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2000 Alumnus Weds in St. Paul
Isaac Hamilton of the CHA class of 2000 married Trisha Smyth on Sunday, June 26 2011 in a beautiful ceremony at Calvary Church in Roseville, Minnesota followed by a dinner and dance reception at Rush Creek Golf Club in Maple Grove.
Both Isaac and Trisha are 2008 graduates of Bethel University in St. Paul, and both are teachers; Isaac teaches 7th and 8th grade science in the Burnsville School District and Trisha is a Kindergarten teacher in St. Anthony School District.
The couple spent their honeymoon in Orlando, Florida and now reside in
New Brighton, Minnesota.
CHA Almna Records First Contemporary Christian CD
Tricia Eisen attended Chapel Hill Academy during her Junior High years. When asked what her years at CHA have meant to her and how they prepared her for your life today, she shares: CHA incredibly impacted my faith in crucial years. I learned so much that laid a foundation for me and has helped and guided me through my high school and college years. It was at Chapel Hill that I really discovered my heart for worship. CHA prepared me not only with my education and faith, but through my experiences in chapel as well. I just had the opportunity to talk with some of my band mates a few days ago about how thankful I was for the Christian education I received. I know that I would not be who I am today without my experience from Chapel Hill.
Tricia recorded her first Contemporary Christian CD last year called Life is Wonderful.(available on itunes or by emailing Tricia.) “I was blessed to be able to co-write most of the songs.” Tricia shares. Tricia attends Berklee College of Music Alumnae were she is majoring in Music Business Management with an emphasis in Entertainment law and a minor in Vocal Performance. After working as a vocal coach and co-producer at a recording Studio in Minneapolis, this past July Tricia had the exciting opportunity to sign with a management company out of LA, where she began working on new songs. A surprise to Tricia, but no surprise to our Heavenly Father, Tricia’s tenure in LA was interrupted shortly after that, with a dream offer to go on a worship tour with Creation 2 Creator (C2C). She is currently touring with the group in Europe and the United States. Below is an excerpt from Tricia’s blog:
On September 21st, 2010, I joined an amazing tour called “Creation 2 Creator”. This tour is a new ministry under the umbrella of The Continentals’ Ministry and we are dedicated to bringing a new worship experience to churches across the United States and Eastern Europe . Sometimes God puts things in your life because you need it. I am in the middle of an incredible 2-month journey, experiencing God in all that He is and all that He wants to do. This is an amazing opportunity and I am excited for every twist and turn along the way. This tour has already been so full of God’s grace and beauty. Yes, we have also had many ungraceful and not so beautiful experiences, but through everything, we have only seen more of who God is and how he pulls us through our weaknesses. I was given 2 days notice to join this tour, but I knew that God was leading me and that this was something I had to do. I have already had so many life changing experiences and grown more into who I am and who I want to be.
CHA Alumnus Crowned
Nation American Miss Minnesota Teen
Brittany Link (2007) was recently crowned National American Miss Minnesota Teen. The pageant program is based on inner beauty as well as poise, presentation and community involvement, including Brittany’s dedication to childhood literacy with her “Teens to Tots” organization. She will attend the national pageant with her parents, Brian and Holly, over Thanksgiving week in Anaheim, California to vie for the National American Miss Teen title.
Naval Academy Midshipman & CHA Alumnus Returns
for a Visit
Last year after graduation from Southwest Christian High School, I received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. I spent last summer enduring seven weeks of Plebe Summer (this is essentially an officer's equivalent to an enlisted man's "Boot Camp") and have now finished my first semester. I am pursuing an engineering degree with a Chinese minor and upon graduation, I will become a commissioned officer in the Navy. The Naval Academy is very difficult mentally, physically, and academically but I have been able to excel there thanks to the spiritual and scholastic instruction I received at Chapel Hill and later built on at Southwest Christian. Thank you to all those who have prayed for me as I know that none of this would have been possible without God's help. I encourage all of you to please pray for all American troops whether they are serving in the War on Terror abroad or are still training here in the U.S.
Very Respectfully,
Spencer Toy, Midshipman Fourth Class, United States Navy
(Pictured above: Spencer Toy with his former 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Houston; Spencer with one of his former CHA classmates, Chris Bernard).
Chris Bernard, CHA Alumnus and Staff Member
After graduating from Minnetonka High School in June of 2009, I spent my summer working full time at Chapel Hill Academy as their Maintenance Assistant. In late August, I headed out to Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. After an interesting semester of many difficult challenges, I came home for a month to be with my family for Christmas break. I was also able to work for two weeks at Chapel Hill again. At Liberty, I plan to pursue a degree in business marketing with a potential Kinesiology minor. God has truly revealed Himself to me in many miraculous ways as I transitioned to a new life far away from the comforts of home and family. I would undoubtedly not be where I am at today if it were not for the Christian teachings that I received in my 5 years at CHA. I wish to thank each and every teacher who poured themselves into my life. Their ministry played a vital role in shaping me to become a stronger Christian. I appreciate all the prayers, thoughts, advice, and encouragement that everyone in the CHA family has offered me!
(Pictured: Chris with former CHA Classmate, Spencer Toy of the US Navy)
Reunion of the Class of 1994
December 19, 2008
Minneapolis, MN
The CHA 8th grade class of 1994 held their first ever reunion in Minneapolis. Nine out of the ten alums gathered to reconnect, meet spouses, recall fun times, and enjoy dinner.
Alumni attending were Twin Cities residents: Jared Carlson, Matt Hilden, Jill Mikelson, Josh Morris, Andy Nordquist, Andrew Pike, Christine (Prentice) Person, and Lera (Vasatka). Josh Hamilton flew in from Greeley, Colorado. Ryan Mielke of Boulder, Colorado was not able to attend. Julie (Voss), who attended 7th grade with the Class of '94, also joined the celebration.
A great time for all was reported and plans for their next reunion are already underway!