Almost everyone has something specific they are interested in, for sophomore Hadley Keirsey, she is interested in human rights and history. So, to broaden her horizons, Keirsey applied for United World Colleges (UWC), with which she will move to New Mexico and finish high school on a campus in Montezuma, learning about the cultures of the world, and the rights that follow them. .
Hadley’s interest in going to UWC started when she was only in sixth grade, and she had been planning to apply since then.
“My mom’s friend [inspired me to apply], she went to the Canada campus her senior year and a gap year, so [after I found out], I’ve been wanting to go since sixth grade,” Hadley said.
Hadley’s mother, Lindsey Keirsey, who works at Summit as a special education teacher, said that when Hadley first expressed interest in going to UWC, she fully supported it.
“Back then, it was in middle school, and we knew that she couldn’t apply for a couple of years anyway, so it just felt really exciting. The more we learned about the school, the more it seemed like the perfect place for [her]. It seemed like everything that she’s interested in she would get to learn more about,” Lindsey said.
While she was applying for the program, Hadley said that she was not very confident that she would be able to make it in.
“I didn’t think I would get in since I’m a sophomore, and I don’t think sophomores usually get in, so I was just going to apply this year, and then I wouldn’t get in. But then I would apply next year and probably get in. And then I got in [this year] and I wasn’t prepared for that,” Hadley said.
There was a lengthy process before Hadley made it into the program, first she was a finalist, meaning that she was 1 of 100 people being considered. To figure out who would be accepted, finalists spent a weekend at the New Mexico campus getting interviewed for the final decision.
“We went to the campus and [the committee that would accept us] were introducing themselves and that was kind of nerve-wracking. The main day was Saturday, and we discussed [the] environment, did physical [activities] so that we could work together as a team, did another activity where we talked about diversity, and so it was just those things. Then Sunday, I did a tour with my mom, and that was really cool, just to see the whole campus,” Hadley said.
Hadley said that finding out that she was accepted into the program she had wanted to be in for years was very emotional.
“I cried. I was at lacrosse, I was done with practice, and I saw the voicemail, and I knew what it was, and I was really happy,” Hadley said.
Leaving all of her friends and family does make Hadley nervous, but it also makes Lindsey slightly nervous and sad to see one of her kids go.
“We’re a really close family. We eat dinner together every night and all four kids go to all of each other’s sports events. We do everything together, so I’m a little bit sad that I’m losing her two years earlier than I thought I would. Not in a way that makes me not want her to go, I think it’s the right thing for her to do, but it’s going to be different, going from four kids to three,” Lindsey said.
Though she was nervous, Lindsey said that she was also excited for Hadley in general, along with the places Hadley will get to go and the people she’ll meet.
“[I’m] excited about visiting her, we’re gonna visit a lot. I’m [also] excited to meet her new friends. I’m hoping she’ll bring some friends home with her for Christmas. I’m excited to hear about all the things she’s learning, and for her to get to explore career paths that she may not have known about before,” Lindsey said.
Hadley said that she was happy when she was accepted, but she wasn’t sure if she was ready to commit to going or not.
“I was really excited, and I really wanted to go, but I’m also 16 and I was really scared, so I wasn’t gonna go. Then I thought more about it, and it’s only two years. [Also] I think it’ll be a lot of fun, and it’ll be worth it in the end. So, I’m just gonna push through, and it’s gonna be fun,” Hadley said.
