 Arlen Mekelburg, husband of our head girls’ dean, Melissa Mekelburg, will be officially joining the faculty at Campion this year and will be teaching Pre-Algebra, Algebra I, and Anatomy & Physiology. Mekelburg brings both passion and experience to the classroom, as he has taught math and sciences for over 27 years in four boarding academies. He holds both Colorado State and Denominational teaching certificates in science and math.
Mekelburg recognizes the importance of the student-teacher relationship in creating a positive learning environment. “My classroom goals include working at connecting with each student, as in knowing their interests, background, and learning style so we can connect as teacher and learner,” he said. “The main goal is to make it possible for each student to be successful at every step in the classroom and in life.” Since moving with his wife to Campion Academy, Mekelburg has been teaching seventh and eighth grade science at HMS Richards Elementary and at Greely Option Schools. Campion students have gotten to know him on the basketball court as he has been helping to coach the girls’ team. He also teaches Driver’s Education and works with many students at Campion. He was born and raised on a family farm near Yuma, Colorado with five brothers and sisters. He attended Platte Valley Academy, then Union College, later graduating from the University of Nebraska in Agriculture in 1980. In 1985, He returned to Colorado State University for a second B.S. in Agricultural Education and in 1986 began his teaching career in public high school. In 1990, he returned to the University of Northern Colorado for a secondary science endorsement and has worked at four boarding academies for over twenty-seven years in Nebraska, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and now his home state of Colorado. Two of his sisters, Teresa Johansen and Sue Helm, both live and work at Campion. “My personal interests include reading, woodworking and shop projects, photography, and keeping track of the four grandsons,” he commented. Campion is pleased to have such a qualified and dedicated teacher join the faculty, and we are looking forward to a great school year! Article by Jill Harlow
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Twelve Campion students are nearing the completion of their six-week intensive Spanish course in Spain. As part of the course, students participated in cultural tours to some of the most important current and historical cities in Spain including; Madrid, Segovia, Toledo, Valencia, Peníscula, and Barcelona.
The students visited ancient castles, cathedrals, palaces, and art museums. Joe Philpott commented, “The best part was visiting the different cities and having some time to explore on our own with a monitor (Spanish college student). It’s cool to experience the culture first-hand”. A trip to an ancient fortress on a peninsula with beautiful beaches was a highlight for many students. “I really liked Peníscula because I learned the castle there was involved in multiple wars, so it has a lot of history. The beaches there were really nice and we had fun swimming and cliff jumping at the base of the castle,” said Lee Beckermeyer. While the program does involve many trips and fun activities, students also worked hard in Spanish classes. On completion of this course, students receive one year’s worth of college-level Spanish credit, as well as up to two years of high school credit. Weston Humphries reflected, “This is my first time taking a college level course, and it’s been good for me because it’s shown me time-management outside of high school. I have to make choices sometimes about going to fun activities or getting my work done, instead of basically having my schedule set for me in high school. The course has been difficult, but I’ve learned a lot.” The students will return home on July 26 and are looking forward to some time to relax and get ready for the upcoming school year at Campion. Article by Jill Harlow  Campion Academy is proud to introduce our new agriculture class called Acquainting Agriculture. This program has a unique emphasis in pointing the students from creation to their Creator through direct contact with His handiwork. Anna Perea, wife of our chaplain, Esequias Perea, will be the instructor for the course. “As students begin to see the incredible design, purpose and beauty of each plant, spoken into existence so long ago, we believe hearts will be revived in response to these evidences of His exhaustless love. Therefore, instead of selecting a “cash crop” for the school to mass produce simply for revenue’s sake, we will grow as much of a variety as possible to appreciate our Maker’s creative power,” she explained. The program is offered as an elective, vocational class which will take place during the middle of the day so that it is open for all grades. Students may pre-enroll through the registrar’s office, on the website, or find out more information during registration on move-in day. As our agriculture program reveals “God at work in nature, making plain the things of the kingdom of heaven” (6T p. 185), it will also allow each student enrolled in the class, the opportunity to learn how to garden year-round with a simple, low cost approach. For instance, instead of using expensive greenhouses, our program will incorporate mobile caterpillar tunnels built from inexpensive materials that anyone can purchase at a local hardware store. Our program will also be conducted without the use of electricity, a major expense to growers and devastating to the budget. The cafeteria will be supplied with their fresh produce needs throughout the school year. However, in addition to supplying the school’s food needs, each student will have the chance to earn money towards their education. As part of the class’s final project, each student will be required to sell their harvested crop to a local customer, restaurant or farmer’s market. Then the majority of the proceeds will be returned to the student to use towards their tuition costs. At this early, beginning stage of the program’s existence, Acquainting Agriculture must be a volunteer and donation-based class. We have already received a lot of support and encouragement from people invested in the school’s well-being, but we would like to solicit our readers’ help too. Please visit our new “Agriculture” page on Campion’s website and peruse the details of our program. All donations can be made to the school through the same page by scrolling all the way down to the bottom. We also keep everyone informed of our progress through our newsletter; feel free to subscribe on our website and receive all the latest updates. Article by Anna Perea and Jill Harlow  Anna Perea with her husband Esequias, and their boys, Levi and Noah. Anna will be bring her passion for God and gardening to the new course.  This summer, Campion Academy has employed nine students to work for Mr. O’Halloran in maintaining the campus. So far, they have given Jessica Rios’ house a new roof, painted the Ad Building, and redone Daniel Force’s apartment. Amie said, “My favorite thing to do while working maintenance has been painting the Ad Building and the Tower.”
In addition to the nine students that work maintenance, Kyle Rushold, a Campion graduate, works as a supervisor. Kyle has worked maintenance at Campion for five years with this being his third year working as Mr. O’Halloran’s summer associate. The students mow the lawns of Campion Church, Campion Academy, and HMS Elementary, which is a total of 37 acres. Julia said, “My favorite job is to mow, and I do a lot of it!” Ireland added, “Mr. O’Halloran is a good boss, he keeps us busy.” Mr. O’Halloran commented, “It’s important to take care of the campus and to learn the importance of a good looking campus. If the campus looks good it makes everyone else’s job easier.” When asked why it is important that students work maintenance over the summer, Mr. O’Halloran responded, “So they can earn money and understand the importance of hard work.” We want to thank Mr. O’Halloran and all the people working maintenance for their hard work and dedication! Article written by Ashley Herber, Student Editor |
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Contact UsFor grades 9-12:
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