Conflict unnerving for Ukraine native
Hollidaysburg grad Hilling adopted from country at age 12
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Penn State football intern and Hollidaysburg Area High School graduate Vlad Hilling is watching the developments in Ukraine with a heavy heart.
Hilling was born in Ukraine and adopted by the Hilling family when he was 12 years old.
He spent the past four seasons as a reserve Nittany Lion kicker and is now serving as an intern on Penn State's strength and performance staff.
Russia's attack on his native country has Hilling unnerved.
"It has been very devastating and shocking because I could have never predicted this," he said in a text message. "It's very sad that even in the 21st century something like that could occur."
Hilling, 22, has not been back to Ukraine since he joined the Hollidaysburg family of Doug and Lindy Hilling and their three older children.
He has relatives still in Ukraine.
"Ukraine has some of the best people in the world, and it hurts to know that some of my friends that I grew up with are going through such a difficult time," Hilling said. "I also find it very upsetting that I won't ever be able to visit my home where I grew up because it will most likely no longer be part of Ukraine."
He called coming to the U.S. and growing up in Hollidaysburg, "the best thing that ever happened to me," and hopes the conflict in Ukraine will be resolved quickly.
"It's a very upsetting situation, and may God stay with the people of Ukraine," Hilling said.
Doug and Lindy feel badly for their adopted son.
"We're trying to keep him away from the news, but with social media, he's in contact with people over
there," Doug said. "He's stayed in touch with the director of the orphanage there and he has friends from the orphanage here that he's still in touch with in the U.S."
Doug and Lindy went to Ukraine twice during the adoption process -- "we were there three weeks when we adopted him" -- and it brings back memories of better days.
Now, he said: "It's horrible. I see some of the towns we've been to, and it's a shame. Hopefully, it ends soon."
Hilling is majoring in Russian with a minor in business, but his place in the Penn State football program has him thinking about sports and football administration.
He's working under Chuck Losey, who replaced Dwight Galt, who retired as the Lions' strength coach.
Doug Hilling said, "Vlad was 88 pounds when he got here (U.S.) and now he's 220."
Vlad said the Penn State football community has shown its concern, including James Franklin, who called him into his office for a conversation and offered support.
Vlad, whose 50-yard field goal in the Big 33 game set a record, did not see game action at Penn State, but he earned all-Big Ten academic honors over the last three seasons. He's planning to graduate in May.