daniel and how he can be faithful about things every day, whether it is about food or just simply praying. Daniel would pray even when he would be risking his life by doing it. Mathis is also inspired by Joshua, especially more recently, because as an educator he is given more responsibilities and even when he has his own things going on, he still has to be a leader. That’s what Joshua had to do and be. “Like when Moses died and Joshua was asked to step up, he wasn’t ready. I don’t think any leader is ever ready, so I relate to Joshua. Which is fitting considering my first name is Joshua.”
What is one piece of advice you would give to the students here?
“My thing is to look for the positives, but that kind of goes into every part of your life. In any situation, you should because it’s easy to look for the negatives and the things that are all consuming. Like ‘oh I didn’t make the gymnastics team.’” Life is so much more than gymnastics or the bad grade someone got that they’ll forget about years later. “Never let the negative things in life overwhelm you. Just look for the positives.”
Maggie Carlson
Photo
GILETTE WYOMING PATHFINDER CAMPOREE
Gillette, Wyoming was home to the largest Pathfinder camporee ever with more than 60,000 people from around the world all camping in one location from August 5 to August 11, 2024. The increase in people caused Gilette to be the biggest city in Wyoming for the week we were there. This year’s theme was “Believe the Promise,” and the Bible character of focus was Moses. I had the pleasure of heading down with our Pathfinder group, the Highland Warriors who have many students from the academy involved. We started our journey on August 3 and reached our destination on August 5 at about midafternoon.
The camporee had tons of things that we could do. The rodeo was a crowd favorite, and the stands were almost always packed full during the shows.
The rodeo was a favorite of Ana Anderson, who commented, “ My favorite thing about the trip was getting to see the barrel races. I also liked the horse Calypso.”
That wasn’t the only daytime show they put on, however. The camp also had a dirt bike show. The riders did parkour tricks for a show that was about 15 minutes in length.
Besides the shows, a pathfinder could go to a big building that housed activities for over 40 honors to choose from. I did the gingerbread house honor with a couple of friends. It took us over two hours, and we could then eat the house after we finished. There were a lot of honors to choose from such as leather crafting, geocaching, stained glass painting, and even macrame. A camper could also shop for pins or souvenirs at the shops on site. There was even a college fair at one location!
Some outdoor activities included axe-throwing, cooking over a fire, a pin trading tent, and even blacksmithing. I participated in the axe-throwing and got first place in our division. Logan Darrell, a junior at Highland Academy and pathfinder, said about pin trading that he “enjoyed meeting many new people and getting so many new pins from around the world.”
Pin trading is a great way to meet new people and pin trading has been going strong for decades. Some students brought pins from the very first camporee that their parents and grandparents had. These pins were gems for a collection. For days, various groups of pathfinder clubs went into town to do something very special for the community. We had the unique privilege of helping to create a mural in honor of Gillette, Wyoming. We painted things that the state of Wyoming is known for, like
horses, buffalo and the famous Devil’s Tower, which is a natural rock formation roughly an hour outside the campsite. The town was appreciative of the work that went into such an undertaking and the campers really enjoyed being able to do something special for our hosts. Many of the Highland Warriors said it was a lot of fun.
Tragedy struck on Tuesday when the night meetings were canceled due to severe weather storms. Our camp was able to stay safe, with us cramming together into the chuckwagons while other campers and sponsors made it to the vans right before the storm started. Unfortunately, not every club was as lucky. One of the camps in the Southern Union had a tent catch fire after lightning struck it even though campsites were entirely flooded. Some had to relocate because of immense flooding. Some moved to school gymnasiums in town. Others went to hotels. Some churches opened their doors to clubs. The townspeople were so generous. There were ladies from the town who showed up with fresh, dry blankets and towels at 11 o’clock and midnight making their rounds through the site making sure everyone had what they needed. The good news is that everyone survived this storm and no one was hurt.
Because of the flooding the Highland Warriors experienced, volunteers
from our club went out to the closest laundromat that was open for twenty-four hours. The people from this laundromat called other laundromats to keep them open for the pathfinders to use throughout the night.
The volunteers stayed up past midnight to dry our bedding so that we would be able to sleep warm and dry.
Our camp directors made sure to wash and dry towels so the pathfinders who needed to dry out their tents could do so quickly and get back to bed. They also went to a local store and purchased sleeping bags for the kids who needed theirs dried. We put up clothes and towels for the next couple of days so they could dry in the sun. It was exhausting but we managed to pull everything back together.
That was the only night that the meetings were canceled. Every other night, we walked to the meetings a little over a mile from our camp. God spoke to our hearts at the meetings, and two group members, Josias Valazquez, junior at Highland Academy, and Lucia Lopez, daughter of Lily Lopez, math teacher at Highland Academy, decided to get baptized. This was the highlight of the week for our club.
Samantha Anderson
Samantha Anderson
Sunday, August 25, all of the students of Highland Academy loaded up the buses and vans at 8 o’clock in the morning and headed out to Indian Creek Camp in Liberty, Tennessee for a fun-filled day of swimming, riding on boats, and inner tubing. Fall Picnic is an event we do every year with class on class games and a full day of activities.
We started the day with worship at the campfire bowl, singing songs of praise and listening to Clara Reading, our Student Association Pastor, give our worship thought for the day. Caitlin Murrell said, “ I connected with the worship thought on a personal level, and it made me think of my life differently.” This is only Reading’s second time leading out with a worship thought this year and we are looking forward to hearing more.
We headed to the pool anticipating the first activity, synchronized swimming. Neveah Cano was amused by her class routine saying, “I loved watching my class go out there and have fun while also putting on a fantastic performance.” This year synchronized swimming looked a little different than in years past. Students were more in sync with one another making their groups move together as one unit. It was not Olympics worthy, but it was definitely a lot of fun to watch. Students really put a lot of thought and work into
FALL PICNIC
their routines.
Afterward, we cheered on our classmates and schoolmates in the turtle race. Turtle racing involves students relaying the length of the pool on giant blow up turtles. It is a bit more difficult than it may sound. Winning isn’t everything. It takes determination to make things happen. Katie Beaumont stated, “I enjoyed watching the struggle and determination of the turtle race contestants.” Looks like those with longer legs have an advantage in this one. After the turtle race, we went into the jumping competitions. It was many people’s favorite part, including Bertin Shyaka, who commented, “I enjoyed watching Carson make a triple front flip and got a kick out of watching coach Rogers be the example for biggest splash.” Many think Coach Rogers volunteered for this assignment simply to cool off!
An actual test of strength, endurance and bravery is the most gruesome stunt. Josh Mazibuko shared that “it was hilarious watching Isaiah dive in to rescue Kyle.” Most of the contestants belly flopped on this one, smacking the entire front or back of their bodies on the water. The best smack is the one that took this win.
The last game focused on hand-eye coordination. One person would throw the football while the other would jump, catch the ball mid-air and land in the water. Toby Scarbrouh replied about the moment when he caught the ball. “ A moment I will never relive in my entire life.” Students struggled more on this one this year than last year as many missed the ball. Very few actually caught it and held onto it.
After we finished the class on class games, everyone could choose where they wanted to spend their free time: swimming in the pool, going on the boats to go tubing or cliff jumping. When asked about the time at the boats, Kaleb Galloway shared, “I enjoyed
The Highlander Staff
tubing with the Watkins group. Emmett and I were sent flying off the tube by Mr. Watkins.” Pastor Will Labrenz went down to the boats to help with supervision. When asked about his experience he said, “Watching the kids go tubing was my favorite. It reminded me why I don’t go tubing anymore!”
Others relaxed poolside with their friends. Some swam. Some wrestled or played football. “It was peaceful being able to hang out with friends in the pool,” said Emma Ruckle. The more adventurous students went to the cliffs. “I felt the adrenaline rush as I jumped off the cliff and into the water. It was the best part of my day,” shared Carson Watkins.
The students loaded up the buses to head home around 4 o’clock that afternoon. It was a long and quiet ride back but everyone was excited to hear how each class fared at the events. The results were announced at assembly on Wednesday, August 28: in fourth place were the freshmen with 13 points. In third place were the sophomores with 20 points. In second place, beating the sophomores by only 1 point were the seniors with 21 points. Finally, in first place were the juniors with 24 points. It was nice to get away from the daily grind of school and enjoy getting to know each other in a different setting. The school year is just beginning, and this was an excellent start for all of us.
Editor-in-chief
Maggie Carlson
Designer and Art
Director
Tristan Naumann
Reporters
Shiloh Bushey
Addison Atlee
Bertin Shyaka
Samantha Anderson
Photographers
Miguel Bittencourt
Shiloh Bushey
Sponsors
Melissa Weisner
Stephanie Rufo
Activities/Art
Samantha Roddy
Rosie Fernandez
Casi Demaree
Social Media
Stephanie Rufo
Samantha Roddy
Rosie Fernandez
Photos by Shiloh Bushey
ICE CREAM SOCIAL
Addison Atlee
To end the month of August, Highland Academy had what has become the traditional Ice Cream Social. Many from the Highland Seventh Day Adventist church congregated on front campus bringing their lawn chairs and ice cream!This social gathering serves as both a celebration and a communal worship experience, where students and church members unite in an atmosphere of fellowship and praise. The students and church members get together and worship God in fun songs of praise before diving into the multitude of free ice cream provided by our Highland church members.
While everyone sat and chatted, Pastor Will Labrenz, who serves as both the
Chaplain and Bible Teacher at Highland Academy, took the lead alongside the talented members of the praise team. This group consisted of Clara Reading, Nadia Bibulovic, Adrianna Ramon, Nalayne Matheson, and Savannah Jackson. Together, they infused the gathering with a spirit of joy and reverence through music.
The praise team performed a selection of uplifting songs, including the well-loved “We’ve Got This Hope” and the spirited “I’m in the Lord’s Army.”
These songs, familiar to many from their youth, resonated deeply with the audience. Kaleb Galloway said, “My favorite part was the worship service, the music selection I particularly liked.”
Afterward, Bertin Shyaka, senior class pastor, shared his testimony. he recounted his journey of transformation, detailing how his relationship with God has profoundly impacted his life and guided him away from a path of sin. He then explained that we are born into an evil world but when
we choose God over man’s temptations, we choose to not be of the world, which goes along with our school theme, “In the world, Not of It.” Shyaka and the praise team continued to uplift the gathering with their rendition of “Christ Is My Firm Foundation,” a song that encapsulates the essence of trusting in God’s unwavering support. This powerful performance set the tone for reflection and spiritual connection. The night concluded with a prayer led by Pastor Labrenz.
Ultimately, the Ice Cream Social serves as more than just an end-ofsummer event, it reinforces the bonds that tie together the students of Highland Academy and the Highland Seventh Day Adventist Church.
It stands as a testament to the importance of coming together in celebration, worship, and fellowship, marking the end of August with joy and gratitude.
