Our Young Adult Interview: Hilary West Perry
By Janine C. Hagan
Hilary Perry is a recent graduate of Troy University in Troy, Alabama, USA. She is the new Corporate Communications Specialist at Children’s Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama. Hilary and her husband Paul are members of Riverchase Presbyterian Church in Hoover, Alabama.

Janine: Hilary, please tell our readers how it is that we know each other. Also, tell us the most important things that have happened in your life this last year.

Hilary: We go way back. Janine was my youth group leader at Riverchase Presbyterian Church in Birmingham when I was in the 6th grade. After graduating from high school, we’ve kept in close touch.

Several things have happened over the past year. I got married last December, a huge transistion, and recently I’ve taken a new job at Children’s Hospital as the Corporate Communications Specialist. Too, my husband and I bought a house, which is a big deal for newlyweds not too far out of college.

Janine: What is your training or educational background?

Hilary: I graduated magna cum laude from Troy University in Troy, Alabama, in 2003 with a degree in Journalism and Public Relations. I interned at Jackson Hospital in Montgomery, Alabama and afterwards college took a job as an editor for several outdoor magazines.

Janine: Tell me about your new job at Children’s Hospital?

Hilary: I wear many “hats.” I aid in media requests. I help with any written material, such as press releases, newsletters, copy on promotional items, etc. I give tours, take pictures for newsletters, design brochures and posters.

Janine: What brings you the greatest sense of energy with this position? Even you are new to this particular job, what are you most grateful for and excited about as you imagine the future?

Hilary: My intern position at Jackson Hospital was similar to this and I loved it. Going into this job, I guess I had so much excitement and anticipation from knowing I would get to do the same things that I loved at Jackson, plus new responsibilities. As I look to the future of my job, I see many possibilities within Children’s Hospital and outside of the hospital. I really enjoy working with non-profit organizations because I really feel like I am helping people. I hope to stay with Children’s as long as I can.

Janine: Are you involved in a faith community or church? If so, what is the nature of that involvement?

Hilary: I attend Riverchase Presbyterian Church in Hoover, Alabama, along with my husband, Paul. I was working regularly with the youth for a while but freelancing kept me out of town a good bit and I couldn’t work with them as much as I had wanted to... But, hopefully now that I have a job with normal hours and workdays, I can get back into helping with the youth.

Janine: When have you experienced a time of struggle in faith and life and then been surprised by what happened in that process?

Hilary: My parents got divorced when I was 18. When I left for college my dad was there, and when I came back home for the first time after being at school, he and all of his stuff was gone. That was a really tough transitional time for me because there wasn’t really a transition. I had to rely on my faith to get me through those hard times. It helped me learn a little something about myself and that if you have enough faith in the Lord, you can make it.

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