NN Oct 2024 Page 2

Jocelyn Aalborg – Highlands Ranch, Colorado … The varsity volleyball and soccer teams from Mile High Academy (MHA) in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, recently returned to Walla Walla University in College Place, Washington, October 10-12, for the Fall Classic Tournament, making the 16-hour journey by coach bus—an experience the teams had not enjoyed since 2015.

The excitement among students, coaches, and parents was undeniable as Walla Walla University welcomed the visiting schools with open arms. The campus tour on October 10 was a highlight with students thoroughly enjoying the cafeteria food, particularly the soft-serve ice cream, which quickly became a favorite.

While MHA’s athletes were prepared to compete, the spirit of support from parents, fans, and staff traveling alongside them added an extra layer of Mustang pride. Dressed in MHA gear, the supporters’ enthusiasm was recognized by other schools, a testament to the strong community spirit at the tournament.

Volleyball

MHA’s Varsity Volleyball team demonstrated resilience throughout the tournament, playing an impressive eight games. Thursday’s lineup of games challenged the team, but they remained focused. On October 11, they played three additional games, securing a victory in their final match, which earned them a place in the championship game for the green bracket.

The championship game took place the night of October 12, with MHA facing off against Paradise Adventist Academy from Paradise, California. MHA’s team displayed exceptional skill, winning the match in two straight sets and claiming the championship for their bracket.

“I am so proud of how the team came together,” said Delanie P., a MHA Senior volleyball player. “We were able to overcome challenges, which made us stronger as a unit.”

Team coach Jill Dean added, “Winning the championship reflects the trust, sportsmanship, and positive attitude this team has developed over the season. These players support one another both on and off the court, and their hard work paid off. I look forward to seeing how they continue to grow in the future.”

Soccer

The MHA Varsity Soccer team played four matches over the course of the tournament, including a bonus game against Paradise Academy on the evening of October 10. Though the game didn’t impact the standings, MHA athletes experimented with new positions, using the opportunity to further develop their teamwork, despite the 8-0 result. The boys cheered each other on throughout the match, creating a fun and supportive atmosphere. They truly enjoyed the game, focusing on camaraderie and making the most of the experience.

Saturday night’s green bracket championship game brought a rematch against Paradise Academy, with both teams eager for victory. The game was tightly contested, with a 1-1 tie at halftime. MHA’s defense held strong against Paradise’s attacks in the second half, leading to a penalty shootout to determine the champion.

Paradise scored the first goal, but MHA’s Asa A.B., junior, quickly equalized. After another goal by Paradise, Owen F., freshman, calmly scored his penalty kick, bringing MHA level once again. “Once the first PK went in, it was a big confidence boost,” Owen said. “When my turn came, I knew what needed to be done, and I executed.”

In a critical moment, MHA goalkeeper Rogan A., junior, made a crucial save blocking Paradise’s final attempt. Phoenix M., also a junior, then stepped up for MHA’s final kick, securing the victory as Mustang fans exploded in celebration.

The energy on the field was electric as the volleyball team and fans rushed out to join the soccer team in celebration, capping off a weekend filled with sportsmanship, hard work, and Mustang pride.

Athletic director Michael Camacho said, “Mile High Academy is incredibly proud of both its volleyball and soccer teams for their resilience, teamwork, and determination throughout the tournament. Congratulations to the Mustangs for bringing home the championships!”

—Jocelyn Aalborg is the vice president of finance and development at Mile High Academy. Photos supplied.

RMCNews with Ted Williams – La Junta, Colorado … The Arkansas Valley Seventh-day Adventist Church in Rocky Ford, Colorado, participated in the annual Early Settlers Day in La Junta, Colorado, September 7. Thousands of people attend the day to honor the early settlers in the region, but the Arkansas Valley Church participated for the fifth year in a row to help people get to know Jesus.

“We were just mobbed there. I mean to tell you, it’s really something, and people are getting to the point where they start to look for us,” remarked Ted Williams, lead pastor at the Arkansas Valley Church.

The church set up a booth with the banner “Bible Giveaway, Prayer Table.” Around 200 Bibles were passed out to attendees at the event that day. The Bibles had been acquired at a significantly reduced price in a variety of types from a local bookstore that was closing. Williams recalls a few interactions with attendees that day.

“A Hispanic gentleman came by and said that he was trying to learn English and asked if we had a bilingual Bible. Of course we did! And an older lady was looking over at the booth like she was interested but kept walking around it. Finally, I addressed her and asked if we could just talk. She came over and started sharing with me about her grandson who had just had a stroke. He was recovering, but he couldn’t read. He was asking her if she could find him a large print Bible, because he thought maybe that would help his eyes focus better. She got a large print Bible, and we prayed together.”

Along with Bibles and Christian literature, 200 t-shirts with the phrase “Under the Influence of Jesus” and 1,800 customized water bottles were distributed. “The local girls’ softball team found out about the t-shirts and the whole team came by to get them. Then the boys’ baseball team came by, and they all got t-shirts. And then there were [elementary] school kids that came by and wanted the shirts. We’ve ordered 400 t-shirts for next year,” remarked Williams.

“You know, these things start conversations,” Williams continued. “That’s the whole idea; raise people’s awareness, bring them to the point where they’re ready to question what they know and what they think, and that they’re willing to say, ‘okay, yeah, sure. Pray with me.’”

Williams also recounted an issue with the customized water bottle order. He had placed an order for 40 cases, received 74 cases at pick-up, and was only invoiced for 20 cases. When he brought this discrepancy to the company’s attention, they said just to pay what was on the invoice. Williams thanked them for their “donation” and brought a set of Ellen G. White’s Conflict of Ages narrative-style Bible commentary series.

The booth also offers a raffle giveaway for the Conflict of Ages set to the event attendees. Seventy-two people entered the raffle not knowing that anyone who enters will receive a copy of the set: “We give them away free. We have a place for people to sign up, and they all think that only one person is going to win. [But] everyone is winning. Our purpose is to make sure every person who signs up wins,” commented Williams. “We’ve had people come by and say in loud voices, ‘I won that set of books last year. I’m reading those books. You should get those books, and you should read them!’”

Nineteen people assisted with the booth this year. One booth assistant was watching people walk by and wanted to get involved with distribution. By the end of the event, he had given away 50 bibles and 600 inspirational cards.

“It’s an interesting experience meeting people for Jesus and encouraging those to know him. It’s awesome,” concluded Williams. Preparations are already under way for next year’s booth.

—Ted Williams is lead pastor at the Arkansas Valley, Lamar, and Trinidad Seventh-day Adventist Churches. Photos supplied.

Rick Mautz – Denver, Colorado … Rocky Mountain Lifestyle Center (RMLC) located in the Rocky Mountain Conference (RMC) office in Denver, Colorado, is under a new name: Wellness Support. “That is what we do, we support people in their journey toward wellness,” remarked Rick Mautz, RMLC director.

“Information alone seldom brings about the desired result for reaching wellness. Most of us know what we should do but have a hard time doing it without some support,” Mautz continued. “The team at Wellness Support provide that needed support, not only through classes that provide more information but ongoing support and reinforcement of doable principles and processes.”

As far as information is concerned, there is a lot of good information available regarding health and healthy habits, but there is a lot of bad information as well, and most people are frustrated when trying to know the difference. The Wellness Support team of professional volunteers and advisors help sort through all the misinformation to find the best scienced-based answers to wellness needs, a lot of which can be reviewed through self-study or by using free resources provided.

Mautz commented on some of the newer features of the center: “It’s difficult to make wellness habit changes without addressing the food we eat, which involves learning new recipes and some cooking classes. During our period of shutdown from COVID, we put that time to work for us by remodeling our space, outfitting it with bathrooms, a shower, and a beautiful hands-on teaching kitchen. It’s a place to not just watch someone else demonstrate cooking but to do the food preparation yourself beside experienced cooks. And you get to eat the results.”

Various classes will be offered throughout the year such as Diabetes reversal, weight loss, Mind Fit, and other on-request programs. And, when the classes are over, the Wellness Support team will stay available to continue to support people as they apply what they have learned and meet the challenges of life after the class. Their goal is everyone’s wellness, and they will support people as long as needed for success.

“Sounds expensive, all that support, right? Because of the dedication of skilled and professional volunteers most of our classes and support is free, with charges only when books or material are needed. We operate on a donation basis so that no one is turned away because of the cost. And we even have exercise equipment if you can’t afford a gym membership,” Mautz stated.

The Wellness Support center will be open Mondays from10:00-2:00 p.m. and Thursdays from 2:00-5:00 p.m. with expanded hours coming in the future as more volunteers are trained. Much of the support, however, can be provided via phone or a Zoom meeting, and special appointments to meet at the center can be scheduled.

Come experience Wellness Support at the open house on Sunday, November 10, from 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Get a personal tour, health handouts, sign up for classes, enjoy lots of food, and meet the staff. And Wellness Support is always looking for more volunteers. Click here to see volunteer opportunities.

—Rick Mautz, PT MS, is RMC Health Ministry director and director of the Rocky Mountain Lifestyle Center. Photos supplied.

Nathan Cranson – Montrose, Colorado … Faith, Fellowship, Fitness, Fortitude, and Fun—these are the core values of the F-5 Challenge* group. Every year, this group gathers from all around the United States and beyond to enjoy adventure, worship, and friendship. This year’s event was held in Telluride, Colorado, September 11-16.

For the last couple years, the extra enthusiastic F-5ers gather a few days early to participate in a Service Event. This year’s service event on September 11 was held near Montrose, Colorado, about an hour and a half drive from Telluride.

After lots of planning and coordinating with the Montrose Seventh-day Adventist Church in Montrose, Colorado, 22 energetic people showed up ready for action. “The first day is a workday and boy did they work! They helped a nearby Youth With A Mission (YWAM) Outpost in Cimarron, Colorado, with their wildfire mitigation, which meant several hours of chainsaws, hauling logs, and splitting firewood,” recalled Nathan Cranson, head pastor at the Montrose Church.

“Curt Edmonson, the director of this YWAM Outpost, said that they had accomplished in one day what it would have taken them months to accomplish,” continued Cranson. “The YWAM staff were great hosts, providing two meals and four different entrees so that all forms of dietary requirements were met.”

The second day, September 12, the F-5 Challenge group set up a health fair at the River Bottom Park in Montrose, teaching the community about the eight laws of health.

Cranson helped at the “Faith” booth and commented, “What a blessing it was to work with such healthy and enthusiastic group. They were full of smiles and didn’t hesitate in inviting the people passing by to join in. I was able to have several spiritual conversations with community members who never would have walked into a church but were happy to talk and ask questions and receive prayer.”

“I am grateful for the F-5 team who demonstrated another way that we can be reaching our community,” he continued. “Their fitness and energy spoke volumes about their commitment to their values as well. How much better we can serve our community when we are taking care of ourselves as well. A special thanks to Shawndra McComb and her amazing team for all the time they spent organizing and executing this event. It made a difference!”

* The F-5 Challenge group is not affiliated with the Rocky Mountain Conference of Seventh-day Adventists or the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

—Nathan Cranson is the lead pastor for the Montrose, Gunnison, and Paonia Seventh-day Adventist Churches. Photos supplied.

Marsha Bartulec – Erie, Colorado …  Over 60 grandparents and special friends gathered at Vista Ridge Academy (VRA) in Erie, Colorado, to celebrate a meaningful and fun-filled Grandparents Day, September 27. The day kicked off with a delicious breakfast where visitors had the chance to reconnect with their VRA students and enjoy time together.

Following breakfast, attendees gathered for a special chapel service led by Geoff Patterson, head pastor of the Boulder Seventh-day Adventist Church in Boulder, Colorado. His inspiring message focused on the Lord’s Prayer, offering a moment of reflection and connection for all.

After chapel, grandparents and special friends joined the students in their classrooms, observing and participating in the learning activities that make every day special at Vista Ridge Academy.

The highlight of the afternoon was the annual Fun Run. Students put on their running shoes and hit the track with determination all in the name of supporting the school’s music and robotics programs.

Thanks to the incredible efforts of students and generous donations, nearly $17,000 has been raised so far! With a fundraising goal of $20,000, the students are eagerly working to close the gap by October 11. If they reach the goal, the students be treated to an exciting trip to the Erie Recreation Center. You can help their efforts by giving at https://myfunrun.com/vra2024

“It was a day filled with laughter, learning, and generosity, bringing together our school community in a special way,” remarked Marsha Bartulec, VRA principal. “We are grateful to everyone who joined us and supported our students’ efforts to make this year’s Fun Run a great success!”

—Marsha Bartulec is principal at Vista Ridge Academy. Photos supplied.

Vashty Segovia Santos – Loveland, Colorado … The female students at Campion Academy (CA) in Loveland, Colorado, enjoyed a fun-filled weekend on campus learning how God can help with anxiety and relaxing with friends, September 27-29. The retreat was especially unique as there was no one else on campus, providing the girls with a peaceful and intimate environment.

The retreat began with activities on Center Campus, and they received special devotionals focused on anxiety and Bible characters who had to overcome their own struggles with it.

Kylee Hart, a CA freshman village student, shared, “I had so much fun painting with my friends on Friday. It was a great way to start the retreat.”

As the sun set on the first of the retreat, the students gathered for their first session in the chapel. Tenisha Tavares-Kincaid, Voice of Prophecy project manager for evangelism, led the afternoon program, sharing the story of Esther and how she had to go against expectations in order to save her people. They welcomed the Sabbath with praise music around a campfire complete with s’mores and hot chocolate.

The girls were able to sleep in before enjoying a leisurely Sabbath morning brunch together, September 28. Later, they separated into their halls for devotional time where they discussed their personal experiences with anxiety and explored what the Bible says about it.

In the evening, the girls attended a tea party in the Administration Building, followed by a question-and-answer panel where they had the opportunity to ask questions. The panelists, Jessica Rios, CA enrollment director, Tenisha Tavares-Kincaid, Erin Johnson, CA English and drama teacher, Shannon Brown, CA registrar, history teacher, and guidance counselor, and Naomi Fernández, CA music director provided thoughtful and encouraging answers.

“I enjoyed the girls’ retreat so much. My favorite part would definitely be the panel. All the serious and fun questions that were asked and answered were so helpful, and it was just a fun time to listen!” said Pam Lah, a CA junior student.

The night ended with games of sardines and a fashion show. Each hall chose someone to dress up for different categories, and judges voted on the best outfits.

The weekend wrapped up on September 29 with a trip to Fort Fun activity park in Fort Colins, Colorado, where the girls enjoyed go-karting, mini-golf, and laser tag.

“My main goal for this retreat was to bring the girls closer together and to have fun. We enjoyed having a slower-paced weekend and just enjoying our time together. Sometimes with all the school activities, we get tired of constantly doing things. This was a great break. I’m glad the girls had a great relaxing weekend,” Phoebe Wullur, president of the Girls’ Club.

—Vashty Segovia Santos, Campion Academy Student News Team. Photos by Vashty Segovia Santos.

Rodolfo Segawa – Loveland, Colorado … The Boys’ Club at Campion Academy (CA) in Loveland, Colorado, went camping at Glacier View Ranch (GVR) in Ward, Colorado, to bond as friends, September 27-29. Their camp retreat was aimed at having fun, playing games, hiking, and worshiping God.

The male students arrived at GVR on September 27 to set their tents up. That night, they had a vespers service. The CA deans prepared Sabbath School for them September 28, and they sang worship songs.

Keaton Drake, CA senior student, briefly commented on their time worshiping together: “I was a little stressed to set it up and perform, but at the end of the day it was fun to perform to my peers and see them get involved and praise the Lord together.”

The students mentioned they had a lot of fun as they spent time with each other.  Tiago Ferreira, CA junior student, said, “My favorite part was hiking with my friends and taking pictures on the top of a mountain because it was challenging and fun.”

Christian Zeru, CA student, talked about some of the activities they did while in the mountains. He remarked, “It was pretty fun playing spike ball, eating s’mores, and exploring with my friends.”

—Rodolfo Segawa, Campion Academy Student News Team. Photos by Isaac Perez.