Gwyn Reeves

By Gwyn Reeves – Loveland, Colorado … Campion Academy senior Chase Bright rode his dirt bike masterfully and claimed first place at the Rocky Mountain Enduro Circuit (RMEC) Championship on October 24. He managed to earn the most points over the season, crowning him the champion of the circuit.

He has been racing dirt bikes since he was six years old and began riding as soon as he learned to walk, he recalls. He was inspired by his parents, who taught him almost everything he knows about the sport.

“The reason why I love to race dirt bikes is composed mostly of three things. One is that I enjoy being with my family and sharing these incredible memories with them. Secondly is pushing my mental and physical limits to new boundaries. Lastly, I enjoy reflecting God’s character in the competitions and hope that every day I can show Him to people that may not know Him,” Bright commented

On top of racing nearly every other weekend during the season, a trainer also assigns Bright different forms of training and practice to work on each week.

Balancing classes, training, and homework is sometimes a challenge for Bright.

“My schedule is crazy, and a lot of times, it gets hard to handle both of them at the same time. It just takes dedication and help from my family and friends.”

–Gwyn Reeves is a Campion senior; photo supplied

By Gwyn Reeves – Loveland, Colorado … Some may say that high school students create drama daily, but for the students at Campion Academy in Erin Johnson’s classroom, it is not only expected but encouraged.

The hills around Campion are coming alive with The Sound of Music after many pandemic restrictions were lifted, allowing the drama program to resume. Students are working hard, preparing to perform the musical on January 29.

Drama and English teacher Erin Johnson is leading the revived program with new concepts.

“It’s very exciting to have drama this year. I remember that Campion had an awesome drama department when I was younger, and I am hoping to bring it back to its former glory,” Johnson said.

She adds, “I have always loved theater, so to teach it is a dream come true, especially since we are working on one of my favorite musicals. It’s a challenge, but I have amazing actors, who are committed to making a good show!”

The drama students are very energized and excited to be a part of the musical.

Lacy, student actor playing the part of Rolf Gruber, says, “It feels really good to be part of the drama class and to be able to act and practice with my friends. We always have fun practicing our roles and enjoy each moment. Acting makes me feel kinda nervous and excited at the same time, but it also helps me to express myself.”

Students are not only performing the musical, but also helping with set design, sound, and lighting, to make sure everything gets done. Drama classes can find them learning choreography, singing, or running through lines.

The Sound of Music is set to debut on January 29 in the Campion gym. Tickets will be available for purchase.

–Gwyn Reeves is a senior at Campion Academy; photos supplied.

By Gwyn Reeves – Loveland, Colorado … A hands-on approach is key to a new language arts program implemented at HMS Richards Adventist School in Loveland, Colorado.

“Unlocking the Reading Code” incorporates an interactive approach to teaching students reading and writing from kindergarten through fourth grade. Teachers comment that students are enjoying the new program.

“Students are excited about it,” Alisha Anderson, third and fourth-grade teacher, commented; “It’s forcing them to think in ways they haven’t before. I think it will improve their reading abilities for the long term as it gives the kids a better understanding of words and their meanings.”

The program focuses on teaching kids the fundamental building blocks that will better their reading and speech skills. Teachers have been doing special training to lead this program. In Kari Lange’s first and second-grade classroom, students have an individual binder filled with items like colorful blocks, comic strips, and other manipulatives to be used during language arts time.

“I like it because it has my favorite colors in it. It’s kinda hard to pay attention sometimes, but I like using my hands and doing the super-fast pictures,” Caspian, a first-grader, said.

Typically, students will take out their binder, and Lange, depending on the lesson, may ask them to listen and be able to use blocks to identify specific letters sounds. She may also ask students to break apart word sounds (phoneme segmentation) by counting them on their hands. Lange works one-on-one with students doing timed tests asking them to name as many pictures, using correct pronunciation, as they can in a minute.

Teachers will continue extensive training in this new program through the Rocky Mountain Conference and are looking forward to seeing the positive effects on the students’ reading and writing abilities, explained Lange.

–Gwyn Reeves, Campion Academy senior; photos supplied