This is what it looks like when learning becomes formation. Students are seen not just for where they are, but for who they are becoming. They are given space to try, to fail, to rise, and to discover that the abilities God has placed within them are not theoretical; they are usable, meaningful, and needed. In rooms like this, with voices raised and minds engaged, students begin to understand that they can enter complex situations, think clearly, speak truthfully, and act with purpose. And that realization changes them.

In Mrs. Moline’s classroom, learning is never just about the lesson. It is about forming the kind of student who trusts the environment, understands their place in it, connects with others, sees meaning in their work, and develops the skill to carry it forward.

Cold mountain air rushed through the field alive with movement. Feet were striking the ground in rhythm, voices rising in unfamiliar songs, laughter breaking through every barrier that language could have built as young people from Tirana joined Hillcrest seniors in the mountains for a retreat. Circles tightened, hands locked, and under a bright Albanian sky, a group of students who had never met hours earlier moved like lifelong friends. No hesitation. No distance. Just loud, unfiltered, and contagious laughter. This is where the Hillcrest students will lead a weekend getaway focused on identity, reality, and the good news of the Gospel.

It would be easy to measure this trip by what it costs. A week away from the final stretch of senior year. The financial weight of international travel. The disruption of routine. In a culture that values efficiency above almost everything, this kind of decision can feel impractical. But day two makes something unmistakably clear: this is not a break from education. This is its fulfillment.

If the first day is any indication, what lies ahead will not simply be a series of planned moments, but a continuation of something God has already been orchestrating. Because the Gospel does not wait for perfect conditions, it moves through willing people. People who will go. People who will sit. People who will listen. People who will love.

There’s a quiet kind of momentum building within the Hillcrest track and field program, and if you were watching closely at Concordia on Tuesday, you could see it. Not just in the times on the scoreboard, but in the way races were run, handoffs were executed, and competitors carried themselves from start to finish.

Backpacks shuffled, laughter echoed, and then Mr. Peterson’s voice cut clean through the noise:

“Pick up a Bible. We have one for each of you to bring with you to share with a person you meet in Albania.”

And just like that… everything shifted.

This isn’t just a trip. It’s a sending.

Jesus sang before the cross. The early church sang through persecution. Hillcrest students sing on the road and bring those songs home. And now, it’s our turn. Because the story of Easter has always been sung.

The indoor season has already been especially successful. The results point clearly toward what’s possible: multiple athletes positioned to make a push for State competition once again.

In a culture that often tells students their worth is tied to how “full” their lives appear, Hunter Pinke offered a countercultural truth: your hope is not in the level of your cup, but in the God who fills it.

They went to the Capitol to learn about advocating for life. They left understanding something even greater: that a healthy society depends on citizens who are informed, courageous, and willing to step forward.

Ms. Julie didn’t shy away from naming the challenge: “We could threaten all day or manipulate all day to get behavior change… but at the end of the day, we’ve got to do the hard work.”

As the voices settled and the lesson moved on, the hallway returned to stillness. But something lasting had taken place. Under Ms. Hosch’s guidance, these students are not just becoming better readers, they are becoming learners who trust order and who are being grounded in a truth that will carry far beyond the classroom.

Experiences like this reflect Hillcrest’s commitment to hyper-practical learning. Education here is designed to develop students who do more than absorb information. They are encouraged to observe carefully, ask thoughtful questions, and apply what they know to serve others. That means stepping outside the classroom and into the community. Whether it’s through internships, service projects, or business partnerships like this one, Hillcrest students regularly encounter opportunities to connect their learning to the real world around them. The goal is simple but profound: to cultivate young men and women who think clearly, communicate well, and contribute meaningfully wherever they go.

The banners and record books will celebrate the first state tournament appearance, the program record for wins, and a fourth-place finish in Minnesota Class A. But the legacy of the 2025–26 Comets runs deeper. Long after the lights of Williams Arena dim and the final box scores are filed away, the example these young women set, on the court and in prayer, will continue to shape the Hillcrest program for years to come. And for everyone who watched them this season, it truly was a fun group of girls to cheer for and an incredible year to remember.

The Comets again displayed the unity that has carried them through a historic season. The Hillcrest fan section filled Williams Arena with red and white, supporting the team from the opening tip through the final minutes.

While the offense grabbed headlines, Hillcrest’s defense played a key role in creating separation early in the game. The Comets recorded 12 steals and six blocks, disrupting NRHEG’s rhythm and turning defensive stops into transition opportunities.

When the final boxes were packed and the totals counted, the room filled with smiles. The collection represented more than food, it represented compassion, responsibility, and the growing hearts of students learning what it means to live for something bigger than themselves.

The Hillcrest Comets girls basketball team is headed to the state tournament, and the school gathered for a pepfest that felt less like an assembly and more like a launch.

What happened next was extraordinary for the room, eager to dive into the food of the International Night. For most, what made the evening special wasn’t just the food; it was the people behind it. Each course of the meal was prepared and presented by Hillcrest’s international students. Standing before the crowd, they described the dishes they had made and the traditions behind them. Their explanations brought their cultures into the room in a way that a textbook never could.