Livonia lost a daughter. Students lost a friend.
I only met Angie Hillman once. At the induction of CAPA into the 1835 Livonia City Hall of Fame. I sensed that to her it was not about any personal credit or acknowledgment of the leadership she provided in creating a sense of educational and artistic excellence. It seemed that her interest was in the students. Current and past.
She recently dropped a dime on Musings sharing that any creation of a Livonia poet laureate should consider that CAPA had poets and they would like to be involved. Her interest was in the students. In furthering artistic opportunities.
I was about to follow up with a note to her when I joined the community in learning of her passing. So unexpectedly. She was so young. This took me 4 days thinking of what and how to write on the passing of someone who made such a difference to Livonia, made a difference in the life of her students. Students encouraged by Angie Hillman.
Every year Debra Bonde hosts a murder mystery at Burton Manor in memory of her daughter, a CAPA graduate. It was something I looked forward to and have described as the single best event of the year. Why? Because of the involvement of the students from CAPA, the scholarships provided to the students every year, the return to Livonia of CAPA graduates making a living in acting, and the acting beyond the walls of a classroom. Encouraged by Angie Hilman.
Students having fun. Encouraged by Angie Hillman. Students learning about performance art. Encouraged by Angie Hillman. Students learning about life. Encouraged by Angie Hillman.
Angie was one of the reasons Livonia is known as a cultural heartbeat of southeast Michigan. She is a daughter that was on loan to our hometown. She is the daughter of John and Barbara Hillman, sister of Amy Beth and Andie. She is the daughter of Livonia, a friend to hundreds of students. We grieve for all that were touched by this young woman. We grieve for her family who encouraged her love of students.
Hundreds have posted their feelings. More will be written. And then we will move on. But for the legacy of her reaching out and touching the lives of so many students, I want the memory to live on. When I walk into Churchill High School I want to see a sign that says Welcome to the Angie Hillman Auditorium.
