The Highlander
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THE HIGHLANDER •May 2, 2024
May 2. 2024 - Vol. 2. Issue 5
SPORTS
HIGHLIGHT
Meet Isabelle Laneville Pg.5
RELIGION
World Cup 2026 is underway Pg.2
Drama Vespers pg.3
ACADEMY DAYS GO BY IN A FLASH Lulu Lopez Highland Academy campus began to fill up with students from all over the Kentucky/Tennessee conference on Friday, April 12 beginning at 10:00 a.m. This began our 2024 Academy Days. Academy Days is an event held here at Highland for a weekend where students who are considering coming to Highland Academy can see what we offer and what campus life is like. There were many events going on during academy days: the drama vespers, bells performance, horseback riding, games,
everyone to show their clubs plus an introduction of all the staff. Hope Squad, a student-led mental health initiative, showed a video about a week of hope and how being in Hope Squad has helped them connect with others and how they’ve seen the change in the school. Solomon Lewis said, “you never know what someone is going through. You could save someone’s life. So always be kind to everyone, and show Jesus in everything you do.”
lawn concert, choir & band performance, and the finale of the weekend, Gymnix Home Show. Over 50 students came and stayed on campus in the dormitories. School events can encompass a wide range of activities from academic competitions to social gatherings. During Academy Days, a lot of Highland students got to lead mini groups where they showed them the school, played games, and did some get to know each other activities. They enjoyed the whole day getting to know each other and Highland. Adriel Garcia said “my favorite part of leading the group was when we were quizzing the visiting students on Bible questions and they were getting them all right, so it was fun seeing their excitment.” The weekend started Friday around 10 when registration officially started. There were students welcoming the parents and their children. Then there was a welcome assembly. This was an opportunity for
A lot of students were involved in the activities of academy days. The Student Association (SA) was greeting people during registration and other students helped with decorations, leading groups, taking pictures and videos, and other things. The Drama Class had their performance of “The Witness,”a play written by the drama teacher, Mrs. Melissa Weisner, and the class. They spent months practicing and building their set and were ready to show how God uses us to further His kingdom. Bells, also, had a performance during the drama performance playing right before the show began and then
during intermission for the offertory. Sabbath morning, the seniors held Sabbath School in the gym. They did a skit of the sower with the seeds, did song service, special music and the lesson of the day. Solomon Lewis, senior class pastor, talked about the importance of spreading the message and even if it’s hard, you never know who could need it. This was a perfect tie into the message of drama vespers the previous night. Sabbath afternoon had a lot of fun activities. The drama class also held activities on Sabbath afternoon. They practiced skits and got to play games with the visiting students with some of the drama members. Students John Mark Armstrong, senior, and a couple others were relaxing outside playing guitar and singing. Armstrong said, “I really enjoyed playing with all my friends and being able to be in communion with them. I was glad the weather had cleared up and it was the perfect time to be outside.” Rachel Liu said “singing together and hanging out with everyone was my favorite part of the whole weekend. I loved the weather, the vibes and just being able to relax.” Horse Club got students involved with a horse ring ride Sabbath afternoon. Each member had a job to do whether it was making sure everyone had signed the waiver, or was leading the horses while someone was on top. They all participated. Mia Gomez said, “my favorite part was getting the horses ready. I love taking care of them and making them look presentable.” After an afternoon filled with activities, the final hours of Sabbath were spent in the outdoor classroom for worship. Principal Watkins prayed and started it all with activities for everyone to get to know each
other on a deeper level. The first game was sharing an embarrassing story about each other. Tanya Lunga said, “when I was little I was walking down the stage from church, and I fell in front of everyone.” That is one of her most embarrassing moments. The next activity was a testimony session. A lot of students shared how Highland has positively impacted them and how glad they are to be here. A parent who was visiting said he loves the community and how small the school is because it showed him how close knit it is and he can really appreciate that in a school. Lastly, to finish the weekend, there was the Gymnix Home Show. This
show had so much diversity and the theme was beachy. The Gymix team has also been preparing for a long time for this performance and they gave it their all. Erika, a visiting student from Louisville, said, “I loved the show. I couldn’t even comprehend how they were doing all those cool tricks, but I was having so much fun seeing them perform. It was one of my favorite parts.” Academy days are one of the best ways to get to know about Highland Academy. Everyone pitches in to make a perfect weekend for everyone to be able to enjoy. At Highland Academy,the main goal is to develop Christ-like character, and to be able to share the message of Jesus Christ. This weekend was filled with communion, activities, and friendship. There’s a place here for you. Join us! Pictures provided by: Stephanie Rufo and Isabelle Laneville