Honoring Veterans at Hillcrest

Jason Kuharic

Jason and Samantha’s three boys have attended Hillcrest Christian Academy for the past six years, and Lord willing, they hope their sons will continue on to graduate from HCA. They are active members of Peters Creek Baptist Church where Jason is currently Chair of the Properties Committee, overseeing all maintenance and capital improvements to the buildings and grounds. Jason is an alumnus of Grace Bible Christian School in West Middletown, PA, where he spent twelve years developing his faith. He also grew up in that church and has incredible memories of a very active youth program and many summers spent at The Wilds Christian Camp in North Carolina. He comes from a family of teachers in the public school system. He says, “Since day one, Hillcrest has felt like home with its excellent teachers, friendly staff, and familiar curriculum in which we have confidence – these are just some of the reasons we love HCA.”

Jason believes that a Christ-centered Christian school is vital in building children up in their faith while also developing the tools needed to stand (sometimes alone) in a world devolving more by the day. We must welcome students into the Christian school environment in a way that allows the school to grow and flourish while maintaining the values and ethics rooted in the Bible. We cannot compromise our faith, waver on our principles, or cede ground in our values to make HCA more accessible to a world that only seeks to destroy while we strive “to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10).

Bernice Fink

Bernice’s love for HCA and dedication to Christian schooling have been manifested in many practical ways for the past 26 years (currently nine years past her having children enrolled in the school). All three of her children attended Hillcrest, two from kindergarten through 8th grade. A pharmacist, mechanical engineer, and speech pathologist, her children have maintained their faith through high school and college and continue to walk with the Lord to this day. For this she gives much credit to the influence of HCA.

Playground and lunch monitor
Kitchen helper
Homeroom mom
Developed and lead the “Bless for Success” volunteerism system
Introduced basic Spanish for 3rd grade
Spanish tutor
Coordinated 8th grade activities, trips, and graduations
Administrative support to Dr. Barbour on various school projects including Friday Folder
Member of the Capital Campaign Steering Committees for the gym and high school additions
Member of the planning and work committees for every Dinner Auction, Golf Outing, and 5K Walk since 2004
Major financial donor for the gym and high school additions and ongoing school and student needs

“I am thankful for the ways that HCA has impacted my children’s lives and am honored to help the school continue to thrive as one that honors God and serves parents whose desire it is to bring their children up in the fear and admonition of the Lord.” Bernice Fink

Bachelor of Business Administration – Concentration in Computer Systems
U.S. Navy Veteran
Six-year Homeschooling Mom

Pastor Kenneth Huhn

BOARD PASTOR
HILLCREST CHRISTIAN ACADEMY CHAPLAIN

Pastor Ken has been a pastor for 45 years. Because he became a committed follower of Jesus Christ at age 19 due to the unconditional love of his youth pastor, he understands the critical importance of Christian ministry to youth. He was led to become youth pastor for three churches during his first ten years of ministry. During his time at Faith Community Church and School, they experienced a mighty move of God with salvation and repentance.

Two of Pastor Ken’s children attended HCA. He has a heart for Christian education and sees it as the opportunity to protect children from the lies of the enemy freely given in public education. Many of the youth he has pastored over the years have gone on to fulltime missions and ministry, and he desires that same legacy at Hillcrest. He seeks to offer his spiritual insights, experience, and leadership to help enhance the spiritual emphasis of the school and to be available for teachers and staff.

Bachelor of Business Degree in Accounting
Bachelor of Science Degree in Youth Ministry/Bible (minor Speech and Psychology)
Associate Pastor at Faith Community Church
Three-year Chaplain and full-time Bible teacher at Faith Community School
Developed curriculum for grades 7-12 at Faith Community School
Pioneered New Wine Harvest Church – Pastor for 32 years
Teacher at Youth With a Mission (YWAM) Discipleship Training Center

Bud McElhaney

A founding organizer of Hillcrest Christian School, Bud prepared the school for its opening over 40 years ago, cutting grass, cleaning bathrooms, securing school desks, and leading a book campaign for the library. He became the first School Board President, leading the development of bylaws, budget, and hiring. His son, Steve, was in the first graduating class, and went on to become a pastor. His daughter, Beth, attended Hillcrest as a student and was one of the first to return to Hillcrest as a teacher. His granddaughter, Ashley, was the first second-generation to attend Hillcrest.

Bud served on the Capital Campaign Steering Committees for the gymnasium and high school additions. An incredible coach, Bud started the girls’ basketball program and served as HCA head coach for 25 years, winning many championships.

First Hillcrest School Board President
Vietnam Veteran
Founding and managing partner of two accounting firms
Sponsor and leader of church youth group for ten years
Sunday school teacher and Royal Ranger leader
Church treasurer
International television ministry treasurer
Church Board Member
Major donor for HCA capital campaigns and fundraising events

Business Administration with Accounting Major

Julie Dixon

Julie and Jon Dixon have been part of the Hillcrest Christian Academy community since 2005. Their three children attended HCA and are actively serving the Lord in their communities and churches. Equipped with a strong academic foundation from HCA, they now pursue successful careers in business, teaching and mechanical engineering.

Julie has taught preschool through high school with a focus on Spanish in the Upper St. Clair and Peters Township School Districts, and she homeschooled her children for two years. Having served Hillcrest over the years in the following ways, she continues to feel a calling on her life for involvement in Christian education.

- Homeroom parent
- School photographer
- Weekly kitchen volunteer
- Playground monitor
- Teacher for elective classes
- Volunteer at HCA fundraising events
- Planning committee member (Gettysburg, PA trips and March for Life in Washington, DC)
- Director of the 8th grade lock-in
- Major financial donor for the gym and high school additions and ongoing school and student needs
- Liason for local business and HCA for major financial support through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit program (EITC)

“Hillcrest has a wonderful history replete with many people using their gifts and talents to make the Academy a flourishing beacon for the Lord. God has great plans to continue this legacy, positioning Hillcrest for ‘such a time as this’ to share the love and light of Jesus Christ with a hurting world.” Julie Dixon

BA International Studies – Latin American Concentration
Master of Arts in Teaching
Certificate in Bilingual Education
Spanish Certification K-12

Cindy Levi

BOARD SECRETARY

God laid it on Cindy’s heart that Hillcrest was destined to become pre-K through 12th grade, and after much prayer, she followed His call to lead the effort to form the high school. The four families who agreed to become the first graduating class of HCA stood on Joshua 4:1-9, obeying God’s command to take the “12 stones” (represented by the four students plus eight parents) from the middle of the Jordan and place them where there would be a memorial to the children of Israel forever.

Blessed to be the mother of two HCA pre-K through high school graduates, both graduated from Messiah University and continue to serve the Lord as He has called and equipped them. Kiana is currently serving as the Family Ministries Worship Director at Calvary Chapel, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, and Nakia is currently serving as the 7th Grade Bible Teacher and Middle School Discipleship Coordinator at Calvary Christian Academy in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

Led the committee to develop curriculum standards and to obtain ACSI and Middle States certifications for the high school
Led the development of college partnerships
Chair of the High School Building Committee for the high school building construction project
Member of the Steering Committee for the construction of the gymnasium
Volunteered many hours to help support the HCA fundraising Dinner Auctions, Golf Outings, and other fundraising events
Longtime HCA School Board Secretary
Middle school and high school Cheer Coach
Financial Donor for Capital Campaign and Fundraising Events

Cindy’s prayer and her purpose for serving the Lord at Hillcrest is so that it will continue to be a place where Christian students can acquire solid biblical leadership skills and become equipped with the spiritual awareness needed to successfully fulfill God’s plan and purpose for their lives.

“It has been her privilege to serve the Lord in the development of the high school, as well as in many other ways since 2004.” Cindy Levi

BA Economics, Washington & Jefferson College
Current Employment: VP Operations, Innovative Salon Concepts, Inc.

Rick Schlieper

ACTING BOARD PRESIDENT

Married for 54 years, Rick and Carol Schlieper have been active members of South Hills Assembly since 1997. Their three children attended Christian school and continue to volunteer their talents to HCA in significant ways. Three of their grandchildren also attended Hillcrest Christian Academy.

Former High School Biology Teacher, Bethel Park High School
Former College Anatomy and Physiology Professor, Robert Morris University
Hillcrest school board member since 1998
Financial backer and co-lead new gymnasium and new high school construction
Co-leader of the HCA Golf Outing for the past 18 years
Helped develop and implement the Covid-19 prevention plan
Currently involved with the Academy’s financial budget and oversees HCA physical property
Co-lead the creation of HCA as a separate physical and financial entity with Bud McElhaney and Cindy Levi
Business owner (almost retiring)

Rick has faithfully and dependably devoted countless hours to the service, support, and betterment of Hillcrest Christian Academy for more than 24 years. He is currently Acting President of the HCA Board.

Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology
Master of Science Degree in Biology
Master of Education Degree
Owner, Pitt Mon Auto, Inc.

Accreditations