{"id":47311,"date":"2025-11-15T02:27:09","date_gmt":"2025-11-15T02:27:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/47311\/"},"modified":"2025-11-15T02:27:09","modified_gmt":"2025-11-15T02:27:09","slug":"gametime-prep-founders-honor-daughters-memory-by-nurturing-youth-establishing-the-alexus-house","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/47311\/","title":{"rendered":"GameTime Prep founders honor daughter\u2019s memory by nurturing youth, establishing the \u2018Alexus House\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – If you\u2019ve been around youth sports in the Big Bend, you probably know of Ed and Nicole Hill, the founders of GameTime Prep<\/a>. <\/p>\n

The organization is dedicated to empowering student athletes. Their three kids are familiar faces on the football field \u2014 playing and helping coach.<\/p>\n

In February, the Hills went through the unthinkable \u2014 their daughter Alexus passed away. But in the nine months since, they\u2019ve found a new purpose in keeping Alexus\u2019 memory alive.<\/p>\n

Alexus made every day mean something to someone, but mostly, her goal was to impact kids.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe was a true teacher for those kids. She advocated for those kids. I\u2019ve spent many a dollar on blowpops and candy for her classroom because she was always rewarding them for their achievements. She was just an amazing person, very smart. She was my everything.\u201d<\/p>\n

Alexus spent two decades managing epilepsy. In February, after suffering a seizure in her sleep, Alexus passed away. She was 28 years old. <\/p>\n

\u201cGrief is such a very hard thing to do,\u201d her mother, Nicole Hill, said. \u201cThe loss of a child is just… and I can\u2019t even imagine doing it without our family, friends and our community.\u201d<\/p>\n

But with great loss comes purpose.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll of these years, even after teaching, she\u2019s like, I don\u2019t get to help them the way they need to be helped. They need connection, the need one on one sometimes,\u201d Nicole Hill said. <\/p>\n

More Tallahassee news:<\/p>\n

Within weeks of her passing, the idea for the Alexus House was born \u2014 an idea brainstormed on car rides between mother and daughter. <\/p>\n

Officially opening in August, it\u2019s a one-stop shop for young people ages 12 to 22, free of charge.<\/p>\n

\"WithinWithin weeks of her passing, the idea for the Alexus House was born \u2014 an idea brainstormed on car rides between mother and daughter. (Alison Posey\/WCTV)<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a place where you can go find yourself,\u201d Ed Hill said. \u201cWe have workforce programs. We have social and emotional programs, we have licensed therapy that\u2019s going to be on staff here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joanna Copenhaver, board president of the Alexus House, said she wants to make the space welcoming to all who pass through.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo know that somebody cares, truly cares about you and wants to listen, and then wants to comfort or see if there\u2019s someway we can help, so whatever you\u2019re going through you don\u2019t feel like you\u2019re going through it alone. The idea behind this is when you walk in, I wanted it to feel like Alexus. That\u2019s what was most important to me. It feels warm, and welcoming and cozy.\u201d<\/p>\n

The crown jewel of the house features a library full of books \u2014 Alexus was an avid reader \u2014 and as the books are checked out, Alexus\u2019 dream of traveling the world will travel with them.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe just want people to come in and enjoy the love of reading like Alexus did,\u201d Nicole Hill said. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re just taking a leap of faith. We\u2019re just going to go for it and one of the things is I\u2019ve learned recently is there\u2019s not enough time. Don\u2019t wait until tomorrow. If I could have done it again, I would have done it two years ago with her. She would have absolutely loved this.\u201d<\/p>\n

Learn more about the Alexus House at thealexushouse.org<\/a>. <\/p>\n

To keep up with the latest news as it develops, follow WCTV on Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, Nextdoor<\/a> <\/a>and X<\/a> (Twitter<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Have a news tip or see an error? Write to us here<\/a>. Please include the article\u2019s headline in your message.<\/p>\n

Be the first to see all the biggest headlines by downloading the WCTV News app. Click here<\/a> to get started.<\/p>\n

Copyright 2025 WCTV. All rights reserved.<\/p>\n