October 9, 2024

The Highlander

80’s Bowling

This year, Student Association hosted a night of Bowling at Strike and Spare in Hendersonville, Tennessee for the informal banquet with an 80’s Preppy vibe. The banquet took place on Sunday, September 29, and offered a fantastic opportunity for students to connect and enjoy a funfilled evening together. Students made groups of six to participate in the bowling competition. “I liked that we could do groups because then I could hang out with all my friends,” said Cassie Sutton, freshman. Making groups instead of couples just added to the fun.

Before piling into the bus and vans, students took group pictures around

campus and again at Strike and Spare. As groups began their games, they cheered and screamed for their teams as they rolled strikes. Some groups ended the game with over 120 points! They were given the opportunity to play games one

after the other. Many played up to three games. Win or lose, fun could be had for all. Fawn Ndanyi, senior said, “Even though we didn’t win, we had tons of fun.” After eating pizza provided by Strike and Spare and finishing off the bowling matches, students played in the arcade or went rollerblading in the Strike and Spare arena before leaving. Ethan Atlee, senior, said, “While everyone was leaving, me and Logan [Darrell] played the Jurassic Park arcade game.” He didn’t say who won. On the following Wednesday during the assembly, Tyler Mathis announced the winning team of the tournament: Logan Darrell, Clara Reading, both juniors, Ethan Atlee, Casi Demaree, both seniors and Tessa Wade, sophomore. Way to go guys! Totally Rad!

FALL FESTIVAL

On Saturday, October 5, the students of Highland Academy and their families along with people from the community headed to the Raphan Ley Auditorium for a night of fun hosted by the junior class. The students transported guests back to an era of sock hops and burgers with the theme being the 1950’s. From the checkered diner floor to the motorcycle at the photo booth the 50’s were back. There were endless activities to try, from fish pong to hayrides; they had it all.

Yari Rosario-Mejia and Nalayne Matheson, both seniors said, “Even though we are seniors, we still had fun in the bouncy house. We only live once and we need to enjoy our youth before we become old.”

Not only did we have activities, but we also had live performances by the Elvis Frank Sinatra Wannabes, Logan Darrell, Elijah Labrenz and Carson Watkins, all juniors, who sang songs from the ages.

The most popular and crowd favorite was “My Way,” their final song. Anastasia Anderson, junior, said, “I enjoyed listening to live music by the Elvis Frank Sinatra Wannabes, especially ‘My Way’”

Don’t forget food. Having so much fun works up an appetite, and the junior class delivered. They had hamburgers with fries and your choice of toppings. They even went the extra mile and set up a milkshake booth to really bring out the diner vibes. Elijah Labrenz, junior, said, “The food was good” and Rhianna Powers, senior, said, “I loved the food!.”

At the end of the day the most important thing is being able to hang with your friends and bond with your fellow classmates. It’s all about making those connections with the people around you. Rhianna Powers

also said, “I loved the food and enjoyed going down the zip-lines and hanging with friends.” She wasn’t the only one. The line for the zip-line was always moving.

I hope everyone had an amazing evening at the fall festival. A big thank you to the junior class and the staff for making it all happen! Lillian Lopez, a junior class sponsor, said, “...Cati communicated and planned all the details well! Mrs. Anita Watkins was a

Will

Shiloh Bushey

Everyone’s mental health is important. The thing is, men and women deal with different issues, not that they can’t experience the same. Some are more common in women than in men and vice versa. This article mentions, sexual assault and eating disorders, which may be hard to read for some.

Women are more likely to have PTSD in intimate situations. National Sexual Violence Resource Center says, “More than half of female victims of rape reported being raped by an intimate partner and almost half by an acquaintance.” One in five women in the U.S. reported being sexually assaulted in their lifetime. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs says, “Survivors of sexual assault who have PTSD may struggle with avoidance of people who resemble the perpetrator, may avoid relationships and sexual intimacy, may struggle to trust others and feel safe in the world and may blame themselves for actions taken or not taken at the time of the assault.

These symptoms may improve over time or may last and continue to cause problems.”

Some mental health disorders are specific to women. Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) is just one unique to women. This happens as the menstrual cycle begins, causing feelings of depression and fatigue, anxiety and stress, increased irritability, mood swings and more. This can happen to women even in their teens. Women who struggle with mental health may find it hard to ask for help because they blame it on their hormones, and while yes, they affect your mental health greatly when it is stopping you from completing self-care tasks (such as showering, brushing your teeth, etc.),

WOMEN’S MENTAL HEALTH

Keeping in touch with loved ones and enjoying the things you once enjoyed, it becomes a concern.

Self-harm is when someone purposefully

harms their own body. Women are twice as likely to commit an act of NonSuicidal Self-Injury (NSSI) or Non-Suicidal Self-Harm (NSSH). Commonly started at a young age, women and girls who self-harm,

due to the stigma around it, tend to hide it and hurt themselves in places on their body that are easily covered. It is often seen as attention seeking by peers, family and health professionals leading to fewer and fewer reaching out for help.

Women of all ages can be diagnosed with an eating disorder.

However, it’s most commonly diagnosed between the ages of 18-21. Anorexia is when one restricts food. Women are three times more likely than men to develop anorexia. Binge eating disorder is when one eats large amounts of food in one sitting. Often, those with a binge eating disorder will “make up” for overeating by purging (forcefully making themselves throw up, taking laxatives to get rid of the food and fasting). This is called Bulimia, and around 2% of women suffer with it.

Overall, take care of yourself and those around you.

Women hide their mental health struggles very well and do not open up about it as much as people think. You never know if you’re the reason someone is hurting or happy, so actively decide to consider others and be the reason for a smile. Remember that you are never alone. Staff and friends at Highland want to lend a listening ear and a helping hand. Take care of your mental help, and if you do struggle, say something. You are worth it.

According to the Merriam dictionary, individuality is having qualities that make one person or thing different. In American culture, individuality is something cherished, and that bodes true at Highland Academy as well. When one thinks about what it means to be an individual, people may think about what makes them especially different from others in their friend group, in their church or maybe in the class. Luke Henry, a junior, said that he expresses his individuality through hobbies like fishing, which he is passionate about. He said, “I’ve spent 6-8 thousand dollars over the years on the equipment.”

While Henry feels his individuality lies in fishing, Micah Hallam, a freshman said, “I express my individuality through my art drawing. I don’t model my art after real-life people or characters, but I try to make them my own.” Hallam enjoys drawing mythological creatures the most. Something else that Hallam believes sets him apart is his love for books: the kind that not many people are interested in such as history books or science fiction. Creativity seems to be what people use to set themselves apart as individuals. When there are a lot of activities and classes we must all do together, a person’s individuality often shines through his or her creative side. Take Joshua Moyo, a junior, for instance. He too feels his individuality shows more with his music. He said, “I express my individuality through music because it calms my mind.” Moyo shared how music takes him away from the everyday grind giving him peace when he chooses to focus on his music. He especially appreciates music and its calming effect if playing classical or soft music.

Another theme that appears in expressing individuality is one’s abilities or talents. A person can stand out if he or she is amazing at soccer or can make 3 point shots every attempt, for instance.

Genrikh Semanivskyy, a senior and international student, said, “What differentiates me from others is that I can speak

INDIVIDUALITY

three languages: Spanish and Russian, and I am learning English here and there. I speak Spanish and Russian fluently because of the people I was surrounded by growing up.”

When considering the meaning of individuality, one must understand that we are all different and that is not only okay, but needed.

Neveah Cano, a junior said, “I think individuality means embracing your characteristics and accepting that not everyone else is the same as you, and that is ok. One can remain authentic by caring less about what others think.”

Along that same idea, Lillian Lopez, math instructor, said, “Being an individual means trusting that God did not make a mistake when He created you. That goes along with your talents, gifts, and even your quirks: things that make you unique are not mistakes. If you believe that, then you will not try to morph yourself into something different from who God created you. The more we believe that God created us with a purpose, the easier it will be for us to express ourselves freely.”

When asked what he thought about individuality, Roger Schmidt, history instructor, said, “Individuality is about finding who I am, who I belong to, my purpose,

and what’s my future. Once someone finds their identity, they find their individuality and can embrace it more. These four fundamental searches work together to form a sense of security and contentment: that my life has meaning somehow.”

Individuality comes from God. They are the qualities that God has given to us that make us unique and different from others. We must understand that God did not make a mistake, but that He has purpose in that. He has a purpose for you. We express our individuality by finding the qualities God has instilled in us.

Addison Atlee

Brittan Troutt Hewitt started working at Highland Academy just this August. You may see her in the back of the business office at her desk writing emails, placing orders, balancing the books and answering phone calls throughout the day. Before she and her family came to Highland, she lived in Parkersburg, West Virginia. She grew up in her hometown of Roanoke, Virginia where she graduated from a local high school and then attended and graduated from Roanoke College. She is also a member of the Thrive Women’s Group at the Highland Adventist Church and her favorite Bible verse is Joshua 1:9 which says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

What are some of your favorite hobbies? What do you do when you’re not at Highland?

When Hewitt is not juggling work or doing “mom duties,” she said “my favorite hobbies…I don’t have much time for them, but I do love crocheting, watching old fashioned movies,

BRITTAN HEWITT

and I especially like camping outdoors with my family.” She is most proud of a couple blankets she has been able to crochet as gifts for family members who truly enjoy them. That is always a blessing.

What’s been your favorite thing about Highland Academy? Do you have any favorite memories?

Hewitt said that Highland Academy feels like a family. She also shared that she enjoys and appreciates all of the spiritual aspects about the school. “My favorite memory while being at Highland is just watching my kids’

grow up and my daughter, Jewell, graduate from here,” she said. She has two children: her oldest, Jewell Hewitt, graduated last year with the class of 2024 from Highland Academy and Levi Hewitt is currently attending Highland Elementary.

Where did you work before coming to Highland?

Before working in accounting at Highland, Mrs. Hewitt worked as a 911 dispatcher. She can tell you lots of stories from her 10 years of experience. One story she told is that she worked near a psychiatric hospital where the nurses would turn on the phones for patients who would then call 911. Most of the time, patients would just want to have a conversation with the dispatcher.

How is working at Highland different from your other jobs? How do you like being at Highland?

Hewitt said, “It’s a whole lot busier here than at the conference office, [where she worked prior to coming to Highland] but I really enjoy working here.” Hewitt likes working at Highland because of the faculty. “The faculty is amazing,” she said, “and makes it feel like a family. It just feels like home here.”

Welcome to Highland Academy, Mrs. Hewitt!

HURRICANE HELENE

Addison Atlee

Hurricane Helene came in fast, causing concern to lots of Highland Academy students as they watched the news in the school’s media room.

On September 27, Hurricane Helene hit Portland, Tennessee causing heavy rain, flooding, and strong winds. Though the seniors’ trip to Southern Adventist University was cut short, Highland Academy’s campus was left undamaged, and the sophomores got the chance to go to North Carolina to help those affected.

On September 26, Hurricane Helene made land and caused damages and flooding in Florida.

The hurricane’s storm was scheduled to hit Georgia and Tennessee on September 27. Some students have family in Florida who were affected by this hurricane. Freshman Savannah Beaumont’s grandparents who stayed in their home

during the hurricane, watched their plants and trees sway in the harsh winds. Although stuck in the storm, they didn’t suffer any tragic damages. Emilee Seigle also has cousins in midFlorida that said, “The hurricane knocked down a few trees in my neighborhood, but it was actually just like a thunderstorm.”

Due to the incoming storm and safety concerns, the seniors’ trip to view Southern Adventist University was shortened.

“I was sad that I didn’t get to tour the campus and see my friends, but I had a great time,” said Casi Demaree. With all students back on campus, school resumed September 27. The harsh rain and winds on campus

caused umbrellas to rip out of students’ hands or be ripped backward even while they were hanging on. Local roads shut down, but fortunately Highland Campus was left undamaged. Because of the devastating aftermath in North Carolina, Highland Academy sophomores headed out for a five day trip to help those in need from the hurricane damage and were back on October 10. It is important that we continue to watch for the next hurricane and do what we can to stay safe and help others even if we have to shorten or even cancel events.

Bertin Shyaka

BOUNDARY WATERS

This school year, I came to school unprepared. I had little to no clothes, didn’t bring any money, and had forgotten some of the necessities at home, so the first month of school was a little hectic and stressful. This is why when my friend Isaias Serrano, senior, encouraged me to go on the Boundary Waters trip, I said no. It’s a trip that Andy Wade, outdoor education instructor, and Sara Bagshaw, equine instructor, take students to explore creation and have fun in God’s second book: nature. Boundary Waters is a nature preserve in Minnesota where you can participate in all sorts of outdoor adventures like hunting, fishing and canoeing. Campfires are only allowed in the metal grates at designated Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCA) campsites. The only exception on places people can camp would be dependent on adverse conditions such as heavy storms. Then you could camp anywhere you needed. This year’s Boundary Waters adventure went from September 8 to September 16.

When Serrano told me to go on Boundary Waters weeks before the trip, I was unsure because I didn’t have the necessities needed. He told me that BWCA is a place secluded from all the noises and that at night, the stars were so bright in the sky that you could stare at them all night. A few weeks passed, then Josias Velazquez and Sam Dennis, both juniors, asked me to go to BWCA. I told them I could not go for the same reasons I’d told Serrano that I couldn’t go: because I didn’t have the materials necessary. I finally told Wade and Bagshaw I wanted to go but didn’t have all that I needed and they provided me with what I was missing. On Sunday, we departed at 5:40 am and arrived at 7:22 pm.

We talked about the procedures

and protocols of being at BWCA, and a day later, we started canoeing. On the first day of canoeing, there were some struggles with paddling, steering, and communicating. Dennis and I were obviously new by how we steered the canoe. Steering and paddling require strength, but they are primarily techniques. I say this because the ladies who were not as strong were canoeing, too.

The girls, Clara Reading, Corinthia Lopez and Mia Gomez, juniors, were all killing it! Not only were they good at paddling and steering, but they also carried heavy bags of their belongings weighing in at 30-50 pounds. That is quite heavy for trekking miles into the wilderness. They had to carry those bags for many portages, ranging from 1650 yards to 1 mile. The fellows, Toby Scarborough, Josias Velazquez, Sam Dennis, all juniors, and I, senior, grew tired of carrying the boats so the ladies took over. Lopez carried the Wenonah canoe through this one portage with no help whatsoever. She demonstrated not just strength, but a strength of character showing us how it’s done.

When Dennis and I were out paddling and steering through the lake, we

finally got the hang of it. Canoeing in a two-person boat required two people to cooperate to provide power, whether it be paddling or steering. There were moments where I felt like giving up, but somehow Dennis found it in his heart to give me words of motivation and encouragement. I mustered strength, somehow, and we kept going. The trick is working together, something we don’t always get the opportunity to do in such a tangible way. Later on, winds came at a speed like never before when canoeing. Dennis and I went in circles, and our group had to wait for us for 30 minutes. At least we weren’t the only ones who had gotten stuck.

We switched partners a few days later; I joined Lopez and Gomez’s canoe.

I was exhausted. The pain was something else. I couldn’t feel my traps (a large muscle in one’s back) and my shoulders because of the poor technique I’d started with. This could have been defeating, but the ladies encouraged me to keep paddling, so with all my might, we moved at half the speed that we had been moving, but we moved. They were such good sports and made even the difficulties fun. The funniest thing I’ve experienced canoeing with Lopez and Gomez was them singing songs I never heard before. They both knew the songs by heart and belted them as we went.

My challenges at BWCA were carrying the canoes through portages and recovering from my bad technique. These challenges kept me from being efficient and valuable to my group, but the team encouraged me not to give up. On the 1.3 portages, I didn’t feel my legs and was trapped midway through the portage. The only way I got through was by asking the Lord for strength. Through the portage, there were rocks, tiny pathways to get through, and lots of ups and downs. Doug Thompson and Sandy Miller, our group leaders, made our experience on Boundary Waters amazing. I am thankful for them helping with putting the canoe on our shoulders, for lending a hand in setting up hammocks and for them and the group for encouraging me to get into the water to swim or float and to just keep going. I am also thankful to Thompson and Miller for the delicious food. Lastly, I want to thank Wade and Bagshaw for taking the Highland Academy students to spend time in God’s second book to experience God’s creation and just live out the moment with Him in a way that not everyone gets the opportunity to experience. It was definitely a challenge, but it was worth every ache to learn so much about God and myself.

Samantha Anderson

On September 15, a gray seal weighing 230 pounds was found in Shoe Pond, Massachusetts. According to the police reports, the seal was initially swimming in the Bass River and managed to find his way to a connecting river to get to Shoe Pond. Shoebert is what the town started calling the seal because he lived in “Shoe” pond. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) was alerted of the seal’s existence and headed to the pond to rescue him. Shoebert, on the other hand, had something different in mind. He evaded NOAA, hid under the water where they couldn’t reach him,

SHOEBERT THE SEAL

and waited for everyone to leave. On September 23, NOAA tried all day to secure Shoebert, and by evening, they called it quits and went home. Shoebert took this moment as his opportunity and crawled through town to sit in front of the police station. At 2:30 a.m., NOAA was called with someone reporting that Shoebert was in front of the police station. So they headed back out to pick

Shoebert up. This time, he was more agreeable and went with them willingly. When they gave Shoebert a physical and some blood work, they found out that Shoebert was a seal they had saved from Cape Cod previously that they named Jekyll. Shoebert was so happy that he was saved the first time that he went back to thank them for their help.