Testimonials

“Stephen Hill made a HUGE impact on our student body at Musselman High School! His personal story resonated with our students promoting necessary conversations around substance abuse, addiction, and mental health. His story is presented in such a relatable fashion, our students were lined up after each presentation to further speak with him many sharing their own personal struggles. Stephen took time with every single student lined up offering his full attention, support and understanding making sure the students felt heard. His message was overheard being discussed among lunch tables, in hallways, in classrooms, and shared with parents at home. Stephen Hill’s story is needed in every single classroom and school system across the country – he impacts the lives of our young people not only providing education and awareness but also hope.”

“We so appreciated Stephen coming back to the school he once attended to speak with our 8th grade students. His message is powerful! Your choices impact who you are and what you become and if you make your choices while impaired by drugs or alcohol it can lead to awful consequences. Stephen is impactful as he relates to the students. They see a reflection of themselves in him and that makes his message more powerful than any I’ve seen before. Thank you for coming to our school and telling your story!”

“Mr. Stephen Hill recently visited Washingtonville Middle School to speak to our 8th grade students. He delivered a very powerful and honest message about his experiences with substance abuse. He shared with students how he was first introduced to drugs and alcohol when he was in 8th grade. Students were gripped as he lead them through his journey of addiction. What made this so compelling for our students was that they could identify with Stephen in many ways whether is was that he came from a solid family, he was an athlete, and was earning good grades. They could identify with peer pressure and a desire to gain acceptance by older students. Stephen could have been any student sitting in that audience. He graciously spent a lot of time with our students after the presentation to answer any and all questions.”

“Port Chester Cares had the pleasure to recruit Stephen Hill from Speak Sobriety to speak to over 1,000 students at Port Chester Middle School. He delivered a strong message that kept students engaged and were captivated to learn about his life experiences with substance abuse. His professionalism and honesty were an evident connection with our students, in sum, he spoke to them at their level in a way they were able to understand and digest how serious substance abuse is. Stephen would be an asset to any school, and we are happy to give him our highest endorsement and recommend him without any hesitation!”

“Paramus Catholic High School had the pleasure of having Stephen Hill deliver a very powerful message regarding the dangers of substance abuse. Stephen was thought provoking, honest and engaging. His personal journey serves as a cautionary tale for all teenagers. There were over eight hundred faculty and students in attendance, and you could hear a pin drop. Stephen’s important message was sent and clearly received by all. Following his presentation, Stephen met with students on a 1:1 basis for well over an hour to address further questions.”

“One of the best assemblies we’ve had in years! Stephen’s story is real, honest and captivating. Students leave with a greater awareness of the negative impact substance abuse can have on an individual’s life, family and future success”

“Stephen Hill’s recent presentation at Dolgeville Central School had students and school staff fully engaged as he shared his journey from a healthy & popular athlete, to a drug addicted felon, and ultimately into a life of recovery as a speaker and law school student! His story is very inspiring but also provides students with an understanding of how one choice, one decision, can change their life forever. Teachers and administrators felt Stephen’s story was a powerful message that students could empathize with and encouraged them to make positive choices.”

“Stephen Hill has a story that is both a cautionary tale and hopeful for the future. His account is detailed and students were captivated throughout his presentation. Stephen conveys his account of addiction through his eyes, and by relating it to high school students’ day to day struggles, they can connect with and relate to Stephen. In an era where information is readily available, students don’t want to be scared straight or lied to…which is why his straightforward message of “the choice is yours” resonates with students. Staying around to answer questions and meet with students only solidified his message of Speak Sobriety.”

“Stephen presented his story to our 11th and 12th graders. As soon as he started speaking, our very enthusiastic group became very quiet. Stephen’s story had a way of capturing an entire audience. It was engaging and relatable, and our students were able to really understand how addiction can affect anyone, no matter their childhood experiences. It was a tastefully done presentation considering the subject and many students stayed after to talk to Stephen personally.”

“Here at Lakeland, our upperclassmen were truly engaged by your story. While listening to the details of your life’s ups and downs, they instantly connected and were extremely interested in hearing your story through. Our students were able to see and hear how addiction can affect anyone no matter who you are, where you are from, or your childhood experiences. They really enjoyed your presentation!”

“We were so happy to have Stephen Hill speak to our students and parents in our community. Even as a small number of students attempted to distract from the presentation at the beginning, they were quickly drawn in to Stephen’s ability to connect with the audience. Our auditorium of hundreds of 11th and 12th Grade students was captivated by his story that described his harrowing experience of addiction, journey to recovery, and his current gratitude for the things that his life of sobriety has rewarded him with. He spoke to parents in the evening, with equal interest. I had people follow up with me; teens, faculty, and parents, telling me how moved and inspired they were by his story. Without hesitation, I wholeheartedly recommend him as a speaker for both adolescents and adults!”

“Stephen Hill presented to our entire student body. He sent a strong message regarding the vulnerability of our students to the drug problem that exists in our communities. I thought what truly engaged the students was that they could identify with Stephen as his presentation was delivered at their level and they could see themselves and their peers through Stephen.”

“I have heard Stephen Hill speak at two well attended public forums about his remarkable journey as a young drug addict. Individuals who have personally experienced the world of addiction can often provide valuable insight to addicts and their families. Stephen is truly an outstanding speaker and has demonstrated a unique and exceptional ability to connect with his audience, educate them on this deadly disease, and provide a sense of hope. I am grateful to him for his selfless commitment to helping others.”

“Stephen Hill provided two student assemblies at Nanuet High School. Students and faculty alike felt his message was extremely powerful and that it left a lasting impact. Stephen is professional, reliable and great to work with! Students are still talking about his presentation and we would be happy to have him return!”

“I have heard Stephen Hill speak both in a high school and a community forum. He tells his story with honesty and humility. He has a genuine desire to help others, and a wonderful ability to connect and engage teens, adults, substance users, family members and professionals. I highly recommend him!”

“Drug addiction is one of those topics that is so important to educate the middle school child about. However, it must be done in a way where students can relate without being too graphic or scary. Stephen Hill spoke to three groups totaling almost 2000 middle school students and you could hear a pin drop. Stephen made it a point not to preach but to develop an emotional tie that allowed students to draw conclusions about his story so they can make more informed personal choices in the future.”

“I was genuinely taken aback by the emotional and passionate anecdotes told by Stephen. For once I was able to witness an entire auditorium of high school students sit quietly in respect and awe. It is almost needless to say that Stephen truly got his message across in the most profound and touching way possible. I am convinced that students will now think twice before taking another drink or obtaining another drug.”

“Stephen Hill spoke to our entire student body about the difficult path his life has taken due to addiction. He discussed how his personal life and his family have suffered greatly due to his choices and the disease of addiction. The students really connected to Stephen’s story and many remained after to speak personally with him. I feel that this presentation is very valuable to students of any age. Stephen’s youth makes him relatable and his difficult road to sobriety is inspiring.”

"Stephen Hill came to speak to our 10-12th graders as a part of our pre-prom assembly series. To say that his story made an impact is an understatement. Stephen did not come in and preach to our students. He came in and presented his story in such a way that our students were able to identify and connect with his story. Stephen talked openly and candidly with our students about his experiences and how his story unfolded and continues to effect his life today. You can tell that Stephen’s experiences made a huge impact on his life and where he is. I’m so happy that my students were able to hear his story and I hope they will be able to learn from the hard life lessons he had to face due to drugs and alcohol."

“Stephen had a great down to earth approach in addressing students. He made it clear that he was not there to preach but only to share his story. This captured each student’s trust from the onset and allowed for a great exchange and discourse.”

“Stephen’s presentation was powerful and moving. His strong ties to the Suffern Community made this our most influential presentation of the school year. Great job Stephen and thank you!”

“Thanks so much for sharing your story. Both students and faculty were very moved! I hope you will continue speaking to students, you have a lot to offer and many can relate very well to you.”

“Stephen’s presentation was very inspirational! His story is about addiction to recovery in real terms. He doesn’t preach to you, but lets you know his mistakes, how he learned from them, and how he struggled everyday with addiction.”

“After hearing your story I thought differently about drugs. I never realized how easy it was to become addicted. I am going to stay away from alcohol and drugs completely”

“I had the distinct pleasure to host and hear Stephen Hill speak at our Greeks Empowering Maryland Program. Stephen eloquently relayed the story of his battle with addiction and his sobering process with such ease. He is a powerful, honest, and connected speaker and serves as a role model for college students. I would recommend Stephen to any college organization looking to educate its members on drug addiction and prevention.”

“Stephen spoke at a Town Hall Meeting that was focused on the Heroin Epidemic. Stephen spoke to a crowd of 450 parents. He shared his personal experience with the struggle of addiction and the consequences that it had on his life and his family. His sharing made an impact. His honesty and detailed description made a difference. To have him share his personal experience as a former addict and now recovered was also good to see and gave everyone hope. Stephen is saving lives every time he speaks.”

“Stephen speaks from real world experiences and he captivated the students with the story of his life. The question and answer period after showed that they were listening and paying attention to his message.”

“Stephen Hill has been a vital part of my recovery. I have had the privilege of hearing him speak on numerous occasions. His personal story really helps the audience to understand how cunning, baffling, and powerful the disease of addiction really is. His enthusiasm for living a clean and sober lifestyle makes others want to follow down that same path.”

“I had the distinct pleasure to see and hear Stephen Hill speak. Stephen has surely been through all the horrors of drug addiction and treatment, yet so openly discusses his path for all to hear and learn. He is a gifted speaker and easily connects with an audience of adults, teens and local politicians and town officials. I would recommend Stephen to any organization looking to educate communities on drug addiction and prevention.”

“Stephen spoke at our Town Hall meeting and his words were both eye-opening and genuine. He is an exceptional speaker and his message is on target to the problems of addiction. His fall to the depths of addiction and his rise back to sobriety was an impactful lesson for everyone in attendance. You could have heard a pin drop while he was speaking. If he reached one person in the audience, the night was a success.”

"If more people spoke out about their mistakes and addiction issues like Stephen did, there would be less addicts in the world.”

“I was genuinely taken aback by the emotional and passionate anecdotes told by Stephen. For once I was able to witness an entire auditorium of high school students sit quietly in respect and awe. It is almost needless to say that Stephen truly got his message across in the most profound and touching way possible. I am convinced that students will now think twice before taking another drink or obtaining another drug.”