Memories of Hillbrook: John Runcie, Class of ‘62
W
hy was it that whenever I misbehaved, It seemed like I was the one that was always caught and disciplined? For example one day in my junior high years at Hillbrook, we were waiting in line for lunch when a pushing and shoving match ensued. So, along with my other junior high classmates, I joined in and succeeded in pushing one of my friends into the bushes! Of course, Mrs. Wollin saw ME, so I was the one disciplined! Busted. My experiences in junior high at Hillbrook were rich, but not for the reason above. Although, I can no longer remember most of my teachers’ names (only the name of my best friend seems to stick around), I do remember that it was wonderful experience! Like most kids, I really didn’t appreciate the sacrifice my parents were making to send me to Hillbrook, or the quality of the education that I was receiving. We learned Latin and French along with the other normal subjects like math, English, and science. I can still parse the Latin verb ‘porto’. Perhaps the early exposure to both Latin and French were responsible for my later interest in languages. I also can’t forget to mention the Shakespearean plays which we helped to produce each year. At the time, I certainly did not appreciate or understand the value of the memorization, dramatizations and public speaking. Our education at Hillbrook was indeed a rich experience, and I’m sure it helped to prepare me for excellence as I continued my education. Today my wife of 47 years and I live in Portland Oregon. In 2003, I retired after 28 years at UPS. Since that time, I have embarked on a second career teaching English as a second language. Currently I am the program director for the MA TESOL program at Multnomah University, and I also teach TESOL as an adjunct professor at Portland Community College. Every so often, my thoughts reach back to those wonderful days at Hillbrook: to the friends I made, to the teachers who molded and shaped me, to the rural setting, and to the many lessons learned. Those were wonderful years indeed, and it is wonderful to see that the legacy and mission of Hillbrook is continuing to impact the lives of students today. I’m sure there are many alumnae who, like me, are eager to see Hillbrook’s legacy continue on into the future.
John now lives in Portland Oregon with wife, two grown children and six grandchildren. He is currently the Program Director for the MA TESOL program at Multnomah University, and he also teaches TESOL at Portland Community College.