Kristin Hillery Recognized as Horicon’s 2025 Outstanding Alumni

On Saturday, May 17, 2025, Horicon High School welcomed back Kristin Hillery, a 1989 graduate, at the class of 2025 graduation ceremony. Hillery was selected to be recognized for the Outstanding Alumni Award and a spot on the school’s Wall of Fame.
Hillery currently lives in Los Angeles, where she balances a dual career as a middle school teacher and a Brigadier General in the U.S. Air Force Reserve.
From a small-town beginning to a career rooted in leadership and service, Hillery’s path has taken her in many directions. Her journey has allowed her to make an impact on a large scale. The Horicon graduate achieved many accomplishments that made her a clear choice for this award.
“I graduated from Horicon High School in 1989. Horicon gave me a solid foundation both academically and athletically. It’s where I learned the value of teamwork, leadership, and showing up for others,” Hillery shared. “A few standout memories include playing in the 1988 state basketball tournament and running onto the UW Field House court for the first time with the Horicon crowd waving their orange towels and cheering so loudly it gave me goosebumps!”
The alumna is remembered for being a standout basketball player at Horicon, as Hillery scored over 1,000 points during her high school career and helped lead her team to the state tournament. Her passion for the game continued at the U.S. Air Force Academy, where she became the MVP of the women’s basketball team and set a school record for 3-point shooting. Additionally, Hillery was known to be a student leader and National Honor Society member.

“Honestly, I just liked trying new things, and at the time, it didn’t feel like a lot. I was curious, wanted to be part of things, and maybe had a bit of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out),” she reflected. “But all those experiences taught me valuable life skills: time management, how to work with different personalities, and the importance of follow-through.”
A family road trip changed the course of her life when a visit to the U.S. Air Force Academy introduced her to a path she hadn’t considered. That spark turned into a full-fledged military career.
“It started with a summer family vacation after my freshman year in high school, which included a stop in Colorado. We toured the Air Force Academy, led by a Horicon alum, Sue Loomans, who was a senior there. I didn’t even know the Academy existed before that visit, but something about it stuck,” she recalled. “The following year, I was recruited by the Academy’s women’s basketball team… I initially planned to serve my five-year commitment and move on, but I ended up staying six years on active duty and then transitioned into the Air Force Reserve. That was 32 years ago, and I’ve been serving ever since.”
Her rise through the military ranks made history as the former Horicon student became the first woman in her Air Force Reserve career field to be promoted to Brigadier General.
This position is one of the highest in the U.S. military and represents decades of leadership, responsibility, and exceptional service.
“Being one of the first women in my career field to reach the rank of Brigadier General was a proud and humbling moment. The journey was filled with both challenges and growth,” said Hillery. “Two deployments to Iraq were defining moments. None of it was easy, but I never did it alone. I was fortunate to be surrounded by great teams.”
While serving in the Air Force Reserve, Hillery also built a parallel career as a middle school Physical Education teacher in Los Angeles, California.
“My dad was a teacher, so I think it’s in the genes. But after active duty, I moved to Los Angeles with the dream of becoming an actor. I turned to stand-up comedy so I started substitute teaching during the day to have a more stable income,” she explained.
The educator originally interviewed for an English teaching position, but her enthusiasm and background as a college athlete led to her being offered a middle school Physical Education (P.E.) role instead.
“When I lit up talking about how much I loved teaching P.E., and the person interviewing me learned of my background as a college athlete, they asked if I’d consider the P.E. opening instead of the English role. I’ve now been teaching middle school P.E. for over two decades, while continuing to serve in the Air Force Reserve.”
Hillery has also coached youth sports, mentored at-risk youth, and supported the Special Olympics, all stemming from her core belief in the importance of positive adult influence.
“Over time, I saw how one positive adult can truly change a kid’s trajectory. Whether in a classroom, on a court, or through mentorship, I’ve tried to show up, listen, and encourage kids to see what’s possible,” she explained. “Not everyone has a strong support system, and I want kids to know that early setbacks don’t define them.”
Returning to Horicon to receive the Outstanding Alumni Award brought back a flood of memories.
“It’s incredibly meaningful. If you had told my high school self this would happen someday, I wouldn’t have believed it,” she said. “Walking back into Horicon brought back a wave of memories: friends, teachers, prom, musicals, dances, sports, and yes, the fashion choices: perms, mullets, permed-mullets, neon, the music and spandex. But mostly, I felt a deep sense of gratitude and a feeling of being home. This award feels like a full-circle moment.”
Her advice to Horicon students who are hoping to make a difference came straight from the lessons that she has lived by to help shape her life.
“The quiet power of grit, grace, and gratitude can take you farther than any spotlight ever will,” she stated. “I’d also emphasize that you don’t have to be from a big city to do big things. Start with what’s in front of you. Be kind. Work hard. Show up every day with integrity and a willingness to grow. And when you fail, which you will, we all do, get back up and keep going,” she said. “Your small-town roots are a strength. There’s a groundedness, sincerity, and heart that comes from growing up in a small town, and you can’t fake that. Embrace it. I’m proud to be from here, and I always will be.”
Kristin Hillery’s journey from Horicon High School to Brigadier General has been shaped by hard work, curiosity, and a strong commitment to serving others. Whether it was leading on the basketball court, stepping into military roles, or showing up every day for her students in Los Angeles, she’s never stopped growing or giving back. Being honored by her hometown and receiving the 2025 Outstanding Alumni Award was a reminder of where it all started.