THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, January 11, 1996 TAG: 9601100142
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: THUMBS UP
SOURCE: BY SHIRLEY BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 89 lines
WENDY G. HILL has two years' worth of creative ideas - and then some - to present to members of the Science Club at Booker T. Washington Elementary School.
As one of four partners in GeoEnvironmental Resources, Hill has been a partner-in-education with the school since April 1994 and leads a weekly after-school club for fourth- and fifth-graders, bringing science to life with hands-on, fun-filled activities.
Energetic and enthusiastic, Hill starts her workday Wednesdays at 5:30 a.m. in order to be on hand for the 3:30 p.m. club meeting.
When she first contacted the Suffolk Public Schools about becoming a partner-in-education, Hill could imagine herself working with high school students. However, she learned that Booker T. Washington was in need of another business partner.
``At first, I didn't think I could work with kids that young . . . that their math skills wouldn't be developed,'' Hill said, ``but I wanted to go where I was needed and it's really refreshing working with them. The average person off the street would be shocked at what they can do. We do some really hard stuff.''
Hill has conducted experiments with her students involving electricity, time/distance, circuits, graphs and frequency distribution.
``There are times I think there is no way they are going to understand this concept because it's too difficult,'' she said. ``Before I know it, they've got it. They never cease to amaze me.''
Hill's efforts have been so successful - and her students' grades in math and science so much improved - that GeoEnvironmental Resources has been selected as the 1995 recipient of the annual Planters' Business and Education Award for the Outstanding Partner of the Year.
The company will be presented an engraved 24-karat gold statue of Mr. Peanut at the Chamber of Commerce's annual dinner Jan. 25. In addition, an engraved plaque will be embedded in the Character Corner Walk of Fame located at the intersection of Washington and Main streets in downtown Suffolk.
A native of Mount Holly, N.J., Hill, 30, grew up in Moorestown, N.J., with three older brothers. Although she enrolled in drafting classes in high school, Hill claims she was accepted in Old Dominion University's School of Engineering on a fluke.
``They must have accepted me because of something I checked on my application,'' she said, laughing. ``I was enrolled in the mechanical engineering department, but later went into civil engineering.''
After Hill received a bachelor's degree at ODU, she was employed with Law Engineering in Chesapeake. There, she met the three business associates with whom she later formed a partnership.
GeoEnvironmental Resources provides consulting services in geotechnical and environmental engineering, hazardous materials management, and industrial/mechanical related services.
Hill, who is in charge of waste materials management, works out of both the main office of the engineering firm in Virginia Beach and the satellite office at 205 S. Main St. in Suffolk. The majority of her work is with government agencies, architects and real estate management companies, handling testing, cost estimates and demolitions.
Frequently, Hill spends her workday attired in jeans and boots, climbing on roofs or testing contaminated soils. Other days, she ``dresses up'' for office work.
GeoEnvironmental Resources has participated in the Chamber's annual Teacher Shadow Day and several teachers have spent a day on the job with Hill to see first-hand what is involved in environmental testing and problem-solving. Hill also serves on the Suffolk division's education committee, and conducted a workshop at the Chamber's Regional Partners-in-Education Conference in 1994.
Hill and her husband, Wes, are members of the Main Street United Methodist Church. They reside on South Main Street with their two dogs, ``Stoli,'' a Lab, and ``Shadow,'' a Weimaraner.
President of the Hall Place Community Association, Hill works to improve conditions in her neighborhood. Although a Neighborhood Watch has been in effect for some time, lighting has been added to Planter's playground, and South Main Street has been closed to through traffic under her leadership.
Although her expertise is in the scientific field, Hill has developed a rapport with her science club students and strives to motivate them in other areas, as well.
``You need math every day,'' she said. ``The key is to make it interesting and get them excited about it. I want them to be able to solve problems, but I also tell them they must speak slowly and enunciate properly. I also emphasize using the proper words. Otherwise, how could they ever get a job?'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II
Wendy Hill gets a kiss from her Weimaraner, Shadow.
by CNB