"Life is sweet because of the friends we've made."
— Ella Wheeler Wilcox
Rachael was a student in my English 1106 class last semester. I feel honored to have been able to teach such a brilliant, talented, beautiful young woman. Rachael was the kind of student every professor hopes to have in class inquisitive, motivated, and always smiling. My thoughts and prayers are with Rachael and her family.
— Posted by Katie Fallon
Rachael was one of my first graders at Grove Avenue Baptist Christian School. Even then, she was a special little girl with a huge smile and sparkling personality. She was a child that adults enjoyed being around and she expressed her childlike faith in her Savior Jesus Christ in her actions with her classmates as well as with her teacher. A very bright light has gone out from our midst, but we can be certain that she is even now enjoying the pleasure of being with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and is praising His name with her lips. She will be missed, but knowing where she is will be our great comfort. My constant thoughts and prayers are with her mom and dad.
— Posted by Fran Barber
"Our hope is that God will use this to turn more people toward him rather than away from him. That was Rachael's and so that is our prayer."
— Dr. Mark Becton
Rachael Hill was an elementary student at Grove when I was principal. However, I did not have the privilege of seeing her grow up in middle and high school. Rachael was one of my youngest daughter's friends during the time they were in school together. Rachael inspired Caitlin to take up piano. To Rachael's parents and friends, there is nothing I can say to ease the utter anguish of this tragedy. Words do not even touch the surface. However, I do know that Mr. and Mrs. Hill fulfilled the most important task required of parents, for all parents are charged to raise their children in the ways of the Lord. As part of her parents' guidance, Rachael also received thirteen years of Christian education at Grove. From all of this, Rachael chose to follow Christ. Regarding Mr. and Mrs. Hill, they have fulfilled their ultimate task as parents. They have completed their part in helping Rachael fight the good fight. Rachael has finished the race. She kept the faith and has now been given the crown of righteousness.
— Carter Gates
Principal, GABCS 1983 - 1998
To view a video tribute of Rachael Hill's life and testimony |
| – Class of 2006 In Honor of Rachael – |
| – Memorial Service – |
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| This bench was donated by the classes of 2006 and 2007 in memory of Rachael Hill. |
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| Mr. and Mrs. Hill have requested in lieu of flowers donations be made to the GACS Scholarship Fund. Please put Rachael Hill in the memo. |
Dear Members of the Grove Avenue Christian School community: There are no words that can express our deepest sympathies and prayers to the victims of the tragic events at Virginia Tech, to those who are a part of the Virginia Tech community, the state of Virginia, and this Nation as we deal with this horrific and profound loss. We especially extend our prayers and support to the parents and relatives of Rachael Elizabeth Hill in their loss. Rachael had a wonderful, close, loving relationship with her parents. We offer our prayers, spiritual support, and love to her parents and relatives as they go through this tragedy. Any parent would have counted it a privilege to have called her their daughter. Rachael Hill was a 2006 graduate of Grove Avenue Christian School. The entire class of 2006 was exceptionally close. They were a special class and our hearts go out to them in this unexpected loss. It is difficult to capture the beauty, intelligence, poise, leadership, and other wonderful traits that Rachael possessed. She was perpetually prepared. One of her beloved scriptures is Song of Solomon 8:5, “Who is this coming up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved?” Rachael saw herself as the one coming out of the wilderness and needing to lean on Her Savior more and more. The world has lost one of its brightest prospects, but the Lord is glorified through the Daughter of the King that she is, the life that she lived, and the impact Rachael had on others in the name of Jesus Christ. Rachael’s senior yearbook quote from C.S. Lewis sums up best what we feel she would say at this time, “God, who foresaw your tribulation, has specially armed you to go through it, not without pain but without stain.” In Christ’s service, Clay P. Fogler |
— Professor Larry T. Taylor
Department of Chemistry
Virginia Tech
My prayers are with your entire school family as you grieve the loss of one of your alumni in the terrible events at Virginia Tech.
— Jeannine Metzger
Director of Early Education
As I was listening to your morning show on the way to work this morning, I was confronted with 'thankful Thursday'. At first I was thinking about the tragedy of this past week and wondering how I could be thankful. Then I realized.... I am thankful for the life of Rachael Hill. As a father, if I could have chosen a best friend for my daughter, I could not have chosen any better than Rachael. God blessed my daughter with Rachael. Growing up together from the 1st grade through 12th grade. School plays, field trips, family vacations, volleyball, sleepovers, Gilmore Girls TV marathons.... There are many happy memories. I can't find the words to express what it has meant to me and my family to have been so blessed to have Rachael as our daughter's best friend. Rachael is with Jesus now, but the impact of her short life here with us will be with us throughout our lives.
Thank you Jesus, for the life of Rachael Hill!
— John R. Neulen
