Haley snags his spot as a SocStud

Junior Harrison Haley, the final social studies GHP participant from NC, started his interview with a mock Model United Nations debate where he spoke on behalf of the United States in a fictional scenario about Iran taking over Palestine. Although Haley received a spot in the GHP program, he received a second chance after a not so promising school interview.

“At the very beginning, I did the school interview and I actually didn’t feel so good about that interview— they had originally declined me from continuing the GHP process. I guess it was by the luck of the draw that they came back to me and said that they had a spot left, so I really got lucky to be able to continue on,” Haley said.

Growing up in a home open to debate and conversation, Haley’s father furthered his aspirations for social studies. With hopes of focusing on international law in his future, Haley appreciates his family for encouraging his love of social studies.

“I’ve grown up with a lot of debate and in my family, we talk about a lot of current events. My dad is a lawyer, so he would always come home talking about some sort of case he’s working on where something interesting happened. Hearing his side of things really inspired me to pursue some kind of international law focus in life,” Haley said.

Now that Haley will attend GHP, he plans to meet several new people who love debate and social studies as much as he does. In a place surrounded by other intellectuals, Haley will thrive in his field and appreciate this chance of a lifetime.

“I’m really passionate about social studies and everything going on in the world, so I think it will be really cool to meet other people who are also passionate about it as well,” Haley said.