Karrie Meyers – Highlands Ranch, Colorado … Mile High Academy (MHA) in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, celebrated a major milestone with its annual Alumni Reunion Weekend, September 27-29, marking 60 years of providing quality Christian education as a full K-12 day academy in the Denver Metro area.
Founded in 1913 as an elementary school, MHA expanded over the years, with its first senior class graduating in 1964, marking its full K-12 status. Cheryl Becker Miller, a member of that historic 1964 class, returned to campus to join the weekend festivities, representing her class’s pivotal role in shaping the school’s legacy.
The weekend was filled with reflection and reconnection, beginning with Grandparents Day on September 27, where over 115 grandparents gathered to celebrate alongside their grandchildren.
The highlight of the weekend was Alumni Reunion Sabbath, where alumni from across the country gathered to worship and reconnect. Clint Watson, Class of 1984 and the featured guest speaker, delivered a powerful message. His sermon focused on the enduring presence of God in our lives, reminding those in attendance of Matthew 28:20: Surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
Watson, who met his wife at MHA and has been married for 32 years, emphasized that reunions with God are never needed because He never leaves us. Rather, he encouraged attendees to see reunions as an opportunity to reflect and reconnect, rediscover God’s plan for their lives, and seek renewal when needed.
Among the alumni was Cheryl Becker Miller, who traveled from her home in California to join the reunion and shared her fond memories of growing up at MHA. Starting her education in first grade, Cheryl can still name each of her teachers, including Ms. Pierce and Mrs. Silverstein, and remembers the impact they had on her life. A talented musician, Cheryl was involved in the choir, band, and played both the piano and organ throughout her time at MHA. Music became an integral part of her life, even leading her to meet her husband while she accompanied students during voice lessons.
Her fond memories also include the school’s ski club, where her father, a member of the school board, provided boots and skis for the students. Weekend trips to Winter Park, Loveland, and Berthoud Pass were highlights of her time at MHA.
Cheryl was one of 17 students in the Class of 1964, a group that discovered late in their junior year that they would be able to graduate from MHA instead of transferring to the boarding school Campion Academy, as many students did at the time. Through bake sales and hot lunches, her class raised money for their senior trip, and they fondly recall Adventist classics such as haystacks and veggie burgers served at their fundraising lunches. A photo of Cheryl and her classmates standing beside a plane now proudly hangs on MHA’s honor wall, commemorating this pioneering group of graduates.
When asked for advice to the current Senior class, she said, “Hold on to the memories because they mean so much. Remember your teachers and what they meant to you.”
After a day of celebration, an enchilada lunch, and campus tours, alumni and families continued to enjoy fellowship and fun during the annual 3-on-3 basketball tournament, where spectators and 16 teams—ranging from adults to students—cheered each other on, filling the gym with lively Mustang spirit.
The weekend concluded with the Mustang Classic Golf Tournament on September 27, where more than 65 golfers gathered for a day of fun and competition. The event brought together alumni and community members in support of MHA, underscoring the lasting connections that the school fosters.
Reflecting on the weekend’s celebrations, MHA’s vice principal of Finance and Development, Jocelyn Aalborg, shared, “It’s such a privilege to be part of this amazing community. We are so grateful to celebrate 60 years of continued Christian education and the impact it has had on so many lives. MHA’s legacy is strong, and we look forward to many more years of serving students and families.”
—Karrie Meyers is the marketing and development coordinator at Mile High Academy. Photos supplied.
