newsletter

2016 Senior
newsletter
Hill Country Christian School of Austin
Honoring the 2016 Graduating Class of Hill Country Christian School

Hill Country Christian School is a Christ-centered community that partners with Christian families
to inspire and equip college-bound students to become lifelong learners, effective communicators,
and servant-leaders who impact the world with the life-changing reality of Jesus Christ.
Message from Mrs. Krohmer
The Class of 2016 has left a more positive legacy at Hill
Country than I have witnessed in my 15 year connection
with our school. You have brought our school to a solid
place where it is “OK” to be smart, where it is “OK” to be
respectful, where it is “OK” to be ambitious, and where it is
“OK” to follow Christ as He guides you along your way. My
prayer for this amazing group is that you continue on this
path of excellence, making an even stronger impact on your
college campuses and in your spheres of influence for years
to come. May you continue to love learning, never failing to
be students of all things, never simply accepting the social
norms. May you continue to bring joy and laughter to those
around you and, most importantly, may you always have a
hunger for the Word of God and a desire to serve Christ.
May you be guided by Psalm 16:8: “I have set the Lord
always before me: because He is at my right hand, I shall not
be shaken.”
Congratulations, Class of 2016! Thank you for the many
blessings, smiles, and hugs, and for sharing a part of your
journey with me! Debby Krohmer, Dean of Student Services
Message from Mrs. Young When I think
of the Class of 2016, I think of change agents. Through your
gifts and talents, you have made a significant impact on our
school. Thank you for challenging us to add more classes
that nurture your interests and passions, preparing you for
what lies ahead. Thank you for challenging us to make time
for margin, rest and laughter. We ALL needed that! Thank
you for requesting that we update the dress code for prom
and “lighten up” on hair length for young men! Thank you for
launching our House System, a safe and nurturing setting
that promotes our desire for all students to be valued and
known. The Knights’ Cup exists because of you!
On a personal note, thank you for your care during my
journey with cancer. I never felt alone - your notes, pink
shirts, hugs and prayers gave me the courage to face
each day. In Matthew 25:40 Jesus says, “Truly I tell you,
whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and
sisters of mine you did for me.” Because of you, my
cancer was not wasted. Many people heard OUR story, and
our Father was honored. As you head to college, may you
continue to be world changers, loving your neighbor well,
and striving to be all that God created you to be. Know that
throughout your journey I will be thinking of you and our time
together at Hill Country. Holding you close in my thoughts
and prayers. Joy Young, Upper School Principal
Message from Mr. McGee
Dear Seniors, It’s hard to believe that when I first
met many of you, you were 5th grade students.
Where has the time gone? I know that your families
are probably asking the same question. But here
you are on the eve of your graduation and at the
beginning of your journey as independent adults.
On behalf of the students, faculty, administration,
and parents, I want to congratulate you and thank
you for the legacy you are leaving Hill Country.
You have been optimistic and enthusiastic leaders.
You established a positive tone for our school
that was infectious. You haven’t been perfect, but
you have been genuine. In the words of a country
philosopher, “you left the woodpile a little higher
than you found it.” Please be encouraged by these
words from the Apostle Paul, “I thank my God
every time I remember you. In all my prayers for
all of you, I always pray with joy because of your
partnership in the gospel from the first day until
now, being confident of this, that he who began
a good work in you will carry it on to completion
until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:3-6)
Godspeed, Class of 2016. Bill McGee, Head Master
Valedictorian
Jonathan Innis, son of Kelli
and James Innis, is the Class of
2016 Valedictorian. Jonathan
has attended Hill Country
since 6th grade. He will attend
Texas A&M University in
the University Honors and
Engineering Honors programs,
majoring in Computer Science
and minoring in Business.
When asked how Hill Country
prepared him for college and
for life, Jonathan says, “When
I came to Hill Country, I was
afraid of the stage; frankly, I
hated speaking. Now I enjoy
giving speeches and love to
perform in a band. Hill Country
took what was inside of me,
the urge to lead, and allowed
it to blossom. I can’t thank the
faculty enough for being with
me through tough decisions.
Thank you, Mrs. Krohmer, for
getting up early to talk about
my college decision process.
Thank you, Mrs. Wermel, for
staying after school to talk to
me not only about AP Biology
but also about life. And thank
you, Mr. Horvath, for becoming
my mentor, and for taking
time away from your family to
invest in my life. It’s not what I
expected when my parents told
me I would be transferring from
public school to Hill Country,
but I wouldn’t trade the
experience for anything. I’ve
made life-long friends and have
been thoroughly prepared for
college and life by life-changing
faculty.”
Salutatorian
Nathan Howard, son of
Jennifer and Eric Howard,
is the Class of 2016
Salutatorian. Nathan has
attended Hill Country since
2nd grade. He will attend
Texas A&M University
in the College of Liberal
Arts Honors Program,
studying Economics and
Philosophy. When asked
how Hill Country prepared
him for college and for
life, Nathan says, “When I
joined Hill Country, little did
I know what a tremendous
effect this school would
have on me and my faith!
Activities such as Speech
Meet, the Great Debate,
and Senior Thesis certainly
played a pivotal role in my
preparation, but I would not
be where I am without my
fantastic classmates and
the gracious support of the
teachers and staff. I cannot
thank my Hill Country family
enough for encouraging me
to become a young man of
God, and I will seek to glorify
Him wherever He leads me!”
Look
to the
Lord and
his strength;
seek his
face always.
Psalm 105:4

Cade Allen Cottrell
Magna Cum Laude
Oklahoma State University
Computer Science
Class of
2016
Blake Aaron Lundstrom
Cum Laude
University of
Mary Hardin-Baylor
Exercise Science/Pre-Physical Therapy
Richard Beckett Trent
Summa Cum Laude, NHS
Texas A&M University
Mays Business Honors Program
Management Information Systems
Jordan Ashley Andrews
Magna Cum Laude
Colorado Christian University
Biology
Avery-Elise Dooley
Summa Cum Laude, NHS
Portland State University
Undecided/Photography Minor
John David Horton
Magna Cum Laude, NHS
Texas State University
Theatre
Jonathan Edward Innis
Valedictorian
Summa Cum Laude, NHS
Texas A&M University
University & Engineering
Honors Programs
Computer Science/Business Minor
Adeline Elaine Pearman
Summa Cum Laude, NHS
Berry College
Early Childhood Education
Ashley Nicole Read
Summa Cum Laude, NHS
Kansas State University
Kinesiology
Noah Andrew Wallace
Summa Cum Laude, NHS
Clemson University
Pre-Business/World Cinema Minor
Madison Valerie Brewer
Summa Cum Laude, NHS
Texas Tech University
Animal Science/Equine Concentration
Sarah Jane Farrell
Summa Cum Laude, NHS
University of Texas at Austin
Public Relations
Seth Brennan Jackson
Summa Cum Laude, NHS,
Legacy Scholarship
Texas A&M University
Mays Business Honors Program
Accounting
Teryn Ray Surratt
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical
University - Prescott
Aeronautical Science/Rotary Wing
Cole Randell Duncan
Cum Laude
Abilene Christian University
Computer Science
Nathan Eugene Howard
Salutatorian, Summa Cum Laude,
NHS, Court of Honor
Texas A&M University
Liberal Arts Honors Program
Philosophy and Economics
Colton James Radney
Austin Community College
Criminal Justice
Holly Elaine Wedgeworth
Summa Cum Laude, NHS
Colorado State University
Theatre Performance
Caroline McKane Carver
Summa Cum Laude, NHS
Stephen F. Austin
State University
Mass Communications
James Sheridan Findley
United States Marine Corps
Ryan Christopher Long
Summa Cum Laude, NHS
Purdue University
Honors College
Professional Flight
Grace Elizabeth Tinsley
Summa Cum Laude, NHS
Wheaton College
Business or Communications

Prom
Prom First Dance
Dominican Republic
Alpha OmegaGraduates
Students who have attended Hill Country Christian School for at least 12 years.
Prom
Prom
Jordan Andrews
Caroline Carver
Avery-Elise Dooley
Senior Year
EVENTS
Homecoming
Pie Feast
Sarah Jane Farrell
James Findley
John David Horton
Seth Jackson
Ashley Read
Noah Wallace
“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically...
Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education.” Martin Luther King, Jr.
High School Retreat
Homecoming
King & Queen

Senior
& Athletics activities
football: State Quarterfinalist
Colton Radney, James Findley, Teryn Surratt, Noah Wallace,
Blake Lundstrom
CROSS COUNTRY: Ricky Trent, Nathan Howard,
Ashley Read, Ryan Long
Tennis: State Qualifier
Jonathan Innis
soccer:
State Runner-up
Holly Wedgeworth (manager)
girls’ Basketball:
Jordan Andrews, Sara Jane Farrell
Boys’ Basketball: Playoff Qualifier
Ricky Trent, Jonathan Innis, Noah Wallace, Seth Jackson
track & Field: Girls’ 4x400 State
Champions, Boys’ Team 4th in State
Madison Brewer (manager), Ricky Trent,
Ashley Read
volleyball: Area Finalist
Grace Tinsley, Sarah Jane Farrell
(manager), Avery Dooley
cheer: Ashley Read, Madison Brewer,
Adeline Pearman
Individual Honors
Jordan Andrews
• Basketball: 2nd Team All District,
Academic All State
• Golf: All District, All Regional,
Academic All State
Colton Radney
• Baseball: 1st Team All District
• Football: 1st Team All District Offensive
Running Back, 2nd Team All District
Defensive Back, 2nd Team All State
Offensive Running Back
baseball: State Qualifier
Blake Lundstrom, Teryn Surratt, Colton Radney,
Adeline Pearman (stat girl), Nathan Howard,
Ryan Long, Seth Jackson
Golf: Girls’ Team State Runner-up
Holly Wedgeworth, Noah Wallace, Madison Brewer,
Ryan Long, Jordan Andrews
Madison Brewer
• Golf: Academic All State
Avery Dooley
• Volleyball: 1st Team All District,
1st Team All State, Academic All State
James Findley
• Football: 2nd Team All District Defensive
Back & Offensive Tight End
Nathan Howard
• Baseball: 1st Team All District,
Academic All State
Jonathan Innis
• Academic Athlete of the Year
• Basketball: 1st Team All District,
Academic All State
• Tennis: State Qualifier
Ashley Read
• Coach’s Award
• Cross Country: All State, Academic
All State
• Track & Field: 1600M Relay - District
& Regional Champion, 1st Team All
State; 800M Relay - District Champion,
Honorable Mention State, Academic
All State
Teryn Surratt
• Baseball: 2nd Team All District
• Football: 1st Team All District Offensive
Receiver, Honorable Mention All District
Defensive Back, 2nd Team All State
Offensive Receiver
Ricky Trent
• Basketball: 2nd Team All District,
Academic All State
House leaders: Holly Wedgeworth, John David Horton, Madison Brewer, Ricky Trent,
Noah Wallace, Ryan Long, Nathan Howard, Adeline Pearman
National Honor Society:
Grace Tinsley - president
Jonathan Innis - treasurer
student council:
Ryan Long - class president
John David Horton - charity chairperson
Nathan Howard - student body president
Seth Jackson - class vice president
Sarah Jane Farrell - secretary
Seth Jackson
• Knight Award
• Baseball: 1st Team All District
• Basketball: 1st Team All District,
Academic All State
Blake Lundstrom
• Jonathan Chatham Legacy Award
• Baseball: 1st Team All District
• Football: 1st Team All District Defensive
Lineman & Offensive Lineman, 1st Team
All State Offensive Lineman, 2nd Team
All State Defensive Lineman
Noah Wallace
• Romans 5 Award
• Football: 1st Team All District
Offensive Receiver, 2nd Team
All District Defensive Linebacker,
Honorable Mention All State Offensive
Receiver
• Basketball: 1st Team All District,
Academic All State
Holly Wedgeworth
• Golf: All District, All Regional,
Academic All State
international thespian
society:
2nd at Texas Renaissance Festival
John David Horton - vice president
Holly Wedgeworth - secretary
Madison Brewer
YEARBOOK: State Champions
Jonathan Innis - editor-in-chief
Ashley Read - design editor
Sarah Jane Farrell & Grace Tinsley - copy editors
Avery Dooley - photo editor
Ricky Trent - business manager
Caroline Carver - ad manager

Class of 2016
University and College Acceptances
Abilene Christian University • Abilene Christian University Honors Program • Angelo
State University • Auburn University • Austin Community College• Baylor University
• Baylor University Honors Program • Berry College • Clemson University • Clemson
University Calhoun Honors College • Colorado Christian University • Colorado State
University • Concordia University Texas • Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott
• Florida Institute of Technology • Florida State University Honors Program • Furman
University • Georgia Institute of Technology • Gordon College • Houghton College
• Houston Baptist University • Indiana University Bloomington • Kansas State University
• Loyola University of Chicago • Mississippi State University • Northern Arizona
University • Oklahoma State University • Otis School of Design • Portland State University
• Purdue University Honors College • Rhodes College • Rice University • Richmond The
American International University in London • Sam Houston State University • Samford
University • Savannah College of Art and Design • Southern Methodist University
• Southern Methodist University Honors Program • Southwestern University • Stephen F.
Austin State University • Tarleton State University • Texas A&M University • Texas A&M
University Engineering Honors Program • Texas A&M University Liberal Arts Honors
Program • Texas A&M University Mays Business Honors Program • Texas A&M University
University Honors Program • Texas A&M University Corpus Christi • Texas Christian
University • Texas Christian University Honors College •Texas Lutheran University
• Texas State University • Texas Tech University • Trinity University • University of
Alabama • University of Alabama Honors Program • University of Arizona • University of
Denver • University of Kentucky • University of Mary Hardin-Baylor • University of New
Mexico • University of North Carolina Asheville • University of North Dakota • University
of Tennessee Knoxville • University of Texas at Arlington •University of Texas at Austin
• University of Texas at Dallas • University of Texas at San Antonio • University of Virginia
• West Texas A&M University • Westmont University • Wheaton College
Ceremony
You are cordially invited to the
Class of 2016 Graduation Ceremony
Saturday, May 28, 2016
10:00 a.m. in the Worship Center
Reception to Follow
The Hill Country Christian School graduation ceremony is
unlike any other graduation you may have attended. Every
student is honored in a personal, meaningful way. Witnessing
this ceremony will give you a new understanding of the
distinctiveness and value of a Hill Country education. The
entire ceremony lasts around one hour and fifteen minutes.
If you are unable to attend the graduation ceremony, watch it
live at http://tinyurl.com/HCCSA2016Grad.
22 71
grads colleges &
universities
$4,654,638
in merit-based
scholarships & grants
awarded to 18 grads
$258,591
average scholarship
amount per
recipient
“...We have not stopped praying for you since we first
heard about you. We ask God to give you complete
knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and
understanding. Then the way you live will always honor
and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind
of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to
know God better and better.” Colossians 1:9-10

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CEDAR PARK, TX
PERMIT NO. 46
12124 RR 620 N
Austin, TX 78750
“The Lord bless you
and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.”
Numbers 6:24-26
PHONE: 512-331-7036
www.HillCountryChristianSchool.org