This morning I was behind a truck with a personalized plate that read “Neal” while starting up the “hill” to the Altamont Pass. This made me think of one of the High School teachers that continues to have a big influence on my life.

I also remembered that Mr. Neal Hill was born on April 16 so I just had to write about him tonight.

Mr. Hill taught English and Journalism for 21 years at Ashland High School. Since we were a small school everyone took his Freshman and Junior English classes. He had an influence on an entire generation of Ashland students.

I heard many stories from students who graduated before me about how well they were prepared for College English after having Mr. Hill as a teacher in High School.

I would agree that I was well prepared as I was able to take Honors English when I went to college instead of a regular English class. I also attribute many of my writing skills to what I learned in his classes.

Many of his students will remember, with mixed emotions, having to memorize the Parts of Speech and their Uses:.

Mr. Hill also had a Novel List that he would hand out at the beginning of each year. We could read any book on the list and then take a test for extra credit.

Mr. Hill’s Novel List has more than 300 titles. I am not sure how often he updated the list, but the one I have is from the early 80’s.

I could always count on being able to consult Mr. Hill’s Novel List to find a good book to read. I eventually undertook a challenge to read all the books on the list.

Unfortunately I was not able to let him know that I had finished the challenge. He passed away a few years before I finished the list. I had spoken to him after I made it a challenge and was about half-way through the list.

Tucked away somewhere I have a copy of the sentence that students had to write when they got into trouble in his class. Yes, I had to write sentences at least one time 🙂

I also think of Mr. Hill whenever I hear or see the word facetious. I believe that it may have been his favorite word.

I also thought of some of my other High School teachers today and how they have continued to have an influence in my life.

Thank you Mr. Hill for being a great teacher!

Steven