When you meet Remington Hill, you feel you are in the presence of someone who knows her own mind. She exudes joy and playfulness, but also understands discipline and focus. She is 15 years old and a freshman at Campion Adventist Academy in Loveland, Colorado.

It’s hard to sum up Remington’s interests. Raised on a ranch in Trinidad in Southern Colorado, nature and hard work were the elements that molded her early years. But she soon began to win poetry contests and her interest in music moved her to teach herself to play piano and guitar.

Remington has an aura of authenticity, a mixture of fun and seriousness. What stands out is her love for Jesus.

Remington agreed for us to take a peek into her life at Campion through a few of her journal notes. —Editor

TUESDAY: I’m stressing out this morning. It’s Tuesday and I have a test. I have to do good. I want my “A”. I feel like I left my brain in my bed.

WEDNESDAY: I’m tired. I have a lot of homework still. I woke up extra early to get it in on time. I just need the weekend.

THURSDAY: I love Bible class. It’s my favorite class. I love it because we actually get to discuss and share our thoughts about what we are feeling. It’s completely different than going to church where all you do is listen. It’s interesting to hear what other students’ opinions are because I can relate to them. It’s nice to know that I can relate to the other students and they have the same questions or concerns that I do. Teenagers might often feel as if they can’t be heard, but not in Bible class. We’re all very transparent. We are currently studying the book of Luke. We read the verse and try to make it more interesting by putting it in our perspective and making it into a story. We really elaborate on and question each sentence. For example, we were reading Luke 8 and discussing the demoniac, and asking why when He [Jesus] cast the legion of demons out, they chose to enter the pigs. And what’s the bottomless pit? We ask these question and many, many, more. It becomes interactive which makes it fun to discuss. It’s not just a class to me; it’s more a spiritual impact.

FRIDAY: I’m trying to focus in earth science. It’s not working. But at least no school tomorrow! Singing all day! Go Music Fest!

A friend from my old town came and visited the school this week. She liked it a lot! She said how cool it was that we have worship every day in every class before we start our assignments. She likes our schedules and all the events that we have throughout the week.

It’s really not easy for students, even as Christians, to keep our eyes on Christ all the time. We have the demands of any other school, the pressure to get good grades, the social aspects, and extracurricular activities like sports and music. We get so busy doing all these things that we can lose sight of Christ. I’m very thankful for the spiritual activities that Campion offers because it helps me to refocus on what is really important, and that is my relationship with Jesus. Chapel, for example. Chapel is every Wednesday from 11:30- 12:00. The whole school—students and staff—come together for worship. Even though this time is short, it makes you stop and think about where you are with Christ.

Other examples are vespers and Sparks. Vespers happens every Friday night. We welcome the Sabbath and put our minds in a state of peace as we realize the week is over and Sabbath has arrived. Sparks is every Wednesday night, and is a small worship service that reminds us of how much the world distracts us. Taking time out of the week and spending time with God slaps us back into reality.

One of the spiritual activities that I find most moving is Week of Prayer. Week of Prayer happens three times each year, when the school comes together every night for a whole week to have worship. Every Week of Prayer is different because either the staff, a guest speaker, or students host each one. My favorite is student-led because not only are the speakers teenagers that I can relate to, but they are also my friends. It makes me take a step back and realize how special it is that ordinary high-schoolers use Christ to make such an impact on their peers. That is a major reason I cherish going to school in a Christian environment.

MONDAY: I got an “A” on my test in earth science! Ahhh-hhh! I’m so excited!

(Later). I am exhausted. I can’t stop yawning. I have piles and piles of homework and I don’t want to do any of it. This last quarter is killing me.

TUESDAY: We’re going on a singing trip to California after class gets out and I cannot focus right now! I just wanna leave! But I’m freaking out about how much school I’ll miss! A whole week!

MONDAY: We’re back, and now it’s time to catch up! Cali was fun and I don’t want to be back, but I really need to focus this last quarter.

It’s ridiculous how many people don’t take school seriously. They just play games and mess around. And here I am studying so hard to get “A”s and others are just happy they passed! It’s really hard for me to understand.

People really need to stop gossiping and talk to the involved parties first before believing and spreading rumors. But I guess that’s what you get when you come to high school. Thought I was done with that when I was out of grade school. Nope, people still act childishly. Even seniors.

Mondays are really slow. At least the sun is shining and today is an A day (we have different schedules on different days). That means easy classes. On second thought, in all honesty, freshman classes are all easy. You just have to have enough motivation to do the work!

WEDNESDAY: I just heard someone say that they don’t know if they can come to Campion again next year because of money. Now that I think about it, I’ve heard that several times. I have heard that in my own household. I’m not going to lie: Campion is expensive. It’s not the average family that pays for their child to go to school, especially high school! Coming from public school that is free to paying thousands of dollars to go to a Christian school was a very large adjustment for my family. My family has sacrificed a lot for both my brother and me to have a Christian education. But let me tell you, it’s so worth it. Being in an environment that surrounds you with the love of Christ, welcomes you and treats you like family, and gives you the freedom to express your faith publicly, is unlike anything I’ve experienced. If my family would have just focused on how expensive it was,

we would have never gone. We, like many families, have to weigh the costs and benefits. The benefits completely outweigh the costs, and I am thankful for the opportunity to attend Campion. I wouldn’t be here without the help of my parents, my friends, my church, and Campion itself. They provide lots of financial support if you need it and, with God’s provision, He makes it possible.

THURSDAY: This morning I’m up early to study for another test! I feel good about it, but everyone says it will be hard. Six weeks left and I’m definitely feeling the summer pull. Oh! This weekend is Academy Days! So all the kids who are thinking of attending Campion next year come and visit! It’s super fun and I hope for more students to enroll into the freshman class because there are only 16 of us.

I’m really hungry! It’s almost lunch and I’m listening to some of my friends studying chemistry. I don’t want to take my test! I have been drinking a lot of water because I learned more about other drinks and how they’re really unhealthy and have a lot of calories! So, water weight-loss!

(Later). I’m so not focusing. Friday should come quicker. Academy Days start tomorrow! Super excited! Two of my friends and I are singing the national anthem for the soccer tournament Saturday night! That will be lots of fun! I’m grateful for the opportunity!

I have a job before I go to school every day. What is that about? When I first started, I thought it was kind of cool to say, “I have a job.” But then I realized it’s not that great. Especially when there are limited options and I’m doing something that I would not necessarily pursue as a career. Not only is the job difficult, but also having to study on top of work is challenging. Why do we have to work? Well, actually, I know why I have to work. The most obvious reason is that it helps pay my tuition bill. But I’ve come to realize that it also improves my work ethic and helps me learn how to manage my time. I guess you could say it prepares teenagers very well for the future. It’s not fair that some students don’t have to have jobs. What would I do with that extra time? Sleep and study, I guess.

Even though it’s not that fun to work, I do think it’s awesome that Campion provides a means to help students pay tuition, and even though it takes up time, it’s one of those things that we benefit from. The benefit is all the opportunities we get at this school that are not offered at public schools.

I don’t think any of my friends actually enjoy working, but we have a sense of pride in saying that, “Hey, I played a part in paying for my education.” Work gives us a sense of responsibility and adulthood, and we get to see what the future will be like.

Enough!
A few more words about me:

I sing, I sing, and I sing. I taught myself piano and guitar. I believe that music is the gift that God has given me. I love music and I sing in church almost every week. I am in choir and Koinonia—a select choir that travels and performs. It is so fun! Other activities that I enjoy are playing volleyball and hanging out with my friends. I am president of my class, have about a 3.9 GPA, and definitely take school seriously.

I am an extrovert. As extroverted as they get. I am very people-oriented. I am also very loud and laugh all the time. I love to have fun and hang out with my friends as often as I can.

I became a baptized Seventh-day Adventist in March of 2013. Pastor Mitch Williams baptized me at the Adventure church in Windsor, Colorado. I am a member of the Adventure church. I suppose you could say I am a Seventh-day Adventist, but I don’t really like to put a label on my faith because people tend to group all religions under one category. I am a student who loves Jesus, accepts Him as my Lord and Savior, believes that the Bible was written by the inspiration of God, and that the seventh day is the true Sabbath. I am involved in both Campion and Adventure churches weekly, mostly in music, but I love to help wherever I’m needed.

A few years before even hearing about Campion Academy, my mom and dad found a book in the middle of the road on a vacation trip to Wyoming. The name of the book was The Sunday Law. From that day forward my mom was on a mission to find the truth. We began church hopping—from Baptists, to Nazarenes, to faith-based, to finally finding Amazing Facts on television. After a series of Bible studies online, we began to search for a Seventh-day Adventist church. That summer (2012) we were introduced to Glacier View Ranch. This is where I was divinely guided into a cabin with Gabrielle Williams along with a group of Campion girls. A month later, our family packed up everything, and with no jobs and no place to live—quoting Scripture in the car—we arrived in Campion, Colorado. We were again divinely guided to live with a family that we had met the first day of school. Mitch, Lena, Gabrielle, Colette, Jenna, and Olivia Williams are now among those I consider to be part of my own family. I attended HMS Richards Elementary School for 7th and 8th grades before starting at Campion Academy. This story is evidence of God’s miraculous leading and guiding for those who seek Him and believe that He has plans for each and every person.