Meet the 2025 Hillmen Foundation Scholarship Awardees

Every year, the Hillmen Foundation awards three scholarships to graduating Placer High School seniors who exemplify the Hillmen spirit — leadership, resilience, service, and a drive to make a difference. These awards are made possible through the generosity of our donors and are a key part of our mission to enrich the student experience at Placer High.

This year’s recipients include the winner of our highest honor, the Covich-Johnson Founders Scholarship, and two Hillmen Foundation Scholarships for outstanding students. Each of these scholarships recognizes graduating seniors who not only excel academically but also embody the character and commitment that define Placer’s legacy.

We asked each of our 2025 scholars to share reflections on their time at Placer High and their goals for the future. We’re proud to share their stories with the supporters and friends who help make these scholarships possible.

Hillmen Foundation Covich-Johnson Founders Scholarship: Belle Fallis

1. What part of your Placer High experience are you most proud of, and why?

Of all the experiences I’ve endured throughout my time at Placer High School the one that I am most proud of would be the influence that I believe to have had within the agricultural sector of Placer. I believe that I was able to exert a positive influence on many of my peers within the Future Farmers of America (FFA) program.

2. Placer High is known for its strong spirit and traditions. What does being a Hillman mean to you?

To me, being a Hillman is about carrying a sense of pride and responsibility to tradition and community while cultivating a new path for future generations of Hillman to follow.

3. What does receiving this Hillmen Foundation scholarship mean to you, and how will it help you pursue your goals?

Receiving this scholarship is so incredibly meaningful to me because it helps allow me to pursue my goal of higher education and becoming a first generation college graduate. With this higher education I plan to cultivate my passion for the agricultural industry and to truly make a difference within this field.

4. What are your future plans and what inspired you to take that direction?

As for my future plans I will be attending California Polytechnic State University majoring in Agriculture Communications. Throughout my four years at Placer High School I was heavily involved within the FFA. Having the opportunity to attend countless events and leadership development experiences as well as serving two years within a leadership position truly inspired me to find my passion for agriculture.

5. When you look back at your time at PHS 10 years from now, what do you think will be your fondest memory or most meaningful experience?

Looking back, I believe my fondest memory of Placer High School will be each connection and friendship that I had formed throughout my time there. Whether it be with a teacher or a peer, every connection I made helped lead me to the place I am today and I could not be more grateful for that.

Hillmen Foundation Scholarship: Abbie Labrecque

1. What part of your Placer High experience are you most proud of, and why?

I’m most proud of how much I grew personally during my time at Placer. I came in feeling very unsure of myself, but through so much growth and refinement throughout high school, I can finally say that I’ve truly found myself, for me. Not trying to fit in, not trying to be like others, but really understanding who I am, what I care about, and what makes me feel proud to be me. A big part of that growth is thanks to the support and opportunities I found through my teachers, sports, leadership, and other campus activities, which played a huge role in helping me grow into the person I am today.

2. Placer High is known for its strong spirit and traditions. What does being a Hillman mean to you?

To me, being a Hillman means being part of a tradition that has stood the test of time, and knowing you’ve added your own chapter to it. With this, I truthfully could not feel luckier to have walked the same path as so many before me who loved this school as much as I do. There’s something really special about knowing i’ve shared the same experiences, halls, and spirit as so many before me!

3. What does receiving this Hillmen Foundation scholarship mean to you, and how will it help you pursue your goals?

I am so humbled and truly honored to have received this Hillmen Foundation scholarship. It means so much more than just financial support. To me I see it as a way of knowing that the Foundation, made up of people who genuinely care about this school and its students, chose to invest in my future, which is incredibly meaningful. Although I know that’s the purpose of the scholarship, receiving it feels like such a gift! And of course, beyond the encouragement and recognition, this support will also help ease the financial challenges of college, allowing me to focus on more fully on pursuing my goals. And for that, I am so thankful.

4. What are your future plans and what inspired you to take that direction?

I will be attending Point Loma Nazarene University in the fall, studying Health Science. I’m not completely sure yet what I want to pursue a career in, however I am currently thinking somewhere in healthcare. I’ve always had a deep love for serving others and a heart to help in meaningful, genuine ways. My biggest hope is to be a light for people during their healing and recovery, and make a real difference in others lives when they need it most. I do not know exactly where life will take me yet, but I do know I want to use my heart for something good, to help others feel seen, heard, and cared for.

5. When you look back at your time at PHS 10 years from now, what do you think will be your fondest memory or most meaningful experience?

Ten years from now, I am certain I will look back and remember the way Placer made me feel more than anything else. I’ll remember sitting in classrooms that felt like home, seeing familiar faces every day, and feeling proud to be part of something so rich in traditions. It’s not one big event that stands out, I would say it’s the little things - Singing the Alma Mater, going to sporting events, decorating for spirit days, sitting on the senior lawn, or just walking to class on a sunny day. All of it added up to something so unforgettable, and I’ll always look back on it with so much love for each sweet memory Placer so graciously gave me.

Hillmen Foundation Scholarship: Laura Lee

1. What part of your Placer High experience are you most proud of, and why?

During my 4 years, Placer High School has enriched me with many wonderful opportunities, one of them being the RedStar Drumline. I was a part of this competitive team from Freshman to Senior year, and we worked from November to April. Putting in over 6 hours a week, our team vigorously worked together to try and achieve our common goals; learning life skills and leadership along the way.

2. Placer High is known for its strong spirit and traditions. What does being a Hillman mean to you?

Being a Hillmen has meant so much to me, especially considering my own families history at Placer High School. Being a 5th generation Placer graduate, I grew up showing my school spirit at Football and Basketball games at a young age. Being able to carry on the traditions that my grandparents and those before them taught their classmates is such a big part of my love and dedication for the school; because after all, Hillmen pride is the appreciation and respect for the history and culture that the school has given to the Auburn community.

3. What does receiving this Hillmen Foundation scholarship mean to you, and how will it help you pursue your goals?

Being selected as one of the scholarship recipients, meant the world to me and has given me such a great deal of support to explore my ongoing education and career opportunities. Wanting to go into Education myself, this generous scholarship has given me the ability to take classes that not only teach me about my future profession, but will also give me field experience in different classrooms. With the help of this wonderful foundation, I can begin my path to become an Elementary School Teacher. Thank you Hillmen Foundation.

4. What are your future plans and what inspired you to take that direction?

Becoming a teacher has always been my dream! My parents both work at Placer High School, and my extended family also has been working employees of School Districts in our small community. This ongoing inspiration from my loving family has given me such a passion for the job and will guide me throughout my teaching career.

5. When you look back at your time at PHS 10 years from now, what do you think will be your fondest memory or most meaningful experience?

Being an active leader of the Golden Hillmen Band will always be the first thing I think about when reminiscing about high school. The instant connection to the GHB family and dedication to the program was very inspirational and taught me so much about myself. Dedicating my life to the band, gave me more then fun memories: it gave me lifelong friends and mentors, yearly trips with my peers, and leadership skills.