God's been building a bridge from Hillcrest to the province of San Pedro de Macoris, in the Dominican Republic. For four consecutive years, Hillcrest seniors have engaged in short term mission work there. Today, we have a relationship with two small Christian schools who have welcomed and embraced our students. As these schools are receiving gifts through manual labor, personal care and financial support, Hillcrest students receive so much more as they minister in the name of Jesus.
Reaching out to others is at the heart of the Hillcrest experience. It is one of many aspects of the school's curriculum teaching from a Christian worldview perspective. God's truth, as revealed in the Bible, remains at the center in all fields of academic study.
Hillcrest celebrated the graduation of 47 seniors on the las weekend of May. Numerous video clips fo student testimonies and reflections on their time at Hillcrest gave parents and guests a better look at how the Hillcrest experience had impated their graduates.
I invite you to watch the video testimony from the 2011 Dominican Mission team to understand how God has used Hillcrest to equip Hillcrest students for a life of significance in Jesus Christ.
The 8th Annual Hillcrest Invitational Golf Tournament took place on a beautiful sunny Friday, June 15th at the Pebble Lake Golf Course. Participants traveled from Jamestown, Fargo/Moorhead, Minneapolis, and local surrounding areas to support Hillcrest Academy and the community through this fundraiser.
This year, Denny Johnson of Fergus Falls made a 50 foot putt in a “Hole in One” contest that awarded a $1,000 cash prize. A number of other prizes were given out at a steak dinner gathering at the Hillcrest Student Activities Center following the golf outing.
Past golf tournaments have raised funds for a number of different operational expenses at Hillcrest, primarily in athletics. Last year a live-stream video service was funded to make live sports events available on-line. This year’s funds will continue to enhance that initiative. The service is hosted on the Hillcrest Academy website and has enabled parents from around the world to watch their child participate in Hillcrest activities. The responses have been very positive, as parents (and grandparents) experience a picture of their student athlete’s life from a distance.
Broadcasting almost 30 athletic competitions, the Hillcrest Technical Department has also provided live video feeds for the Annual Hillcrest Christmas Concert, the National Honor Society induction ceremony, the Dominican Mission commissioning service, select parent seminars and the Hillcrest Academy graduation weekend. These events have also been archived online at www.ffhillcrest.org/livestream-archive for anyone to enjoy.
Hillcrest wishes to thank all individuals and businesses who sponsored holes, provided prizes, and participated in this very successful fund-raiser. Special thanks to Ryan Tungseth and the Pebble Lake Golf Course Staff for their excellent hospitality in hosting this event.
Hillcrest recently graduated 47 students. These students represent New York, Korea, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, New Jersey and Ecuador. Joining them are students from Norway, Japan, Seattle and a list of other places. As they leave Hillcrest, placing a capstone on a year of their life, they now represent Hillcrest Academy and Fergus Falls.
I say this following the blessing I had to connect with class members from 1945 to 2011 in our reunion festivities held during graduation weekend. The generations look different, but the fondness of our community remains as alumni walked the halls of Hillcrest sharing stories of our community. It is truly a blessing to be located in this supportive community.
Equipping Students For Significance
One of the most unique aspects of Hillcrest is the diverse student body that attends our small school in mid-west Minnesota. Our graduating students are attending Rutgers University, The University of Minnesota, The South Dakota School of Mines, Liberty University, Eastern University and the list goes on.
Our students will represent Christ on their college campuses, I know it. I heard their testimonies of how God captured their hearts and minds in the halls of Hillcrest. It was unmistakable, their passion to communicate how they feel propelled to represent Christ on their campuses. I invite you to view some of these testimonies on our website: www.ffhillcrest.org/significant.
Planning for Preparation
As the school year winds down in the area there are always comments and appreciation speaking to the value of educators. Hillcrest has been blessed over the years and continues to be blessed by phenomenal teachers who view their position at Hillcrest as a discipleship venture with their classes.
Through the work of the completed Fresh Breeze Campaign, Hillcrest staff will be traveling to Inspiration Point Bible Camp in August to receive training from Walt Mueller, the President of the Center for Parent and Youth Understanding and author of numerous books on teen culture. Holding a doctorate in postmodern generations from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Dr. Mueller will be instructing educators on teen culture and how to best educate both the heart and mind. This training, involving every faculty member during another intentional in-service, is one of the steps Hillcrest is taking to not only prepare our teachers for the classroom, but also equip them to disciple students in today's fast-paced culture.
The training and intentional staff development solidify the Hillcrest program, causing students to comment how they have received so much more than a diploma at Hillcrest Academy.
For nearly eight decades, the Fergus Falls community has been home to Hillcrest Academy, a Christian boarding school located in the city's SW section along the scenic Ottertail River. With nearly 100 students attending each year from other states and countries, this safe and welcoming community has been integral in helping to carry out the high school's objective of equipping students in Bible-based, Christ-centered environment for a life of significance. We are grateful to the Daily Journal for welcoming these school updates.
A Partnership Revealed
2008 ushered in a down-time in the nation's economy. It was also the year that Hillcrest began preparing for a major capital to pay-off remaining debt on the newly constructed Student Activities Center and proceed with a classroom renovation project. The project would include installation of an HVAC system to replace the century-old boiler system. The campaign also encouraged strengthening endowments for staff development and student financial aid. Now in its fourth and final year, the "Fresh Breeze" campaign has secured 90% of the $5 million goal through cash and pledges. The six-year-old Student Activities Center is debt-free, and plans are in place to begin work on the classroom renovations project in the coming year. These financial blessings bring confidence that the school will remain an important part of this community into the future.
Concert Choir Weekend Tour
The Hillcrest Concert Choir is embarking on a 2 day weekend tour with 3 concert performances. Their concert consists of a number of sacred pieces that will direct the congregations of Gethsemane Lutheran Brethren Church (LBC) in Rochester, MN and Ebenezer LBC in Minneapolis, MN in an intentional time of worship. The Choir tour is a time-honored tradition at Hillcrest Academy where students are discipled to praise Jesus Christ through their many talents.
Hillcrest Concert Band Tour
The Hillcrest Band tour launched the first of their 16 concerts over a 20 day period in Ottawa, IL. Recall this was the site for the first Lincoln-Douglas debates. Students visited the historic site in Ottawa, as well as the freedom trail in Boston, Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, and the Statue of Liberty and other historic sites in New York City. One chaperone commented that this was one of his most memorable trips with the band. Taking intentional time to consider heroic people who shaped American culture, students shared the message of Jesus Christ through their nightly concert performances on this musical tour of the east-coast.
Redefining Inservice
Educators ask "how do we better prepare our students for a meaningful life?" At Hillcrest, faculty are being equipped to inspire and educate students through intentional teacher-student mentorship. The school leadership is using a resource organized by Summit Ministries called the Cultivate program. The purposeful staff development times help to strengthen the school's Biblically-based program, with the objective of giving families so much more than a diploma through their faith-based investment with Hillcrest Academy.
The HLA Band completed its Pacific NW tour last night with a home concert at Bethel LB Church in Fergus Falls. Director Steve Doering praised the high school musicians for perseverance and consistent performances (15 in 17 days). Their performance last night was superb!
Thank you to all churches and host families who received this group into your community! We are grateful for your hospitality. I know that this tour will be remembered by the students for the rest of their lives.
A large group of HLA seniors and chaperones are flying today to the Dominican Republic for a week of ministry. As you are reminded, please pray for their safety and for open doors to share the love of Jesus Christ with those they come in contact with.
Thursday, July 19, 2012 at 11:57PM