This past weekend was one of those moments as parents that feels almost impossible to put fully into words. Our oldest daughter, Haley, a proud Scholars Academy alumna, graduated with honors from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Haley earned her Associate of Science in Exercise and Sports Science along with a minor in Health & Society, and we could not be more proud of the determination, discipline, and heart that carried her to this milestone. Watching her walk across that stage was emotional not simply because of the degree itself, but because of the journey behind it — the years of growth, hard work, uncertainty, resilience, sacrifice, and dreaming that helped shape the young woman she has become.
Haley was admitted to UNC-Chapel Hill at just 15 years old. Before beginning college full-time, she chose to take a gap year that became an incredibly meaningful season of personal growth and discovery. During that year, she rediscovered her love of piano, fell back in love with reading for fun, learned to play the guitar, explored new hobbies, and simply had the space to grow into herself outside of constant academic expectations. Following that year, she moved into the freshman dorms at UNC-Chapel Hill and successfully completed her freshman year while continuing to train full time as a pre-professional dancer — something that required extraordinary discipline, balance, and perseverance.
After her freshman year, a recurring ankle injury and eventual surgery led Haley to step away from full-time pre-professional dance training. As parents, watching that transition was not easy, because dance had been such a central part of her identity and daily life for so many years. But Haley handled that season with remarkable resilience and maturity. Rather than leaving the dance world behind, she remained deeply connected to it by teaching dance at two different studios throughout the remainder of her time at UNC-Chapel Hill.
She also poured herself into serving others through Ballet & Books, an organization combining literacy and dance lessons for underserved youth in the Chapel Hill community. Through this work, she continued sharing both her love of movement and her heart for children, education, and mentorship.
Even though Haley entered UNC-Chapel Hill with enough dual enrollment credits to graduate in just two years, she intentionally chose not to rush the experience. Instead, she embraced university life fully and allowed herself the gift of four full years of growth, friendships, academics, independence, and self-discovery. She immersed herself in campus life while balancing the demands of academics and dance, and just a couple of weeks ago, she celebrated her 21st birthday, making this graduation season feel especially meaningful as we reflect on how much she has grown during these years.
In June, Haley will move to Los Angeles to begin another exciting chapter. During her next gap year, she plans to prepare for admission to medical school in California while also studying commercial dance in LA. Her long-term goal is to become a physical therapist specializing in supporting dancers — combining her love of movement, science, health, and the performing arts into a career devoted to helping others continue doing what they love.
As educators and parents, moments like these remind us why we believe so deeply in supporting children as whole human beings. Haley’s path has never fit neatly into one box. She has always carried both academic and artistic passions side by side, and seeing her build a future that honors both has been incredibly meaningful.
For our younger scholars and families, we hope Haley’s story serves as a reminder that there is no single “right” path toward success. Passions can evolve. Dreams can expand. Creative children can also thrive in science and medicine. Dancers can become healthcare professionals. Big goals are built one steady step at a time.
We are also especially proud that Haley is the first of both our own six children and what is becoming a growing group of Scholars Academy alumni attending and graduating from UNC-Chapel Hill and other rigorous schools of higher education. Seeing our scholars continue to thrive at exceptional universities has been deeply meaningful and affirming of the hard work, preparation, and authentic learning that take place within our community.
Haley, we are endlessly proud of you — not only for your accomplishments, but for your kindness, perseverance, courage, and willingness to continue chasing growth and purpose wherever life leads next.
Thank you, Scholars Academy Family, for being part of the village that helped shape her journey.
With love and gratitude,
Dr. Laura Lowder & Mr. Lowder (Zachary, Elijah, Shelby, Penelope, & Molly) 💙
