Classroom Instruction Prepares for School and Beyond

Spanish Class – Practicing what They Learn 

Spanish is an important part of the curriculum at Hillcrest.  Instructor Lowell Quam, a former missionary to Ecuador provides practical and fun methods which make the learning process a highlight for his students.  Mr. Quam’s ultimate desire is that his students will be able to communicate the message of the good news of Jesus Christ in Spanish.  Weekly assignments for his students include translating verses from their Bibles into understandable Spanish words and sentences.

Hillcrest students who take Spanish have the benefit of testing for college equivalency credits through the S.L.E.P. Test.  But more significant is the testimony of students when they return from their senior class Dominican Republic mission trip in November. To communicate God’s love in the language of those they meet brings greater fulfillment to both students and their instructor.  They have been given a precious tool - communicating God’s love in another language.

Know What You Believe

The book, You Lost Me is born out of research from teenagers and young adults who once labeled themselves as Christians, but no longer do.  The research, organized by Barna Group President David Kinnaman, is extensive and has been packaged in a tour presentation across the United States.  Recently, Principal Isaac attended this day-long seminar.  One aspect of the presentation is highlighted in Hillcrest’s theme for 2012-13, “Mind the Gaps.”  “Mind the Gaps” (or, “watch your step!”) calls students to address gaps and inconsistencies in their thinking about the world and their understanding of God’s Word.  Principal Isaac’s leadership and the work of the Hillcrest faculty and staff have been integral in creating a culture for critical and serious thinking.   The Biblically-based education provided at Hillcrest is designed to shape a clearer Christian worldview among the student body. 

Leaving the Classroom

Hillcrest’s mission is to prepare students in a Biblically-based Christ-centered environment for a life of significance.  A number of mission trips are scheduled throughout the year, allowing students to travel to cities like Chicago, Minneapolis, and Fargo, as well as other countries like the Dominican Republic.  Additionally, music tours are taken over the Easter holiday, and other local mission experiences are provided for students.  Staff and faculty work to transition students from the classroom to real-world experiences.  We believe that these experiences give students so much more than a diploma when they graduate and move forward in their lives.

Steven Brue is the President of Hillcrest Lutheran Academy in Fergus Falls, MN (www.ffhillcrest.org)

Homecoming Highlighted as School Year Continues

FCA at HLA

Hillcrest athletics have a tradition of instilling both hard work and excellence in students through athletic competition. One of the aspects of Hillcrest sports that sets Hillcrest apart is the training to students in representing Jesus Christ in their competition.

Attend a game at HLA and you’ll hear a prayer before the game and could witness a post-game prayer with players from both teams. Hillcrest trains students to understand that athletic competition is a great tool to communicate mutual respect and concern for eachother.

Part of the training Hillcrest does with students is through the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) club. Meeting twice a month with various coaches, FCA works to prepare and equip students to represent Jesus Christ on and off the field.

Hillcrest’s FCA club has joined with area FCA clubs for a Fields of Faith event at Jefferson High School in Alexandria, MN. The event is a gathering of prayer and worship that has united area athletics under the banner of Jesus Christ. 

Students for Life

Students at Hillcrest are embarking on a 40 day journey. Focusing on prayer and fasting, Hillcrest has facilitated the student body to stand for the unborn through the student led club Students for Life.

The Students for Life club meets periodically at Hillcrest, taking a number of field trips as students stand in peaceful prayer against abortion. The most notable vigil occurs during the 40-days for Life campaign, a nation wide movement of prayer and fasting on street corners near abortion facilities.

These meaningful field trips have equipped students to be a voice for those who are voiceless, standing in opposition to abortion believing that life begins as the moment of conception. Many Hillcrest classes have highlighted this fact, tying in the 40-Days for Life campaign into History, Science and English classes.

Homecoming More Than Football

Homecoming at Hillcrest is an exciting time. As I look back at our homecoming festivities I remember the athletic competitions and how our students worked hard to represent their school and their Lord. I’m also drawn to the faces that traveled back to Hillcrest to have a bite to eat at our homecoming tailgating party, hear our Homecoming concert and participate in our Fresh Breeze update banquet.

These activities show some of the realities of the Hillcrest experience for students. Many of the alumni note that Hillcrest is where their faith became an active part of their life. Others note that the faculty and staff at Hillcrest were significant mentors to them, supporting the ideas they’ve heard from home about integrity, family structure and hard work. 

It is a blessing to be a part of such a meaningful institution in the lives of so many, showing Hillcrest to live out it’s mission statement of preparing students in a Bible-based environment for a life of significance.

Performing Arts Highlight of Homecoming Weekend

Performing Arts a Tradition

Hillcrest’s music program has a time-honored tradition of excellence.  The Hillcrest Academy Concert Choir and Concert Band represent the Academy very well, which is a strong testimony of the Music Department’s leadership.   Melding the talent of 50 musicians in a short span of two months for the annual Homecoming concert is no small feat.  However, time and again Rev. David Strom and Mr. Stephen Doering step up to the challenge and provide a collegiate level concert for attendees to enjoy.

The Hillcrest music program conducts a two week tour during Easter vacation each spring.  This past April, the HLA Band enjoyed a 20-day tour to the East Coast under the direction of Mr. Stephen Doering. This next spring, Rev. Strom will lead the Concert Choir through the great American southwest. The tour will take the 45-student choir through Arches National Park, the Grand Canyon, Los Angeles and Yellowstone National Park as they perform 15 concerts for churches and communities throughout the southwest. The 15-day tour will undoubtedly be a highlight for these vocal musicians as they experience a collegiate style tour.

College Preparation

College education is a reality for the majority of Hillcrest students. Over the past 5 years approximately 98% of HLA graduating seniors attend a college or university to further their education.

This statistic reflects the strong effort of the Guidance Office to invest in the lives of students in helping direct their immediate future.  Recently Hillcrest’s senior class conducted a three-college tour in the Moorhead/Fargo area.  During the spring semester the Guidance Office will organize a three-college tour in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis/St. Paul.  This month will also bring two college presentations to the Hillcrest campus, Bethany College of Missions, and Northwestern College, St. Paul.  One of Hillcrest’s goals is to equip and prepare students for the next stage in life, which for most includes University studies.

Homecoming Board Meeting 

It is the role of the Hillcrest Board of Directors to oversee Hillcrest’s mission, which is to equip students in a Biblically-based environment for a life of significance.  During Homecoming weekend this year, the Board of Directors will meet for one of their five planned board meetings of the calendar year.

The Board strongly supports Hillcrest as a strong option for families in today’s Private Christian Schools sector.   The school has become more and more unique, as many private schools have closed their boarding programs.   The Board affirms the schools goals to enhance the college preparatory curriculum, communicate through more technologically advanced media, assess campus needs to plan and implement upgrades, and create ministry partnerships with donors who value what God is doing at Hillcrest.  It is their belief that students receive so much more than a diploma in their high school experience at Hillcrest Lutheran Academy.

Worldview Kick-off Start of Year

Guest Speakers Kick-off 2012 School Year

Hillcrest felt very fortunate to start its school year with a number of excellent presentations from a world renowned apologist.   Apologist Alex McFarland, Director of “Truth for the Next Generation” challenged students in their new year at Hillcrest to use Scripture as the basis of all truth, and to confidently proclaim to their generation the reality of God.  McFarland made a significant impact on the students during the school day, and then presented his material in the evening at a forum that was open to the local community.

Two weeks after McFarland”s presentation, a group of post-college young adults, called AXIS, presented insights on pop-culture, the media, and technology to Hillcrest students.  They also held an evening event that was open to the public, with the overall goal of getting today’s youth to become critical thinkers in discerning how technology, media and pop-culture affect them.

Last week, a ministry team called PALS shared their experiences first at Bethel Lutheran Church, and then at a chapel time to Hillcrest students.  PALS consist of women who had abortions in their teen years, and are now ministering to others on the truths about abortion, and its effects on those involved. Hillcrest's “Students for Life” club is preparing to participate in the Annual 40-Days for Life campaign.

Norwegian Science Interest Passes from Father to Son

Hillcrest Science instructor Armin Jahr will complete his Masters in Education degree with a special project that includes a partnership with the Danielsen School in Bergen Norway.  Mr. Jahr's work involved reaching out to Norway's education officials in an effort to strengthen American and Norwegian tracks in Physics and Engineering.

This fall Mr. Jahr's son, Aeron boarded a plane to Bergen to begin a year of study at the Danielsen School in Bergen, Norway.   Aeron, a 2012 HLA graduate, will spend what would be his first year of college at the Danielsen School as he looks to further his schooling.

“Fresh Breeze” Capital Campaign Nearing Completion

In October of 2010 Hillcrest launched the public phase of a $5 million capital campaign.  This major initiative was designed to update and pay-off debt associated with buildings on the campus, strengthen its scholarship endowments that award financial aid to Hillcrest students, assist teachers with continuing education, support annual costs to operate the school, and install an efficient updated HVAC system to the classic building.  Now almost two years later, the HLA Development Office reports that 96% of the goal has been committed to with many of the campaign initiatives already benefiting, including the payment in full of the Student Activities Center that was constructed in 2005.

We look forward in this new year to advance the school’s mission of “equipping students in a Christ-entered, Bible-based environment for a life of significance.”

A Fresh Breeze

A major capital campaign for Hillcrest Lutheran Academy was publicly announced in October of 2010, with 60% of the $5 million goal already pledged. Last year's annual report noted that 75% has been raised. As of June 30th of this year, the Fresh Breeze campaign has reached 96%, with less than $250,000 remaining to meet the goal. We praise God for directing hundreds of gifts toward the campaign initiatives.

The final thrust of the campaign is to secure the remaining funds for the academic center renovation, including the installation of an efficient heating and cooling system. We await the results of a thermal conductivity test for the possible use of a geothermal system. Other improvements this past year included acoustical panels in the Music Room, and new tile in the west entrance area to the main building stairwell from the cafeteria to second floor. Endowment growth allowed for more scholarship awards this past year, with club memberships growing by 15%.

It is a blessing to work in a Christ-centered high school community where God's truth, God's grace, God's forgiveness, and God's love are taught and sought on a day to day basis. I am grateful for the support and encouragement of the church, the HLA alumni, and other dear friends who invest in this ministry to teenagers. Thank you for your partnership to the ministry of Hillcrest Academy.