A lot of District 38 students do a lot of amazing things. We could write stories about so many of them.
To wrap up the ‘24 - 25 school year, the D38 Communications Team is highlighting an exceptional senior from Palmer Ridge High School who is continuing his journey after graduation at the University of Tennessee.
Hill Mancini accomplished a lot during his time at Palmer Ridge High School. He is a student with special needs and was a manager for the varsity football team, worked in the Educational Field Experience (EFE) Course, and played on the D38 Unified Basketball Team, which earned second place at the Special Olympics State Championship this year.
Hill is heading to the University of Tennessee this fall where he will participate in the UT FUTURE Program. The FUTURE Program is a two-to-four-year vocational certificate program for students with special needs. Hill says he will get to live on campus and take part in all the Volunteer sports,activities and classes. FUTURE students attend two regular university classes per semester, take several classes related to independent living and building social community, and pursue work internships and employment opportunities. Student peers are available to help with attending class, work, and sporting events.
The University of Tennessee has special significance to Hill and his family.
“I can’t believe I get to be a Volunteer,” Hill said. “UT has always been so good to our family! Back in 2001 when my dad was in the Army and flew Chinook helicopters in Afghanistan and Iraq, the amazing people at UT helped my mom and dad complete my dad’s application to medical school (from a tent in the desert), and he was accepted to the University of Tennessee’s medical school!”
When asked what he’s most looking forward to about being a Tennessee Volunteer, Hill said he really wants to meet the real Smokey, the school’s mascot, and cheer on the Vols at Neyland Stadium. “I’m also looking forward to being with my FUTURE friends and working with animals, maybe helping with the baseball or football teams, and learning how to work with other kids with special needs,” Hill said.
Hill also said he will be taking a variety of classes in things including sports management, animal handling, and History of the Horse.
Looking back on his time at Palmer Ridge, Hill said his favorite classes were Resource with Ms. Ramsay, EFE with Ms. Doan, Math with Coach Grob and Coach Wang, and P..E. and Woodworking with Coach Carlton.
When asked what message he would like to leave his teachers at Palmer Ridge, Hill said, “Thank you for teaching me so much this year and being a huge source of support as I get ready to graduate and go to college. Thank you for offering classes at my level that I could succeed in.”
Though he is super excited about his next steps, Hill said he will miss his family and friends in Colorado, Avalanche games, and of course, his dogs Scout and Pru.
“We are thrilled for Hill to have this opportunity! A beautiful, safe, and friendly college campus is the perfect place for a student with special needs to learn, work, and establish their own community and independence,” Hill’s parents said. “We are praying that God would direct Hill’s steps at UT and bless his friendships and academic and work opportunities.We know that UT will come to love Hill and see the extraordinary gifts God has given him!”