NewsNuggets Page 80

17 Feb

CAMPION ACADEMY COMES ALIVE WITH THE SOUND OF MUSIC

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By Love Pickle – Loveland, Colorado … Campion Academy’s drama class performed for parents, guests, and fellow classmates, giving a striking performance of The Sound of Music which, according to one student, captured the hearts of the audience.

The event, rescheduled from last month, was held on February 12.  As the doors opened for the performance, the CA gymnasium was quickly filled with anticipation and excitement as attendees waited to see the drama class show off their hard work.

Blessing, Campion senior who played Liesel, reflected on the event, “The Sound of Music helped me learn how to manage a stressful situation, and it also gave me a chance to do something new, since I’ve never been in a musical.” As graduation is nearing, she said, “It’s something I will never forget, and I’m glad I had the chance to perform.”

The Sound of Music helped students bond on a deeper level. Ariel, a sophomore who played Maria, explained, “It was a great experience. I was lucky to have been chosen as the lead with a great team behind me. It helped us grow together as a big family.”

It wasn’t only the performers on stage who made the evening a success. Students working behind the scenes also contributed to the success of the performance. Daniel, a senior working on set design, remarked, “Being backstage was a completely different experience than being upfront. We spent weeks preparing backgrounds and props to make the stage look as lively as possible. Although we weren’t seen, our roles were significant, and it was an overall pleasure getting to work with Ms. Johnson and my colleagues.”

Erin Johnson, drama teacher, directed the play along with the invaluable help of the assistant student director Brianna Bell. “I absolutely loved seeing the students’ hard work come to life,” exclaimed Bell. “Even though we encountered minor hiccups along the way, how the actors recovered is what made it such a great play.”

The senior class was able to use this premiere as a fundraiser by providing an unforgettable dine-in experience for attendees. The show concluded with a standing ovation from parents and students, evidence of a well-produced show, and a successful evening.

–Love Pickle is a senior at Campion Academy; photos supplied

17 Feb

CAMPION ACADEMY REMEMBERS AND HONORS TIMOTHY DIEN

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RMCNews with Campion Academy News – Loveland, Colorado … Campion students and staff joined Timothy Dien’s family and friends on February 11 to honor him, reflect on his life, and mourn the loss of their classmate and friend.

“While we are still mourning the loss of Timothy, the service provided an important opportunity for us to come together as a community,” reflected Don Reeder, Campion principal. “As we spoke of our fond memories of Timothy, we began the process of healing and moving forward. We were able to share the blessed hope that we have in the soon coming of Jesus and the reuniting of the Dien family.”

Tiffany Dien, sister of Timothy and Campion alumna, reflected on Timothy’s life during her eulogy, and Campion Academy’s select choir, Koinonia, performed for the service.

Timothy’s life will continue to impact and inspire the students at Campion Academy. At the Campion Academy Scholar’s lunch, February 13, the event was held in honor of Timothy. His family received the scholarship and awards that had already been selected for him. Darcy Force, director of alumni and development, announced that Campion Academy would have a new annual award, the Timothy Dien Award, given at graduation and honoring a student who shows academic excellence and the willingness to help others as Timothy did.

–RMCNews with Campion Academy News; photos supplied

16 Feb

Broken Heart Syndrome: Causes and Symptoms

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By AdventHealth — When you think of “a broken heart,” you probably picture someone who is devastated by a great loss. Many people experience heightened feelings of sadness and loss during the holidays. But for some, those heavy emotions can turn into physical symptoms that cause alarm.

Did you know there is a temporary heart condition called broken heart syndrome that can mimic the symptoms of a heart attack? We’re here to explain the causes of broken heart syndrome, the symptoms, who’s most at risk and how it differs from a heart attack so you can be in a better position to protect your heart.

What Causes Broken Heart Syndrome?

Broken heart syndrome is often triggered by stressful situations, extreme emotions, surgery or a serious physical injury. The stress is usually sudden and acute, emotional or physical, and quickly weakens the heart muscle from the overwhelming amount of adrenaline produced in response.

Emotional stressors that can lead to broken heart syndrome are:

  • Anger
  • Fear
  • Grief
  • Surprise

Physical stressors include:

  • Blood loss
  • Difficulty breathing
  • High fever
  • Low blood sugar
  • Seizure
  • Stroke

The majority of people who develop this condition experienced a stressful event, but about 30% of patients can’t trace an identifiable trigger when their symptoms began.

Other names for broken heart syndrome are stress cardiomyopathy, takotsubo cardiomyopathy or apical ballooning syndrome.

What are the Symptoms of Broken Heart Syndrome?

Since symptoms are similar to those of a heart attack, patients, their family members, paramedics and ER physicians are often misled by broken heart syndrome. It’s important to take the symptoms seriously so you can receive proper treatment and make a full recovery.

The signs of broken heart syndrome are:

  • Chest pain
  • Dizziness
  • Racing heart
  • Shortness of breath
  • Sweating

The symptoms might begin within minutes of the stressful event, or hours later. It’s important to call 911 or get to the ER if you’re experiencing these symptoms.

Who is Most at Risk?

Risk factors for broken heart syndrome include:

  • Age: Most people who have broken heart syndrome are older than 50.
  • Chronic stress: People in long-term stressful situations may be more at risk for broken heart syndrome.
  • Gender: Broken heart syndrome is more common in women than in men.
  • Mental health disorder: Those with anxiety or depression may have a higher risk of broken heart syndrome.

How Does Broken Heart Syndrome Differ from a Heart Attack?

Heart attacks are typically caused by a complete or near-complete blockage of a heart artery. In broken heart syndrome, the heart arteries are not blocked. Blood flow in the arteries of the heart may be reduced. While there are rare cases of broken heart syndrome leading to death, most patients recover quickly without long-term complications.

When to See a Doctor

At AdventHealth, we’re all about healing hearts and caring for you in body, mind and spirit. If you experience broken heart syndrome, it’s important to get the right care to prevent future episodes. Many physicians recommend long-term treatment with beta-blockers or similar medications that block the potentially damaging effects of stress hormones on the heart. We’re here to protect your whole health with compassionate care in our state-of-the-art facilities. Learn more about our Heart and Vascular Care Program here.

–AdventHealth; photo supplied

This article was originally published on AdventHealth’s website

15 Feb

Every Step is for The Kids

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By Sandi Adcox – Grand Junction, Colorado … Intermountain Adventist Academy’s (IAA) board chairman, Doug McCaw II, and his wife, Melinda, are passionate about helping children in the community. They live by the motto of helping kids one step at a time.

The McCaw’s are keenly aware of the need for Christian education, the need for food for school-age children, and the need to make a positive difference in children’s lives.

Out of this need, they created an organization, Elevate Kids, and partnered with IAA and Kids Aid, two local organizations that focus on children. IAA is expanding to include grades 9 and 10 next year; Kids Aid is known for the Backpack Program, which supplies food to hungry kids during the weekend gap.

In August 2020, the McCaws gained recognition by running the Colorado Trail (490 miles from Denver to Durango) in 18 days. Their adventure was documented in a movie, “Chasing the Sky,” that was seen by hundreds of community members in local theaters. Proceeds from the movie were split between IAA and Kids Aid.

What’s next for the couple? On April 10, Elevate Kids is hosting a community fun-run fundraiser to help children. This event is being planned for all levels of runners, with three distances (2.5K, 5K, and 10K) and opportunities to race for a reward or just enjoy an activity with friends and family.

“We want everyone in the community to have the opportunity to help the kids and enjoy a memorable experience. We plan to continue this fundraiser as an annual event,” said Doug.

Melinda added, “This run will be top-notch for participants and sponsors that partner with us.” The event will include professional timing, t-shirts, bibs, photographers, medals for participants, and rewards for the winners. The gathering is being recognized by the Grand Junction community as companies have begun to sponsor the upcoming event.

Church members are also donating financially to the event. “I’m always happy to support our kids.  This is a great cause,” said Karen Fishell, Grand Junction member.

If you would like to sign up for the event, please email [email protected].

–Sandi Adcox is Grand Junction Adventist Church team member with Elevate Kids Run; photo by iStock

14 Feb

CAMPION AND MILE HIGH SPLIT GAMES AT ANNUAL BALL ARENA MATCHUP

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RMCNews – Denver, Colorado … Campion and Mile High academies faced each other February 8 on the same court where the Denver Nuggets play their annual game at Ball Arena in Denver.

The much-anticipated event returned after a forced two-year break during the pandemic.  Ball Arena had a strict Covid protocol for entering the arena, requiring proof of vaccination or a negative test.

Reflecting on the event, Love, a Campion senior, said, “Even though fellow classmates and many families couldn’t attend to cheer on the Campion Cougars, there was a tremendous amount of spirit among the players competing on such an empowering court.”

Love added, “The [Campion] girls varsity basketball team entered the arena with a determined mindset to win their last game. The girls won the game with a score of 37-22, which brought up their morale after a long season of setbacks.”

The Mile High Academy varsity boys’ team led by game MVP Wil, scored 17 points, fought hard against the Campion boys, and won 38-24.

“Our Mustangs came into the Ball Arena with so much excitement and anticipation built up over the last two years,” said Michael Camacho, MHA’s athletic director. “The teams played hard throughout the games and were able to be mentally strong and competitive against their friends at CA.”

After the games, the teams enjoyed a meal together and returned to the arena to watch the Denver Nuggets take on the New York Knicks.

Camacho was grateful for the experience and, most importantly, the bonds formed between Campion and Mile High Academy.

“We are very grateful for this experience and for all of [the] fans who came out to support. We were able to get one win but, most importantly, still hold [on to] our friendship and sportsmanship with Campion Academy above all else.”

–RMCNews; photos courtesy of Campion and Mile High Academy

This article was adapted from an article in Campion Academy’s newsletter and a Facebook post by Mile High Academy.

10 Feb

Brighton Academy Blesses Brighton’s First Responders

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By Jodie Aakko – Brighton, Colorado … Students and staff at Brighton Adventist Academy (BAA) in Brighton, Colorado, asked themselves the question, ‘How can we say thank you to the team of police officers and firefighters that serve the community daily, rain or shine?’  The answer was simple: create blessing bags and deliver them with smiles.

Students from BAA and Little Lambs Learning Center eagerly gathered on February 2 to help assemble the bags, filling them with various snacks, including hot chocolate packets, popcorn bags, chips, candies, fruit cups, drinks, and more to show appreciation to the first responders who protect the community. The activity was more than a community-appreciation event; it was part of their Bible labs learning.

Caleb, a seventh-grader, enjoyed assembling the bags. “It was cool, and there was a lot of good stuff for the bags! It is important to help others.”

Emiliano, a fourth-grader, helped supply items for the gifts. “It was nice to make the bags. I am glad that we brought a lot of gifts from home to make the bags full!”

Kiera, a fourth-grader, said, “It felt good because the stuff we put into the bags can help them.  We had some hand warmers for the bags, and this will help keep them warm.”

Students also designed and created cards of appreciation for the bags.

“They were fun to make, and I am glad that they are helping the firefighters and the policemen because they help everyone, and they save lives,” said Irene, a seventh-grader.

Reflecting on why it was essential to do this activity, Gizelle, an eighth-grader, commented, “It was important because they do so much for us, and they keep us safe. It was good to make them happy.”

After the bags were filled to the brim with snacks and small gifts of appreciation, Grade nine and ten students hand-delivered them to the Brighton Police Department and the Brighton Fire Department. The first-responders were extremely grateful for the tokens of appreciation and the act of kindness exhibited by the students’ eagerness to say thank you.

Fritz, a third-grader, summed up the event perfectly by saying, “I had to help put things into the bags, and we also made cards. I hope that the bags were a blessing because it is God’s will that we help others.”

–Jodie Aakko is the headteacher at Brighton Adventist Academy; photos supplied

10 Feb

Heart Attack Proof

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By Tim Arnott, M.D. –You could be heart attack proof in three or four weeks? That’s right.  Freedom from a heart attack in less than a month. Says who? Says Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn, author of Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease, director of the Heart Disease Reversal Program at the Cleveland Clinic.

One of his patients with restricted heart muscle blood flow, determined by positron emission tomography (i.e., PET scan) showed those arteries opened up on a repeat scan just three weeks after starting Dr. Esselstyn’s nutritional intervention.[1]

That’s great news, considering heart disease is our leading cause of death for both men and women, resulting in a heart attack every 36 seconds.[2] In fact, over 18 million adults, age 20 and older have coronary artery disease, which kills one of every four people or 659,000 people each year. Additionally, every year, about 805,000 people in the United States have a heart attack. Of those, 605,000 are a first heart attack. Amazingly, 1 in 5 heart attacks is silent—the damage is done, but the person is not aware and feels no chest pain.[3] More shocking, a sudden fatal heart attack (called “sudden death”) is the first symptom of heart disease in 60% of men and 50% of women.[4] No warning! No chest pain. No opportunity to say “goodbye” to loved ones and friends. No time to make out a last will. Never admitted to the hospital.

Wow! That’s shocking. So, how early does coronary artery disease get started? Incredibly, Dr. Napoli at the Federico II University of Naples, Italy, discovered that LDL (“bad”) cholesterol oxidative damage caused by free radical cellular exhaust and formation of fatty (cholesterol) streaks occur in the uterus during fetal development. That’s right–before birth! Both phenomena are greatly enhanced by high cholesterol in the mother. [5] Additionally, almost all persons have aortic fatty streaks by age ten. Most people have coronary artery fatty streaks by age 20, regardless of which state they are from or their ethnic origin.[6]

Won’t my physician be able to tell me my risk of a heart attack? That depends on how they read your lipid panel. The lipid panel contains all your cholesterol and triglyceride (i.e., blood fat) numbers. If the standard reference ranges are used, your risk will likely be underestimated, and you may leave your physician’s office with a false sense of security. For instance, if your total cholesterol level is 199, you may be told your level is in the normal range. The National Cholesterol Education Program of the National Institutes of Health will call your 199 level “desirable.”[7] Additionally, this organization would call a total cholesterol of 239 “borderline high.”[8] The problem is that approximately one-third of heart attacks occur in those with total cholesterol between 150 and 200. So, one in three heart attack victims have a “desirable” cholesterol level. Yet, in over 40 years of the Framingham Heart Study, the longest ongoing heart study globally, no one had a heart attack if their total cholesterol was below 150.[9],[10] Further, in people groups around the world with an average total cholesterol below 150, coronary artery disease is essentially non-existent.[11]

So, if 150 is the goal, can’t I take a statin drug to lower total cholesterol to less than 150?  Unfortunately, not. A study in the New England Journal of Medicine, in which enormous doses of statins successfully reduced patients’ cholesterol levels well below 150, showed that their diet never changed, and one out of four of the patients experienced a new coronary event (e.g., heart attack) or died within just two and a half years.[12] Probably most telling of all, Dr. Esselstyn followed 198 patients with coronary artery disease and a history of one or more coronary events (i.e., heart attack, bypass surgery, or stent). One hundred seventy-seven followed his dietary protocol for an average of 3.7 years (89% of patients). Over 99% avoided another major cardiac event! Thirteen of the 22 patients who did not follow his protocol had major cardiac events’ namely, heart attack, stroke, even death. That is a recurrence rate of 62%. Only one patient who followed Dr. Esselstyn’s dietary protocol had another coronary event a recurrence event rate of 0.6%!

So, what is Dr. Esselstyn’s dietary regimen? It’s simple. Let’s take it directly out of his book, Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease. Namely, no meat, poultry, or fish–not even salmon. No dairy of any kind–not even skim milk or non-fat yogurt. No eggs–not even egg whites or Egg Beaters. No oil–not even virgin olive oil or canola oil. Aim for 100% whole grain products. Ingredients must say, 100% whole wheat, or 100% whole buckwheat, whole rye, etc. Avoid semolina flour in pasta. Leave off white rice. Discontinue juice. Fruit is great. A little juice used to sauté, or season recipes, or for salad dressings is fine. Eat soy products cautiously. They are high in fat (> 40%), and many are highly processed. Only use Lite Tofu (e.g., Mori-Nu or NaSoya Lite Firm Tofu). Reduce sugar as much as possible. Dr. Esselstyn uses stevia. If you have heart disease, do not eat nuts, olives, avocados, or coconut. Read all labels, especially the ingredient list! The rest of the world of vegetables, dark leafy greens, fruit, beans, legumes, 100% whole grains, and herbs is yours![13] This diet is nothing new. With the exception of excluding nuts, it’s the diet the Creator gave to our first parents as recorded in Genesis 1:29 and Genesis 3:18. Genesis, Chapters 1-3 is state-of-the-art, even when it comes to solving atherosclerosis, the Number One killer on the planet![14]

This Valentine’s Day might be a great opportunity to help your loved one become heart attack proof. If you sense the need for help on such a journey, call the Rocky Mountain Lifestyle Center at (303) 282-3676 for a free 15-minute discovery conversation with our physician. It could save their heart and their life.

— Tim Arnott M.D. is a Board-Certified Lifestyle Medicine physician and is the medical director of Rocky Mountain Lifestyle Center; photo by     Istock

[1] J Fam Pract. 2014 Jul;63(7):356-364b.
[2] https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/facts.htm
[3] ibid
[4] https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/takeonestep/heart/interviews-nissen.html#attack
[5] J. Clin. Invest. Volume 100, Number 11, December 1997, 2680–2690.
[6] J. Atheroscler. Res., 1969, 9:251-265.
[7] https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/files/docs/guidelines/atglance.pdf
[8] ibid
[9] JAMA 1986;256:2835-2838.
[10] http://www.pbs.org/saf/1104/features/castelli4.htm
[11] Keys A. Seven Countries: A Multivariate Analysis of Death and Coronary Heart Disease. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Horoord University Press, 1980.
[12] Esselstyn Jr. M.D., Caldwell B.. Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease (pp. 67-75). Penguin Pub Group.
[13] ibid
[14] https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cardiovascular-diseases-(cvds)

10 Feb

Campion Academy Orchestra joins Union College Music Festival

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By Noah Sturgess – Loveland, Colorado … After a year of absence due to the pandemic, Campion Academy joined with other academies for the annual Union College Music Festival the first week of February in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Campion sent 14 students to spend four days rehearsing and performing news songs alongside other students taking part in the event.

Edward, Campion senior, reflected on being back at the event after the year of absence. “Returning to the music festival was something I was not expecting. It was different from last time, but just as fun. New music and new people made this trip worthwhile.”

On Sabbath, Campion students and other academies had the experience of playing for the College View Church service.

Jack, Campion freshman violinist, won a young artist solo award. Along with this award, he received a $1,000 scholarship.

The students also toured Union College and were able to create memories. “It was a great opportunity to play music with other schools and spend time with my friends. I got to see alumni from Campion at Union all while taking a break from studies,” said Ivan, Campion senior.

–Noah Sturges is a senior at Campion Academy; photos supplied

09 Feb

LA VIDA MISSION SCHOOL RESUMES IN-PERSON EDUCATION

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RMCNews – Farmington, New Mexico … La Vida Mission School reopened for in-person learning after a difficult few years dealing with COVID restrictions, which restricted in-person learning and other gatherings on the reservation.

The school submitted a reopening plan to the Department of Dine Education in August 2021, which was approved. The plan called for the first semester to be a mixture of hybrid learning with the second semester fully reopened, including the dormitories.

Dorie Panganiban, La Vida Mission office manager, recalls the preparations needed. “We did the first week of January 2022 as hybrid to get everything ready for the full in-person reentry. Dorms were cleaned and disinfected, and food, health, and safety supplies were provided to each of the four dorm houses–because this would be the first time our dorms would [be] open after their doors closed in March 2020 when the pandemic struck.”

On January 9, the laughter and smiles of the school children filled the campus once again.

“The children’s smiles and happiness as they walked from the school to their dorms and from their dorms to the school were a beautiful sight to behold. Many of them had expressed their longing to stay in the dorms once again,” said Panganiban.

Students were eager to resume the daily activities missed over the last few years, including morning flag-raising ceremonies and an exercise time after the flag-raising ceremony.

As the first week commenced, Panganiban explained how the joy of in-person learning came to a screeching stop. “Our joy was cut short when on Wednesday, a student and staff member tested positive for COVID-19, exposing almost everyone in the classrooms and the dorms, affecting our full reentry status.”

The school had no choice but to switch to remote learning while a reevaluation of in-person learning took place.

“After many prayers and careful consideration, we reevaluated our strategies to make sure that everyone was safe and that the spread of the virus was mitigated. People who needed to isolate and quarantine, did so,” said Panganiban.

After modifying and tightening some COVID protocols, the school and dorms reopened on January 30.

Panganiban asks RMC members to keep the mission school in prayer as they push forward with in-person education. “As we continue to open our school and dorm houses and pursue our educational programs and goals while keeping the safety of everyone as a priority, we ask you to please include our students and us in your daily prayers.”

–RMCNews; photo supplied

This article was adapted from the La Vida Mission newsletter.

08 Feb

What to Ask Your PCP to Keep Your Heart Healthy

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By AdventHealth — February is American Heart Month, a time when we can all refocus on our cardiovascular health. This is a good time to schedule a heart-to-heart with your primary care provider (PCP) to ask them all you need to know about your heart health.

We’re here to help you organize what types of questions to ask at your appointment, along with some heart health tips. By being proactive, you can keep your heart in good shape and prevent heart disease.

Primary Care for Your Heart

Since your heart is a primary component of your overall health, it’s important to make sure it’s strong. While patients normally think of their primary care provider as their go-to for common colds and annual check-ups, your PCP is your partner in whole health. They can determine your risk of heart disease through a routine exam, which makes those annual check-ups even more important.

Your PCP will start by checking your blood pressure and heart rate. These are simple but important measures for your heart health. They will listen to your heart and lungs and check for swollen feet and ankles. You might not notice these little details, but by doing all of these checks, your PCP is caring for your heart.

Other tests your PCP might conduct to check your heart health are blood tests to check for cholesterol and diabetes, and an EKG (electrocardiogram) to measure the electrical activity of your heartbeat.

Along with gathering information through testing, your PCP will likely ask you about your medical history, your family health history, and your lifestyle, such as your diet, whether or not you smoke, and how much you exercise. They can recommend lifestyle changes, prescribe medicines and refer you to a cardiologist if necessary.

Questions to Ask at Your Appointment

Whether you’re at the doctor for a routine visit or you’ve been experiencing symptoms, it can be daunting to know which questions to ask and where to start, especially when it comes to something as important as your heart. Here are some questions to start with:

Am I at a healthy weight?
Can we discuss the symptoms I’m having?
Can we go over my medications?
Do I need to take any supplements?
How do I reduce stress?
How is my blood pressure and heart rate?
What can I do to improve my heart health?
When should I have a follow-up visit?

Heart Health Tips

Here are some tried and true tips to help keep your heart healthy for life:

Don’t smoke: Smoking doubles your heart attack risk and makes it less likely you’ll survive if you do suffer cardiac arrest.

Eat a balanced diet: Eat foods low in cholesterol, saturated fat, salt and refined sugars and high in fiber, vitamins and minerals to maintain healthy cholesterol and blood pressure and weight.

Exercise: At least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise or 75 minutes per week of vigorous aerobic activity spread throughout the week is recommended.

Know your numbers: A normal heart rate is between 60 and 100 beats per minute. An ideal blood pressure is within the range of less than 120 for systolic (highest reading) and less than 80 for diastolic (lowest reading), which reads as 120/80. Most doctors consider anything above 140/90 as high blood pressure, and below 90/60 as low blood pressure.

Manage stress: Exercise, meditate, pray, talk to friends or a counselor or spend time doing what you love. Find what works for you.

Care from the Heart

Taking care of your heart with healthy lifestyle choices and partnering with your primary care provider is the best formula for preventing heart disease. Your primary care provider can help you manage any risk factors and help you meet your goals.

–AdventHealth; photo supplied

This article was originally published on the AdventHealth website

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