Picture this: a student walks into the academic center and gives a brief smile to the first person he or she sees sitting at the front desk of the Headmaster’s Office. The student then continues walking, moving on with his or her day. Have you ever thought about having a conversation with that office worker? What if this worker has helped you without you realizing? There is an abundance of people on campus who do great work while receiving little time under the spotlight. Shonda Kraemer, the executive assistant to the Headmaster and Associate Headmaster, is one of these amazing unsung heroes.

Kraemer works in the Headmaster’s Office where she oversees the operations and program departments of the school. She described her role as stressful but enjoyable because of the life that Hill students bring to campus. Although there are many daily tasks to complete, her job is always exciting.

​“No two days are the same,” Kraemer said. “I always tell people I can’t tell you everything I did today, but I did a lot of it.”

Outside of Hill, Kraemer’s life is filled with love and support. She has a very close-knit family, along with many childhood family friends. Kraemer is constantly involved in the lives of her two nieces and four nephews through family group chats and Tik-Tok-making when she is not spending time together with them on holidays.

Outside of work and family time, ​Kraemer’s life is full of personal hobbies such as camping, biking, hiking, and reading. In addition, Kraemer sits on the committee for a charity organization and helps manage several events throughout the year. One of the events Kraemer is involved in raises money for the American Heart Association, which helps patients with heart disease. This event is personal for Kraemer as her brother-in-law passed away suddenly from a heart-related ailment a few years ago.

Ultimately, Kraemer said that she would not be where she is today without an experience she had when she was younger. ​In her early twenties, Kraemer took all of her savings, rented a U-Haul, and moved to live and find a job in California. She chose California because it was “the furthest she could go without crossing the ocean.” For the entire drive to California, she kept her most prized possession on the front seat of the moving van: An Indiana Jones hat personally addressed and signed by Harrison Ford, given to her from her step-aunt who worked at Ford’s airfield.

Kraemer found herself stepping out of her comfort zone: it was the first time she had ever lived completely on her own. However, this choice to try something new propelled her to success. Eventually, she earned her first executive-level position and obtained knowledge that could assist her not only in her work, but also in her personal life.

​“Besides the career experience, I learned that I could do a lot with very little,” Kraemer said. “And I also learned how to not be afraid to be alone and to stand on my own.”

Whether it be her determination to help others or her thoughtfulness, not only for her family but for everyone on Hill’s campus, unsung heroes like Kraemer do much more behind the scenes than people may think, never straying from their intentions to use their superpowers for good.