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Jun 26, 2016 Exploration Programs Conversation

Meet Hayden from Kansas

Hayden is coming back to Explo for her second year as a member of the Student Ambassador Program.

Ally Marcino

Hayden is coming back to Explo for her second year as a member of the Student Ambassador Program. She hopes not only to move on to Explo at Yale next summer, but to return as an Explo staff member after that.


On my first day of the program four years ago, when I came in, there were all these staff members and everybody was so excited and so happy. It makes you feel so welcome here. I immediately thought, “When I get older, I want to do that.” And then they came out with the Student Ambassador program a couple of years later. I knew I needed to do that because I could become an Ambassador faster than I could become a staff member. I really want to be a staff member. I go to school where sports are the main focus, but here, everything is in focus. I want people to feel like they can grow up in an environment similar to mine, but then come here and do what they want and be who they want.

When I was going into fifth grade, I knew I wanted to find somewhere to go for the summer. I found Explo and then I was that kid who wrote an essay persuading their parents to let them go.

When I was going into fifth grade, I knew I wanted to find somewhere to go for the summer. I found Explo and then I was that kid who wrote an essay persuading their parents to let them go. I told them I needed to do it. I was interested in being a vet when I was little and they had a veterinary track program at Explo. It was so fun and I knew immediately that I would be coming back the next year. Now I’ve been here for four summers! I think part of the fun is the fresh start. Every year, I feel like I will be used to [Explo], but then you come and just get so excited. You think that excitement is going to die down, but it just doesn’t.

Explo has challenged me to push myself in every aspect. I ask more questions in class now and I challenge a lot of things. It helps with new interests, too. You can try something completely new here and if you don’t like it, you can try something else. If you do like it, you can explore it further. I started sailing last year and I live in Kansas, so I would never have been able to do that at home. But I really love it! I’ve loved all of my courses. I’ve never had a dull moment.

Ally Marcino