By Maya Gambhir, Staff Writer
As the weather warms up and we inch towards the close of the school year, a staple of River Hill is the annual Hillfest event. Held each year in April, Hillfest is a carnival-style event complete with club demonstrations of their work throughout the year, performances from the beloved Blueroom Breakers and Step Team, and more.
This year’s event was held in the cafeteria and auditorium on April 8, 2026, from 6-8 pm, where we saw students, parents, teachers, and community members come together to celebrate the hard work of Hawks and find new ways to become involved.
The event was organized by the River Hill Diversity Association (RHDA) and the Parent-Student-Teacher-Association (PTSA), led by RHDA Presidents Ivy Nguyen and Smrithi Kolluru, as well as PTSA leadership, including Ms. Malini Kishore. The afternoon was a raging success, with dozens of student organizations working booths with candy and games to recruit new members and energetic performances where students showcased their talents and passions.
One RHDA President, Ivy Nguyen, says, “The goal was to promote community involvement and spread awareness of our DEI clubs at school, which don’t always get the attention they deserve.”
The evening began in the cafeteria with a ring of lunch tables where each club was assigned a spot to set up their trifolds, interactive games, and, of course, prizes. Some featured clubs included River Hill Staples Best Buddies and Angels Network, as well as new booths such as the Class of 2029 SGA, which organized a bake sale and face painting. Whether it was playing a Jeopardy game to learn about Mock Trial, or chatting about service opportunities with Cancer Kids First, there was something to catch everyone’s eye.
Nguyen says, “We had 40+ clubs attend with club stands, as well as performances by the Jazz Band and Percussion Band, directed by Mr. Blackman. We also had the Blueroom Breakers perform, followed by our very own Step Team.”
A typical afternoon turned to a vibrant display of student creativity and leadership–defining traits of our community.
One attendee, Matthew Sotomey, felt “like it allowed clubs to get new members so they can have a strong start for membership next year. It was definitely organized and well hosted, and the turnout was really great, especially for involved and interested students like myself.”
Another highlight of the event was its expansion beyond the usual audience at River Hill, extending to opportunities for middle school students and community members who were invited to the event, and whose turnout really contributed to the event’s success.
For senior Siana Kabaria, who hosted the Mock Trial table, it was meaningful, for, “As a senior who is getting ready to leave River Hill and the Mock Trial club, which has been a big part of my life these past few years, the event was very full circle, since I got to introduce new members to the club and hopefully keep some of the excitement and passion for the team going.”
By the end of the evening, once the booths and games were packed away and performances came to a close, the excitement and connection created still lingered. The event served as a reminder that clubs are a vital part of the school experience, bringing students together to learn, lead, and share their passions. Hillfest truly celebrated the dedication of student organizations while encouraging even more students to find their place within our River Hill community.