The Hub for Innovative Learning & Leadership

Nearly 50 middle schoolers recently stepped into the roles of digital investigators to tackle a realistic cyber incident at the KC7 Cybersecurity Summer Camp hosted by The HILL! 🕵️‍♂️💻

Designed for underserved youth with no prior tech experience, this five-day program built vital problem-solving and digital forensics skills to inspire the next generation of tech leaders. 🚀

🔗 Read the full story here: https://ow.ly/3nJy50Zikin

Meet the Team at The HILL: Mr. Hunter Dean! 🚛🔧⚽ This summer, we are shining a spotlight on the incredible instructors who bring our labs to life. Kickstarting our series is our Diesel Technology teacher, Mr. Hunter Dean!

With 11 years of industry experience under his belt - including performing certified CAT engine rebuilds - and 6 years in the classroom, Mr. Dean brings high-level expertise straight to our students. He holds an associate degree from Illinois Central College through Caterpillar's ThinkBIG program, attended Asbury University, and is ASE Certified in Medium/Heavy Duty Truck Service Technology.

Get to know Mr. Dean:

- Coolest program activity: Rebuilding diesel engines and competing in SkillsUSA at multiple levels!
- Teaching Philosophy: "I love seeing students reach their potential and finally enjoy coming to school to learn."
- Fun Facts: Outside of the shop, he is an avid hunter, fisherman, and an elite soccer and co****le player. He even used to be a farrier shoeing horses!

We are so lucky to have industry experts like Mr. Dean leading the way for our future professionals. Swipe through to see him in action, and drop a comment to say hello! 👋🔥

A few more photos from the recent SkillsUSA Nationals! 📸✈️Our students are back from the SkillsUSA National Championships, and they brought back a camera roll full of unforgettable memories!

While Simon and Hailey were busy representing Kentucky at the highest level on the national stage, they also got to dive into the ultimate Atlanta experience. From exploring the city streets to touring historic landmarks, our students made the absolute most of every single minute of their trip.

Swipe through to see a behind-the-scenes look at their journey:

🗺️ Exploring the City: Catching the sights, touring downtown, and soaking in the incredible energy of Atlanta.

🏛️ Living History: A powerful and deeply moving visit to the National Civil Rights Museum, where students engaged in lifelong learning outside of the classroom.

🤝 The Ultimate Network: Meeting, collaborating, and sharing ideas with SkillsUSA National Officers and elite student leaders from across the entire country.

Earning a spot at the National Conference is a massive professional milestone, but the lifelong memories, new friendships, and cultural experiences made along the way are just as valuable.

Thank you to everyone who shared their photos with us - we love seeing our students thriving out in the world! 🦅🌟

The HILL takes on Nationals! 🏆🌎✨Our students just returned from the 2026 SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference (NLSC) in Atlanta, Georgia, and they officially proved that the talent at The HILL is among the best in the entire United States!

Reaching the pinnacle of their Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO), these elite individuals earned their way to the grandest stage of all from June 1st through 5th. They did not just show up; they represented our school and the entire state of Kentucky with ultimate pride on the national competition floor.

Huge shoutouts are in order for our national competitors and leaders:

👮 Simon Yamada (Criminal Justice Competition): Simon went head-to-head with the best of the best in intense competition simulations judged by active industry professionals, earning an incredible 4th place in the Nation!

🗳️ Hailey Hardin (State Officer Delegate): Serving as the SkillsUSA Kentucky State Parliamentarian, Hailey represented our state as an official delegate. She worked directly alongside SkillsUSA National Officers to share ideas, cast votes, and map out crucial priorities for national student growth.

Beyond the competition floor, our students immersed themselves in life-changing history and cultural learning with a deeply moving visit to the National Civil Rights Museum.

Whether they were demonstrating elite technical skills or commanding the room in critical leadership roles, these students showed up, put in the work, and set a national standard. We are so incredibly proud of you both! 🦅🔥

Fayette County Public Schools

Happy Retirement to an absolute legend, Bob Lankford! 🔌🎖️🏡 We want to celebrate a monumental milestone for one of our most beloved educators. After 20 incredible years of dedicated service across Southside and The HILL, our Electronics instructor, Bob Lankford, is officially retiring!

Mr. Lankford is the true definition of a servant leader. As a military veteran, a local realtor, and an absolute expert in the electronic and home safety fields, he brought a wealth of real world knowledge straight into our labs. For two decades, he has used his vast industry expertise to shape, mentor, and inspire the next generation of technical professionals in our community.

His impact goes far beyond the circuit boards and wiring diagrams taught in his classroom. Mr. Lankford has been a cornerstone of our school culture, a trusted mentor to his fellow staff members, and a champion for student success. He has left an undeniable mark on the hearts of our students, the strength of our school, and the workforce of Lexington.

Thank you, Mr. Lankford, for your unwavering dedication, your wisdom, and your 20 years of transformative service to career and technical education. We wish you the absolute best as you step into this next well deserved chapter of relaxation and new adventures. You will always be a part of the family at The HILL!

Building the future of local healthcare! 🏥🚑🌟Our final spotlight on the Pre-Nursing, Pre-Pharmacy, and EMT pinning ceremony is all about the incredible future ahead for these certified students. The skills they mastered at The HILL are exactly what our local hospitals, emergency response teams, and medical facilities need right now.

When their families stepped on stage to pin their gear and place their HILL stoles on their shoulders, it represented the start of an exciting new chapter. With their SRNA, NREMT, and NOCTI credentials locked in, these graduates are stepping directly into high-demand, life-changing career fields.

Thank you once again to the amazing parents, families, and instructors who cheered our students on every single step of the way. We are incredibly honored to have been part of your medical journey!

📸: Sara Tracy & Dr. Eric Maul