Socorro's Retirement

Dear Hilltop Alumni,

I am writing to let you know that our treasured teacher, Socorro Sandoval, has retired from Hilltop Nursery School. While current parents are saddened to have their time with Socorro cut short, we all know that no one deserves a happy, restful retirement more than her. Socorro started working at Hilltop in 1987 and rarely missed a day for the next 32 years. As a teacher she was particularly beloved by our littlest Hilltoppers whom she comforted at the bye-bye window, encouraged to “sit down and take a seat” (often in her lap, two or three at a time), and soothed to sleep with her special nap time magic. When she received the Mary Kelly Award for Distinguished Service at the 2018 Silent Auction, Hilltoppers of multiple generations sent letters, emails, or showed up in person to celebrate her dedication to our children. I know I’m not alone in expressing how dearly our family valued her positive energy, her morning hugs, and the way she asked after our children long after they’d graduated.

Socorro’s not ready for a bye-bye circle yet but our Hilltoppers are busy making her a special book. If you have photos you’d like to share or a graduate who would like to contribute a drawing, please email them to Camille or drop them off at Hilltop.

Socorro retired primarily for medical reasons. She requires double cataract surgery to correct severely diminished vision that will require two separate operations. Please join me in extending our appreciation by donating to a medical and retirement fund for Socorro. Our $10,000 goal will help cover medical costs and ease her transition to retirement. Hilltop has of course provided a retirement package but I’d like to give us, the alumni, an opportunity to show our appreciation for her years of service. You can show Socorro your “once a Hilltopper” love by contributing to her Go Fund Me page. I’ll be sure to collect and deliver all messages left for Socorro on the page, so feel free to share your words!

With gratitude,

Emily Bills


“Once a Hilltopper, Always a Hilltopper”