The Road Less Traveled Award

2008: Matthew Beason

Matthew Beason, Class of 1995 was presented with “The Road Less Traveled” award May 15, 2008. This award honors a Hill alumnus/a whose accomplishments are often a direct result of the challenges he or she has overcome. The title of the award is taken from a line in Robert Frost’s famous poem. The spirit of the poem reflects on the challenges Hill students and alumni have faced, and continue to face, in their lives. Because of their learning differences, students and alumni at The Hill Center have to take “the road less traveled,” which makes “all the difference” in their lives.

Attending The Hill Center from tenth to eleventh grade, Matt took English and writing. He graduated from Jordan High School in 1995 and from Kenyon College in 1999 with a degree in philosophy.  College graduation meant that he had to choose a road.  He made a temporary choice to wait tables and it turned into a career path for Matt.  On this road he has been a manager and/or co-owner of such Durham favorites as Nana’s, Pop’s, Rue Cler.  At these restaurants Matt has provided guests with a warm welcome, delicious food, and, when conversation would allow, high praise for The Hill Center.

Along the way, the road has been enlarged to accommodate his wife, Grace, and his dog, J.P.  Matt is currently the co-owner of Six Plates, a wine bar in Durham. 

While we don’t know where the road will lead Matt in years to come, we are very glad that it has led him back to us this year as the 2008 recipient of the Road Less Traveled Award.

Past Award Winners
2007: Jennifer Diliberto
2006: Brian D. Strahl
2005: W. Keith Dodson
2004: Lee Huskins
2003: Charlie Atwater
2002: Henry Tanner
2001: Ruth Anderson McGranahan
2000: Stefan Lee Hooker