By: Anna Wozniak
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
While it is true that times are changing, some things stay the same. For the fourth generation in a row, the Royal family of West Unity is part of the Hilltop community.
Catherine (Hanson) Jodry was the Head of the Cafeteria while her daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Tom and Marilyn Royal attended Hilltop, and now their daughter Cathy couldn’t be prouder to see her two children both attend Hilltop like herself and the children’s stepfather, Steven Bernard, had in the past.
With a long line of Hilltop alumni, Cathy’s son Micah Rossman naturally has transferred over this year for what is his freshman year of high school – Cathy’s daughter Olivia Rossman having done the same almost four years ago, now a senior.
When Micah joined Olivia at Hilltop, they made history. Both avid athletes and academics, they are the first ever brother and sister that are playing alongside each other on the football field – Olivia as a varsity offensive lineman, and Micah as a junior varsity quarterback and varsity second string defensive end.
Olivia has been heavily involved in the Hilltop community since her freshman year, being active in the FFA, the FFA class representative, in marching and pep band, a NHS member, and track for shot and discuss.
Luckily, she has one year to spend alongside her brother Micah before she moves on to study athletic training and equine massage and chiropractic therapy.
Micah is an honors student that loves choir and can’t wait to play high school baseball and basketball after the football season.
Cathy and Bernard are both honoring their Hilltop roots and staying close as a family, with Bernard being known as football Coach “Positive” and Cathy attending games to provide physical wellness services to student athletes.
With the addition of another student, history has been made and the past has been honored at Hilltop High School.
Anna can be reached at anna@thevillagereporter.com