RMCNews

RMCNews – Highlands Ranch, Colorado … Mile High Academy students, teachers, staff, and community celebrated the accomplishments of the Class of 2022 with a week filled with special events. Being the first normal graduation in two years, the excitement quickly mounted as students helped set up chairs, gave high-fives during the annual senior walk, and shared contagious smiles as the school year drew to a close.

The first graduation ceremony of the week started with the Kindergartners on May 17. Marching down the aisle among their smiling families and friends, the class of 20 graduates proudly stood before their families gathered in the gym.

“We are so glad you came to celebrate with us,” said Aria, a kindergartener.

The class hosted the entire ceremony, including singing “I am a Promise” and “Jesus Loves Me” and offering family tributes of thanks and love to their parents. Tassels were moved, Andrew Carpenter, MHA principal, gave handshakes, and the students ended the program with an enthusiastic recitation of the poem “I Did It.” They marched down the aisle to applause, cheers, and blowing bubbles.

The following evening was eighth-grade night. With 27 graduates, the largest graduating class of the year couldn’t stop smiling during the entire program. Walter Weber, MHA middle school teacher, challenged each to “Go to high school. Be strong. Be brave. And be aggressive,” in his commencement address.

Logen, class president, in his goodbye to the middle school teachers, said they “all have a special place in our hearts.” He closed his speech, which included humorous roasts of the teachers, with thanks to his class, and by exclaiming “Go Mustangs!”

The final graduation events of the week were focused on the senior Class of 2022. Following MHA’s tradition, there were four ceremonies for the seniors: Blessing, Consecration, Baccalaureate, and Commencement.

The Blessing, hosted at LifeSource Adventist Fellowship, was a private, family event with tributes, where graduates received their cords, sashes, and scholarships among family and friends.

Consecration, hosted at Littleton Adventist Church, included a special, heartwarming baptism of senior Wilson.

“Graduation is such a special, exciting time as the class moves forward in their academic journey,” said Diane Harris, RMC director of education and Wilson’s mother. “We are so proud of each individual in this senior class.”

Paul Negrete, RMC associate director of education, challenged the students to “Give your life to Christ every day. Consecrate your ways to Him. Live a life of meaning for time and eternity.” The Seniors proceeded to offer tributes to their beloved high school teachers, and each Senior was presented with a Bible signed by MHA staff and teachers.

Baccalaureate was scheduled to be held at Denver South Adventist Church; however, the ceremony was moved to the MHA gym due to the snow, downed trees and power lines. The circumstances and change of venue didn’t deter the class from enjoying a sermon by David Asscherick, Light Bearers & ARISE co-founder and instructor, and music performed by Leandro Bizama, former MHA music teacher and current associate pastor at Campion Adventist Church.

That night was the eagerly anticipated Commencement, the last time the eight members of the class of 2022 entered as MHA students. Walter Weber challenged the students to “put your faith and your dreams in Him.”

Union College handed out more than $150,000 in scholarships, with a total of more than $700,000 from all Adventist universities awarded to the seniors.

The seniors were formally welcomed as MHA Alumni, and a burning torch was passed to the new senior class of 2023.

Carpenter reflected on the academic year that had just came to a close by saying, “This has been a tremendous year. I couldn’t be prouder of all the students as they made my first year at MHA memorable and special. We’re excited for the things to come for the next school year, and we are grateful for each family in our community. Have a great summer, and congratulations to all the graduates in the class of 2022!”

–RMCNews; photos supplied

Matthew Moreland is the associate director of planned giving and trust services for the Rocky Mountain Conference. NewsNuggets invited him to share the value of the services offered to not only church members but the services they provide to the local church as well. In part 1, we will look at the services the department provides to local churches and the lesser-known services that are also available. Next week, in part 2, we will examine the estate planning options available free of charge to RMC members and how to take advantage of this free service.

NewsNuggets: Thank you, Matthew, for sitting down with us. When we hear the name “planned giving and trust services”, many people think of the will and estate planning services offered. What are some of the other items the department handles?

Matthew Moreland: We are responsible for all the properties within our conference. Some of our work is similar to serving as a property manager. If a church or school is buying or selling a property, we handle that.

We also handle the lease agreements when the church or school is being rented out to another entity or when one of our groups lease a facility.

NN: If a local church wants to rent out their facility, they should work through your department. Why?

Matthew Moreland: We have certain insurance and tax exemption protocols that need to be followed to ensure our schools and churches don’t lose their tax exemption status. We have to confirm that everything is in place and has had a legal review before renting out to anyone.

NN: Is it important that every church follows the procedures and steps before renting out their facility?

Matthew Moreland: Yes, this process protects all parties involved and makes sure we track usage for the required annual reports. Failure to follow procedures could result in legal exposure, loss of insurance coverage, or increased costs.

NN: You mentioned that the department handles all the church and school properties. Are there other properties you manage?

Matthew Moreland: Our main job is to facilitate wills and trust, but we occasionally receive a donated property. Under the direction of the Property & Trust committee, we view the property received and then list it for sale.  We sometimes receive mineral rights on a particular piece of property and handle those in a similar manner.

NN: What other services do you offer to the local churches?

Matthew Moreland:  We offer estate planning seminars. These have been on hold the last couple of years, but we will schedule more in the future. The goal is to help families understand how to plan for their own security and to carry our their charitable intent efficiently, whether they work through our department or otherwise.

This summer [2022], our team members plan to attend all of the RMC camp meetings, so we will have the opportunity to meet individuals and answer questions. We always have someone there from our department.

NN: Your work sounds like a lot of business transactions. I understand that planned giving and trust services considers the work you do is a ministry. Can you explain how you share the love of Jesus?

Matthew Moreland: During COVID, I received many calls from people wanting to ensure their estate was in order, but it took [on] more of a pastoral role because people were lonely. There were people who didn’t leave their house for six months, and they had a need to talk to somebody. They just wanted the comfort of knowing everything was okay.

I don’t rush to get off my phone calls with people. It is a privilege to listen to and comfort them.

Someone called me every other week, and we would talk for a half-hour or sometimes an hour. They were lonely, and I was able to visit with them. I had a relationship with them because I had done their estate planning. The spouse passed away during this time, and it was important to me to be available to minister to this individual. A very important part of our ministry is to give peace of mind to individuals.

In many cases the support we offer goes beyond the individual who signs an estate plan with us. We can support their family by helping settle the estate, helping them understand the responsibilities they have been assigned, or directing them toward the resources they will need, such as providing forms or contact information for agencies they will need to work with. If we can help a family member cut through red tape, meet a deadline, or remember an important step, we feel really good about that. That’s part of how we honor the wishes of those who put their trust in us.

–RMCNews; photo by iStock

RMCNews – Highlands Ranch, Colorado … Parents waved and cameras flashed as 26 donut-stuffed students and a handful of teachers and volunteers headed out, vehicles overloaded with tents, sleeping bags, and food, destined for Moab, Utah to camp under the stars, raft, and appreciate God’s nature on the annual eighth-grade class trip.

The expedition started out uneventfully, with the long drive to Moab where they would set up camp. Spirits were high until it came time to set up the three 12-man tents. Unfortunately, the wind deflated the hopes of an easy setup, but the class was determined to get the job done. The wind, though, was not finished and proved too much to handle, resulting in the tents being torn over the next few days, and causing the need to leave the campsite a day early to stay at a hotel.

Before leaving, students found time to hike and enjoy the beautiful scenery found only in Moab. Rafting down the river was a first for many and while the rafting was mostly uneventful, an unexpected meet-up with a water rapid caused teacher Christina Hernández and the two students riding in her raft to fall overboard. The only resulting injury was to Hernández’s backpack.

By then, the class was done battling high winds, flying tents, bathing in freezing cold water, and having their mouths filled with dust. The vote was made to turn their torn-tent homes into cozy rooms and warm showers at a local hotel.

Logen, an eighth-grader, summed up his feelings in a text to his mom by saying, “Greatest shower ever.”

The next day, their continuing adventure found them hiking and journeying to Glenwood Springs, where the students spent the night and woke up to enjoy a morning swim in the hot springs before returning home.

Reflecting on the adventure, Lindsey, eighth-grader said, “My favorite part about the trip was the fact that we were in the water most of the time. All of us would play around and splash each other. I loved how we all worked together to put up the tents for the first two nights and how we all couldn’t wait for the hotel beds.”

She continued, “We all bonded and appreciated all the fun that we had. This trip is definitely a big memory that’s going to be with us forever.”

Andrew Carpenter, MHA principal, commented on the adventure. “It was a good time had by all. We are grateful for the time together, laughing and appreciating the break from school to explore Moab. A shoutout to Mrs. Hernández and Pastor Jamey Houghton for working so hard to make this trip special for the kids.”

–RMCNews; photo supplied

This article was adapted from a social media post on Mile High Academy’s Facebook page.

We conclude our three-part series on RMC education with this entry.  In this installment, we focus on our two academies–our boarding academy, Campion, and our day academy, Mile High.  We asked Diane Harris, RMC education director, and Paul Negrete, associate director, how the academies are performing and about the future of the schools.

NN: Looking at our boarding academy Campion, how is the enrollment?

Diane Harris: Campion has grown.

Paul Negrete: The enrollment changed a little bit after January. They had a slight drop in enrollment, but I believe they were in the 150s and are now in the 140s. The trend, though, is continuing to increase.

NN: Campion Academy students have faced a very difficult year with the pandemic disrupting schedules and causing a brief disruption in normal activities and the tragic passing of Timothy Dien.  What are some of the steps RMC education is taking to ensure the mental health of students is a priority?

Diane Harris: The immediate response after the loss of Timothy was to make sure that we were all working together to provide mental health support for them. There were local counselors who stepped up, and then the conference made a commitment that any child who wanted counseling from a licensed counselor in the area would have access. Currently, there are over ten students receiving weekly counseling to support them through the transitions and the difficulties of this year.

NN: Mental health awareness and well-being are important. Are there plans to provide mental health counselors to all students and teachers in the future?

Diane Harris: I’m excited that Mid-America Union applied for a grant that would provide services to our students, teachers, and their families through a licensed counselor, and the grant was approved. We are bringing in a licensed counselor to present to our teachers what will be provided for them next year.

NN: Our day academy Mile High has faced several challenges over the last few years.  This year welcomed a new principal.  How’s enrollment with all the challenges teachers and students went through the last few years.

Paul Negrete: There’s been an increase in enrollment. They weren’t sure what was going to happen from last year to this year, but God blessed.  It was a steady increase throughout the year and they ended up higher than their targeted goal. They are at 217. For next year, they’re being conservative and showing a very small growth.

NN: RMC financially funds Campion Academy with it being the boarding academy.  How does RMC financially support Mile High Academy?

Diane Harris: The conference supports their entire program; however, our subsidy per teacher costs primarily supports the elementary school (K-8 grade).

NN: Mile High Academy is facing a serious teacher shortage with multiple openings.  Should the members be concerned with a high number of openings at one school?

Paul Negrete: If there was a problem, and people were jumping ship, we would be concerned.  The openings were like a convergence of different circumstances that were personal life circumstances. A new baby and a family, and then some were for their families, and that transition was a part of what was happening. When we see this taking place all at one time, and we see that teachers are tearful and saying, I would love to stay, but God is calling me elsewhere. Then we also believe that God is opening that door because something else is about to happen.

If He’s opening the door for them to what looks like a void, it means that He’s opening the door because he’s bringing someone, and we’re pretty excited about that.

NN: There have been some financial challenges at Mile High Academy over the last several years, with two of the constituent churches decreasing their financial support of Mile High Academy.  How is MHA fairing financially?

Diane Harris: I would say the last two years have shown the strongest finances Mile High has had in many years.

Paul Negrete: 2019 was the most challenging year, but the community pulled together. The administration did a very good job of putting the need out there and talking to the community. The last two years, there’s been no debt to the conference.

NN: Most of the academies are either heavily focused on sports or music as their extra- curricular emphasis. What is RMC doing to ensure we are reaching students who are interested in sports or music?

Diane Harris: I think the beauty of our staff is that they look at their students and asks themselves, “Are they artists, or can they build something?” Campion does a really good job in the fine arts and industrial arts program. MHA features their artist at their fundraisers by selling their art.

Paul Negrete: I think we are looking to build our schools, so one of the future plans is building self-navigation programs for students where they can communicate their interests and teachers can be responsive and support their unique journey.  Every student’s passion can be supported at school. That’s really an important step forward because it breaks down the barrier of having silos of students who participate in certain activities and others who are alienated.

NN: What do you want members to know about the future of education in RMC?

Paul Negrete: That our teachers are serious professionals that want to grow in their profession. They believe in the ministry of Adventist education, and they believe in the ministry of bringing people to Christ. We see ourselves as an extension of the church, and we’re doing our job every day, and we’re serious about it, and we want to improve in it. We want to grow our church.

NN: Thank you Diane and Paul for an informative interview about RMC education.

RMCNews; photo supplied

We continue with our three-part series on RMC education. In this section, we will look at how inflation and the nationwide shortage of teachers are affecting RMC education.  We will also discover how anyone who wishes to enroll their child in an RMC school, can do so regardless of finances. Looking ahead to next week, we will be asking Diane Harris, RMC education director, and Paul Negrete, associate director of education, how RMC’s two academies are faring and about the future of Campion and Mile High Academy.

NN: We know that the economy these days is hard to adjust to, with inflation and the cost of living increases. The cost of Adventist education is continuing to rise every year. Is the Rocky Mountain Conference ensuring Adventist education remains affordable so that any child can attend regardless of finances?

Diane Harris: The beauty of our system is that every one of our school treasurers and principals never want any family to miss attending our schools because of finances. There is the strongest commitment to ensuring that those students are able to come to our school.

Our structure is that our income primarily comes from tuition, either from churches or from parents. There’s a lot of fundraising at our schools to meet the needs of those families who need the extra support.

NN: If there is a family who wishes to send their child to Campion Academy, but they know the finances won’t allow them to send their child, what would be your advice to that family?

Diane Harris: My advice to the family is, do not hesitate to reach out to Campion. There are resources available for any family. Campion works very hard to make sure that finances do not hinder enrollment.

Paul Negrete: This goes for all of our schools. Go take a tour, look at the school and speak to the administration.

They have a variety of ways to help your student get into school. I haven’t heard of any stories at all where a student goes to Campion or any of our schools and, for financial reasons, doesn’t get in.

Diane Harris: Absolutely. Dean Helm at Campion has a passion for working with these families to make sure that they’re able to send their children.

NN: Our school enrollment is increasing, and that brings unique challenges in hiring teachers for the increased number of students.  As of the end of April, RMC has 17 open positions for the next school year. Are you worried?

Diane Harris: At the end of the day, these are God’s schools, and I believe that He has someone for each of these positions. Some of the openings are transitions from teachers within our conference to another school within the conference.

I’m excited about the possibilities. We’re conversing with some strong candidates right now, and this week and next, we’ve got interviews. It’s definitely a time that I’ve never seen before with the number of resumes coming in versus the number of openings that we have.

NN: Other than praying for the fulfillment of these openings, what are some steps RMC members can do concerning these openings?  Can they reach out to teachers they know?

Diane Harris: I think that if they know of someone who is a strong teacher, someone that they are connected to, they could encourage them to explore the option of working in the Rocky Mountain Conference. That’s the best way to recruit.

NN: How about teachers who have recently retired but want to help for a few years.  Would you welcome them to apply?

Diane Harris:  Absolutely, yes!

NN: What happens if these positions don’t get filled?

Diane Harris: Glenwood Springs, for example, would like to reopen, and yet they feel like they would rather stay closed than bring in the wrong candidate. They are trusting in God’s timing. And if now’s not the time to reopen, they will wait until the right candidate comes.

NN: Are there any schools that are in danger of closing because of the teacher shortage?

Paul Negrete: I don’t know that we immediately have any schools in danger of closing. We’ve gone through different scenarios, and maybe at first it looked like that might be an option, but thankfully, I don’t think we’re there yet.

There have been some last-minute people who have come through. The last-minute people are, again, God’s direction, but I think we’re going to be fairly shored up.

We may have to tighten the belt here and there. We may have to combine some classes in some schools and make some adjustments. I don’t think, at least right now, unless something drastically changes, that we’re going to have to close a school.

Diane Harris: Everyone in schools, including our teachers, cares deeply about the families and the students because of their love for Jesus and it’s transmitted into their teaching. I think that’s why we’re growing. And that’s why we’re not without challenges, but I’m really proud of our schools.

–RMCNews; photo supplied