Forman Scholar Haylee Reyes Destined to Serve Her Community Through Education and Compassion

For years, Haylee Reyes has been asked the same, age-old question: “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Since the second grade, her answer has never wavered: “I want to be a teacher.” Today, the Forman Scholar is taking one monumental step closer to fully realizing that dream. After spending much of her life being taught and nurtured by the Salem City School District, Haylee is set to study early childhood education at Alvernia University in Reading, Pennsylvania. 

Haylee has always considered education to be a labor of love and an opportunity to serve and transform her community. Her own extensive record of community service reflects an ongoing desire to make a difference in the lives of those around her. While in high school, Haylee volunteered as a tutor with Salem’s Lighthouse Ministry, as well as several programs organized by libraries in Lower Alloways Creek and Pennsville.

“All students deserve a meaningful education and the tools they need to succeed in the classroom,” Haylee said. “My hope is that, through my tutoring efforts, I have been able to provide the youngest of my community with the opportunity to improve, to excel and to see within themselves their potential for greatness.” 

In addition to her volunteering efforts, Haylee has remained active in the extracurricular life of Salem High throughout her time as a student. She managed the school’s field hockey team and participated in countless organizations, including stage crew, choir, science fair, Future Business Leaders of America and even Knit Wits (Salem High’s club for knitting and crochet lovers). 

At Alvernia, Haylee is planning to complete an early childhood education (PK-4) program that will allow her to earn a special education certification in addition to a bachelor's degree. Her aunt – a librarian and first-grade teacher at Lower Alloways Creek Elementary – has always been a powerful source of inspiration.

“I’ve always admired my aunt for her dedication to making a personal connection with each of her students,” Haylee said. “When she would invite me into her classroom for ‘Bring Your Child to Work Day,’ I truly understood how special teachers can be.” 

Haylee also grew to appreciate the impact of education through her 10th grade home economics class. While building a lasting relationship with the course’s instructor – Janice Corbin – and learning all about food, family and finance, Haylee admired the care Corbin exhibited for each of her students. Haylee recalls stories of Corbin making school days feel more exciting than difficult or monotonous. 

“Ms. Corbin always referred to my class as the ‘cleanup crew’ because we’d eat the leftover food from class and help her to clean out her desk,” Haylee said. “She always made it evident to her students just how special we all were to her.” 

While Haylee gets a bit nostalgic thinking back on the years she spent growing up in Salem, she looks forward to a new beginning at Alvernia. She anticipates a dramatic – yet exciting – transition to college life. 

“I remember how new of an experience high school was for me, as I switched from having 20 to over 100 students in my grade. Now, I hope that an even greater transition awaits, one that will allow me to meet plenty of new faces and cement lifelong friendships,” Haylee said. 

Haylee has plans to continue her volunteering efforts at Alvernia through the University’s Holleran Center for Community and Global Engagement. She’s particularly interested in the week-long service trips with the Center, which allow students to complete over 40 hours of community service. 

Above all, Haley feels confident and a certain sense of relief knowing the Forman Acton Foundation will remain by her side every step of the way. She appreciates the organization’s mission and the continued guidance she’s received from its team. 

“The Foundation is amazing,” Haylee said. “Everyone there is so easy to talk to, and it’s always evident they have nothing but my best interests in mind. Earning a college degree is no easy task, but with the Foundation in my corner, I know anything is possible.”