The Story Behind Hight Logistics
“I’ve been expecting you.” These were some of the first words spoken to me by Mr. James ‘Jay’ Hight upon my arrival to Virginia Episcopal School in Lynchburg, Virginia. I still remember the day like it was yesterday. It was a warm and rainy summer day filled with green lawns, trees, and brick buildings, which all were stark differences from the inner city of South Los Angeles, CA. I was wearing shorts, a t-shirt, sandals, and a college team hat when I met Mr. Hight, who came out of his home with an umbrella in hand and eager to greet me. Mr. Hight, like many of the teachers, lived on campus.
During my time at Virginia Episcopal School, Mr. Hight (also the school’s librarian) was my freshman year English teacher, an advisor, a proofreader for my English papers, a person I could joke with, a fan of the sports I played in, but most importantly, he was a sincere friend. He taught me the importance of writing ‘Thank you’ cards to parents who hosted me at their homes or to people who did something kind like take me out to dinner. It seemed like such a simple thing to do back then, but now I realize the importance of this simple act and the understanding to thank someone for their time, energy, and generosity through a written note.
It was because of Mr. Hight that I was able to attend my first Broadway show in New York City and see Phantom of the Opera in person. I also got to visit Princeton University because he felt that it was important that I visit a friend who had attended the same high school and see such an iconic educational institution in the USA. Little did I know, but Mr. Hight was expanding my awareness of the arts, culture, and exposing me to other parts of the country.
Even after I left high school, he continued his cultural education by taking me to his hometown of Lexington, Virginia to learn of Confederate leaders such as Robert E. Lee, his horse Traveller and Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson. He opened my understanding and awareness to the American Civil War that took place in many parts of Virginia, which is an event that I knew nothing or maybe very little about having been raised in Los Angeles.
I attended college near my high school, which allowed me to quickly stop in to see Mr. Hight every now and then. Mr. Hight and I stayed connected, for the most part, by writing letters or emails throughout my summer breaks in high school, my college years, my first years back in California, and through a few short visits to Virginia from Los Angeles.
Mr. Hight developed cancer and died on April 26, 2013. He was laid to rest in his hometown of Lexington, Virginia on May 2, 2013. He is truly missed by many. I miss his humor, our talks, and our friendship, but his legacy lives on and he is very much alive in my heart. It is for this reason that Hight Logistics Inc. was established as a business name on November 1st, 2011. This is one of the ways that a man of grace, compassion and love could be remembered in history.
Thank you for taking the time to read about Mr. James Hight and learning how his impact on my life led to the name of our company, Hight Logistics Inc. I am honored to have known him, and it gives me joy that Hight Logistics and its team of staff can be of service to you, just as Mr. Hight was of service to others during his lifetime here on earth.
