In the Student Spotlight
December, 2020
Varsity Volleyball Team Wins State Championship
The Northland Christian Volleyball Team had a season to remember. Only two years removed from a state finals appearance in 2018, and after only graduating two Seniors in 2019, the team appeared to be ready for another deep playoff run. The ladies continued to perform admirably, despite the mounting pressure and stress created by the global pandemic.
After an undefeated district campaign, and their first district championship since 2002, San Antonio Lutheran came to Northland for the Area Championship. The Lady Cougars handled Lutheran 3-0, and traveled to La Grange for a neutral site match up against San Antonio Holy Cross. After losing the first set to Holy Cross, the team found their focus and execution, winning the next three sets, and advancing to the State Final Four for the second time in two years.
Their semifinal matchup was against a familiar foe. Faith West Academy has been Northland's toughest district rival the last two years, and this would be their third matchup this season. Though Faith West Academy played an inspired match, the Lady Cougars would advance after winning a decisive fifth set.
The Championship Match was to be played at New Braunfels Christian Academy against Fort Worth Lake Country Christian. Fort Worth Lake Country Christian was talented and prepared for the match, and the first two sets were as close as they could be.
Lady Cougars take set 1, 25-23
Lady Cougars take set 2, 26-24
Lake Country would not fade away, and convincingly took the third set 25-13.
The Lady Cougars went to the huddle a little stunned, but the resolve of Coach Gonzales and the leadership provided by Seniors Aimee Arash-Ajayi, Nicole Berkeland, and Emma Nelson had the team refocused for the fourth set.
Lady Cougars take set 2, 26-24
Lake Country would not fade away, and convincingly took the third set 25-13.
The Lady Cougars went to the huddle a little stunned, but the resolve of Coach Gonzales and the leadership provided by Seniors Aimee Arash-Ajayi, Nicole Berkeland, and Emma Nelson had the team refocused for the fourth set.
Lake Country would take an early lead in the fourth set, but Freshman Kinsey Kraner and Sophomore Christina Vigil had key serves that swung the fourth set for the Lady Cougars, and secured the team their first ever State Championship.
This special group of young people, led by their passionate coach, inspired their school and community amidst the backdrop of a world battling COVID-19.
2020-2021 Varsity Volleyball Roster
Andrew Gonzales, Head Coach
Aimee Arash-Ajayi, Senior
District Player of the Year, 1st Team All State, Academic All State, All State Tournament Team
Nicole Berkeland, Senior
1st Team All-District, 1st Team All State, Academic All State, All State Tournament Team
District Player of the Year, 1st Team All State, Academic All State, All State Tournament Team
Nicole Berkeland, Senior
1st Team All-District, 1st Team All State, Academic All State, All State Tournament Team
Emma Nelson, Senior
2nd Team All-District, Academic All State
Julia Shaw, Junior
2nd Team All-District, Academic All State
Julia Hearn, Sophomore
2nd Team All-District
2nd Team All-District
Madeleine Hearn, Sophomore
1st Team All-District
1st Team All-District
Christian Vigil, Sophomore
1st Team All State, 1st Team All-District, All State Tournament Team
1st Team All State, 1st Team All-District, All State Tournament Team
Maddie Blossom, Freshman
Honorable Mention All-District
Honorable Mention All-District
Kinsey Kraner, Freshman
2nd Team All State, 1st Team All-District, All State Tournament Team
2nd Team All State, 1st Team All-District, All State Tournament Team
Samantha Miller, Freshman
PAST STUDENTS IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Spotlight on students earning a position in the 2020-21 TMEA Region 33 Orchestras
October, 2020
This is the first year for most of our Northland students to participate in TMEA (Texas Music Educators Association). We had 14 students earn a spot after auditioning virtually against more than 400 students in Region 33 public schools. Although there will not be a clinic/concert this year, placing in the HS Symphony Orchestra will allow these students to audition for TMEA All State Orchestra. Students will also have the opportunity to audition for TPSMEA (private school) later this year. Their talent and hard work are to be commended. Congratulations to all!!
This is the first year for most of our Northland students to participate in TMEA (Texas Music Educators Association). We had 14 students earn a spot after auditioning virtually against more than 400 students in Region 33 public schools. Although there will not be a clinic/concert this year, placing in the HS Symphony Orchestra will allow these students to audition for TMEA All State Orchestra. Students will also have the opportunity to audition for TPSMEA (private school) later this year. Their talent and hard work are to be commended. Congratulations to all!!
Pictured above: Makena Elswick, Greg Lincoln, and Colton Holiday
Pictured above: Abbie Wietstruck*, Angela Vu*, Samantha Miller, and Christina Vigil*
Pictured above: Marian Mann, Natalie Bohannon, Samantha Hearn*, Danielle Danso, and Maggie Mann
* Placed in the Top 10
Pictured above: Abbie Wietstruck*, Angela Vu*, Samantha Miller, and Christina Vigil*
*Placed in the Top 10
Pictured above: Madeleine Hearn** and Julia Hearn*
* Placed in the Top 10, ** Placed 1st in section
Spotlight on Elementary Summer Top Reader Participants
September, 2020
Congrats to the participants of Northland's Elementary Summer Reading Program! Students who participated received a certificate, and the top reader in each grade level received a certificate, reading medal, and a $15 gift certificate to Barnes and Noble!
Kinder/Leap: Charis George (top reader), Olivia Marble, Anna Goosby, Lillian Jabori (not pictured)
2nd Grade: Blake Varghese, Arianna Jimenez, Quinton McCaskill (top reader), Collin Wendt
1st Grade: Jayden Diaz, Jace Sifuentes, Alex Martinez, Liam Wendt, Jack Marble (top reader)
2nd Grade: Blake Varghese, Arianna Jimenez, Quinton McCaskill (top reader), Collin Wendt
3rd Grade: Cailey Owens, Gabriel George (top reader), Jonathan Jabori (not pictured), Natalie Jabori (not pictured)
4th Grade: Sebastian Lazcano (top reader)
5th Grade: Grace Jabori (top reader, not pictured)
Spotlight on Reagan Wilson
August, 2020
Northland eighth grader Reagan Wilson is featured in the July/August issue of the Christian magazine For Girls Like You. Congratulations, Reagan!
