NN May 2026 Page 2

Karrie Meyers – Highlands Ranch, Colorado … The Robostangs from Mile High Academy (MHA) in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, recently returned from Orlando, Florida, with a significant national achievement. Representing MHA at the Adventist Robotics FIRST Tech Challenge, April 11-12, the team secured a third-place finish for the Inspire Award, which is the competition’s most prestigious honor, given to the team that best represents the spirit of the program and serves as a model for other participants.

The trip showcased the students’ hands-on skills and ingenuity. The Upper School team even brought their own 3D printer along, allowing them to manufacture and adjust custom parts when the team felt adjustments needed to be made.

“This year’s tournament was probably one of my favorite competitions during my time at MHA,” said Logen, an MHA senior student. “This year we dug deep into our design and were able to 3D print most of our parts. Plus, it was a fun group that enjoyed being a team together.”

Beyond the matches, the journey was a celebration of the broader robotics community. Between the engineering rounds, students spent their time meeting fellow builders, reconnecting with old friends, and enjoying a well-earned team day at SeaWorld.

These experiences highlight why MHA views robotics and STEM classes as essential for building lasting connections. At MHA, the process of taking an idea from the initial sketch to a finished, working machine requires a unique level of teamwork. By seeing a project through to completion, students learn to communicate through technical hurdles and find success in solving complex problems together.

This culture of curiosity starts early at MHA. From Lego Clubs in the Lower School to the competitive teams in the Middle and Upper Schools, MHA ensures that the joy of learning is fostered at every grade level. Jessica Gleason, MHA vice principal, oversees the Lower and Middle School robotics teams. She emphasizes that these programs are about developing students’ character rather than just technical skills.

“Robotics is a critical gateway for future generations because it teaches resilience and adaptive thinking,” says Gleason. “When a student builds a robot, they aren’t just learning to code; they are learning how to face a problem that doesn’t have an immediate answer and persevere until they find one. By fostering this interest at a young age, we are giving our students the confidence to be the innovators and ethical leaders of tomorrow’s workforce.”

While the Upper School robotics season is wrapping up for the school year, MHA is already hard at work planning for its next Middle School competition. The event will be held at MHA on February 7, 2027, with registration opening in late Summer 2026. For those interested in building a team or have any questions about the tournament, please contact Mrs. Gleason at [email protected].

—Karrie Meyers is the Mile High Academy marketing and development coordinator. Photos supplied.

CRS News – Lincoln, Nebraska … Christian Record Services (CRS) in Lincoln, Nebraska, has announced the launch of a nationwide First Response Initiative to address a critical gap in the medical system: the “Quiet Crisis” of vision loss.

Supported by a newly awarded $43,436 grant from the North American Division Resource Development Committee, the initiative provides a tangible roadmap for the 8 million North Americans navigating irreversible vision loss due to diseases like Glaucoma, Macular Degeneration, and Diabetic Retinopathy.

The “Quiet Crisis”

While modern medicine is world-class at treating the pathology of the eye, clinical settings are often ill-equipped to treat the crushing isolation that follows an irreversible diagnosis. CRS calls this the “Quiet Crisis”—the terrifying gap between a medical diagnosis and a life of hope. According to the CDC, 1 in 4 adults with vision loss suffer from anxiety or depression as they grieve the loss of their autonomy and retreat into silence.

Answering the Call from Doctors

The First Response Initiative was born from a direct call for help from the medical community. Frontline eye care specialists have consistently reported that when sight-saving measures are exhausted, they have nothing tangible to hand a patient to help them navigate their new reality.

“We heard from doctors who were tired of sending patients home into a world of uncertainty,” said Dexter Thomas, president of Christian Record Services. “The First Response Initiative ensures that where the medical chart ends, a roadmap for life begins. We are partnering with eye care professionals to provide a lifeline at the exact moment a patient feels their independence is slipping away.”

A Two-Tiered Connection to Hope

The $43,436 grant is dedicated entirely to the production of two distinct resource tools:

• Lifeline Kits: These kits are placed directly in waiting rooms and exam rooms of eye care clinics. They serve as an immediate “hand-off” for doctors to give patients at the moment of diagnosis, providing an instant bridge to support.
• New Member Kits: Once a patient connects with CRS, they receive a comprehensive kit designed to walk with them through their journey, offering specialized resources to ensure life flourishes even as sight fades.

Reach 2026

The launch is part of a broader strategy called “Reach 2026,” which aims to establish active partnerships with 2,026 eye care facilities across the nation. By equipping these offices with frontline materials, CRS transforms the hardest conversation in a patient’s life into a pathway forward.

Because private donors cover 100% of the organization’s staffing and operational costs, the entirety of this grant is being used for these tangible patient materials.

“This is about dignity,” Thomas added. “We are equipping doctors to replace a patient’s fear with a plan for life.”

Christian Record Services is a national non-profit that has served people who are blind or have low vision for more than 125 years. It is an official ministry of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

For more information on the First Response Initiative or to learn how to support Reach 2026, visit www.christianrecord.org

—Christian Record Services News. Republished with permission from Christian Record Press Release, April 28, 2026. Photo supplied.

Oscar Ren – Loveland, Colorado … The senior class of 2026 at Campion Academy (CA) in Loveland, Colorado, and their sponsors took an unforgettable trip to Georgia and Tennessee, April 21-27.  The trip gave the students a chance to temporarily set aside the pressures of their studies and create lasting memories together on the eve of graduation.

On the first day of the trip, the group visited the home of CA principal Kaleb Leeper’s parents, where they spent a leisurely and enjoyable time, fully immersing themselves in the joys of swimming, fishing, and canoeing. Being surrounded by nature and spending time with friends was undoubtedly the perfect way to kick off the journey.

The students headed to Dollywood Theme Park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, On the second day where they experienced the thrill of roller coasters and various rides. From high-speed attractions to moments filled with laughter and interaction, the day was filled with joy, adventure, and unforgettable memories.

On the third day, they toured Southern Adventist University in Collegedale, Tennessee, and had the opportunity to experience college life firsthand. The beautiful campus left a deep impression on them; many students were particularly excited to take this opportunity to reunite with old friends from their time at Campion and catch up on each other’s lives. On Friday evening, they attended the university’s vesper service and enjoyed a pleasant evening. They gathered once again in the university church for a Sabbath worship service.

They spent the entire day at Six Flags over Georgia in Austell, Georgia, the next day enjoying a wide variety of rides and attractions. Whether riding roller coasters or experiencing other thrilling adventures, the day was filled with joy and excitement. As senior student Adrian B. put it, “This senior trip was truly a tremendous gift for me. I felt immense joy to have one last chance to spend time with my classmates before we each set off on our own paths in life.”

On Monday, they visited the famous Georgia Aquarium, where the diverse array of marine life—including dolphins and penguins—was a huge hit with the students. That afternoon, filled with precious memories, they boarded their flight back to Campion.

Sherlin V. senior student shared, “This senior trip was both fun and unforgettable. My favorite part was visiting the Georgia Aquarium and seeing the penguins, whale sharks, and otters up close. Additionally, we were very fortunate to receive such a warm welcome from the Leeper family. This truly was a journey I will cherish for the rest of my life.”

On the return home, student Theo P. reflected, “Not only did I gain countless precious memories, but I also forged deeper friendships with my friends and classmates.”

For this graduating class, this senior trip was far more than a simple vacation; it was one of the most meaningful shared experiences of their final year of high school. Against a backdrop woven with laughter, deep friendships, unwavering determination, and thrilling adventures, they created beautiful memories that will be cherished for a lifetime.

—Oscar Ren, Campion Academy Student News Team. Photos supplied.