At Campion Academy, we are excited to introduce our new Vice Principal of Academics, Kent Kast.  Kent has taught at Campion for six years, beginning in the fall of 2011.  He currently teaches Chemistry, Physics, and Calculus, which he will continue to teach along with this new promotion.  As the new VP of Academics, Kent will work closely with the Administrative Staff at Campion on envisioning what the future of academics will look like at the school, and seeing those visions through.  He will organize and participate in teacher evaluations and professional development for our teachers, as well as ensuring academic excellence at Campion and certifying that all of our graduating seniors have completed the necessary courses.
 
   “Kent is such a great person to work with.  He is kind and giving, and always makes time for his students.  He is involved in music and outdoor club as well, which helps him develop relationships with all of our students on campus.  I appreciate Kent’s kind spirit and positive attitude, and I am looking forward to working directly with Kent in the years to come.” –Sherry Hay, Registrar
 
   “Kent comes into this position as VP of Academics with 30 years of experience.  Not only has he been a teacher of many different grade levels, he also has experience as principal, and we are excited to have him be a part of our Administrative Team.  What I appreciate about Kent is that if there is a need on our campus, he is willing to fill it.” –Don Reeder, Principal

     We all end up finding something at mountain church. Some people find time for a siesta in a hammock; others can find an adventure with friends. But for all of us, we came together and found Jesus. Finding Jesus was the theme of the service this last Sabbath. It’s a tradition at Campion to have the Junior class lead out the service at mountain church. This year, they decided to take the theme Finding Jesus quite literally.

“It’s strange to think that this would be my last mountain church. I can’t imagine not coming here again next year, it seems like those rocky trails always bring me home.” –Celine Lumowa
 
      After the song service, Pastor Rob led everyone out with a quick game of Bible trivia where all the classes were competing against each other. The winners of each game got to go on ahead and begin The Search for Jesus. The Junior class officers had spread out all around GVR and each class had to find them all. Each officer had a clue as to where to find another officer. The search ended at GVR’s watchtower. When we got there, we found Alex Messersmith dressed as Jesus. Jesus (Alex) told each class to perform a skit where someone in the end finds Him.
 
      When the skits were over, we had lunch and they let us go and explore. The mountains are an amazing place where many of us go to just enjoy God’s creations and forget about the struggles of everyday life. For many seniors, including myself, who don’t live in Colorado, this would probably be the last time we would head up to GVR.
Mountain church was truly a blessing and I’m sure all the students think the same thing.

“I loved mountain church because I could really feel the presence of God. And it was a great opportunity to spend time with my friends in nature.” –Natalie Boonstra
 
Randy Maldonado is a senior at Campion Academy.

The annual sophomore trip to Moab, Utah took place this last week starting on Wednesday and returning on Sunday. Filled with hiking, white water rafting, laughing with friends and singing songs around a fire, the sophomores greatly enjoyed this big adventure. Having worship in the morning before they started their activities for the day, and at night before bed, Mr. Kast walked the students through God’s creation of Earth day by day. The sophomore class got to experience first-hand God’s beautiful creation as they took hikes with breathtaking views and white water rafting down the Colorado River.
 
“Rafting was fun!” Says Ethan Gueck.
 
“Moab was a great opportunity for our class to bond. We had to work as a team and help each other out. Even fun activities like river rafting required teamwork. It was a fun trip,” said sophomore, Sydney Michalenko.
 
Not only was this trip filled with adventurous activities, but the sophomores were put in environment where they could learn more about God and form stronger friendships.
 
Faith Paden mentioned, “I think our class has always needed something like Moab to bond us a little better. Going on this trip made up for all the stressful labs and late nights. I had a really fun time and I think that because of this trip we got to know how awesome our sponsors (the Santana’s) are. This trip helped me appreciate my class and my teachers so much more.” 

Moab was just the starting point for the sophomore class to grow in their relationship with God and each other. 

Samantha Nielsen is a senior at Campion Academy.

          Despite the lobster red sunburn and sand in places we didn't know we had, this year’s senior class trip was a blast! On April 25, we packed up and headed out West to the beautiful state of California. We were blessed to be able to stay at the Chase Suite hotel in Brea, CA.

            Once we were settled in the first day, we traveled to downtown Los Angeles to the Walt Disney Concert Hall for the Phil Harmonic Duet performance. The music was truly beautiful and the talent was awe-inspiring; although after 36 hours of being awake it was hard to keep our eyes open.

         “As a musician myself, it was amazing to just sit back and admire the talent of the performers. Regardless of how difficult it was to stay awake, the music was beautifully intricate and mystifying.” –Michelle Hebard
           
           Beach day came next. We woke up bright and early to spend the day at Newport Beach. My class and I had the time of our lives boogie boarding and shopping in the cute little shops in town. That afternoon, we boarded the Newport Legacy and set out on the ocean. Almost instantly, five massive Grey Whales appeared near the coast. The captain informed us of how lucky we were to have seen this many whales together at once.
 
        The entire trip was filled with nostalgia thinking about our high school life, but the true nostalgia and magic reappeared as we entered the gates of Disneyland. I had never been, but when the sun went down and the lights came on and it was purely magical.  

         “Going to Disneyland was a huge part of my childhood and getting to relive it with my class made me realize that no matter how old I may get, there is still a Disney loving kid within me”-Chantelle  Bravatti
 
           My favorite day of the trip was Sabbath. We had a short but powerful church service and then spent the rest of the day soaking in the sun, boogie boarding on the waves, and walking along the beach.
 
            “Boogie boarding was a new experience, and I had a lot of fun trying to not die in the waves.” –Caleb Anthony
 
            “The waves gave students of all abilities challenges and excitement.” – Glen O’Halloran

​          This trip was unforgettable and made for a fantastic finishing touch to our high school life. We came even closer as a class and made more memories that we will keep forever.

​            “Senior year is closing. Very soon, my nostalgia will bring me back to strolling the happiest place in earth and, riding the waves, and singing by the pool.”- Celine Lumowa 

Chelsey Bankhead is a senior at Campion Academy.