From Varsity Cheer Coach Cyndi Montoya (Feb 25, 2013):
The girls did incredible at the premier National event for high school cheerleading. They made it to Finals (their fourth consecutive year; something no other NM team has done) and placed 10th in the nation for their division (Super Varsity Division II).
They now are preparing to compete at the NMAA State Cheer Championships on March 22 and March 23. The team is the defending 3A state champion. The 2012 win was the ninth consecutive title for the team (again, I’m pretty sure that is a NM record).
closeHCS Cheer Team to Compete in National Championships
The HCS Varsity Cheer team is leaving Thursday, Feb 7th to compete at the National High School Cheerleading Championships. This is the team’s fourth year to win a bid to Nationals. The girls will compete in the Super Varsity Division II Semi-Finals on Saturday, February 9th at 7:41pm (Eastern).
closeSandi Williams named Associate Director of Development
The Board of Directors and community of Hope Christian School welcome Sandi G. Williams to the position of Associate Director of Development. As a graduate of Hope High School, with a rich background in athletics, public relations, and development, Sandi brings exceptional qualifications to the position. She has been serving as the Director of Alumni Relations at Hope since 2008 and has also enjoyed directing and coaching Huskettes in our sports program since 2007. We congratulate her and promise our support as she accepts this important position of leadership and helps us move forward in serving our mission in Christian education.
As you may have heard, Hope Christian School is being challenged on its decision to not allow a same sex couple to register their 3 year old son in our Pre-school program. After being informed of the school’s decision, an Attorney representing the boy's Father and his companion wrote Hope a letter disagreeing with the school’s position and demanding that the school change it position or face legal action.
Click here for a copy of our Attorney's letter stating the biblical and legal basis for the school’s position. We believe the letter clearly explains Hope's reasons for its decision and why it was important for Hope to make this decision. We believe posting our Attorney's letter in its entirety is important because local news stories have only quoted portions of our Attorney's letter. This has led to many people misunderstanding Hope's reasons for making this decision.
The admissions department is asking for volunteers to act as Ambassadors to our new families coming to Hope. All you need to do is be available to welcome them and answer any questions they may have.
If you are interested please contact Melissa Thomsen at Melissa@jeffroaseandassociates.com.
A record 34 teams enjoyed the perfect weather and beautiful surroundings of the Four Hills Country Club at this year's annual Hope Christian School golf tournament on April 30. None of the players drove home with the Mercedes that our hole-in-one sponsor Mercedes-Benz of Albuquerque offered, but a big congratulations to Legacy Team One who took first place for the day!
Approximately $26K was raised through this year's event, 80% of which will go toward the Elementary Library Project, and 20% to Hope's Parent Support Fellowship, who assists in marketing for the tournament each year and sponsors various projects among the Hope campuses.
The HCS Praise Team returned home March 18th from their Spring Break missions trip to Indonesia...
closeHCS Praise Team Returns from Spring Break in Indonesia
The HCS Praise Team returned home on March 18th from a Spring Break missions trip to Indonesia where they played for 15 chapels in locations ranging from large, affluent schools, to small village schools with dirt floors.
Below is a photo of the team with the school staff at Sekolah Lentera Harapan - a very small Christian school in the middle of a very Muslim community - in the village of Priuk, Indonesia.
The Junior Huskettes and Middle School Cheerleaders competed this weekend at the Convention Center at the UCA/UDA Spirit Festival. The Junior Huskettes received 1st place in Kick and 2nd place in pom. The Middle School Cheerleaders received 1st Place in Cheer with Music.
Hope Christian Varsity Cheer made New Mexico high school cheerleading history this weekend when they placed as finalists for the third time in the National High School Cheerleading Championship at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, FL. They went on to win a National trophy for 10th place. They also competed in the first ever World School Cheerleading Championships and placed 4th! These girls are champions! Way to Go, Huskies!
Hope Christian Varsity Cheerleaders, took 1st Place at the Rio Rancho High School Competition Saturday, January 28th in the Super Large Varsity Division. In addition the team had the highest overall score of the entire competition, and received the Grand Champ Award.
Also, The Hope Christian Varsity Cheerleaders received a bid to the National High School Cheerleading Championships in Orlando, Florida for the third year in a row at an earlier competition and will be traveling this weekend Feb.9th thru the 13th to compete for National title in the Super Large Varsity Division. They will be competing against 18 other teams. They will also be competing in the 1st Annual Worlds High School Cheerleading Competition. Worlds competitions have been mainly geared towards college and All Star Cheer teams. Both competitions will be aired on ESPN sometime in March or April. When I get the dates we will let you know.
The Hope Varsity Cheerleaders will be competing at the State Cheerleading /Drill March 23 & 24, 2012 at the Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho. They are going for their 9th straight State title this year.
Adelia Franco, HCS sophomore, and Imani Bardel, a junior, were recently named to the Carrie Tingley Hospital Foundation Youth Advisory Board.
Adelia was prompted to apply for the honor because of her love for children and heart for the seriously ill or injured. Adelia is also a varsity cheerleader for Hope.
Imani’s career goal is to become a pediatrician. Her acquaintance with a mentally disabled boy who was a foster child living with a family friend, along with her career goal, motivated her to apply to become a Carrie Tingley Youth Advisory Board member.
Beginning January 3rd, 2012 Hope Christian School will begin morning bus pick up on the west side at two locations. (No afternoon service).
Location One:
First Baptist Church in Rio Rancho
3906 19th Ave SE
Rio Rancho NM
(Corner of 19th Ave & Hwy 528 across from Intel)
Bus will Arrive at this parking lot at 6:40 AM
Bus will Leave this parking lot at 6:50 AM
Location Two:
Sagebrush Community Church
6440 coors Blvd NW
Albuquerque NM 87120
(On Coors Between Paseo del Norte and Montano)
Bus will arrive at this Parking lot at 7:00 AM
Bus will leave this parking lot at 7:10 AM
Cost: $1 per trip. Students can give a dollar to the bus driver upon boarding the bus. We will also be selling bus passes in all campus offices or from the bus driver for $5 (For five trips). You may purchase multiple bus passes at a time. The bus driver will punch the card when the student boards the bus.
Guidelines for the program:
· Do not leave your child at the pickup location unattended while waiting for the bus.
· Bus drivers watch will be set according to the time.gov web site and will leave at the time stated above.
· Do not leave any trash in the parking lots at the pickup locations.
· No refunds for lost bus passes.
· The bus will drop off at the Middle School campus first followed by the Elementary campus and then the High School campus.
This year, all the HCS designated Fall Sports teams participated in state playoffs. Both boys’ and girls’ soccer teams and boys’ and girls’ cross country competed at state level.
This year, all the HCS designated Fall Sports teams participated in state playoffs. Both boys’ and girls’ soccer teams and boys’ and girls’ cross country competed at state level. Hope football and volleyball programs were seeded high enough to face 3A teams from around the state. The girls’ soccer team played in the championship game taking runner-up. Congratulations to every participant on your hard work and determination!
All HCS campuses, from Preschool through High School will participate in the Joy Junction Food Drive and Operation Christmas Child shoe box gift donations the week of October 14, 2011.
closeOperation Christmas Child & Joy Junction Outreaches week of Nov 14th
All HCS campuses, from Preschool through High School will participate in the Joy Junction Food Drive and Operation Christmas Child shoe box gift donations the week of October 14, 2011.
Hope's School Store - The Dawg House - launches an online presence just in time for Chrismas! T-shirts availalble with our new logo / paw; hooded sweatshirts on clearance, and fluffy stuffed Huskies >>>
On National Make a Difference Day, (October 18th), Hope seventh-grade students volunteered at Noonday Ministries, a ministry that provides food, spiritual guidance, and other services to people in need.
On National Make a Difference Day, (October 18th), Hope seventh-grade students volunteered at Noonday Ministries, a ministry that provides food, spiritual guidance, and other services to people in need. To everyone’s surprise, weatherman Steve Stucker with KOB, channel 4 and the Eyewitness news program (along with a camera crew) stopped by Noonday and caught our servant seventh graders in action. Hope students made the noon news that very day! HCS is proud of our serving middle school students as they live out their HCS theme for the year: Three hundred and sixty-five beams of light.
Out of approximately 1500 auditions for the All State Choir, four of our very own Hope Christian School vocalists were picked for the very limited spots available.
Out of approximately 1500 auditions for the All State Choir, four of our very own Hope Christian School vocalists were picked for the very limited spots available.
These students will participate in the 2012 All-State Music Festival on January 4-7 at the University of New Mexico:
New Mexico All-State Treble Choir:
Alto 1: Pauline Gaudette
Alto 2: Kaeli Manzanares
New Mexico All-State Mixed Choir
Soprano 1: Nicole Lundberg
Bass 1: Ben Narushof
This is an honor bestowed, each year, on only a select few students in New Mexico.
We’ve got a few special needs at HCS! Because our private school tuition is among the state’s lowest (and covers only the cost of education and operational expenses), we depend on the generosity of those who believe in our mission when it comes to special or unexpected projects.
We’ve got a few special needs at HCS! Because our private school tuition is among the state’s lowest (and covers only the cost of education and operational expenses), we depend on the generosity of those who believe in our mission when it comes to special or unexpected projects. Areas currently in need of financial help are:
A new roof for the high school humanities building
New bleachers for the east gym wall, and
Financial aid for families that are struggling to meet tuition
If you would like to invest in our mission by helping with an above need or want further information, please contact Laurie Westlake at lgwestlake@hcsnm.org or call 505.822.5413. Help us prepare tomorrow’s Christian leaders!
HCS middle school student McKenzie Cordova was recently awarded first place in several baking categories at the State Fair. Categories included Lego Tree, Peach Preserves, and Cookies. McKenzie also received the coveted Best of Show in the baking category, beating out 240 other entries submitted by teens who were mostly of high school age. HCS is proud to have an award winning baker on campus and the staff looks forward to sampling McKenzie’s efforts in the future!
Colorful Moments owner and alumni Lauri Peythieu was on campus giving back to HCS recently. After missionary work in France and working with the international ministry Faith Comes By Hearing, Lauri, along with her husband Remi, launched a custom family photography business. Lauri generously offered her time and talents to photograph students on all three campuses. Many of our new website photos are compliments of her work.
Holly Plaza Dairy Queen Orange Julius is honoring HCS Spirit Week with an official Hope Christian School Husky Blizzard!
Students (with IDs) will also receive an additional 20% discount on any purchases during this special week starting October 3. Thank you Dairy Queen Orange Julius joining HCS in spreading our Husky Spirit!
Artist E. Miguel Grave De Peralta recently painted a stunning mural of Christ on a second-floor wall of the HCS middle school. In the mural Christ is seated with both lions and lambs. Originally from Cuba, De Peralta is best known for his realistic portrayals of humans and nature’s animals. Visitors can stop by the middle school office and request to see the original work.
This past June HCS received its first state title in rodeo competition. Two Hope high school students, Lindsey Adock and Leia Pluemer, were awarded the New Mexico State Championship Trophy after competing with more than 160 students throughout the year.
This past June HCS received its first state title in rodeo competition. Two Hope high school students, Lindsey Adock and Leia Pluemer, were awarded the New Mexico State Championship Trophy after competing with more than 160 students throughout the year. Together the two girls accumulated more points than any other team from both public and private schools. These cowgirls are currently juniors and look forward to competing and representing Hope again this year. Congratulations Lindsey and Leia!
Zane Sullivan (an HCS 2011 graduate) beat close to 35 competitors from throughout the country to win the Saddle Seat Equitation Division competition for youth riders.
Zane Sullivan (an HCS 2011 graduate) beat close to 35 competitors from throughout the country to win the Saddle Seat Equitation Division competition for youth riders. Zane has been competing in shows since he was 7 and has won numerous regional contests with this being his first national title. Although very busy with training six days a week, Zane managed to graduate from Hope with Com Laude honors (seniors with a 4.0 or above cumulative GPA.) Congratulations Zane!
Hope Christian School received a personal thank you letter from Franklin Graham on behalf of Samaritan’s Purse and their ministry work in Japan after the devastating March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami. “As we work, we hope that many will come to know the One who can carry us through life’s storms,” Graham wrote addressing the $7,920 HCS students raised by paying $5 to wear jeans to school on the designated Jeans for Japan day.
Graham’s letter also quoted Isaiah 25:4 saying, “You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in their distress, a shelter from the storm….”
The Gatorade Company, in collaboration with ESPN RISE, announced HCS grad Eric Fenton as its 2010-11 New Mexico Boys Track & Field Athlete of the Year.
In its 26th year of honoring the nation’s best high school athletes, The Gatorade Company, in collaboration with ESPN RISE, announced Eric Fenton of Hope Christian School as its 2010-11 Gatorade New Mexico Boys Track & Field Athlete of the Year. Fenton is the first Gatorade New Mexico Boys Track & Field Athlete of the Year to be chosen from Hope Christian School.
The award, which recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the track, distinguishes Fenton as New Mexico’s best high school boys’ track & field athlete. Fenton joins an elite alumni association of state award-winners in 12 sports, including Ryan Hall (1999-01, Big Bear HS, Calif.), Derek Jeter (1991-92, Kalamazoo HS, Mich.), Candace Parker (2001-02, Naperville Central HS, Ill.), and Lolo Jones (1997-98, Roosevelt HS, La.).
Fenton maintained a 3.82 GPA in the classroom. An elected member of his school’s student council, he has volunteered locally as a summer youth sports coach and as part of multiple community-service initiatives with his church youth group. HCS congratulates Eric Fenton!
While students were busy with summer activities, staff and work crews were busy preparing HCS campuses for the 2011-2012 school year.
Elementary Campus. The long-awaited elementary expansion project was completed and administration offices moved into the much-needed space. The new elementary library and computer lab are now ready to receive eager students!
High School Campus. For the first time in more than 20 years, the high school gym floor has been stripped and repainted with the new HCS logo which was revealed school wide last spring. The new husky logo is set to be painted on gym walls in the coming weeks.
Help us promote our school and drop by and pick up a free husky paw car decals in the Development office, now located in the HCS high school building.
A TRIBUTE TO SUPERINTENDENT SANDI BLACK,
RETIRING AFTER 26 YEARS
It’s the end of an era at Hope Christian School (HCS) – Superintendent Sandi Black is retiring May 31, 2011. After 26 years of serving HCS in various capacities, one can imagine
how hard that will be – unless you consider that her plan is to travel and spend more time with her husband of 41 years, Lee, and her kids and grandkids!
“Hope Christian School has been a passion of mine for 26 years. This has never been a job for me, but a ministry. I have watched God do amazing things in the lives of students and parents alike as they pass through the halls of Hope. I plan to continue to be a part of what God has in store for Hope and watch Him work in the lives of the families here.”
Click here to read the SPECIAL EDITION PSF Newsletter, published May 25, 2011, honoring Mrs. Black and her years of service to Hope Christian School.
Good or bad, we leave an impression on every one we encounter. Every Hope student, faculty, and administrator has the opportunity to leave a favorable impression of Christ wherever they go, whether representing Hope on a team, in an academic competition, or simply wearing the Hope logo in public. Our new husky paw is the representation of this great opportunity.
The center two pads of the paw remind us of Christ's broken heart (when we sin) and the crown of thorns remind us that we are to leave an impression of Christ as we follow Him.
Hope Christian School is built on a firm foundation, but has a fresh face!
closeHCS senior honored as a U.S. Presidential Scholar
HCS senior Alex Alvarez has been honored as a United States Presidential Scholar. One of 141 students nationwide, Alex will attend an award presentation in Washington DC next month. The Hope community is very proud of Alex and his achievements which also include National Hispanic Scholar and National Merit Finalist. Next fall, Alex will be attending the University of Arizona with a full scholarship. Way to go Alex!
April 11, 2011 - Students at Hope Christian School reached a big donation goal today by wearing blue jeans to school.
Yes, you read it right! By wearing jeans (and paying a $5.00 fee to do so), students, faculty, and administration raised a little more than $7,000 to donate to Samaritan’s Purse and its efforts among the Japanese people after the devastating March, 2011 earthquake in Japan.
closeJeans for Japan Fundraiser Announced for April 11th
Part of the call for the Body of Christ, and the Christian community at large is to come to the aid of the needy. As we all know, there are people in need all over the world and the Bible says that they will always be with us. One of the latest tragedies that has happened is the Earthquake and Tsunami that happened in Japan on March 11, 2011. This catastrophe has left tens of thousands of people dead, thousands missing, and over 450,000 people living in Shelters. Samaritans Purse, is a Christian organization dedicated to helping people around the world that have been struck with disasters of all different kinds. They have been on the ground in Japan and are distributing supplies daily, Samaritans Purse has purchased over $250,000 of clothing, and are delivering 93 tons of supplies every day from an airlift that originated in the United States.
Hope Christian School will be having a JEANS FOR JAPAN day, on April 11, in which students and staff members from all campus are asked to participate. On this special day, students and staff will be allowed to wear jeans and encouraged to wear a white or red collared shirt to raise awareness of the tragedy in Japan. We encourage 100% participation in this event, and we will actually be having a competition between the three campuss and the campus with the winning percentage of participation will receive an additional jeans day. To help raise money for Japan, students and staff that will be participating in JEANS FOR JAPAN day will need to bring in a $5.00 donation to the front office of their campus, by Monday, April 11. Those students who provide at least a $5.00 donation, will be allowed to wear jeans to school on April 11. Students and staff that participate will be given a sticker the morning of Monday, April 11, that says, JEANS FOR JAPAN, and must be worn during the day.
All of the money raised will go directly to Samaritan's Purse to help that organization purchase the supplies needed to help the many in need in Japan. Our school-wide goal is to raise $7,000.00, and we can achieve this if everybody participates. $5.00 is the minimum suggested donation, however you certainly donate more if you would like. Samaritans Purse has dedicated itself to providing for the needy, and as the passage in Luke 10 tells us about the Good Samaritan, many pass by people in need.lets not pass by. Thank you for joining in this effort!
closeHope Boasts Largest Percentage in US Service Academies
It is an honor to have our own commit to selflessly serve our country and Hope Christian School (HCS) is proud to announce that we have the largest percentage of graduates currently enrolled in United States Service Academies. We’d like to recognize the parents who helped mold and shape the hearts and minds of these brave young men and women. We would also like to give a hearty thank you to the HCS faculty and administration that help create an environment, for students like these, where values are the foundation for education.
In the picture below: students currently attending service academies:
Chris Ela, 2008 Graduate, 3rd year at Air Force Academy (USAFA)
Hannah Stihel, 2009 Grad, 2cd year at West Point (USMA)
Allen Moss, 2009 Grad, 2cd year at West Point (USMA)
Max Van Benthem, 2009 Grad, 2cd year at Naval Academy (USNA)
Matthew Nelson, 2010 Grad, 1st year at Air Force Academy (USAFA)
Kevin Shannon, 2010 Grad, 1st year at West Point (USMA)
closeHope Elementary Students Place at ACSI Spelling Bee!
Austin Barrera 1st grade: First Place
Aden Taylor 2nd grade: First Place
Eric Williams 3rd grade: Third Place
Kendrick Milford 4th grade: Second Place
Destiny Holien 5th grade: Second Place
Vanessa San Miguel 5th grade: First Place
It is with sorrow in my heart, yet a joy in the Lord I am informing you that former Principal Dave Eggers has gone home to be with the Lord. Mr. Eggers passed away peacefully at 1:30 am today. His two term employment with Hope spanned over 22 years of service. Mr. Eggers will be remembered for his dedication and commitment to Hope, his professional and spiritural leadership and most of all, his love for the Lord.
Please remember his wife, Cynthia, and his children and grandchildren, who continue to be a part of the Hope family, in your prayers.
close2010 Banquet and Silent Auction a Success and a Blessing!
Thanks for a Successful Banquet & Auction!
We are $62,000 closer to an elementary computer lab and library!
Thanks to everyone who supported the Hope Foundation Banquet & Auction on November 9 at the Embassy Suites Albuquerque. Approximately $62,000 was raised to provide much needed improvements to the elementary campus, including a new computer lab and library, a new administration and health office, and additional parking.
Artists Rendering of the Elementary Campus Administrative/Health Office & Computer Lab/Library
closeHope Christian School welcomes new Development Director, Laurie Westlake
Greetings Hope Christian School Family,
We are very excited to introduce you to our new Development Director, Laurie Westlake. Laurie joins Hope Christian School with 17 years of development and leadership experience. She and her husband, Steve, are also the proud parents of a current Hope student and a Hope graduate!
Laurie's role is to help us build a sustainable development department that will have, initially, two primary functions:
1. Donor relations and
2. Community awareness.
The Development department will begin to play an important role in school expansion, fundraising, fundraising coordination, and the sharing of our vision and mission with the Christian Community.
As you see Laurie on campus and around the community, welcome her to the Hope staff. You will find Laurie very enthusiastic, committed and has a dedicated heart for the Lord.
I want to thank you for your support of Hope Christian School and as you welcome Laurie to our ministry, we will seek together, “to pray for, equip and send Christ-centered, passionate leaders to change the world.”
In Christ,
Don Swaim, Chairman Board of Directors Hope Christian School
Hope acquired two portable buildings from APS and plans to use them to move the principals' offices, reception area and health center into one building and move the elementary library and computer lab into the other building. This will provide an opportunity to give the office staff some much needed space while keeping the elementary students on their campus rather than walking up to the Mid-School for library and computer. Parking and pull-through patterns may also change as a result of our new design on the Elementary Campus - stay tuned!
closeHope ICAA Accreditation accompanied by praise from Site Visit Chairman
"A great deal of our time this year was spent getting ready for a scheduled accreditation review this Spring. We were scheduled for an abbreviated review which looks at any significant changes we have had in the areas of capital improvements, curriculum and standard alignment, staffing, programs, etc.
During the course of the site visit, meetings were held with board members, administrators, teachers and students, as well as observations of our campus operations and classrooms. I recently received the formal evaluation and comments from our ICAA site visit chairman. Her recommendation was accreditation with no areas of improvement noted. She was also very complementary of the staff and administration. A few of her statements were: "Hope is posed for continued growth and impact in its community. A committed faculty and administration consistently implement the mission and offer an excellent education in the context of a biblical worldview to Hope students. The administration and faculty are passionate about the ministry of the school to its students. Hope Christian School is making a difference in the lives of students, their families and in its community."
closeHope Mid-Schoolers Make a Difference in Farmington, NM
"I am a Christian living in Columbia, California, near Yosemite National Park. Since I was a teenager, I have had a burden to help native American kids try to break free from their poverty and spiritual bondage. I am a long way from New Mexico, but I heard how Hope School students went and ministered to the students at La Vida Mission near Farmington. I was really impressed. Although the skit the Hope students presented was a blessing, what the La Vida students talked about the most was the one-to-one talks with Hope School students. Many of the La Vida students come from non-Christian homes, and being able to talk with students who are excited to be Christians is probably the most important thing that could have been done. Please let your students know they made a lasting influence for the kingdom of God."
In Christ,
R. Christianson
"This was the high school drama mission trip to Farmington and surrounding areas in April 30-May 2. La Vida Mission was our first stop. It is a k-8 grade mission school 50 miles from Farmington and 30 miles from Crownpoint, so it is way out in the middle of the reservation. This is the 2nd time we have been there. The students performed for the students and staff and ministered to the kids. We then went to a small Christian School in Farmington (Pinion Hills Christian School). We stayed at Navajo Ministries. That evening we went to Victory Life Church in Shiprock, pastor Tso's church. They had forgotten we were coming (things work a little differently on the reservation) but that didn't stop Pastor Tso. He took us to the low income housing in Shiprock and our students knocked on doors and invited people to come see our play. Then we went to the grocery store in town and invited people coming out to come see our play. We got there about 8:30. The time Pastor Tso told everyone we would start. There were about 5 people in the congregation (it is a very small church). Pastor Tso said, "We will wait awhile,". The kids started singing praise songs and by 9:00 the place was packed. It was such a great example of God working in all circumstances. By going out and sharing their faith they had an experience they never would have had if everything went like clock work.
The next day we went to 2 retirement homes and performed and then, since we didn't have a place to perform that night we started calling churches. We ended up performing at a children's church in Farmington. The next morning our group performed for Maranatha Ministries, who we have a relationship with, and came home. We unloaded in one of the biggest hail storms I have ever seen. It was really a wonderful and eventful trip."
- Julie Case, Drama Teacher, Hope Christian School
closeWomen of Hope Ladies Luncheon 2010 a Success!
Thank you to everyone who participated in our 2010 Ladies’ Luncheon! The ballroom was packed with 160 ladies wanting to know more about God’s plan for purity for their children and students. Dozens of the women followed up with an interest in attending Purity Bible Studies. And God was glorified and spoke through our amazing speakers, Hope mom Diana Burks and Christian Counselor Penny Allen, as well as our worship leaders Andrew Green and Summer Willis. Many stocked up on Purity Books for themselves and their children, while "Bibles Plus" donated over $400 to Hope from the over $2000 in book sales at the Luncheon!
"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy." (Colossians 1:15-18 NIV)
I can mark on a calendar the day God singled me out and called me to be an intercessor for America. I didn't know fully what I was getting myself into then, but I made a commitment to not be among those who shrink back in the days of spiritual battle. Too much is at stake. Lives are at stake. I've made my Nazirite vow–primarily because the Lord is worthy–and my desire is that this life can be of value for the advancing of His kingdom.
I woke up this morning caught in a very real struggle. It was as though I could feel the weight of national issues heavy on my chest. Not in a bad way like trying to carry a burden that I was never intended to carry. More like a tangible urgency, watchfulness and grieving. The fight that I and many of you find ourselves in right now has all the potential of being a major turning point for the nation. With it has come constant opposition. One of the great challenges in these kinds of moments is to hang on to hope in the face of and in spite of negative momentum. Today feels like one of those days for me.
I'm not exactly sure what will be the outcome of this weekend regarding the Health Care Bill before the House. I see that they are within 2-6 votes of passing the Bill in an up or down vote. But yesterday the House voted 222-203 in favor of using the "Slaughter Solution" also known as "Deem and Pass." We are continuing to press in prayer over these matters. I hope you are as well.
Then God kissed me today. Right at the end of our daily Silent Siege at the Supreme Court a group of middle school students lingered nearby. One of the parent sponsors of this school trip came over to our spokesperson to ask what we were doing. (That happens a lot here. Especially now that tourist season is ramping up.) The next thing I knew the entire 8th grade class was linking hands and forming a huge circle in front of the Court. One of the students motioned to me, "You can join us." "What are you doing," I asked. "Praying" she said. Our team joined hands with this class, and my eyes welled with tears as students began to pray out loud with boldness.
"Father, thank you for this team that stands here for the unborn. Bless them!"
One after another these young people prayed out there in front of all the passersby. It ministered to my heart. They blessed us and prayed for our stand. I was speechless. "What is this group," I asked. "We're Hope. Hope Christian School from Albuquerque, NM." God literally sent Hope to us today to bless us. What an incredible gift. He's a good Father who knows how to give good gifts to His children.
I got a little glimpse today of why the Lord warns leaders not to lift up their defiant horns and speak with outstretched necks (Ps 75). Surely they are here today and gone tomorrow. Even when it seems that the wicked are prospering leaving us sometimes confounded, Jesus reigns supreme. He WILL have his way. Truly it is FUTILE for kings to buck against God. Even when it seems that the enemy is pressing so hard to get his way through political maneuvers, God is raising up a praying Church and 8th graders to partner with him to see his purposes fulfilled in the earth.
All our HOPE is in Him. It was always in Him. It was never in princes who cannot save. No one whose hope is in Him will ever be put to shame. I think I'll just keep standing. :-)
About the Author
Matt is a husband and proud father of four children. He's a full-time missionary serving as the Director of Bound4LIFE and the Justice House of Prayer DC. Formerly he had a career in advertising and marketing. Periodically he really wishes he had paid more attention in Government class.
Congratulations to all of our Regional Science Fair exhibitors for their good work. The following awards were given to Hope Christian School exhibitors:
Senior Division:
Nigel Brassington -Second Place Animal Sciences Category, $50 & Medal, New Mexico Cattle G rowers Association, Certificate & Backpack
Junior Division:
Ben Kocurek Second Place Behavioral & Social Sciences Category, $50 & Medal; American Society of Safety Engineers $150; Alexandra Haigh -First Place Chemistry Category, $100 & Medal; American Chemical Society -First Place $150; $20; Melissa Rosenthal - Honorable Mention Chemistry category, Certificate & Medal, Kiwanis Club- First Place $100, Kiwanis Club $25; Rubin De La Rue -Honorable Mention Computer Category, Certificate & Medal, Bigbyte.cc Corp. First Place $250; $25;Julianna Burgarello - Kiwanis, $100; Brooke Sikora -Regional Research Challenge, $10; Geoffrey Schemerhorn -Regional Research Challenge, $10; Tyler Arrighetti- Honorable Mention Plant Science Category, Certificate & Medal; Mstr G ardeners, Second Place $50 bond; Russ & Ann FisherIves Scimatics Award, $25; Emily Cauwels - Clifford Award Keeping N.M. Beautiful, $20
Exhibitors advancing to State Science Fair:
Nigel Brassington, Ben Kocurek, Melissa Rosenthal, Alexandra Haigh
Hope Staff and Families, Our softball team had a successful fundraiser at Hannah & Nates this last weekend.
We raised $2,338.00 for our team and field. We would like to thank all the staff and families that were able to attend and support us. We enjoyed serving you and the fellowship we had with each other. Thank you to the Salazar family for their generosity, for allowing us to use their lovely Corrales restaurant and the wonderful buffet that was provided. Also attached is our girls softball schedule, this is a home year for us. Come on out and support your high school softball team. The Field of Prayers is located at Wyoming and Oakland NE (just caddy corner of La Cueva HS fields behind Eagle Rock Church). Thank You!
Rounding Third and Heading Home, Coach Kent Gray - HCS Softball team, 2010.
closeHope Varsity Cheer Team places 5th at Nationals!
Hope's Varsity Cheer Team competed in Orlando over the weekend of Feb. 13-14, 2010 in the UCA High School Nationals. They were in the Super Large Varsity Division (20+ members) up against 25 teams from New York, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama just to mention a few.
They competed in Preliminaries Saturday morning and moved on to semi-finals on Sunday morning, then moved on to FINALS Sunday evening. UCA took 8 teams to FINALS and Hopes Varsity Cheer Team was one of them. When all was said and done that evening Hopes Varsity Cheer Team placed 5th.
This is the first time that a team from New Mexico has ever placed in the top five. It has also been 10 years that a team from New Mexico has gone on to FINALS at this National event. Click here to watch Hopes Varsity Cheer Team in action.
The National High School Cheerleading Championship (NHSCC) is the most prestigious cheerleading championship in the country. The NHSCC is nationally televised on ESPN and ESPN2 to over 100 million homes and 32 countries nationwide each year. For more information, visit uca.varsity.com
DID YOU KNOW HOPE CHRISTIAN HAS A HIGH SCHOOL SWIMTEAM???
District Championshipsare February 12th &13th at Albuquerque Academy against :
Academy, Bosque, Cleveland, Los Lunas, Rio Rancho, Sandia Prep, Socorro, St. Pius X, Valencia
Coached by Eddie Evans, heres the team:
Mark Walton Ryan Deane,
Try holding your breath in YOUR sport!!
thats swimming!
Nick Griego, Daniel Tannen
Christine Evans Suzanne Jones
Jessica Valdepena Amy Green,
Maya Gonzales Angela Wise
Highlights of our last meet:
·Ryan Deane -1st place on 50 meter freestyle,
·Mark Walton -1st place on his 50 meter freestyle,
·Daniel Tannen-1st place on his 50 meter freestyle
·1st place on the boys 200 meter relay
The teamis putting out a valiant effort for their first year, and strives be the best that it can be while still maintaining a Christ centered attitude.They are really stepping up to the challenge of competing against the bigger schools with more swimmers on their teams! If you are interested in swimming next year contact Daniel Tannen(HCHS sophomore).
The Hope Foundation of NM is very grateful to the Stewart Family - Chet, Bob and Rick - for serving as our 2009 Annual Appeal Chairs. The Stewart family has long been known in the community for its affiliation with the French Funeral and Cremation Services, Albuquerque's largest and oldest family-owned funeral service company, founded by Chester T. French in 1907. Their tradition of caring for New Mexico families began at Fifth Street and Gold Avenue in
downtown Albuquerque and continues today at four locations across the city.
As parents of Hope graduates, the Stewarts experienced first-hand the impact that a supportive Christian school education had on the lives of their children, equipping them to reach the potential God has intended for them. We hope you will join the Stewarts in supporting Hope's 2009 Annual Appeal. During this holiday of Thanks-giving, we are so grateful for the Stewarts for leading this campaign and for all our supporters for the blessing you have been to the students of Hope Christian School
If you drop your children off at school on Monday morning, you may notice the latest addition to Hope's bus fleet parked out in front of the high school. This is a big praise for what God is accomplishing at Hope Christian School. I want to say is a huge Thank You to Tom Crow for his involvement with the purchase of this bus. Mr. Crow is a School Board member, President of Hope Foundation and a Hope parent. He definitely has a vested interest in the stewardship of Hopes finances. I asked Mr. Crow to put together the details of how this purchase was accomplished. Below is his letter.
- Sandi Black, Superintendent
Dear Hope Family:
In the midst of all the current economic concerns, I want to let you know how it came to be that Hope can purchase a coach bus. Several years ago, we were told we would have to begin retiring our older yellow buses due to age. Knowing a new yellow school bus would cost us a minimum of $90,000, we started putting some money aside each year in anticipation of that looming expense. The bus fund started to grow; however, we recently learned we would not have to retire any buses because we dont use them to drive routes. Since then, we have been able to purchase three used yellow busses in very good condition for an average price of just under $6,100 each.
Given our success in finding used yellow buses, and the fact that some of our teams and other student groups are making longer trips, I thought I would look for a used, touring bus. I found one for far less than the remaining balance in our bus fund. It is a meticulously-maintained 1991 model in excellent condition with a new motor, transmission and interior within the last three years. It has undercarriage storage, overhead racks, reclining seats, a restroom and a built-in audio/video systemnot to mention a great air conditioner. New, it cost over $400,000 and comparable models today start at around $500,000. We were able to purchase this bus, with the beautiful graphics for less than 10% of what it cost new, and properly maintained it will serve the school well for at least the next 20 years.
It has been thoroughly checked out by our bus expert and he promises it is a great bus at an amazingly good price. It will be a safe and comfortable mode of transportation for our students and staff on longer out-of-town trips. It will also be a rolling billboard for HopeChristianSchool with the schools mission statement and website address on the rear panels for everyone to see.
If there is a lesson in this, it is that God has rewarded us for doing the responsible thing with our money and setting aside some in advance of a big purchase. He has basically brought us four new (used) busses in excellent condition for less than half of what a nicely-appointed new yellow school bus would have cost. Some of the remaining balance of the bus fund has been set aside to maintain all the buses.
These are trying and exciting times. We hear reports from all over the country of Christian schools being forced to shut down due to these economic hard times. God continues to amaze me as He pours out blessing after blessing upon HopeChristianSchool. It is an awesome thing to witness and serves as a wonderful reminder that as a School Board, were doing at least a few things right in His eyes every year as we strive for excellence in all areas of His school.
Sept 22, 2009 - School closes at half-day so Hope staff can attend her memorial service
closeHope remembers long time staff member Carol Einfeld
In Memory of Carol Einfeld
Carol Einfeld, a long time member of the Hope Christian Schools family passed into the presence of the Lord on September 13, 2009.Carol was not only a parent of three Hope graduates but also a cherished member of the Hope High School Administrative staff for 16 years.
Carol was a dear friend to many past and present staff, students and parents of the Hope Christian Schools community.Her sweet spirit, warm smile, kind words, and commitment to her Lord Jesus Christ were examples for others and will be greatly missed.
The Hope Christian Schools family extends sincere condolences to Carol’s husband, Wayne, three children, Eric, Jessica and Alison, as well as others in her family for their loss.We all look forward to being reunited with Carol in Glory, and we will miss her dearly.
Applications for the 2013-2014 School Year will be available at our OPEN HOUSE on Sunday, Nov 11th, and will be accepted in the Business Office or Online beginning Nov 12, 2012.
