High Point Academy Alumni Spotlight: Arcadia Resident – Annie Diehl –

By Norma Richman

“It’s nice to be important but more important to be nice” —Anonymous

Shortly after graduating high school, I headed out to FortWorth, TX, to complete my undergraduate studies at Texas ChristianUniversity (TCU). There I double majored in Psychology and CommunicationStudies while also receiving a minor in Business. Working off campus at aninsurance agency and also holding a position on the Panhellenic Executive boardkept my days busy. With the tremendous support of family and friends, Igraduated in May 2019 Magna Cum Laude. As most graduations are, graduating fromTCU was a tremendous milestone in my education. All my years at High Point,high school, and college led to this moment as I would soon start my firstfull-time position in the world of working professionals. 

A few months after graduating, I relocated to Irving, TX, to complete the B2B (Business to Business) Sales Development Program with AT&T. This was a 6 month training program that provided extensive product training as well as familiarizing us, as recent college graduates, with successful sales practices. Upon completion I was successfully “placed” and accepted a position in the sales field as an account executive based out of Dallas. My placement happened to take place during the peak of COVID-19, so I’ve actually been working remotely from my home in Arcadia, CA, for the time being. Once safe to do so, I have plans of relocating back to the greater Dallas area to resume my work as an account executive. There I will have the opportunity to meet with my assigned mid-market sized customers and continue my efforts to mobilize, design, and implement their telecommunication services. I consider it a tremendous honor to be working to help keep connected both internally and externally with customers at such a crucial time. I’m excited for my career to continue with AT&T as I aspire to continue designing networks and providing connectivity to small and medium-sized businesses so that they may capitalize on the ever-changing technology surrounding communication.

High Point is so closely held  dear to my heart because itwas the single most influential experience of my entire education. Perhaps itwas the carefully selected curriculum or the high expectations of excellenceupheld by teachers and faculty who cared beyond measure. Ultimately, thelessons and skills gained during my years at High Point are those that mostgreatly influenced my success in high school, college, and beyond. There havebeen many times throughout my educational and professional career that I lookaround and feel as if I almost have the advantage over my peers of disciplinedstudy habits and a strong work ethic. I never fail to recognize the educationat High Point that gifted me the immeasurable skill set I would carry on withme for the rest of my life.

I once returned to High Point while still in high school. I actually came onto campus as part of a presentation team to speak to the soon-graduating 8th grade class. Selfishly, I wanted to come back to say a quick hello and tremendous thank you to all the smiling faces that made High Point such a special place. The most valuable asset of High Point is genuine emotional investment that teachers, faculty, and staff members alike pour into students. Ultimately, returning to High Point, even just a few years after my graduation in 2011, emphasized how unique our “nest” truly is and how fortunate I was to have attended for 8 years (1st-8th grades). 

While all my teachers at High Point were tremendouslyinfluential, I’d have to highlight the caring nature of Miss Standing. MissStanding was my 1st grade teacher, and I specifically remember theextensive efforts she went through to make me feel comfortable as the neweststudent at the brand new school. It was her efforts to see me sociallyconnecting with my classmates that are vivid memories years later.After graduating, I would later come to discover that she too was new to HighPoint as my first grade class was her first full year of teaching. What aspecial bond we unknowingly shared at the time!

As I look back on my most memorable moments at High Point, mosttook place on the numerous field trips and overnight trips built into thecurriculum. Specifically, one sticks out in my mind when our 7th grade classtraveled to Camp CIMI on Catalina Island. We were scheduled to have a nighttimesnorkel trip, and that did not align too well with my fear of the ocean afterdark. Clutched to a classmate, all ten of my white knuckles dipped into watercautiously. A few successful minutes led me to believe that I was ‘in theclear’ in my attempts to avoid the teeming wildlife that lurked beneath thesurface. It only took one leaf of seaweed tickling my calf for all that to goaway in a matter of seconds. I hollered so loud that I’m sure I woke everysleeping species on the island. For the remainder of the snorkel activity, Iwent from observing the sights underwater to a rushed doggy paddle that wouldlead me to the safety of shore. 

Upon graduating from High Point, I attended Maranatha HighSchool from 2011-2015. The transition was unbelievably seamless.There were even times during my freshman year that I felt I was bearing alighter load than in my 8th grade year. Whether that be true or not, I knowthat I was more than adequately prepared to take on the workload of high schoolwith great time management and self-organization skills. 

As I mentioned previously, High Point prepared mefor the remainder of my education and the start to my professionalcareer far better than I ever could have imagined. I’m grateful to all thosewho made the High Point experience like no other. It’s through the school’severyday efforts and intentional care that I was changed for the better. 

As I’ve probably demonstrated by this point, I could go on and on singing the praises of High Point Academy. I chuckle as I think of a conversation I had with a childhood friend and fellow “Eagle”, Riley Worley, not long ago. We were comparing our time at different high schools, colleges, and employers. Aside from the remarkable fact that we’ve remained friends to this day, we were discussing the impact that High Point had on us during our respective K-8 years and beyond. Toward the end of the conversation we both decided that, given the choice, we would send our own children to High Point. The rewarding impact, skills for success, lifelong friendships, and lasting mentorships were far too great to not revisit as parents ourselves one day. 

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