Senior Plans To Return Home
In all of today’s uncertainty, one thing is certain for Jasper County High School (JCHS) senior Kedarius Hill. “I know I will come home to Monticello after college,” he told me. “I’ve spent my whole life here. I was born and raised here and I know I want to come back.”
His parents are proud and happy for him. His mom Gwendolyn Hill, a graduate herself of JCHS, is a dental hygienist in the Atlanta area and according to Kedarius, a bookworm. His father Donald Hill is from nearby Putnam County and works locally at PermaTherm, a company that designs and manufactures insulated panels for buildings.
His little brother Chance Hill, who loves spending time with Kedarius, is a rising eighth grader at Jasper County Middle School. His cousins, aunts and uncles all live here or in neighboring Putnam County. And, his church, Shady Grove Baptist in Shady Dale where he sits on the youth ministry board and sings in the youth choir, is also here.
An easy young man to interview who loves to laugh, Kedarius gets excited talking about school. “I miss school right now,” he shared. “I really do like school. I miss my last year, my last month, seeing and talking to my friends. I miss the laughter. I haven’t seen my friends since March. My mom makes sure I’ve followed the rules of staying at home. Now, I talk to them on the phone all of the time.”
Kedarius’ friends describe him as outgoing, and he thinks and hopes they would describe him as caring and compassionate, telling me, “I try to help people who are struggling.” He likes to think he holds everyone by the same standards, sharing that he lives by the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” He credits his home life and his Christian values for who he is.
“Class of 2020 is like family,” he said. And, like many in the Class of 2020, he was excited about graduation, excited for the senior breakfast. Excited about his last month of school. And, turning 18 in December, excited about “getting grown” and being able to vote.
School has always been full time work for Kedarius. He excelled in AP History and Social Studies and credits his teachers Bobbi Sauls, Mrs. Bonnie Garvin and Kirstie Lewis for creating his interest in those topics. He loves learning history in a traditional setting, using notes and review games to learn different events that have happened over time. “The teachers help so much,” he said.
“I love Mrs. Amy Scroggs and Mrs. Johnnie Sue Moore,” Kedarius told me. He’s thankful for Mrs. Moore teaching him about finances and taxes through her financial literacy class. He also loved business classes and technology pathway with Mrs. Scroggs learning the business side of communications. Talking with Kedarius it’s hard to believe that he was once shy and that he struggled with public speaking. He credits the business communications class and his peers in that class for giving him confidence to now do public speaking.
Kedarius is still doing school work. He prides himself in having no missing or late work during the online learning currently taking place, keeping up through zoom meetings and google classroom. An A/B student who has won many honor awards, he was student of the month this fall, and recently along with his fellow team members on the JCHS Water Wars Research Team, won a first place award at the National competition.That award, along with cash prizes from previous Georgia regional and state competition wins, has given him a total of $2,428 in winnings. “All for college,” he said.
College for Kedarius is Savannah State University for their Bachelors’ of Forensic Science major, his chosen field of study. He thinks it fits nicely with his current studies in the Criminal Justice program at Southern Crescent Tech and his love of DNA research. He hopes to be a Forensics Scientist specializing as a DNA analyst.
“Mrs. [Elizabeth] Proctor is why I like science. She made science so fun and hands on, more fun than work. Mrs. Proctor changed my career path,” Kedarius stated. “Up until the eleventh grade, I wanted to major in education.” He shared that after one Independent Research class he was hooked on science and research combined. Mrs. Proctor also worked with him on the Water Wars Research Team, introducing Kedarius to hands-on learning that included going to the capital, learning legislation and learning the water process.
Most of his memorable high school moments include academics. As a junior in his Biotech class he won first place at a Regional Science Fair and second place at the State Science Fair in Atlanta with a project that explored bacteria in milk. This year he won second place at the Regional Science Fair. The state Science Fair was cancelled. “Thanks to Ms. Garvin,” he said, he also won second place in a Social Studies Fair when she helped him apply the water project to Social Studies.
Kedarius shared that the Social Studies project taught him that Georgia does not have strict water rules. He also learned the importance of the Social Studies Board and the Department of Education’s role in policy and influencing statewide standards and the value of citizen participation.
“Children should be discussing this now,” he said, “Children need to learn about water conservation and how to conserve.”
He is ready for his senior prom and now it looks like he might get one with JCHS tentatively scheduling the prom for July 18. He is looking forward to a big night. He has his prom tuxedo and has the evening planned out with a group of his best friends, including renting a car. He’s ready to rent that car again.
Though he will miss his family, especially hanging out all day with his little brother, and he is certain of his return home to Monticello, he is excited about college. He already has his dorm room and since he’s had time with the break from school he has been getting his dorm materials.
He is ready. “My parents always pushed me to go higher and higher. They always allowed me to chase my own dreams,” Kedarius said. “I’m ready to set my wings free.”
