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The official student news site of Highlands High School

The Hilltopper

The official student news site of Highlands High School

The Hilltopper

The official student news site of Highlands High School

The Hilltopper

This is a picture of Hudson Smedley taken by Tori Smedley, just a few weeks after being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 5, with his Omnipod and Dexcom gadgets that help monitor and give insulin when his body requires it.

The unspoken reality of living diabetic

Adrianna Smedley May 1, 2025

Life is complex enough, especially while in school, with taking on activities, sports, keeping up with grades, managing time, and more. However for people with Type 1 diabetics doing all of these things...

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Devin Pierre (9)  holds a whiteboard that says ‘where I see myself in 5 years.

Students share where they see themselves in five years

Isabella Roderick and Abigail Jennings April 29, 2025

At Highlands High School, many students are already thinking about their futures. Setting long-term goals, whether it’s for a career in healthcare, engineering, or the arts, helps them stay focused and...

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Tower Park peaks through the trees on earth day.

Fort Thomas celebrates Earth Day this weekend

Xander Bailey April 25, 2025

Earth Day is a global movement focused on environmental awareness. The first ever Earth Day was April 22, 1970, and that was just the start of the long history that this holiday will have.  Earth Day...

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Anti-bullying poster located in the 
student bathrooms.

Staff takes precautions against student bullying

Maylee Shen April 14, 2025

“A real or perceived power imbalance that is repeated or has the potential to be repeated.” This is the definition of bullying according to the Kentucky state school district. Bullying can come in...

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Highlander staff posing for a photo.

The Hilltopper legacy continues at Highlands

Edith Deleon March 26, 2025

In the late 1930s, a classroom in Highlands High School was filled with ambition and creativity. In the back of that classroom, a group of students joined together to start the school's first newspaper,...

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Alyona Greene snapping photo with her ELA students.

Mrs. Greene connects with all students

Edith Deleon March 12, 2025

Alyona Greene, an English Language Learner (ELL) teacher at Highlands High School and Middle School, is a one of a kind teacher known for her amazing energy, warmth and deep care for her students. From...

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teachers, Scott Turner and Kim Grillot standing together.

Teachers reflect on their favorite Highlands memories

Haidyn Kelsay March 11, 2025

As Highlands High School prepares to say goodbye to some of its educators, reflections on the significance left on both students and the community are emerging. After 28 years of service, physics teacher...

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Lauren Peterson and 										      Kyle Finfrock standing 										      together.

How Highlands High School has shaped its teachers

Haidyn Kelsay March 7, 2025

Highlands High School has continuously been known for its community, and for teachers Lauren Peterson and Kyle Finfrock, this environment played a significant role in their return to teach at the school....

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Peer tutors helping with their EL students with their work.

Students help students in English Language Peer Tutoring program

Kaitlyn Ryan, Yearbook Editor March 6, 2025

At Highlands, the English Language (EL) Peer Tutoring program is helping to transform education by empowering students to support their peers in meaningful ways. This initiative, which involves juniors...

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Brady Dowling, Matthew Ewald, Emily Hafey, Kelly Booth, and Steven McClamrock pose for a photo.

Teachers instruct on their dream subjects

Gemma Cutajar and Sophia Lippolis February 18, 2025

There is no doubt that the teachers at Highlands love what they teach, but do they wish they could teach something different?  Teachers often think about a different subject or class that they would...

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