Clayton News Daily

By Jeffery Whitfield

A Riverdale resident's image could soon be seen by tens of thousands of residents across the world.

Six-year-old Khriston Hill is being featured in the November issue of Delta Sky magazine. The monthly publication, produced for Delta Air Lines' domestic and international flights, is placed in the seatbacks of planes. Hill is pictured in the magazine's Portrait of Atlanta section, which profiles the city's business, lifestyle and culture.

In his photo, placed on the section's table of contents page, Hill is hoisting a large red ball over his head in the sunlight. The photograph of him was taken by a professional photographer in September at Piedmont Park in Atlanta.

“I felt great when I was done with it; I was proud of myself,” he said.

The magazine is being released at a time when a new brand emphasizing principles of opportunity, optimism and openness is being announced by the city of Atlanta.

The bright red ball held by Hill symbolically represents the concepts of the brand, according to Susan Weissman, city reports editor for Pace Communications, which publishes Delta Sky magazine.

“There's a certain optimism about the ball which invites you into the portrait,” she said.

Hill told several friends, relatives as well as teachers at Lake Ridge Elementary in Riverdale, the school where he attends classes, of his appearance in the magazine.

He was chosen for the shoot after he was introduced to the photographer by his aunt, Shandra Hill Smith.

“It started with a personal referral by a friend,” she said.

Khriston's mother, Shavohn Hill, said her son could use the experience as an opportunity to pursue future modeling opportunities.

“Khriston is pretty photogenic,” she said.

The picture will be available this month on Delta Sky Magazine's online edition at www.delta-sky.com.