New Staff at Highland Academy
H
ighland Academy students were greeted with laughter, chatter, and
four new staff members for the 2018-2019 school year.
Haroldo Álvarez comes to Highland from San
Diego Academy where he taught music. Haroldo is
the new music director. He received a BMusEd in
music education from the Adventist University of
Colombia in Medellin. In graduate school, he com-
pleted a program in choral conducting at California
State University at Los Angeles and an MA in teach-
ing with emphasis in curriculum and instruction at
La Sierra Academy in Riverside, California.
Rob Hillebert joins Highland as the vice princi-
pal of finance. Rob received a BA in business admin-
istration from Andrews University. After graduating,
he spent a year at Holbrook Indian School in Arizona
as a task force worker in the business office. He then
began a two-year business internship with the Lake
Union Conference. Before coming to Highland, he
served a combined 14 years as assistant and associate
treasurer at the Illinois and Wisconsin conferences.
Pastor Will Labrenz, ’94, comes to Highland
from Mount Pisgah Academy Church where he
served as the senior pastor. He has been in ministry
for the past 11 years. Will now serves as the chaplain
and Bible teacher at Highland Academy. He has a
passion for encouraging young people to follow
Jesus. Will has an MA in pastoral ministry from
Andrews University. His hobbies include playing
guitar, impersonating Elvis, hiking, and the joys of
cayenne pepper.
Melissa McCoy-Weisner, ’89, comes to High-
land from the Robertson County, Tennessee school
system where she taught English. Melissa is the
assistant dean and freshman English teacher. She
graduated with a BA in English from University of
Phoenix. She received an MA in human services with
an emphasis in working with teens and family from
Liberty University. Melissa is currently finishing an
MA in education from Union University with an ex-
pected graduation date of December 2018.
Kentucky-Tennessee Conference
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