If you were looking for a quiet place to be this summer, then Hackley was not the place for you. Over the course of four weeks, Hackley was booming with laughter as the scholars ran around the Hilltop. This was just the start of an amazing summer for the Hudson Scholars program, where friendships blossomed and lives were changed.
Many Hackley students decided to spend their summers on the Hilltop, giving back to their community through the Hudson Scholars Summer Program. The program was designed to give underprivileged kids the opportunity to learn, thrive, and grow as students through classes and activities led by Hackley teachers and student mentors.
Mr. David Sykes, the Founder and Director of Hudson Scholars, loved the bonds that the mentors created with their scholars.
“For me, one of the best parts of Hudson Scholars is watching the magic between the Scholars and mentors. It is special to see a Scholar light up because of a mentor’s words, to watch a Scholar accomplish something they did not think possible with a mentor’s support, to see a mentor grow through leadership and role modeling, and to hear the laughter they share together,” said Mr. Sykes.
Every summer since 2016, Hudson Scholars has hosted kids going into grades six, seven, eight, and nine. One special highlight of the summer was the Hudson Scholars graduation celebration, honoring the ninth graders graduating from the program. Senior mentor and Hudson Scholars student leader Jiya Dhakad was voted unanimously by the ninth grade to give a speech at the celebration.
“I really put my heart into that speech, and they loved it,” said Jiya.
The celebration is a favorite of many, especially for junior mentor Arya Gauba, who spent a lot of time with the ninth graders.
“The bonds that I created with those ninth graders are some bonds that I will never forget,” said Arya.
Another highlight was the ninth-grade overnight trip, which emphasized the importance of teamwork and collaboration. The mentors and scholars were thrown into various team-building activities, such as the human knot. After the trip, the mentors and scholars fostered unforgettable connections and created memories that would last forever.
“It was such a good bonding experience. Us with them and them with each other,” said junior Lily Rogers, a mentor, and Hudson Scholars student leader.
Hudson Scholars not only developed students and their academic growth, but also acted as a learning experience for the mentors. Through teaching classes and managing kids, the mentors developed leadership skills that helped them in everyday life, even in the classroom.
“It helped me become more outspoken in class and lead clubs at Hackley,” said Jiya.
“Not only did I help the kids grow as people, but I think I grew myself,” said Lily, “I think I grew as a leader and as a person. It was really the highlight of my summer.”
The Hudson Scholars Summer program will continue next summer. However, the mentors won’t have to wait until then to see their favorite scholars, as a school-year reunion is in the works.
