JEFF FIELDER Editor
ALLIANCE – Harley Hill, a senior at Alliance High School, is Nspire Today!’s Male Student of the Week, sponsored by First State Bank. He was involved in track and field before the season was cancelled because of COVID-19, and he was also involved in National Honor Society this school year. His GPA is 3.9. He plans to go to school at the University of Nebraska at Kearney and possibly major in art education. His parents are Leanne and Darin Hill.
Q: How did your senior year of high school go overall?
HILL: “I had a good year, definitely. I had a lot of good experiences, but it didn’t end like it normally does.”
Q: For you, how disappointing was it to see the school year end the way it did?
HILL: “Well, I think it could have been worse. It’s one of those things where you just have to kind of go with it because there’s nothing that anyone could really do about it.”
Q: What’s the biggest thing you felt like you missed out on by not being able to go to school for the last few months?
HILL: “The track season, definitely, and also just being around everybody. That was a big change.”
Q: What track and field events did you compete in?
HILL: “Mostly the sprints like the 100 and 200.”
Q: What were your goals coming into this track and field season?
HILL: “I think we could have gone to state with our relay team.”
Q: Why have you decided to attend UNK?
HILL: “I like their programs. Their art department is definitely something I liked when I went and saw it. Also, I’ve had a lot of friends who have gone there, and they recommended it.”
Q: Why are you wanting to major in art?
HILL: “I’ve always been big into art. I enjoy making things. Also, I got really close with my art teacher [Kathy Brock] these past few years, and that helped push me in this direction, too.”
Q: What are some art projects that you’re most proud of?
HILL: “When I first started in art, I was doing a lot of sculpture and things like that – I enjoyed working with clay. In the past year or so, I’ve been working on a mural at the high school. That’s been fun, but I haven’t gotten to finish that yet since we haven’t been able to go to school.”
Q: Describe what the mural looks like right now.
HILL: “Well, the idea was kind of to pay homage to some of the bigger artists throughout history – or at least ones that come to mind when people think of famous artists. So, we’ve got some big, gray-scaled portraits of these famous artists up there, and then behind them we’re doing kind of our own takes on some of their favorite pieces.”
Q: So what will happen to the mural? Do you plan to finish it?
HILL: “Hopefully, they’ll let me into the school sometime over the summer to keep working on it, but I haven’t gotten anything figured out yet.”
Q: What other art projects have you enjoyed working on?
HILL: “I’ve gotten a little opportunity to work on some stained glass things. I’ve definitely enjoyed that. It’s super different and really hands-on.”
Q: How did you become really interested in art?
HILL: “I’ve always been interested in art. Growing up, I always admired my brother’s drawing skills. I could never really do it myself in middle school, but I always tried. Then I got deeper into it when I got to high school, and I fell in love with it at that point.”
Q: After college, what are you hoping to do for a career?
HILL: “I would like to be an art teacher somewhere.”
Q: How much have you enjoyed growing up in the Alliance community?
HILL: “It’s pretty tight-knit here. Everybody knows everybody.”
Q: During your educational career, which teacher do you feel has made the biggest influence on you?
HILL: “I’ve had a really good relationship with my art teacher [Kathy Brock] these past couple years. She’s definitely helped push me to learn as much as I can, and also, one of my English teachers [Ryan Wurdeman] has helped me tremendously as far as growing as a person and learning how to tackle new things. I think that’s been really influential in my success as a student.”
Q: Outside of school, what do you like to do for fun?
HILL: “I like being outdoors. I really like hiking. Pretty much anything that gets me out of the house I enjoy.”
Q: Do you have any big plans for this summer?
HILL: “I’d just like to be outdoors as much as possible. Also, I’m working quite a bit. I do landscaping with a pretty good friend of mine.”
Q: Who do you think is one of the kindest students at Alliance High School?
HILL: “I’ve had a good friendship with Brock Brass. He’s super nice to everybody, and he’s really outgoing. He’s a good guy.”
Q: What are your three favorite apps on your cell phone?
HILL: “Spotify or other music apps like that. I have a podcast app, too.”
Q: What’s your favorite restaurant in Alliance?
HILL: “I would say Wonderful Kitchen because I work there off and on.”
Q: What is one thing you wish people would do more of?
HILL: “You see it a lot around here, but you do kind of miss it when you go to a bigger city – people smiling and talking more to each other. It seems like a lot of people have their heads down. I’d like to see more people [outside the area] look up and give other people a smile.”
Q: What do you think is the coolest attraction in the WyoBraska region?
HILL: “I really like hiking at the Scotts Bluff National Monument, and Chadron State Park is fun, too.”
Q: Do you have any siblings?
HILL: “Yes, I have two, older brothers: Tucker Hill (22) and Keagan Hill (25).”
If you would like to nominate someone for Nspire Today!’s Students of the Week, sponsored by First State Bank, you may do so by sending an email to jeff.fielder@nspiretoday.com or by mailing a letter to Nspire Today!, P.O. Box 454, Scottsbluff, NE 69363. Nominations may also be submitted by sending a text to 308-220-8865.
In addition to being recognized online, students of the week will also be recognized in Nspire Today! magazine. To sign up for a one-year subscription (12 issues) to the magazine, please send $15 to Nspire Today!, P.O. Box 454, Scottsbluff, NE 69363. To pay with a credit card, please call 308-220-8865.
First State Bank has been a community bank for more than 80 years with locations in Scottsbluff, Gering and Colorado Springs. First State Bank’s new mortgage center has the convenience of applying online without giving up the personalized customer service people have come to expect. Visit www.fsbcentral.com to find out why when First State Bank says, ‘We’re Big on You,’ they mean it. Find First State Bank on Facebook at firststatebank1935.
