cademyA aneL Vol. 4, No. 3 Summer 2006

Kjersti Sandager, a history teacher at Cheyenne mountain Charter Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, is the 2005 winner of the $25,000 Salvatori Award for Teaching excellence.

Hillsdale Academy Headmaster Kenneth Calvert and Hillsdale College President larry Arnn presented the award to her in February 2006.The Salvatori Prize honors outstanding elementary and high school teachers who are committed to rigorous academic standards and to a classical approach to education. The award is payable to the winning teacher’s school and must be used for purchasing books, equipment and/or instructional materials. It was endowed by the late Henry Salvatori, founder of the Western Geophysical Company, who wanted to recognize exceptional classroom teachers. each year, the award winner is chosen from among the many teachers across the nation implementing the ideas and curricula of the Hillsdale Academy Reference Guide, an educational resource designed by Hillsdale College faculty for teaching K-12 students in the classical liberal arts.The following article was written by mrs. Sandager.

As the need and demand increase for an alternative to politically correct, union-controlled education, Cheyenne mountain Charter Academy is leading the way in school choice. like

both Hillsdale Academy and Hillsdale College, Cheyenne mountain Charter Academy recognizes the value of rigorous, uncompromising education. Cheyenne mountain Charter Academy is a publicly funded, K–8 school of choice. located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, our school was started in 1990 by a group of concerned parents who recognized that their assigned schools were not meeting the needs of their children. A small school of just over 400 students, Cheyenne mountain Charter Academy has since become one of the top public schools in the state. our junior high is the number one junior high in the state.At Cheyenne mountain Charter Academy, we pride ourselves on our high academic standards and teacher accountability. We provide a rigorous, content-rich, back-to-basics education. We teach a Core Knowledge curriculum, which is closely aligned with the curriculum

at Hillsdale Academy. We use Direct Instruction, a research-based, choral-response method of teaching. At Cheyenne mountain Charter Academy, teachers guide students in the development of their character. our teachers serve an annual term and at will. We have no union teachers at our school.Since 1999, our students have scored in the top one percent nationally on the Iowa Test of Basic Skills. For the past five years, the Colorado Department of education has rated every school in the state according to academic standards and Cheyenne mountain Charter Academy has received the highest possible rating of “excellent.” our eighth-grade students achieved 100 percent proficiency on the 2005 Colorado Student Assessment Program, our state standardized test. To provide greater opportunities for learning for Cheyenne mountain Charter Academy eighth-grade graduates, we are building a new charter high school. The high school will have a classical, college-preparatory curriculum designed to develop academic excellence, virtue and leadership. The Hillsdale Academy Reference Guide has proved to be a vital resource by developing the outstanding classical curriculum we desire for our students. We , the vanguards o f education, take seriously the mandate of educating our students. our goal is to enrich lives with knowledge. At Cheyenne mountain Charter Academy, at Hillsdale College and at Hillsdale Academy, we are meeting and exceeding this goal.

Cheyenne Mountain Charter Academy:

Leading the Way in School Choice

F eatures

Student PoetryYear of Fun CommencementUpper School Quiz BowlParis Excursion“Moving Up” CeremonyS.S. & I.M.F. Marsden

Science AwardColt CornerAlumni Highlights2006-2007 CalendarWelcome New Babies

Student Poetry

The poems below, by students in mrs. Somerville’s fifth-grade class, were selected as the winners in a recent class competition.

Quiet Time Sigrid Kiledal

Do you ever wish you could be somewhere quiet,

To get away from a big riot?Sometimes I wish for sound to go away,so that I can be quiet the live long day.

If you like to dream,And not get out of steam,

Go and get some quiet time.Try to get away from people chanting rhyme.

It seems like everyone must be loud,instead of being as quiet as a cloud.

Go now, and leave me be.I need to be me,

soft and nice and quiet.

Do I Have to Get Up? Andrew ruchames

I don’t want to get up, I wanna stay in bed.

When they made school at 8, They were out of their heads!

If I could sleep till ten,

I’d be the happiest dude. I’d sit around playing video games

And eat lots of food.

And as I wake up early, mom whispers in my ear,

“Today we have a snow day, The first one of the year!”

Throughout the year, Academy students participate in a number of fun and educational field trips. Kindergarten

Flavor Fruit Farm–Somerset Center, mI Dasch Farm–observe farm chores, Hillsdale, mI

1st & 2nd Glei’s Orchard–cider mill, Hillsdale, mI Dahlem Environmental Center–maple syrup, Jackson, mI

K-2nd Potter Center–play Ramona, Jackson, mI Annual Bike Ride–Baw Beese Trail, Hillsdale, mI

A Year of Educational Fun

The Civil War Timothy Hunter murray

The Civil War was for freedomAnd it took blood and gore.

But our country became all the strongerAs we strengthened our inner core.

It began with a small battleBetween the South and the North,

And they both knew from the beginningThey wouldn’t give forth.

The cause was mainly slaveryAnd the savory of State’s rights,

And both lincoln and DavisKnew war was in sight.

The world was stunned at Bull runWhen the guns rang out their cry,

Because who would’ve knownSo many a man was soon to die.

It was a hard battleBut it was fought and it was won

And everybody knewThe war had finally begun.

Both sides had two great generals,Their names were Grant and lee.

And both of them had only one goal,To have victory.

The South was winning,The North was in despair.

lincoln was strong and knewThe union needed repair.

With help from men like Sherman,The North waged war successfullyAnd convinced brave men to join

And fight triumphantly.

The war dragged on forFour long years,

And when it was overThe country sang out its cheers.

The union was successful,The country was whole again,

For freedom was boughtWith the lives of our countrymen.

3rd & 4th Dasch Farm–observe farm chores, Hillsdale, mI Ritter Planetarium–university of Toledo, oH State Capitol–lansing, mI State of Michigan Museum–lansing, mI COSI–hands-on science museum, Toledo, oH

4th Uncle Tom’s Maple Syrup Cabin–Hillsdale, mI

5th & 6th Hurst Planetarium– Jackson, mI State Capitol–lansing, mI

7th Dunlap property–biology experiments, onsted, mI

8th Cedar Point Amusement Park–Sandusky, oH

7th & 8th Worked at recently discovered mastodon dig–Hillsdale, mI Stratford Festival–Stratford, ontario, Canada

3rd-8th The Chronicles of Narnia movie–Hillsdale, mI

K-8th Camp Michindoh Fun Day–Hillsdale, mI

Upper School Museum and theater tour–Chicago, Il

Seniors State Capitol– lansing, mI

Educational Fun

Anna Leutheuser Valedictorian Anna Leutheuser, who will attend Hillsdale College, has earned a number of awards and scholarships. A National merit Finalist, she received a michigan merit Award, a michigan Competitive Scholarship certificate, university of Dallas Scholar Award and Aspiring Scholars Awards, a Hillsdale rotary leadership Scholarship, and Hillsdale College Distinct Honor and National merit Scholarship. Her

athletic honors include varsity letters in basketball, volleyball and track and field; all-conference first team volleyball; all-conference second team basketball; all-conference track; and most valuable offensive player in volleyball. She also won a Wendy’s high school Heisman award and an mHSAA Scholar-Athlete Award.

Katie Stacey Salutatorian Katie Stacey will attend The ohio State university. She received an ohio State university medalist Scholarship and was accepted to the Politics, Society and law Scholars program. Katie’s other honors include a National merit Commendation, a michigan merit Award and a michigan Competitive Scholarship certificate. Katie earned a varsity letter in volleyball.

Maria Blood Maria Blood will attend the university of michigan. She was awarded a michigan merit Award, a michigan Competitive Scholarship certificate, a Gonzaga university merit Scholarship and music scholarship, a Baylor university Trustee Scholarship, a university of Dallas Scholar Award, a Hillsdale College merit Scholarship, and a university of michigan Alumni Club of Hillsdale

County Scholarship. Voted Homecoming Queen, maria earned two varsity letters in cross-country and a varsity letter in track, and was academic all-state.

Emily Buchhop Emily Buchhop will attend Valparaiso university, and was awarded a Valparaiso university Achievement Scholarship. emily’s other honors include a michigan merit Award, a michigan Competitive Scholarship certificate, and four varsity letters in volleyball, basketball and track and field. She was an all-conference track athlete.

Emily Hepinstall Emily Hepinstall, who plans to attend eastern michigan university, received a michigan merit Award and a michigan Competitive Scholarship certificate. emily earned four varsity letters in volleyball and also lettered in track.

The Academy’s 6th Commencement Ceremony on June 4 recognized the 12 members of the Class of 2006, who have garnered an impressive list of honors, scholarships and athletic

accomplishments. The entire graduating class received State of michigan Commendations from michigan State representative Bruce Caswell (r-58). In her valedictory address, Anna leutheuser cited the class quote, from J.r.r. Tolkien: “All that we have to decide is what to do with the time we’ve been given.” Anna, who entered the Academy in kindergarten, shared memories of her years at the Academy and talked of the lasting friendships she has made. She also expressed her appreciation to the staff, teachers, and her family and friends. Anna will attend Hillsdale College in the fall.Salutatorian Katie Stacey talked about some of the lessons she will take away from her Academy education. She said it’s always good to have an idea of where you’re going; that “morals, values and a solid foundation of beliefs” are always important; and of “the importance of making the most” of her time. Katie will attend The ohio State university in the fall.

ommencementC

Ryan Johnston Ryan Johnston will attend Jackson Community College. His athletic achievements include a varsity letter in soccer and track, two varsity letters in basketball, and all-conference 400 relay team.

Eric Kanouse Eric Kanouse, who will attend Valparaiso university, earned a michigan merit Award and a michigan Competitive Scholarship certificate as well as a Valparaiso university Achievement Scholarship. eric received four varsity letters in soccer, basketball and track and field, was all-conference second team in basketball, two years all-conference in track and field, and three years all-region.

Front: Emily Buchhop, Krista Woods, Emily Hepinstall, Andrea Simpson, Maria Blood, Katie Stacey, Deanna Ducher Back: Anna Leutheuser, Chris Lefere, Ryan Johnston, Eric Kanouse, Josh Risner, Kelly Potts

Christopher Lefere Chris Lefere plans to attend Grand Valley State university. His academic honors include a michigan merit Award and a michigan Competitive Scholarship certificate. His athletic achievements include three varsity letters in golf, basketball and track, SCAA golfer of the year, golf team mVP, all-conference first team for basketball and basketball defensive player of the year.

Kelly Potts Kelly Potts will attend Hillsdale College. She was the recipient of a michigan merit Award, a michigan Competitive Scholarship certificate, and the university of Dallas opportunity Award. From Hillsdale College, she received the Hillsdale Independence Grant and the margaret elaine Wadley Scholarship. Kelly received two varsity letters in track, three in cross-country and four in volleyball, and she

was all-conference track and received academic all-state honors.

Joshua Risner Josh Risner, who will be attending Hillsdale College, received a michigan merit Award, a Valparaiso university Achievement Scholarship, an Adrian College legacy Scholarship and Achievement Scholarship, and a Northwood university Free enterprise Scholarship. This scholar-athlete earned four varsity letters in soccer, cross-country, basketball, and track and field, was three years all-conference in cross-country, basketball, and track and field, a four-time mVP in cross-country and basketball, and a two-time mVP in track and field. Josh also was two-year academic all-state in cross country and honorable mention all-state Class D in basketball.

Andrea Simpson Andrea Simpson plans to attend Western michigan university. Her athletic achievements include two varsity letters in basketball, volleyball and track, and all-conference basketball first and second teams. In the shot put, Andrea distinguished herself as an SCAA record-holder, conference champion, and two-year regional champion, earning all-state honors, as well as second place at the 2005 state

meet. She was also a two-year state qualifier in discus.

Krista Woods Krista Woods will attend the INSIGHT Bible/history program for a year before entering college. She is the recipient of a michigan merit Award and a michigan Competitive Scholarship certificate.

ommencementC0062

Hillsdale College Provost Dr. robert Blackstock introduced Congressman Phil Crane of Illinois (retired), who gave this year’s commencement address. Congressman Crane began by telling the audience how impressed he was with Hillsdale Academy’s back to basics approach to education, pointing out the similarities between the Academy and the private non-denominational Westminster Academy in Northbrook, Illinois, where he was a former headmaster. In his remarks to the graduating class, rep. Crane said, “America needs critical leaders to preserve the nation” as the world’s last best hope, and that Hillsdale Academy graduates have been equipped to fulfill those roles. “I wish there were 2,000 of you, not just 12,” he added.“We must serve and protect” the values that school and families instill, Crane said, saying “our young people are a shining example” of good and right. rep. Crane concluded his remarks with this advice for the graduates: “Keep the faith, fight the fight, but just remember–the war is eternal.”

Ryan Johnston Ryan Johnston will attend Jackson Community College. His athletic achievements include a varsity letter in soccer and track, two varsity letters in basketball, and all-conference 400 relay team.

Eric Kanouse Eric Kanouse, who will attend Valparaiso university, earned a michigan merit Award and a michigan Competitive Scholarship certificate as well as a Valparaiso university Achievement Scholarship. eric received four varsity letters in soccer, basketball and track and field, was all-conference second team in basketball, two years all-conference in track and field, and three years all-region.

Front: Emily Buchhop, Krista Woods, Emily Hepinstall, Andrea Simpson, Maria Blood, Katie Stacey, Deanna Ducher Back: Anna Leutheuser, Chris Lefere, Ryan Johnston, Eric Kanouse, Josh Risner, Kelly Potts

Upper School Quiz Bowl Makes the “Final Four”

The Hillsdale Academy upper School quiz bowl team reached the final four out of 20 teams in the Class C/D michigan state quiz bowl tournament – an admirable showing for the Academy’s first appearance at the event. Juniors James Gensterblum and lisa York and freshmen Anthony Alvarez and Gaby ruchames were among the more than 700 high school students from schools across the state participating in the April competition. In addition, Gensterblum was one of five students named to the All-State Quiz Bowl team for Class C- and D-sized schools. Gensterblum was nominated by moderators and judges of the state competition as one of the most exceptional players of the tournament.To reach the final four, Hillsdale beat White Cloud, last year’s Class B state champion, which has now moved down to Class C. “The Academy team competed against much larger schools with long quiz bowl traditions and acquitted themselves very well,” said quiz bowl advisor and latin teacher Andrew Holm. “We hope this will be the beginning of a long quiz bowl tradition at the Academy.”

Paris Excursion for French Students

Academy sophomores Caitlyn Hubbard and Sarah Blackstock traveled to Paris for 10 days in February for an educational trip with mrs. Christina Pongracic, lower School French teacher, and mrs. marty Hubbard, 7th/8th Grade Geography Teacher/library Assistant. The four stayed in the marais district, a vibrant area of the city.

The Academy group toured the city on foot and by metro, visiting renowned museums including the louvre, musée Picasso, the medieval musée de Cluny, the musée marmottan and the Palace/museum of Versailles. They saw world-famous churches and cathedrals including Notre Dame, Sacré Coeur and Saint Chapelle. other notable landmarks visited were Victor Hugo’s home, the eiffel Tower, the Champs elysees and the Arc de Triomphe. later in the trip, they traveled by train to the town of St. Germain-en-lais, where louis XIV was born in 1638.

The trip greatly broadened the students’ and teachers’ knowledge of French history. “Caitlyn and Sarah also improved their French speaking skills by ordering meals and asking directions,” notes mrs. Pongracic.

“Moving Up” Ceremony

on June 6, the lower School marked the end of the academic year with a program that included student performances, class awards, the eighth-grade graduation ceremony, and a moving up ceremony for the other classes.Students from each class were recognized for achievements in mathematics, history/geography, science, language arts and citizenship. The Grace Howard memorial Scholarship for reading Aloud, an annual award established in 1999, was presented to third grader Joy Boakye. eighth-grade teacher mrs. Julie Budd paid tribute to the 13 members of her class with remarks and a slide show, and then the graduation ceremony was held, with mrs. Budd presenting each graduate with a single rose. The graduates then stood in the front of the auditorium with their parents behind them, and each graduate presented the rose to his or her parents in a token of thanks.Following the eighth-grade graduation, Dr. Calvert conducted the traditional moving up ceremony, starting with the seventh graders. The headmaster asked the seventh grade to “move up” to stand before the empty eighth-grade seats, then announced, “eighth grade, you may be seated.” He continued by asking each successive class to move up to the next row, heralding their promotion to the next grade. The moving up ceremony ended with applause for all the students. Grace Howard Memorial Scholarship for Reading Aloud Recipients

1999-2000 - Jordan Benzing 2003-2004 - Laura Steckbeck2000-2001 - Melinda Lee 2004-2005 - Caitlin Dunlap2001-2002 - Richard Strouse 2005-2006 - Joy Boakye2002-2003 - Gabrielle Ruchames

The S.S. and I.M.F. Marsden

Prize in Science

This award was established in 2000 through an endowment by Professor Sullivan marsden Jr. of California in honor of his parents. The prize, a cash award, has been given in 2002, 2004 and 2006 to an upper School student for outstanding science research as determined by the Academy’s science faculty.

“We are grateful to Professor marsden for initiating the marsden Prize, which has inspired our students to greater achievements in their study of science,” said Headmaster Kenneth Calvert.

This year, graduating seniors maria Blood and Krista Woods shared the award: maria for her paper on X-linked recessive disorders and color blindness inheritance, tracing the presence of color blindness in her family; and Krista, for a fungi diversity survey in the forest near her home, to determine spring emergence times for fungi species and their taxonomic classifications.

Marsden Prize Recipients

2002 - Lane McMillan (attending the University of Colorado)2004 - Nicholas Hayes (attending Harvard University) 2006 - Maria Blood and Krista Woods

The Hillsdale Academy athletic program finished the year in memorable fashion with an outstanding spring on the track and golf course. The girls’ track and field team led the way with a remarkable season, winning the mITCA (michigan Interscholastic Track Coaches Association) team state girls’ Division IV championship. This marks the first state title for the school, and the team will be remembered as one of the best ever to compete for Hillsdale Academy. The girls’ team also won the regional and conference titles and finished the year undefeated in dual meets for the second season in a row.

All-Around Outstanding Year

The team broke 13 school records, and several athletes earned all-state honors: Senior Andrea Simpson in the shot put and discus, senior Anna leutheuser in the discus, sophomore Clara leutheuser in the 800-meter run, and the 3200-meter relay team of Tera Woods, Natalie ewers, Chelsea Detmers and Clara leutheuser. Sisters Anna and Clara leutheuser also earned academic all-state honors.

The boys’ track team also had success finishing the year with a winning record in the South Central Athletic Association. The team broke 12 school records and sent five athletes to the state meet. eric Kanouse competed in the state meet in the 110-meter hurdles, and the 3200-relay team of Josh risner, Tom lundberg, Patrick Sullivan and ethan Smith qualified as well.

For the first time, Hillsdale Academy fielded a girls’ golf team. In a short time, the program has seen great success and looks to build a strong team in the coming years. Freshman Connaught Blood had a sensational year, finishing fifth in the state and earning first-team all-state honors.

Gwen Buchhop

MITCA Champions

Connaught Blood

Area Best Track Meet

NoN ProFIT orGuS PoSTAGe

PAIDToleDo, oH

PermIT No. 242

Vol. 4, No. 3 Summer 2006

A cademy L ane

Administrative offices are open monday - Friday; 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. eST

(517) 439-8644

Hillsdale Academyone Academy lane ♦ Hillsdale, mI 49242

Phone: 517-439-8644 ♦ Fax: 517-607-2794 www.hillsdale.edu/academy

Alumni Highlights

Clark-Otto Wedding

Aimee Clark, ’02, and Nick otto, ’02, were married in may in the first wedding of Academy graduates. The Hillsdale wedding and reception reunited a number of Academy staff and alumni. Also attending the wedding were Jono Smith, ’02, Dr. and mrs. Ken Calvert, mrs. Somerville (5th & 6th grade teacher) and her daughter, Katherine.

Graduate Studies

Class of 2001 Thomas Blackstock, Notre Dame, J.D. - School of law Elizabeth Wolfram, university of North Carolina, Ph.D. - Classical Archaeology

Class of 2002 Katy Arnn, Claremont Graduate School, Ph.D. - Politics Kim Mosley, ohio State university, m.A. - Industrial engineering Aimee (Clark) Otto, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, m.A. - Biblical languages Nick Otto, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, m.A. - Counseling

2006-2007 School Year (tentative)

Thursday, August 24 Faculty meeting/orientation

monday, August 28 First Day of Class

Friday, September 1 No School—labor Day Weekend

Tuesday, September 5 Classes resume

monday, September 25 No School—Fair Day

Thursday, october 12 Noon Dismissal/mid-Term/ Parent-Teacher Conferences

Friday, october 13 No School—mid-Term break

Tuesday, November 21 Fall Trimester ends–Noon Dismissal

Wednesday, November 22 No School—Thanksgiving Break

monday, November 27 Winter Trimester Begins

Thursday, December 7 Christmas Program

Wednesday, December 20 Noon Dismissal—Christmas Break

Wednesday, January 3 Classes resume

Welcome...Julia Bernadette Caspar was born on may 30 at 8:21 a.m. weighing in at 6 lbs., 10 oz. and was 21 inches long. Congrats to Tim and Katy!

Thomas Lawrence Holm was born at 12:24 p.m. on Thursday, June 8, weighing in at a whopping 5 lbs., 6 oz. and was 18.5 inches long. Congrats to Andrew and melissa!