We first spoke to Hill alum Gracie Graves in October of 2021 about her experience at Hill as a student. In this follow-up profile, we check back in as Gracie gets ready to start her senior year at Appalachian State University.
Gracie Graves, a Hill alumna and 2020 graduate of East Chapel Hill High School, recently returned to Hill as an intern for the summer program. Jennifer Thompson, a longtime Hill instructor and tutor and one of Gracie’s former teachers, encouraged her to apply.
An elementary education major at Appalachian State, where she is about to begin her senior year, Gracie wanted the chance to practice helping other students feel empowered and transformed in the way she experienced during her three years in the upper school program at Hill Learning Center.
“I loved watching those students grow. It’s only five weeks, but it was amazing to see how they improved in that time,” she explained. “Plus, helping the teachers prepare for their classes got me excited for my own classroom someday.”
She added, “I also helped put together student profiles, and so many of the kids said their favorite part [of the summer program] was making new friends and meeting teachers they loved.”
Even though returning to Hill as an employee felt “surreal” at first, Gracie quickly adapted, feeling welcomed by the friendly staff and faculty members. “It’s the same old Hill!”