Five North Hills students, accompanied by Spanish teacher, Miss Sucy de Leon, began a trip in July that they would remember forever.  After a three-day training period in Los Angeles, California, the mission team flew to Costa Rica.  For three days the students conducted a Vacation Bible School for the children at the Salvation Army in the capital city, San Jose.  The first day the team had only seventeen children, but by the third day they had increased to fifty-four.

     Following VBS, students performed community service such as pouring concrete, digging ditches, and feeding the homeless.  During one of these acts of service, a student led a man to the Lord.  While recounting the event Dustin Pruitt said, "That's the reason why we went.  It was challenging, but God was there with us."

     Each student acknowledges that God was hard at work within him and gave him the ability to share the good news of Christ.  When asked how her faith was affected, Kristen Bush replied, "I just really learned how to rely on God, especially in a few areas we visited that were less comfortable than we are used to in America."

    The mission team thanks North Hills Christian School and all contributors for their charity and steadfast prayers.  Please continue to pray as interviews are conducted for another mission trip next summer to Guatemala.

 

     Over the years, North Hills has been blessed with many excellent teachers.  This year our faculty has several additions, including Miss Katie Ward.  In high school, Miss Ward was a well-rounded student involved in National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Student Council Executive board, and many academic clubs and societies.  After she graduated from NHCS, Ward attended the University of North Carolina at Greensboro under the Elementary Education program and began teaching her sophomore year.  "I loved every moment of it," she said.  In May 2009, Ward graduated Magnum Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a minor in Studio Art.  Similarly to her time at North Hills, Ward was involved in many academic organizations such as Sigma Alpha Lambda, Curry Education Society, and Kappa Delta Pi.

     During her time at UNCG, Ward was placed on a teaching team whose primary emphasis was science.  At this time "I rediscovered that love for science that [NHCS upper school science teacher] Mrs. Pullen had instilled in me in high school."  It was at this point that Ward decided to obtain an Environmental Education certification, towards which she has completed 210 hours.  Recently, Ward was nominated for the North Carolina Science Student Teacher of the Year, and she hopes to hear good news about the award in the spring.  After graduating, Ward taught high school students at a Herpetology camp in Efland, North Carolina.  Now, we are thankful to have her as a first grade teacher at NHCS.  Miss Ward is the fifth teacher currently serving on the faculty of NHCS who also attended the school (others include de Leon, Hunsucker, Shue, and Siegmund).  Welcome back to NHCS, Miss Ward!

     In 1970, an idea formed in the mind of Marian McQuade that would honor grandparents and help younger generations realize the wisdom grandparents hold.  President Jimmy Carter deemed McQuade's holiday National Grandparent's Day in 1978.

     North Hills participates in this special day to honor those we love so dearly, and to provide the students with a chance to show their grandparents everything they enjoy about school.  Grandparents also delighted in the opportunity to see their grandchildren 'in action' at school.  Grandparents who attended this year's event were thrilled.  As one grandmother put it, "We're thankful you included us." 

     The faculty and staff members of NHCS were thrilled to have over three hundred grandparents in attendance of this year's event.  When they arrived, the grandparents were given a tour of the school and visited their grandchild's classroom.  The children made cards, wrote poems, created meaningful gifts, and even had a small program.  This year's event was a success.  Thank you to all who helped make this day special and enjoyable!
 

     Monday morning, students sleepily boarded the buses for North Hill's third annual high school retreat.  This year they attended a two-day conference for Christian schools entitled "Get Real".  Speakers, such as guest speaker and comedian Scott Davis,  focused upon the importance of a relationship with God rather than simply being religious or "playing Christian."  In addition to the speakers, students were blessed with the contemporary music of the "Get Real band" and up-and-coming Christian artists Cassidy Curtis and Bonita.

     When the first day was over, students gathered in a conference room at the Best Western to play games, discuss the students' vision for the future of NHCS with our Head of School, Matt Mitchell.  The event strengthened the love this "family" of high school students has for one another.  Each year, Mr. Mitchell allows the students to give their thoughts on the strengths and opportunities for growth in the school.  While the opportunities for growth vary each year as progress is made towards the concerns raised, the same strengths are voiced by the students every year: North Hills students feel extremely close and connected with each other.  "It's nice that we are a close-knit family," commented senior Sarah Starnes.  The high-schoolers, as well as the faculty, agree that the retreats are partially responsible for this relationship.  Many of the students discovered more about their peers, as well as Mr. Mitchell, than they ever anticipated learning.

     At the close of the second day, the Spirit of God could truly be felt and seen moving through the sanctuary of Green Street Baptist Church.  Students were given the opportunity to commit their lives to Christ.  Many responded by coming forward and casting their burdens, fears, and guilt at the foot of the cross.  Several from North Hills accepted Christ for the first time or rededicated their lives.  Many others from our school kneeled at the altar before the Lord in prayer.  In response to the impact the Spirit was having in the room, Scott Davis said, "Angels are celebrating in heaven right now" and our NHCS community most definitely has reason to celebrate.

     For more information about the "Get Real" ministry,  visit http://getrealministries.us.