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Staff members honored seniors at a special vespers program where students received individual recognition last Friday evening. This event celebrated not only their accomplishments, but also acknowledged that they are on the last stretch of high school. Many got a special Bible verse dedicated to them. Lily Testardi, senior, expressed, “Having this Bible verse: ‘Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and He will establish your plans,’ Proverbs 16:3, served as a comfort in this upcoming chapter of my life.” Following the vespers program was a reception with food and drinks. In addition to the senior recognition program, seniors got the opportunity to lead out the church service. All of the seniors sat on the stage, and every aspect of the service was conducted by the class members .The service included special music by Ekenna Nwankwo and Shawn Ferguson, children’s story by Eva Resz and Elizabeth Shannon, a testimony from Sharon Vasquez, and prayer by Catie Fairfield and Sue Helm. Andrew Kramer presented the sermon, a message about trusting in God with your future. Many parents of the students came from all around to celebrate their children’s achievements. These activities were a great way to recognize the seniors and their impact on Campion. Eva Resz, senior, expressed, "This weekend was really meaningful to me not only because my family came out, but also because I got to see the growth of the senior class since our freshman year. It’s awesome to see how God has worked in all of our lives.” Catie Fairfield, Student News Team
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The Campion Academy seniors carried on the tradition of bonding as a class while surviving in the woods surrounding Glacier View Ranch from Wednesday, August 30th to Sunday, September 3rd.
They hiked into the wilderness with their backpacks to set up their shelters using only natural materials, ropes, and tarps. The students were lucky to not have to contend with bad weather, as it was mostly warm and sunny for the entire trip. The students went without their phones, allowing them to find entertainment through conversations and games. “It was really nice seeing the students interact with each other and talk because kids normally don't sit there and talk as much as they did,” Amy Kluchesky, senior class sponsor, elaborated. During the days, the seniors had to use communication, leadership, and patience to complete group activities, including a trust fall off a rock. Natanya Razafindrabes shared that this was her favorite memory of the trip because “during the trust fall, we were all connected and really bonding since we literally had to trust our classmates to catch us.” On Friday evening, many students shared their testimonies around the campfire. “I was able to see God during these testimonies no matter who told them, and even if they were struggling with understanding God. I saw how God would take care of and communicate with each person,” Seth Harmon, Senior Class President, remembered. Many students felt that they grew closer with one another over the trip. Dwayne Rey, senior, expressed, “We've gotten more comfortable with each other and we're able to be vulnerable, which makes our relationships stronger. We got to know more about each other's opinions and how we handle things. We were able to see things from each other's perspective, which makes it possible for us to grow.” The staff also noted how well the class connected. Sue Helm, senior class sponsor, reflected, “The girls and guys bonded by spending time and playing games together. I think they definitely bonded during the trust fall. That was a huge, huge one. These kinds of activities bonded them as a class because they had to work together. They had to understand each other's feelings, and what each one was going through and what he or she needed at the time.” Finally on the last evening the students had a communion service and held class elections. They returned to campus on Sunday, stronger as a class. Catie Fairfield, Student News Team The Campion Academy seniors bonded as a class and grew closer to God over the five days of Senior Survival in the mountains of Glacier View Ranch.
When they arrived last Wednesday, each pair of students was given supplies to build a shelter to stay dry. Many students brought duct tape and rope to help build their shelters. Several students brought hammocks and others slept on the ground. Thankfully, the students had relatively warm and dry weather. Each group that camped together collected sticks and chopped wood to build a fire, which they used to make their own breakfasts and suppers. They cooked meals such as stew, French toast, hotdogs, and breakfast burritos. At night, the seniors gathered around a campfire as Chaplain Carlos Santana led them in discussions of faith centered around the theme “Level-up”. Senior Carlos Lopez commented, “My favorite worship was when everyone sat around the fire, and we were finally honest with each other and shared our fears because now we know that we are not alone and have friends that have become like family to help us through.” During the days, the seniors all participated in team-building activities where the had to work together to cross through obstacles. “I really enjoyed the spider web and the Ground is Lava activities because they got me closer with the other seniors, and taught us teamwork,” commented Noah Greenemeier, senior. Early on Sunday morning, many of the seniors climbed to the top of a hill to watch the sunrise before packing up their camps to return to campus. Santana said, “This was my first time going to Senior Survival, and it not only met my expectations but surpassed them. I saw God working in this senior class of 2023. God not only worked in them, but in me as well. It gives me hope for the spiritual future of the young people here at Campion.” Haley Beckermeyer, Student News Team
 At a three-day event, Campion Academy’s graduating class of 2021 celebrated their accomplishment of thriving through it all after more than a year of masking, social distancing, and switching between in-person and online classes. While attendance was limited and by-invitation only, the 29 graduates were able to continue Campion’s traditions of Parent Tribute, Baccalaureate, Class Night, and Commencement in the gymnasium with a crowd of family and friends. In a speech addressed to her classmates, Class President and Student Chaplain Milka Mendonza-Sanchez stated, “We have all had rough patches in our personal lives, and this year may not have been our ideal senior year, but I know that on this campus we’ve been able to grow spiritually, and together we’ve learned how to keep going through the difficulties of life.” Principal Donavan Reeder commended the class as well, remarking, “I’m so proud of our students this year at Campion Academy. We threw them curve-balls left and right, and they were able to handle every pitch.” A historically small class throughout their four years at Campion, the class of 2021 was known for their closeness, diversity, and spirituality. Mendoza-Sanchez explained, “Our class is small, but I know that I can take any one of you aside and say ‘Hey, I’d like to pray with you,’ or ‘I need prayer today’ and it will happen.” With more than half the class able to speak a language other than English, it was unique to hear five different languages during the Friday evening Parent Tribute. The class includes six international students from Brazil and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and many others from Spanish, Indonesian, and Tagalog-speaking families. Carlos Santana, husband to Head Dean of Women Molly Santana and current Theology student at Southwestern, was the chosen speaker for Sunday’s Commencement. “This class is special; it really is,” he emphasized to the students. “No matter what field you are going into, the class of 2021 is a class full of ministers; you are going to do beautiful, wonderful things for the Glory of God.” During Commencement, representatives from Union College presented the graduates with a total of $576,000 in scholarships. The highest award, the Presidential Scholarship, valued at $46,000, was awarded to both Tiffany Dien and Samantha Hodges. While it poured rain outside, the ceremony was capped-off with an indoor reception filled with joyous tears, celebratory hugs, and many photos. Jill Harlow, Communication Director Parent Tribute and Baccalaureate Commencement  The majority of the seniors were actively involved in the annual Senior Recognition Weekend activities from leading out in worship services to organizing the Saturday-night games. Even with uncertainties due to COVID restrictions, the seniors were able to bring two family members to celebrate the events together. Friday night, staff members shared memories and advice for each senior. Class sponsor, Teresa Johansen, explained, “It was a night that some of the best advice was given to each senior from the staff at Campion.” Saturday morning, Bentlee Barry, Tiffany Dien and Ireland Anthony led out Bible Bowl, an interactive Bible trivia game, during Sabbath School that riled up the gym full of competitive students. Senior Spiritual Vice President, Mark Zelaya, commented, “Even though we had to remain socially distanced, the Sabbath School portion of the morning service was really interesting. I noticed all the students were engaged and having fun, especially during Bible Bowl.” Pastor Jorge Zelaya, father of Mark Zelaya, was the guest speaker and gave advice to the senior class on Sabbath. Sharmaine Monreal and Jynaya Wright performed one of the special music songs accompanied by Melissa Clouzet. There was also another piece sung in Spanish by Milka Mendoza Sanchez, Dominick Maldonado, Nelly Salinas and Andy Obregon. The song held a special connection to the four students because it was a part of their culture that they shared with the school. On Saturday night, students released their energy and enjoyed each other’s company during competitions of Kahoot, Tic-Tac-Toe relays, Red-light Green-light, and dodgeball, a personal favorite of the students. Danny Garcia, junior, was relieved to create this new experience with his fellow classmates and said, “After weeks of being apart it was a relief to have the whole school together for an activity and finally be able to spend time with friends and enjoy a night of laughter and excitement.” Nelly Salinas, guest contributor  Over the first weekend back on campus, Campion Academy participated in our annual Class Scramble. Although it was similar to years past, students and staff took extra precautions relating to COVID-19. Student Association (SA) officers took on the challenge of creating new games and rules to ensure that everyone had fun safely. For the second year in a row, the senior class of 2021 kept up their winning streak and came out on top. Milka Mendoza, senior, stated, “I was super glad we were even able to still do it, and thankful for the SA officers and the staff who set everything up. It felt so good to win for a second time in a row! I’m super excited to see how our class can continue to make memories despite everything else going on. We did get a little scared of losing, but we pulled it off! It all worked out because we came together as a class.” The other classes didn’t make it easy for the seniors to win; it was a tight race between the seniors and the sophomores, who came in second. The event was held outside, everyone wore masks, and the new games allowed for social distancing. Some students embraced safety by decorating their masks and finding creative ways to take pictures. Kylie Wehling, SA Spiritual Vice President, said, “Being on SA this year, we had the challenge of thinking of new ways to stay safe with social distancing while still being able to have fun with our classes. Even though a lot of the normal Class Scramble games had to change, such as man-overboard and men-in-a-boat, I think everyone was still able to have tons of fun and enjoy bonding time with their classes.” In years prior, Class Scramble has been followed up on Sunday with SA Picnic: a series of class competitions put on by the SA officers. This year, unfortunately, the low air quality from local mountain fires put that on hold. Campion is still planning on having this event on a day where there is less smoke and we can ensure the safety of everyone on our campus. -Haley Enochs Campion Academy was proud to celebrate the accomplishments of the 39 members of its senior class with a drive-in graduation on Sunday, May 24. The ceremony included speeches, special music, awards, photos, diplomas, and all the traditional aspects of a typical graduation despite the fact that the attendees were mostly regulated to their vehicles. “Campion came through,” affirmed graduate Naomi Boonstra. “They gave us the best graduation they could under the circumstances, and it was amazing. Certainly a day we won’t forget.” The class sponsors and officers planned out many details to make the event memorable. Entering on the west side of campus, the graduates were greeted by a large banner and staff members who handed them their caps, gowns, sashes and chords. As the vehicles formed a line around campus, families could pose together for a picture in front of their cars. Then the vehicles were directed into Campion’s RV park for the outdoor ceremony, parking the smaller cars in front so everyone could see the stage. The graduates were asked to stand in front of their cars as the traditional Pomp and Circumstance was played and they posed for an aerial group photo. Social distancing was maintained as class members and staff went to the stage for speeches, songs, and to receive their diplomas. During his address, class president Nolan Eickmann said, “I’m not going to lie, I didn’t know how this was going to look, but standing up here, this looks pretty awesome.” Nolan’s mother and Campion’s interim chaplain Wendy Eickmann was the keynote speaker. Campion Academy’s class of 2020 is a high-achieving class. Between them, they were awarded a total of $2,785,750 in scholarship money from Seventh-day Adventist universities across the nation. With 39 graduates, that is an average of more than $70,000 per student. Nineteen of the students received College-preparatory or Advanced College-preparatory diplomas. Twenty-two students graduated with honors with a 3.5 GPA or above, and nineteen were inducted members of the National Honor Society. The weather forecast had called for a high chance of rain, but thankfully it held off until the very end of the ceremony as students were receiving their diplomas. Confetti cannons were shot off at the end of the celebration, adding more decor to the wet cars. As the vehicles exited, the attendees were handed cupcakes and juice boxes through their car windows, so even the usual refreshments were included. “The drive in graduation was extremely organized and very well thought out by the staff,” commented graduate Megan Michalenko. “I can tell how much the staff members cared with the planning and execution of the graduation. Everyone had a smile on their face!” Another graduate, Bela Cinco, explained, “Honestly, it was so much better than I had pictured. In some ways it was better than a regular graduation, it was unique and fun. It’s a graduation we’ll never forget, and one that will go down in history”  Valedictorian: Weston Humphries.  Salutatorian: Ashley Herber President’s Education Award: Ashley Halvorson, Ashley Herber, and Erick Maldonado. The requirements for the President’s Education Award include: Having a 3.5 GPA or above, receiving a 85 percent on either the Reading or Math section of the ACT, and having a composite score of 85 percent on the ACT.  Female Student of the Year: Madeline Jordan Madi has served as class secretary her junior and senior years. This year she has served as our student Chaplin and done a wonderful job. Musically, Madi has been 1st chair violin in the orchestra, and has helped to lead out in many worship services in our school and church. Madi’s love for Jesus and others shows in her life. She is motivated, a good student, genuine, and has a character of gold.  Male Student of the Year: Erick Maldonado Erick has been a leader on this campus in many ways. He has led out in worship with his singing and guitar playing; he loves playing soccer and basketball; is a good student; has served as an R.A. in the dorm and is a role model for underclassmen. Erick has been a spiritual leader on our campus. It has been fun to see him grow while attending Campion.  Principal’s Award: Jeremy Matondo Each year the Principal selects an outstanding senior who typifies characteristics of honesty, character, hard work, and general contribution to the school. Jeremy came to us three years ago from the Democratic Republic of Congo and quickly became an active part of our student body. Jeremy constantly strives to do his best in everything he does. He has been a quiet leader and served as an R.A. in the dorm this year. One of the most exciting moments was when we witnessed him giving his life to God in baptism. It is my privilege to give Jeremy a plaque and a reward of $100.  Caring Heart Award: Beverly Onsoe
The Caring Heart Award is given in recognition of leadership and personal commitment to witnessing and service activities. This award is sponsored by the North American Division and is accompanied by a Bible and a $500 voucher to the Adventist school of your choice.  Campion may have uncovered a new tradition worth continuing by allowing the senior class one last chance to make a lasting impact on fellow students. During the week of May 4th-8th, Campion hosted its last Week of Prayer for the academic year. This particular Week of Prayer was unlike any other, not only because it was held virtually through private zoom calls and was live streamed on Facebook, but because it was hosted entirely by the senior class. Chaplain Mrs. Eickmann and Technology Director Mr. Eickmann also worked very hard behind the scenes to make transitions between activities, speakers, and prayers seamless. Though current circumstances should have held the school back from gathering to learn about God’s Word, the message was clearly broadcast: focus on Jesus.
Mrs. Eickmann challenged the seniors to host all of the meetings from beginning to end. Responsibilities were distributed during senior Bible classes. Whether tasked with creating questions for Kahoot (an online quiz game) which brought many laughs to participants, sharing a favorite memory from years at Campion, or delivering a personal message reflecting Christ’s character, each and every senior had a part in ministering. Sydney Halvorson, a sophomore at Campion says, “Having the seniors host Week of Prayer was really cool. It gave us some insight into what their personalities are like, and it was nice to hear some of their favorite memories at Campion.” Junior, Ireland Anthony, agreed that hearing from seniors was unique and a blessing. “I really loved the fact that it was all about the seniors this Week of Prayer because it’s their last one at Campion!” She continued to say, “something that stood out to me was that I have never heard some of the quiet seniors speak before, and they did a really good job.” Mrs. Eickmann expressed, “I was super pleased with how Week of Prayer went. I was blessed every single day by those who presented. The seniors made me proud of how they stepped up, were real, and shared from their hearts. They inspired me! I loved having the seniors host it.” Having seniors present the last Week of Prayer for the school year may become a new tradition at Campion Academy. The delivery of testimonies and memories allowed students to turn their eyes away from the worries, cancellations, and uncertainties this year has brought them and simply focus on Jesus. Delanie Kamarad, guest contributor |
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