It Started Here: John Meck’s Journey Comes Full Circle
“It’s surreal walking these halls again—but this time, as part of the team.” – John Meck
For Hillside alumnus John Meck, returning to his former school isn’t just nostalgic—it’s a full-circle moment. Now a graduate student at Kutztown University pursuing his Master’s in School Counseling and Mental Health, John is completing his internship at Hillside during the 2025–2026 school year.
John first attended Hillside from 1991 to 1998, entering in first grade after being diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). Before Hillside, he was enrolled in public school, where his parents were told he might never read or do math above a fifth-grade level. At Hillside, that changed. “What I remember most about my time here is how much the staff believed in me and taught me to believe in myself,” he shared.
At Hillside, John developed confidence as a strong reader and learned to persevere through challenges. “By the time I entered junior high, I was reading and comprehending on a college level,” he said. The experience also sparked his passion for helping others. “Hillside helped me discover my purpose—to support those who are struggling or can’t help themselves.”
Now, as a counseling intern, John is proud to give back to the community that once lifted him up. “It’s empowering to walk the halls and help students who, like me, once found school to be such a struggle,” he said. “If my younger self could see me now, I’d tell him, ‘I know it’s hard now, but it gets much better, keep pushing forward.’”
When reflecting on Hillside’s theme, “Extraordinary Starts Here,” John’s message is clear: “My future started to form from the moment I entered Hillside. I wasn’t just a number to push through—I was seen, supported, and believed in.”
