Shepherds Hill Academy Admissions Team provides a personal experience with guiding prospective parents through the admissions process. All of our Admissions Team members have worked in the residential part of the program and can give parents great insight into what their teen might experience. Our Admissions Team is ready to answer any questions you have. Contact them today by calling 706-779-5766 or Inquire online.
Beth Embry
Founder/Director of Admissions
Trace and Beth Embry have a heart and a passion for the parents and youth of today’s culture. Trace and Beth began their married life in the Chicago area in 1980. Trace and Beth felt the Lord’s prompting to full-time ministry and attended college and extensive training to prepare them for working with troubled teens.
Shepherds Hill Academy was founded in 1994. The Embrys live on campus and minister and counsel each resident, along with a large professional staff. Trace and Beth have five children of their own and four grandchildren.
Christy Vena
Senior Admissions Coordinator
Christy currently upholds a Bachelor of Science degree in Middle Grades Education, Language Arts, and Social Studies from Toccoa Falls College, in Toccoa Falls, GA, and a Post-Baccalaureate degree in Elementary Education from Bethel University. She has been working with youth for fifteen years.
Christy said after joining joining the team “It is a privilege to serve on the residential staff team at Shepherds Hill Academy.” Years of working with youth in various capacities has affirmed a passion in her life to come alongside youth in the journey of faith formation. It’s truly an honor for Christy to sleep, eat, and live life amongst these young women.
Christy and her husband Chris have been married since June of 1996. Their home is blessed with four daughters: Cadie, Jordan, Maggie and Emarie.
Christy and her family love to explore Creation. They can often be found on remote trails and rivers enjoying the beautiful waters and mountains of Northeast Georgia.
Hilary Adams
Admissions Coordinator
Hilary received two degrees from North Georgia Technical College in Clarkesville, GA. Her first degree she obtained in 2007 was in Commercial Photography. In 2011, she obtained an Associates degree in Environmental Horticulture. She graduated both times with honors, was in the National Technical Honor Society, and was a Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL) recipient in 2010.
Hilary enjoys serving our country’s youth and believes the world is in need of positive, older role models that can show them the love of Christ. Serving in her church, Hilary has worked with youth since 2015 in the preschool and middle school ministries. She also served in the media department for three years; one of those years she was the department leader. In 2017, she began training the youth who are interested in learning the media department. She also gets the opportunity to work with youth through various outreaches and community events that are hosted by her church.
She is a native of North Georgia and raised by her parents. She is a middle child, and has a younger sister and older brother. Her family grew up with a myriad of animal companions. She has a huge interest in taking in stray animals that always seem to find a place in her heart and in her family.
In her spare time, Hilary enjoys reading, writing, drawing, gardening, and taking photos. She also likes to go hiking, take road trips, and crocheting.
Breanna Kowalski
Profile Manager
Breanna has a Bachelor of Science degree in Counseling and Psychology at Toccoa Falls College in Toccoa Falls, GA. She has worked with youth since 2009. Breanna works as the Insurance Contact for Shepherds Hill Academy. She works directly with S&J Health Insurance Advocates to provide billing and services for the Therapeutic component of our program. Breanna also ensure all of our student profiles are up to date and meet state requirements.
She knows the teenage years are the most formative and confusing years for adolescents, and realizes godly guidance is most priceless during this time. Her desire to invest time helping young people stems from the love that was poured into her from others which shaped her into a woman of God.
Breanna is married to her husband, Mike, and they have been married since the beginning of 2013. They have one daughter. She enjoys playing sports, soccer, photography, the outdoors and traveling.
