The Power of Belonging: How Hillcrest’s Senior Class is Building Community

The laughter echoed through the Student Union on Hillcrest Academy’s upper campus Friday night as students gathered for a night unlike any other. It was a night of community and belonging that met a God-designed need we all have: to be known and connected in community.

High school is a season of discovery, not just of knowledge and skills, but of identity, faith, and friendships. Research consistently affirms what Scripture has long declared: humans are wired for relationships. In a world that often pushes independence and individualism, the reality is that students thrive when they experience meaningful connection and shared purpose. A strong sense of belonging fosters confidence, resilience, and joy. It’s no wonder that Hillcrest’s senior class, recognizing this truth, took the initiative to bring the student body together for a night of games, food, and fellowship.

With enthusiasm and creativity, the seniors orchestrated an evening designed to unify the school and build friendships across grades. Games, led by Thor Ewan, brought waves of laughter as students tackled hilarious challenges in a Minute-to-Win-It showdown. From the ever-popular Oreo Face Race (where competitors had to inch a cookie from their forehead to their mouth without using their hands) to the delicate task of stacking dice on a wooden stick held between their teeth, the night was a testament to the power of play in forging bonds.

Between rounds of friendly competition, students gathered around tables filled with homemade snacks prepared by the senior class. The spread included classic favorites like cookies, bars, and French onion dip. There’s something about sharing food that deepens friendships, a truth embedded in cultures worldwide and reflected in Hillcrest’s approach to community life.

This event wasn’t just about fun and games but about fostering trust and connection. The seniors understand that for students to thrive academically, socially, and spiritually, they need a space where they feel safe, welcomed, and supported.

Hillcrest Academy’s classical approach to education isn’t just about rigorous academics; it’s about shaping whole people: students who think deeply, live wisely, and love well. True learning isn’t an isolated process; it happens best within a community of shared experiences and meaningful relationships. From the ancient Greek academies to the monastic schools of the Middle Ages, the greatest centers of learning have always understood that knowledge is best cultivated in the soil of deep, relational community.

This is the power of belonging. This is the beauty of Hillcrest Academy. And this is the kind of foundation that allows students to grow in confidence and courage, both in their faith and in their lives.