Last night, young students gathered for Comet Cheer Camp in the auditorium. Beyond mastering jumps and chants, these young Comets discovered something even more powerful: the impact of celebrating others.

In a world where speaking openly about faith is becoming less common, Hillcrest’s lower school trains students to see it as natural. When students stand up in chapel and share what God is teaching them, they learn that talking about their faith isn’t just for adults, it’s for them. By normalizing public declarations of faith, Hillcrest is discipling students to become future leaders in their families, churches, and country.

Tuesday night’s dominant 67-32 win over Battle Lake was more than just another victory—it was a statement. A showcase of defensive intensity, offensive rhythm, and a team that is dialed in as they prepare for their postseason march.

By blending academic rigor with real-world experiences, Mrs. Riestenberg’s biology class’ bread-making lesson modeled what makes Hillcrest Academy’s approach so powerful. Education isn’t about filling minds with facts but shaping hearts and equipping students to live out their faith in meaningful ways.

The Comets leaned on their outside shooting to stretch LPA’s defense, showing patience in their ball movement despite the shot clock winding down. Their ability to shift the defense with crisp perimeter passing allowed for small creases to attack the basket and convert key opportunities to hold-off a late game surge and carry a 65-53 win into the locker room.

With two games remaining before playoff seedings are set, the Comets are uniting and pushing strong into the postseason. Sitting at 18-6, they travel to Lake Park-Audubon on Tuesday before hosting Mahnomen-Waubun on Friday for their regular season finale. This final stretch is about sharpening their identity, sustaining their momentum, and continuing to celebrate the dedication that defines this team.

Part of what makes Hillcrest’s production so engaging is how the cast leans into the novel’s redemptive arc. Little Women is not just a coming-of-age tale but a story of mistakes made and forgiven, of hearts broken and mended, and of dreams that shift and grow over time. The students make these core lessons resonate, and their collective commitment invites the audience to reflect on their own families and aspirations.

Mr. Undseth gently sat in the chair and looked across the table at Mr. Tony Rogness. The two usually greet each other from across the hall, but on Thursday afternoon, they gathered with the Upper School teachers to participate in a Socratic circle, not as teachers but as students. Academic Dean Lauren Frobish guided the room of upper school teachers through a Socratic circle to discuss John Milton Gregory’s The Seven Laws of Teaching. The session reinforced their teaching methodologies and integrated art education to enhance students’ picture smarts, aligning with Hillcrest’s classical Christian approach.

This weekend, when the curtain rises on Little Women, it will be more than a performance. It will showcase students maturing before our eyes, wrestling with deep themes, expressing real emotion, and growing in their faith. It will be an invitation to witness what makes a classical education unique: the opportunity to step into stories, embody truth and practice the art of resolution.

The Hillcrest Comets are proving what it means to be a battle-tested team. Coming off a grueling stretch of basketball filled with tough matchups, physical play, and a few bumps and bruises along the way, the Comets have emerged stronger, more unified, and now as conference champions. With that title secured, they now set their sights on something even more significant: being the number one seed in the section and making a deep playoff run.

Students rose to their feet in Mrs. Foss’ class, starting their class with a framing habit, a catechesis, that positions their hearts, minds, and body of students for learning. This habit isn’t simply about memorizing facts for an assignment, it is about formation.

Peterson’s impact on the Comets has gone beyond the stat sheet. She has been the defensive heartbeat of the team, setting the tone with her energy, leadership, and playmaking ability. Her six steals in the Comets’ recent 56-45 victory over Underwood are a testament to her all-around dominance and commitment to disrupting opponents on both ends of the floor.

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From the opening whistle, Hillcrest set the tone with aggressive defense and high-energy play, limiting Rothsay to just 20 points at halftime while putting up 44 of their own. Head coach Hannah Clark credited the team’s defensive intensity as a key factor in their resurgence. "I thought their defensive intensity was much better than it had been the last couple of games," she remarked.

Midway through the second half, Breckenridge appeared poised for a comeback. A Cowboys player sliced through the lane, eyes locked on what seemed like an easy layup. But, with the ball in his hands being lifted to the rim, Junior Sean Berge soared through the air, grabbing the ball with both hands, erasing the scoring opportunity. In one swift motion, Berge sent an outlet pass down the court, where the Comets thrived in transition, turning defense into offense and dictating the pace of the game. The crowd erupted, sensing that Hillcrest was not about to relinquish control of their home court.

"Tonight was all about celebrating our seniors and what they mean to this program," Clark said. "Ruby and Kate have led this team wonderfully, and I’m proud of how the girls came together to get this win for them."

With momentum on their side and a strong team dynamic fueling their play, the Comets are poised to make a deep postseason run—one that will be led by the legacy of two outstanding seniors who have set the bar high for future Hillcrest teams.

Now sitting at 13-5 on the season, Hillcrest’s focus sharpens as they gear up for a crucial conference battle against the 14-2 Border West Buccaneers on Friday night. The Buccaneers will pose a tough test, but the Comets’ defensive mindset and growing offensive confidence make them a formidable challenge for any opponent.

The Comets’ emerging presence in the post doesn’t stop with Stender. Kate Olstad added 10 points and five rebounds, helping the team take pressure off their dynamic guards. By establishing a strong attack in the paint, the Comets are developing more scoring threats to match their perimeter play and share the offensive load. With Stender and Olstad controlling the lane and Ella Knutson set to return soon from injury, opponents must now pick their poison, clog the paint, or chase the shooters.

Hillcrest’s classical curriculum is not just academic but transformative, instilling in students the courage, confidence, and civic muscle to carry the Gospel into the public square. By anchoring these discussions in a moral and biblical context, Hillcrest trains students to see beyond momentary wins, urging them to cultivate virtues that will guide their future roles—whether in political office, community leadership, or simply as active, thoughtful citizens.

With time winding down and the Comets clinging to one last offensive push, Junior guard Zane Holmquist found himself open on the left wing. “We decided not to call a timeout in our final possession,” Comet coach Donny Rogness recounted, “(we) let the boys naturally play to find their shot. They worked the ball around, and with 18 seconds left, Zane found himself open on the left wing.” No timeout. No drawn-up play. Just confidence and trust in his players. “He appeared confident. Without hesitation, he shot the ball. And made it. It’s the type of basketball we play. We’re a team, and anyone can score at any time. It was an exciting moment.”