By Jocelyn Aalborg
Each year, Alumni Weekend is more than a calendar event, it’s a homecoming. It’s a time when stories overlap, laughter echoes through familiar hallways, and memories resurface like they never left.
For me, coming home to Mile High Academy (MHA) this year was personal. I graduated in 2005—twenty years ago—and while the campus looks different today than it did when I was a student, the spirit of this place hasn’t changed. I returned in 2013 as part of the administrative team, and though I now live in Hawaii, MHA remains my home—a place deeply woven into my faith, my friendships, and my family.
This year’s Alumni Weekend was meaningful in a quiet way, focused on connection, reflection, and shared memories. For our Class of 2005, there were three of us this year that attended; sitting together, it felt like no time had passed. One classmate now has children at MHA; another I hadn’t seen in years, yet we picked up right where we left off, laughing about the “good old days” and catching up on life since then.
A Special Sabbath
Saturday’s worship was especially meaningful. Our class sponsor, Gale Hendrick, former pastor in the Rocky Mountain Conference, delivered a message titled, “Bonded for Life.” It was fitting. Gale has been more than a teacher or pastor to me; he’s been a mentor and friend through every stage of my journey. During his message, he spoke about the ties that last—not just among classmates, but between teachers, mentors, and the generations that walk through MHA’s doors.
As I shared from Philippians 2:22, And you yourselves know how he has proved his worth, how he and I, like a son and his father, have worked together for the sake of the gospel, I was reminded of how MHA shapes lives long after graduation. These bonds of faith, friendship, and shared purpose are what keep us connected.
Connecting Through Community
Saturday evening brought out the competitive spirit with a three-on-three basketball tournament, where alumni, students, and friends joined together. I didn’t play this year, but standing courtside, watching old and new faces share the court, reminded me again of MHA’s heartbeat: community.
Sunday’s annual Mustang Classic Golf Tournament wrapped up the weekend. Seventy-two golfers—including alumni, students, parents, friends, and community members—took to the beautiful course, laughing, competing, and enjoying the day together. What began as an alumni-focused event has grown into a wider community tradition, offering a relaxed space where both old friends and new supporters can connect while celebrating MHA.
Looking Back, Moving Forward
Alumni Weekend isn’t just about the past, it’s a bridge to the future. As someone who’s both a graduate and a long-time staff member, I’ve seen firsthand the effort that goes into planning each detail, from invitations to worship to post-event cleanup. It’s a labor of love—one rooted in the belief that every reconnection matters.
Not every alumnus has fond memories, and not everyone feels the pull to return. But for those who do, there’s a spark that reignites something deeper. At MHA, the bonds formed here are more than fleeting friendships; they are lasting connections that span decades.
MHA is, and always will be, a place where lives are intertwined and where teachers become mentors, classmates become lifelong friends, and faith ties us all together. That’s what makes coming home so special.
—Jocelyn Aalborg is a Mile High Academy Alumna from Class of 2005. Photos supplied.
