NewsNuggets Page 16

Sandy Hodgson – Denver, Colorado … “To be glad of life, because it gives you the chance to love and to work and to play and to look up at the stars; to be satisfied with your possessions, but not contented with yourself until you have made the best of them; to despise nothing in the world except falsehood and meanness, and to fear nothing except cowardice; to be governed by your admirations rather than by your disgusts; to covet nothing that is your neighbor’s except his kindness of heart and gentleness of manners; to think seldom of your enemies, often of your friends, and every day of Christ; and to spend as much time as you can, with body and with spirit, in God’s out-of-doors—these are little guideposts on the footpath to peace.”

While Henry Van Dyke, Presbyterian minister and American writer, wrote these words in the early twentieth century, they resonate with three Rocky Mountain Conference (RMC) schools on the Colorado Western Slope. “The sunbaked landscape may be rugged, but the serene spirit of the land seems to inspire these schools. Our schools in Grand Junction and Cortez, Colorado, and Farmington, New Mexico, embody resilience, strength, and an aura of peace,” remarked Sandy Hodgeson, RMC Education assistant director.

Intermountain Adventist Academy (IAA) in Grand Junction, Colorado, with 35 students and under the leadership of Jeff Jackson, thrives on community and collaboration. The staff often works across grade levels, blending the strengths of each teacher to create a rich, supportive learning environment.

At a recent Town Hall meeting, IAA teacher Andrea Jackson was inspired by the renovation project at Glacier View Ranch (GVR) in Ward, Colorado, particularly its commitment to inclusivity. She guided her high school math students in developing plans to improve accessibility, encouraging them to apply math skills in ways that mirror Van Dyke’s ideals of service and thoughtful improvement. Students learn to take ownership of their learning, not just for personal achievement but as a way to serve others.

Cortez Adventist Christian School, with 24 students, is a vibrant, close-knit community led by Deedee Franklin and Teresa Quillan, who have fostered a systematic, holistic approach to learning over many years. Embracing Van Dyke’s idea of striving to improve, Deedee and Teresa are dedicated to giving students a strong academic and spiritual foundation. The Unlocking the Code reading program has become central to this goal. Here, students are taught to approach their studies with reverence and diligence, finding joy and satisfaction in learning each new word, fact, or idea.

RMC’s smallest school on the Western Slope is Discover Christian School in Farmington, New Mexico, where Jean Rose Manuop has recently joined as the teacher for the one-room school. Mrs. Manuop, newly arrived from the Philippines, brings a fresh perspective, eagerly learning from and contributing to the Farmington community.

During a visit from the RMC Office of Education, the school was engrossed in worship with Messiah’s Mansion, traveling through a sanctuary replica. Each day’s worship centered on new truths about Christ’s mission, reflecting Van Dyke’s encouragement to seek peace and purpose through faith. In the simplicity of the one-room setting, students at Discover Christian School are finding the profound joy of God’s presence and the beauty of a life dedicated to learning and spiritual growth.

“Our visit to each of these schools,” reflected RMC Education superintendent Diane Harris, “reveals educators that exemplify kindness, gentleness, and Christlike leadership. Each one demonstrates a commitment to providing guideposts that will help their students become who God has created them to be.”

—Sandy Hodgson is the RMC Education assistant director. Photos by Sandy Hodgson and Diane Harris.

Cindy Roldan and Karrie Meyers – Highlands Ranch … Mile High Academy (MHA) in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, hosted its annual “Love Matters Most” service day, October 24. This year’s event, sponsored by AdventHealth, empowered students to engage in meaningful service projects both on campus and throughout the community.

The service day was part of MHA’s FOCUS Week—Focusing On Christ’s Ultimate Sacrifice—and began with a motivational message from the week’s special guest speaker, Mark Weir, head pastor from the Denver South Seventh-day Adventist Church, in Denver, Colorado. MHA also took a moment to honor local pastors who not only partner with the school but also selflessly serve the community.

Throughout the day, MHA students engaged in various meaningful projects across the community. In the Early Childhood division, preschoolers painted “Kindness Rocks” to inspire positivity, while Kindergarten through second graders crafted cards and posters to thank local police and fire departments. The third and fourth graders visited Thrive Care Homes to make cards and prepare songs for the residents, while fifth graders stayed on MHA’s campus, raking leaves, and completing maintenance projects.

Middle school students partnered with New Community Seventh-day Adventist Church in Denver, Colorado, to assemble hygiene kits for those in need and invited community members to MHA’s upcoming Fall Fest. Another group assisted with a car wash, raising funds for women’s care in partnership with AdventHealth’s HMBS Women’s Initiative. The Middle School Girls Club conducted a bake sale which further contributed to this cause, attracting attention and support from the community.

Upper School students focused their efforts on off-campus projects. Freshmen students volunteered at LifeSource Adventist Fellowship (LAF) in Denver, Colorado, where LAF associate pastor Heidi Carpenter praised their hard work, saying, “The kids worked hard, and I heard no complaints.”

Sophomore students stayed on campus, collaborating with Coach Michael Camacho on school improvement projects. “I was impressed with their dedication and effort,” he noted. Junior students visited Vista Ridge Academy in Erie, Colorado, eagerly tackling a well-organized to-do list, with RD Gallant, MHA chaplain, commenting, “It was great to visit a sister school and work together as a class.”

A select group of Upper School students joined MHA principal Andrew Carpenter and Rocky Mountain Conference (RMC) Education associate superintendent, Paul Negrete, along with Arturo Rodriguez and Joel Hernández, members of Denver Hispanic Seventh-day Adventist Church in Denver, Colorado, to begin a remodeling project at Glacier View Ranch (GVR) in Ward, Colorado. Meanwhile, senior students volunteered at community center in Longmont, Colorado, in various roles.

To conclude the week, Middle School students participated in a special Agape feast and communion service, focusing on Christ’s ultimate sacrifice. “It was nice to take time to remember how Jesus gave everything for us—including His own life,” said eighth grader Layten M.

Roldan reflected on Service Day and FOCUS Week, stating, “FOCUS Week, and specifically Service Day, showcased our students’ commitment to making a positive difference. They truly embodied the spirit of community and compassion, ensuring that Love Matters Most.”

—Cindy Roldan is the MHA director of Student Services and Karrie Meyers is the marketing and development coordinator at Mile High Academy. Photos supplied.

Mickey Mallory – Denver, Colorado … Churches in the Rocky Mountain Conference (RMC) and beyond take time to show appreciation to their pastor every October. While not the only person ministering in the church, pastors have a unique role in that they shoulder the load of shepherding the church members. They are typically always on the giving end, rarely on the receiving end.

During the month of October, church members are given the opportunity to allow their pastor to be on the receiving end of appreciation. This is great for the pastor because it helps him/her know that their ministry is making a difference and that their members are grateful to God for all that He is doing through their ministry. Showing appreciation to a pastor communicates to a pastor that their church members care.

The Glenwood Springs Hispanic Seventh-day Adventist Church in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, recently showed appreciation to their pastor, Leonardo Jiménez, and his wife. According to Leonardo, “the elders called me and my wife to the front to recognize the work we have done and thank us for what we have done. They were very generous to both me and my wife, giving us gifts and cards with nice wishes and then a cake. It was a wonderful Sabbath.”

Steve Nelson, pastor from the Cody District in Wyoming, and his wife, Samantha, shared, “thank you for caring and showing us the precious gift of your love during pastor’s appreciation month and all year long! We love you deeply and thank God for the gift of love and knowing you!”

Dave Ketelsen, pastor from the Colorado Springs Central Seventh-day Adventist Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado, mentioned that after receiving appreciation from his church members, he felt “loved and encouraged to keep serving for the Lord no matter what.”

“Thank you for remembering your pastor and their family at this time of the year and throughout the year. It really means a lot to them,” remarked Mickey Mallory, RMC Ministerial director.

—Mickey Mallory is the RMC Ministerial director. Photos supplied and by Liz Kirkland.