Archive for the 'News' Category

Congrats to HCCSA State All-Stars Colin Bland and Josh Menjivar

The HCCSA Knights’ Varsity Football team made an impressive showing for themselves, their coaches and their fellow Knights this season.  Our Knights are this year’s TAPPS district and regional champs who made it all the way to the state finals and lost in the state semi-final game.  All of our young men played with unending determination and energy.  Two of our young men, Josh Menjivar and Colin Bland were named to the All-Star Team for the South and represented HCSSA by playing their hearts out this past weekend in the All-Star Game. Congratulations to both of them for a great effort as the South defeated the North 18 to 14. 

Three individual awards are given out at the All-Star Game: Defensive MVP, Offensive MVP, and Game MVP.  While Josh Menjivar didn’t receive the Defensive MVP award Coach Hudgens said that “he very well  could have because Josh accounted for about 50% of the tackles made by the South team.” Congratulations, Josh, on a great game and season. 

Our other HCCSA Knight, Colin Bland, also had a fantastic game even with limited play time since other offensive players alternated in and out.  Regardless of this fact, Colin Bland stood out in the game with one of his runs starting from about 30 yards out included him shaking loose two defenders, throwing a stiff arm, making another player miss completely and diving into the end zone barely getting the ball across the goal line for the score.  No doubt this effort is why Colin was awarded the Game Most Valuable Player Award.  Congratulations, Colin. 

The HCCSA family is proud of Josh and Colin.  Be sure to congratulate them, the entire team, and the fine coaching staff we are blessed to have here at Hill Country Christian School of Austin.

Stocking Stuffer Special:Yearbooks on Sale This Week Only!

a little something for your child’s stocking?  Why not give them memories from their school year?   This week only, the 2008 - 2009 HCCSA Yearbooks are on sale for $40 each.  They return to their normal price of $55 each after January 1, 2009.

Order forms were sent home with your child last week or you can pick them up at the front desk in the Northwest Lobby or download and print out the attached form.Yearbook Stocking Stuffer Special Form

Don’t miss this opportunity to buy our yearbooks at a great price!

Congratulations to alumna, Beth Fionda. Read about it here!

Alumni News

    Congratulations to Beth Fionda, HCCSA Alumnae, Class of 2006. 
Beth was recently named to the CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Team for District VI of the University Division where she was a third-team selection.

“Fionda, a sophomore from Austin,. . . had a season and career-high 14 kills this year against Florida Atlantic.  She also totaled a season and career-high nine digs in a Southland Conference road match at Northwestern State.

On the academic side, Fionda currently has a perfect 4.0 GPA while majoring in Interdisciplinary Studies in the College of Education.”*

*Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Sports Information

 

 

Hear from HCCSA Alumni

We love hearing from our alumni as to their progress once leaving HCCSA.  Below you will hear from some of our recent grads about the advantages they have experienced because of their training at Hill Country.  Thanks for your comments, graduates, keep sending them in!

Alexis Hutton - Class of 2008
“I made a 98 on my speech and when I received my grade back from my teacher she informed me that the Speech Department at A&M wanted to use my speech as an example to the undergraduate and graduate students. They also made copies of my speech outline to hand out to the students. I know that Hill Country prepared me extremely well through all the speeches I was assigned throughout my high school years. I also think that Hill Country developed me to become not only a confident speaker but also a confident writer. I have also noticed that in my Communications class the rest of the students are struggling since they were not properly taught how to give speeches in high school. I definitely feel like I am a step ahead of the class by graduating from Hill Country!” 

Lianne Schomaker - Class of 2007
I’m in an Introduction to Western Theater class, and let me tell you my teacher is quite eccentric. But, thanks to Hill Country, I have read, acted or discussed six out of the eleven plays we are reading. Also, in my Philosophy class, we were discussing whether man was basically good or evil. My teacher believes that man is evil in order to survive. She asked if we thought evil was connected with survival and I began to talk about “The Lord of the Flies”. We then had a long discussion concerning that book. So, I thought I would share and let you know; yes Lianne Schomaker did learn something and is using her HCCSA knowledge in college.

Ryan Holt Class - of 2003
One of Hill Country’s greatest assets is its unique educational framework. By training students in the classical model of grammar, logic, and rhetoric, the school develops students who think critically. This methodology teaches students to craft arguments in defense of their values, a necessity in a world that is increasingly antagonistic toward those who ascribe to absolute truth. The preparation I received in logic, debate, rhetoric, and Bible classes equipped me to survive the rigorous educational experiences of college and law school. I understand now how to frame convincing arguments and am grateful for the contributions of my instructors at HCCSA.
University of South Carolina School of Law
Class of 2009

 

HCCSA Launches Mock Trial Team

Hill Country Christian School of Austin is pleased to announce that it’s 9th through 12th grade students now have the opportunity to participate in the new Mock Trial Team.  This academic competition provides an extracurricular activity that provides insight to our students on the judicial and legal process of our country. Further, competing in such a forum gives invaluable experience to the students in their skills of critical thinking and listening, quick analysis, oral advocacy, role playing, improved communication skills, data analysis as well as the opportunity to meet and work with members of the legal profession.

The team will be co-coached by a strategy coach and an attorney-advisor.  We are excited to have two experienced coaches leading our Knights.  Mr. Jeremy Valdez is a litigator in the State Administrative Courts here in Texas and also happens to be married to our Certamen Coach and Latin Teacher, Mrs. Erin Valez.  Mr. Valdez’ legal experience will enrich our team as they rehearse their parts. He will provide “trial technique and training” to our students. The strategy coach is Mrs. Lia Mote, Director of Communication here at the school.  Mrs. Mote comes with significant experience as a former college debater and coach.   She holds a B.A. degree in Public Speaking and a M.A degree in Dramatic Production. 

Please attend the information meeting to be held, Wednesday, November 12th on the fourth floor at 11:45 am.

HCCSA strives to bring competition and excellence in every aspect of our school’s extracurricular activities.  This year we’ve seen this reflected in our school being acknowledged by the public in both athletics and academics.  For more information about this exciting new opportunity for our students, please contact Lia Mote at lmote@hccsa.org.

Bookend Victories Show HCCSA’s Strength in Body and Mind!

CONGRATULATIONS to our students who are representing HCCSA in their extracurricular activities.  This past Saturday, October 18th,  we had bookend victories showcasing our team members’ hard work, discipline and commitment to excellence in Cross Country and Certamen competitions.

CROSS COUNTRY: Coach Toby Thurman
At the TAPPS State Finals this past Saturday in Waco,Texas our team showed impressive results with 11th grader Caroline Janssen winning the State Championship.  Caroline is our first individual state champion in cross country.  Our boys team won the state team championship in 2003.  Our current boys’ team came in 5th in the state this weekend with the entire team averaging a full two minutes faster per person than last year.  Along with Caroline, Graham Bremer finished 9th overall and both athletes were named to the 2008 All-State Team.  Congratulations team!  We are proud of you!
Cross Country Team:Caroline Janssen, Graham Bremer, Josh Anchors, Stephen Hudec, Kyle Sullivan, Stephen Webster, Patrick Sullivan, Megan Thurman, Ashlee Mora

CERTAMEN TEAM: Coach Erin Valdez
While our athletes were competing with their bodies, our Certamen Teams were competing with their minds at the Cursader Classic Certamen Tournament held at the St. Andrews upper school.  The Intermediate Team won an exciting and hard-fought final round against Kealing and Westlake High Schools to win the tournament.  They have won this tournament two years in a row.  Our Middle School Team placed an impressive sixth out of 18 teams.
Certamen means “struggle” or “competition” in Latin and students compete all around the country in these quiz-bowl style of tournaments. The three member teams buzz in to answer questions covering Latin, Greek mythology, and Roman history to name a few categories.  Congratulations to our students who competed! 
Intermediate Team: Aidan Aannestad, Jesse Jasek, Kyndal Payne, Mitchel Janssen
Middle School Team: Thomas Ebner, Jonathan Mitchell, StevenBaker, Laura Mahaney, Jack Horton, Stephen Banks, Chloe Policke, Lindy Martin, Olivia Dahl, Nathan Brown, Matthew Roberston, Courtney Boorman

GO KNIGHTS!

Cross Country Team Going To State October 18th - Waco, TX

On Saturday, October 18th our Cross Country Team is competing for the State Championship in Waco, Texas.  Our last first place championship win was in 2003. Come and cheer our teams on as they run for the prize.  You can ride the HCCSA bus with our Knights, caravan behind the bus or come on your own.  Just be there to cheer on our Knights and even enjoy the sites of Waco!  Get details here. Cross Country Team Going To State - Details for Knights\’ Fans

Hill Country Knights Homecoming!

“The Hill Country Knights celebrated Homecoming, Friday, September 19th with many eyes on our school and football team. It began with our all school pep rally that welcomed our Coaches and football team.

HCCSA Homecoming

Additionally, Hill Country was presented with a plaque recognizing our being named the US Army and Football Magazine’s “Army Strong Team of the Week.”

HCCSA Football Team - Receives Army Strong Team Award

The pep rally was followed by an afternoon of festivities for our entire school community, a parade of cars and trucks decked out with school colors, balloons and school spirit which led to the football field across the street.

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Continue reading ‘Hill Country Knights Homecoming!’

Knights Sports Update Oct 1st

CROSS COUNTRY TRACK TEAM: MIDDLE SCHOOL: Last week at Wimberley High School Cross Country Meet 7th grader Carissa Sato won the entire middle school division including 8th graders in the girls’ division. The previous week Carissa came in 9th place out of 350  middle school runners in 7th and 8th grade at the McNeil High School meet in Round Rock.  This is the largest meet in the State with almost every middle school in the state competing. 
CC VARSITY BOYS: The boys team walked away with the championship trophy! Graham Bremer came in 2nd place over all, followed by Kyle Sullivan in 3rd place with less than half a second behind.  Josh Achors finished out of the top 10 in 10th place. Stephen Webster was 15th and Freshman Patrick Sullivan came in 22nd.
CC VARSITY GIRLS: Caroline Janssen began her season with a first place finish. Our team has officially made it to the State Cross Country Meet in Waco the weekend of October 18th.  Let’s support our Knights!  Go see them.  Details will be coming your way!

FOOTBALL: Our Knights football team is looking good this season with wins the last three weeks in a row with our team scoring 67 unanswered points against Tomball Rosehill increasing a 27-8 second quarter deficit to win 75-27.
MIDDLE SCHOOL FOOTBALL: Our 11 man middle school team is currently 2 - 0 having defeated Regents and Austin Trinity.

VOLLEYBALL: Last week our volleyball team defeated Waldorf and holds the sole possession of first place in District 6-2A.  Our Middle School team defeated Brentwood in an exciting three game battle.

HCCSA Knight Named KEYE’s “Player of the Week”

Congratulations to our Knights Football team, coaches and parents for their hardwork and effort. These efforts are showing on the field with our recent wins as well as off the field with the community’s recognition.  This week one of our varsity players, AJ Sanchez, was selected as KEYE TV 42’s “Player of the Week.”  Congratulations Team! See the video by following the link below.  http://www.blinkx.com/video/keye-player-of-the-week/vVjEbfD_G69kmtg1_NuXBg