The annual cross-country tour is a staple of the Hillcrest experience. Not even the Great Depression or gas rationing of World War II kept Hillcrest from conducting the annual music tour. These tours impact students, causing some to have a renewed sense of mission, while others simply see faith lived out in a real way.

A recent Hillcrest student from Bergen, Norway, sat down to share how Hillcrest has guided him to a life of faithful obedience to Christ. He spoke of the essential habits of Scripture reading and serving, habits he is continuing in Norway. He also shared how Hillcrest was used to equip him to lead others in the corporate worship of Jesus through music.

One of the major issues confronting young people today is resting in their identity in Christ. Though efforts are made to aid teenagers in developing a clearer image of who they are, new research indicates that one of the most effective methods to aid mental, spiritual, and emotional lives is to strengthen memory.

The Comets opened Tuesday night’s game in a dynamic fashion with the Titans. The two teams mustered four threes each, trading blow for blow in the first two minutes of the game that led many to think the contest would be a shootout. But after Hillcrest’s defense tighten on the perimeter, the under matched Titans struggle to keep pace in a half-court offense, and the Comets pulled to a double-digit lead and never looked back.

One night after the Comets gave 2A Pelican Rapids a scare they pulled out a double-digit win at home against NCE-UH. In the game against Pelican, Elsa Retzlaff pulled the Comets within one score, sinking two of her four threes in the final minute. But after Pelican drained a few free throws, and a desperation shot from Hillcrest, the Comets returned home to a game against NCE-UH to close out conference play in 2022.

Hillcrest entered the 2022-23 season with a younger, less experienced team compared to recent years. “We need to continue to develop our emotional maturity and composure overall,” Head Coach Ryan Garvin noted after earning their second win. The Comets are employing several methods to build those qualities that bear fruit beyond the scoreboard.

Pax Venit. Peace has come. This theme drove hundreds to attend the annual Hillcrest Christmas Concert. The tradition carries more than nostalgia for Christmas concerts as the year winds down.

In the 1940 Hillcrest Yearbook, Beatrice Buness and Amy Rude wrote about the important traditions, especially banquets, at Hillcrest Academy.

The Comets made an abysmal 1-of-13 shots from 3-point territory in the first half, but their defense was smothering, keeping Brandon-Evansville in check Thursday night to earn Hillcrest a 72-60 victory.

“We moved the ball well on offense which led to good, quality shots,” Head Coach Hannah Clark noted. “I thought Ruby Peterson did a nice job directing our team.  She is the engine on our team and the rest of our girls really follow her direction and energy.” Peterson provided 14 points and added 4 assists in the win.

“It was a great night of basketball,” Coach Clark said, beaming from the challenge her girls were giving Hancock, the 2022 state champion. “I was so proud of how hard the girls competed.”

The Lady Comets start the season on the road this year, behind a strong set of returners and a pair of electric newcomers that will build on successes in girls sports at Hillcrest this year.

The best part of attending Hillcrest’s rendition of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas may be singing with the cast at the end. Based on the 1954 movie, starring Bing Crosby, the Hillcrest performance is not only reminiscent of the film but has comedic elements and on-par vocal performances from Hillcrest’s cast that bring the show to an elevated plateau.

The new-look Hillcrest boys sprinted through their first game. After leaping to a 12-0 lead, they ran into halftime with the scoreboard reading 54-23. The thrill of being on the court again was too much for the Comets to contain, unleashing a barrage of scoring opportunities and a plethora of thrilling scoring plays.

What’s the point of school? Plenty of students and parents ask this question each year. Finding the right school increases a family's chance of success both in the future and in facing current challenges. Schools are a resource for families to form foundations for their children. Knowing this, there are two important realities parents and students need to interact with as they consider what school will support their family.

How many times have you attended a Christmas concert? If you’re like most, you’ve heard your favorite holiday songs performed by your favorite artists. But there’s another kind of concert many attend because it is an integral part of their family tradition and actually is beneficial for their health — the Hillcrest Christmas concert.

A local business owner visited Hillcrest last week. What she said to President Hoganson reflects a need students have in building faith and what makes many students love building their faith at Hillcrest.

Hillcrest girls sports hosted a fall season to remember.