As I look back on my time at Highland, I am thankful for the amazing teachers that took the time to instill in me the love of God and the importance to love others. I was able to grow up and flourish within the walls of HBCS. And I will be forever grateful for my place in HBCS’s Class of 2012. With that being said, I am in my fourth year of teaching at HBCS and it is such an honor and privilege to teach my students what my teachers taught me within the walls of Highland. I will forever bleed green and gold. #BearNation #GreenandGoldForever
My name is Chloe Mixon, I am currently a junior at ULL studying Elementary Education. I came to Highland in 7th grade from North Lewis Elementary, so it was quite a change from public school for me, but I was welcomed with open arms. I loved my 6 years at HBCS and wouldn’t trade them for the world. The family that Highland creates is like no other and you can’t help but feel loved by their staff. They truly embody God’s calling to love everyone, and they make sure you know how much God loves you as well. I love my Highland family! Geaux Bears!!!
Growing up at HBCS meant I was not only getting a great education, but I was constantly being poured into. Every subject that was covered all came back to Christ and how to apply it to your own personal relationship with Him. Being at HBCS meant forming relationships with the faculty and students that I still hold dear to my heart to this very day. It’s a family.
Now, I’m a middle school teacher (something I never thought I’d be doing), and I love it. If it wasn’t for Highland, I never would have discovered my love for Christian education and guiding the next generation towards Christ.
My time at HBCS helped to shape how I view the world. I learned how to look at all things, whether science, art or literature, through the lens of scripture. Now, as a stay at home mom, I’m able to use those skills to teach my own children and prepare them for the future.
If there’s one word that summarizes my experience at Highland, it would be opportunity. No matter who you were, you had the opportunity to make a lasting difference. I am now preaching for a church in Erath and working at Millside Market.
From Pre-K in 1999 to graduation in 2013, Highland has shaped me into who I am today. I am grateful for the Bible-based, Christ-centered education I received at Highland. Currently, I am a Medicaid Analyst with the Louisiana Department of Health and also serve as a Sunday School teacher and a member of my church’s worship team. I know that I would not be where I am today without HBCS. I am thankful for the times I have had in my Highland career, especially during my five years of football. Many of my classmates and teammates have become part of my family. I will never forget the values taught and the memories made at HBCS. Highland is Home!
Highland wasn’t just an ordinary school, it was a second home filled with family. Not just the teachers, but all staff welcomed each and every student with open arms daily. The love of Christ was shown and taught in many ways throughout my years at HBCS and continues today. The teachers I had during my years at Highland are still involved and invested in my life. I now own Southern Sass Hair Salon and manage Southern Sass Boutique where I have the opportunity to visit with many of my Highland family members.
Hello, my name is Camryn Sensley. I was one of the three valedictorians in the 2018 senior class. Highland pushed me academically to put me in the position that I am in today. It taught me how to adapt since I transferred in my junior year. It also allowed for my dad to be able to hand me my diploma, which was also a dream of mine. I am currently a second semester junior at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, majoring in kinesiology with a concentration in exercise science pre professional studies. Upon graduating in December of 2021, I will be attending physical therapy school to obtain my doctorate of physical therapy.
Growing up at HBCS was an experience I often look back on with a smile on my face. I was never the popular kid, smartest kid, prettiest kid, etc, but I felt so loved by my classmates, teachers and HBCS family! I loved the spiritual growth I received from my classes as well as the guidance from the teachers. When I think back to my HBCS experience, I find myself missing high school, and I'm not sure how many people get to say that! I am now an entrepreneur in photography and the coffee shop industry. I love people deeply in both of these jobs and I think part of that comes from the people who loved me so deeply at HBCS. For that, I am thankful.
-Hannah Fleming Verzwyvelt, Class of 2013
Hey everyone! My name is Chloe DeRouen and I am a proud HBCS alumni from the class of 2018. I am currently a junior at Nicholls State University where I am studying Psychology with a concentration in counseling.
Highland was more than a school; it was my second family. When I think of Highland I think of all the great memories, important life lessons, and amazing people who shaped me into the woman I am today. I am so grateful for my 15 years at Highland where I was able to not only grow academically, but grow in my relationship with God.
As always Geaux Bears!
Chloe DeRouen, Class of 2018
I am Katie White Richardson. I grew up at Highland from CLC all the way through 12th grade and graduated in 2015. Each year, I was instructed by devoted teachers who truly cared about my learning, but most importantly my eternal state before God. What an incredible blessing it was to grow up in an environment that not only allowed Biblical discussion, but encouraged a Christian worldview and a foundation on Christ. As I got older and was able to understand the world around me more, I realized that my whole life I’d been surrounded by a safe environment, an environment that I wanted to one day foster for students too. My teachers, especially my high school English teachers, instilled in me a desire to one day fill a role like theirs, teaching young students through the gift of literature what it looks like to follow Christ and the fulfillment that comes from doing so. Now, my passion for literature that they helped foster has led to me teach high school English at a Christian school. Like my teachers growing up, teaching has become a (fun, incredible, important, and worthwhile) tool through which I can minister to students for the Gospel. Highland Baptist helped me to receive the training, knowledge, confidence, and boldness I needed to follow this passion!
Growing up at Highland was a great, Godly influence on my life. I have great memories of the teachers and staff who exude God’s love and care for their students and the fantastic lunches. One of my favorite memories is the opportunity to be a founding member of Highland’s track and field team which gave me the chance to be seen by ULL. Without many of the Highland’s coaches who had my back, I’d never be in the place I am today. I’m now in my senior year of college and received the outstanding male field performer at the Sunbelt Conference Indoor Championships last year. Thank you Highland! (Bear salute!)
Followers of God are called to live life in community. We struggle with this concept and the execution because it calls us to vulnerability, to be known, and to be accountable to someone. These are not always admirable qualities in our society, but they are Biblical concepts. My experience of Biblical community began at HBCS when I did not want it. I learned that growth came from people knowing each other and giving unconditional support. This is the most important lesson I ever learned in my 11 years as a student.
- Rebecca Lacy McAfee Class of 2007
