Q&A with Heights Grad Kim Hackman

Kim Hackman

What’s your major?
Photo journalism with a minor in French.

How about your dream job after graduation?
It feels like a dream, since journalism is undergoing such transition, but ideally I’ll make documentary photographs. I’d enjoy teaching French or translating. I want to travel! In fact, when this is published, I'll be studying in Avignon, France.

Do you have a favorite memory or two from Canterbury Elementary?
My three sisters and I went to Canterbury. It was like being at home—our teachers called us by each other’s names. In kindergarten, we read the story of the Gingerbread Man, hunted throughout the school trying to catch him, and baked some good gingerbread.  

What did you learn at Heights High that prepared you for college?
There’s no place like Heights!  I went to preschool at Millikin and was in the system for my whole education. My parents said I could go to private school instead of Heights High, but I chose Heights. The diversity in my classes was wonderful. At college, I made friends and worked with all kinds of kids. That could be difficult for others, so I was thankful.

What did you enjoy most at Heights?
My sophomore year I took my first photography class, and traveled to France with my class.  Here I am, sophomore year in college doing the same things — history repeats itself! My high school photography teacher was very inspiring. The foreign exchange students had a big influence on me. I plan to meet with some of them while I’m in France. What advice would you give current Heights High students? Get involved!  Join clubs, volunteer.  It’s worth working hard in the classroom.  A strong work ethic will stick with you.     

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Volume 3, Issue 5, Posted 11:04 AM, 04.16.2010