As a long-time Rector at Upperville's Trinity Episcopal Church, the late Rev. Richard Peard was invited to speak at the Hill School graduation in 1986. His words on the importance of giving back resonated with all who heard him that day, so much so that his message remains posted on a decorative Compass Rose in the reception area on Hill's appropriately named Peard Building.

Betsy Davis, a past Middleburg mayor, a member of the school's Class of 1966, and a former Hill parent, recalled his words more than 20 years later.

"He said 'when you find your place in the world, help others find theirs.'" she said. "It's something you never forget."

At Hill, founded in 1926 with students from junior kindergarten through eighth grade, that tradition of giving back, of selflessly contributing to society with community or public service and other good works, has long been a core concept.

For example, on the public service front, the last three Middleburg mayors—Tim Demos (1958), Betsy Davis (1966) and current Mayor Bridge Littleton (1988)—are all Hill graduates. And Bridge Littleton's father, Trowbridge Littleton (1958) was a long-serving member of the Town Council.

Punkin Lee (1960) has been the long-time volunteer head of the Middleburg Business and Professional Association and been on numerous town committees. Same for Jim Herbert (1966), who headed Christmas in Middleburg for ten years and now contributes in an advisory role.

Over the years, Hill graduates have been Town Council members, served on school, church or local government committees, on boards of community non-profits like the Windy Hill Foundation, Middleburg Community Center, and Seven Loaves and F.I.S.H. among a multitude of other organizations.

And when Hill graduates leave the area, many volunteer for similar roles around the state and nation, as well.

"The main idea," said Academic Dean Hunt Lyman, now in his 36th year at Hill, "is that when you're involved in those kinds of things in your early years, when you take a leadership role and see what it takes and what you can accomplish, it stays with you your entire life. They realize from a young age how important community service can be."

In recent years, Hill students have been involved in a number of community service projects, including a school-wide program for children to regularly write letters to senior citizens, collecting food for needy residents around the holidays and other good works. This year, for example, the first graders sold dog treats and raised over $500 for Seven Loaves.

Jim Herbert recalled that, "We were always involved in community stuff. We all participated in a food drive before Thanksgiving every year. We made baskets, and, as an eighth grade class, we would deliver them door to door. It made the children become pro-active in the community. It was always talked about in assemblies and teachers were involved, too."

"When I was there," Betsy Davis said. "It was leading by example. You also learned courtesy and respect, and in school that was always expected. Through the years, I think it's become more of a written thing, and learning that these are the things you should do, how important it is to become involved in your community, wherever you are."

Punkin Lee, whose father was the Middleburg postmaster when she was growing up, also fondly recalled preparing the Thanksgiving baskets and said the school supplemented what she also had been taught at home by her parents.

"It was this whole environment at Hill," she said. "I grew up around it, and Hill refined it."

Herbert said that even to this day, whether it's been boards he served on or good causes he's been involved with, "There has always been someone or several people from Hill School prominently involved. The Community Center, Seven Loaves, everywhere."

The school itself also has made major contributions.

On Team and Teen Saturday, drawing children from lower income areas in Loudoun and Fauquier counties to the school every week, Hill's eighth grade class serves as volunteer staff mentors to the younger kids in the free educational program.

At Christmas in Middleburg, the Hill campus becomes a bustling staging area for the event's annual parade. When a hailstorm pelted the village and its surroundings several years ago, wreaking havoc on homes, commercial buildings and vehicles, a drive-up insurance adjustment operation was positioned on Hill property for several weeks.

The school regularly plays host to a wide variety of community events—guest speakers, art exhibits, musical or theatrical performances, athletic events, even church services—using Hill facilities. And the walking/running/bike trail winding around and through its 140-acre campus has attracted countless appreciative residents, more than ever during the pandemic.

Current Middleburg Mayor Bridge Littleton recalled that, "There was always an emphasis on different activities that were supportive of the community. I can remember picking up trash on the side of the road one year. We had a can drive when I was in second grade. The cans would be turned in and the money collected would go to help people at Windy Hill. In third grade, (the late) Worthy Caulk asked everyone to bring in an old toy that would go to children who really needed them."

Littleton recalled teachers like Molly Spencer, Em Sharp and Tal Mack, among others, all setting similar examples and talking about contributing to the community.

"It was always about 'what can we do to make other people's lives better.'" Littleton said. "And it's something that always stays with you."