Dear Hill Country Christian School of Austin,

Thank you for the excellent classical education that I have received. After high school, it follows that college is the next step in furthering one’s education. Hill Country encouraged me to pursue this path of higher learning. Hill Country fully equipped me to be ready for the challenges this path would bring. Hill Country provided exceptional support for me to ensure that I was able to get on the correct path (regardless of my financial status). I am currently enrolled in my first semester of college at Texas Tech University.

After this first semester of college is over, I will have 28 hours under my belt (only two hours away from being considered a sophomore). The 15 hours I am presently taking include the following: American Government, Speech, Edit, College Algebra, and Spanish.

My Introduction to Communication Studies course (speech) could not be any easier. For this class we are required to give four 2-3minute speeches over the course of the semester. I was shocked to see how nervous and upset this made my fellow classmates. Hill Country provided me with plenty of experience in the front of the classroom; speech classes with Mrs. Burns, presentation projects with Mrs. Hechel, and of course, two thesis projects presented and defended before the panel of judges. I feel confident that I will be able to accomplish above and beyond what is required or expected of me in this class.

Edit is a computer class that provides the basic knowledge of computers, a brief history, and an understanding of the operations necessary to run the Microsoft Office programs. I am prepared for this class completely due to my technology classes at HCCSA. I have never been a computer wizard, but am excelling in this course.

Math has never been my favorite subject; it was never my strongpoint in high school. However, I was able to score high enough on the Math portion of my SAT that I did not have to take the required Math Placement Exam here at Texas Tech. This exam assesses one’s mathematical capabilities and then determines which level of math is required. My scores allowed me to directly choose which class I wanted. The class I am currently in has been a nice review of the math skills that I have already established in my previous education.

This past summer I flew to Lubbock, Texas, to take a Spanish Placement Exam. This assessment tested my knowledge of the Spanish language and allowed for me to exempt out of courses and receive credit where I showed I had a mastery of the subject. The outcome of this test resulted in ten hours of automatic credit and placement in an upper level Spanish class. Even after this advanced placement, I have been called “the high school genius” in my Spanish course due to the solid understanding of concepts I was taught at HCCSA.

In addition to the credit I earned with the Spanish Placement Exam, I exempted out of (and received three hours of credit for) English 1301 based solely upon my scores for the Reading Comprehension and Writing sections of the SAT. Having written many a research paper, analyzed much literature, and finished two thesis assignments in high school, it is clear to see the source of my success.

However, what I feel is an even more important cornerstone to my success in college thus far is the wonderful support of a second loving, Christian family that Hill Country remains for me today. My two strongest mentors are Laurie Majcher and Debby Krohmer. I cannot imagine my life without these two awesome ladies. These two encourage and uplift me, as well as, point out areas in my life I need to concentrate on and improve. Claudia Hutton, Scott Horne, Pete Craycroft, along with a few others also keep updated on my life here at college and offer prayers and support at all times. This accountability and genuine concern has been such a blessing to me.

I have already found an amazing church here in Lubbock which provides great Sunday morning sermons and a small group where I get to meet with nine other girls each Thursday and pour over God’s Word. I am excited about seeking out which ways God is going to use me on this campus. Thank you for the strong Biblical base that I have been taught to build my life on.

Hill Country Christian School of Austin provides superb academics, essential role models and supporters, as well as, excellent opportunities to get involved and make a well-rounded student. God has used HCCSA instrumentally in my life to help make me into the person I am today. Thank you to the school as an establishment; and, thank you for every individual person that helped contribute to my future. I have been blessed.

Sincerely,

Kassie Nicole Jamison

Class of 2009