What EXACTLY is a Hilltopper?

Since Homecoming Fever has only just recently passed, plenty of you were out to support our football teams. The Los Alamos Middle School Hawks in their blue and silver are always eye catching. After all, there is little doubt what a Hawk looks like or why they make a fearsome mascot. However, High School sports are still king in these parts and there’s no doubt that Los Alamos is Home to the Hilltoppers! But if you didn’t grow up as part of that legacy, you might be scratching your head and wondering what a Hilltopper IS.

First off, just so you know, there are approximately 36 other schools nationwide who claim the name Hilltopper, one of the oldest being in Fall River, Massachusetts where the school was founded in 1887. Yes. 1887. And Durfee Hilltoppers have something in else in common with students in Los Alamos. Their city was once referred to as “the Hill” and the school was sort of built on top of that hill. As were we. Although, since Durfee sits at 121 feet above sea level and Los Alamos sits at 7,320 feet elevation, it can be argued that our claim to a mountain man for our mascot is probably far more appropriate.

Hilltopper mascots take the shape of mountain goats, foxes, the little yodeling mountain climber straight out of that Price is Right game, and even Western Kentucky University’s great big red blob referred to affectionately as “Big Red”.

What makes OUR Hilltopper history unique? Let’s take a look and see.

While LAHS’s first graduating class was in 1944, the school became a permanent structure in time for the graduating class of 1946. LAHS was originally funded by the Atomic Energy Commission as part of the continuing support network for research conducted at the Lab. We have had two presidential visits, (John F. Kennedy & Bill Clinton). And our high school has always boasted a list of incredibly distinguished alumni for such a small high school. The school mascot of the Hilltoppers came into use sometime in the 1960’s. Originally, the Toppers were represented by a top hat and gloves. In fact, the school yearbooks (La Loma, to those in the know) in the eighties still featured the top hat and gloves motif.

Our Mountain Man

In 1980 a wonderfully artistic student was asked to paint an image of our Hilltopper on the wall of Griffith Gym. This bright vision of LA Mountain and our very own “Hilltopper Man” was unfortunately lost during the renovations to the gym’s HVAC system in 2004. Honestly though? Anyone who has spent much time in the gym probably prefers the wonderful air circulation provided by the fans in lieu of having a giant blond man strongly resembling a former LAHS Wrestling coach grinning down at them.

The Green and the Gold

Our school colors were chosen to reflected the glorious fall colors displayed on the Jemez Mountains that provide the dramatic background for our school. Green for the deep green of the evergreens and brilliant gold for the foliage on the Aspens each autumn.

It might interest you to know that in the old days, not all of our LAHS seniors wore green graduation gowns. In days past, green was only ever worn by the young men. The young women wore yellow. The rumblings of discontent about the particular shade of yellow worn by the young ladies began in the early nineties and reached a fever pitch midway through. By 1995, all of the graduates were wearing deep green as they currently do now.

Now you know just how awesome a Hilltopper really is, and more importantly, WHAT it is. Whether you like the top hat and gloves or the mountain man, our Hilltopper has always been more about the awesomeness of just being a part of this unique community and a high school with a long and distinguished history of not only academic excellence, but creativity and ingenuity. Many of our graduates go on to distinguished secondary programs from the Air Force Academy to Johns Hopkins University.

Perhaps of of the things that makes OUR Hilltoppers most unique is the fact that we DON’T try to dress anyone up in a costume. There aren’t any furry animals or giant mountain men running around our football fields. WE are the Toppers, after all.

Regardless of where you fit into the Hilltopper Legacy, being part of our community here in Los Alamos is a great experience! And when you’re ready to talk real estate in Los Alamos, give me a call. I’m your home town real estate expert… and yes. I’m proud to be a Hilltopper!