By: Grace Layne Ryan
When packing her bags and heading off to college at Florida Southern, Hailey Tobler wasn’t just starting a new chapter like a typical high school graduate, she was literally starting over. She was beginning once again from the ground up, to who she is and what her life will look like as she makes this journey.
Tobler’s early years were marked by instability in her home. Her mother was fighting addiction and her father had been absent from her life from the start. At age 3, Tobler’s maternal grandmother adopted her and raised her in a safe and loving home in Lee, Massachusetts. Tobler had a peaceful place to lay her head at night, a table to eat at, and someone to confide in. “It was just the two of us for a long time,” Tobler reminisced.
The comfortable life that Tobler enjoyed with her grandmother came to an end when she was just 15 years old as her grandmother, who had been diagnosed with cancer, passed away. Tobler had moved from Lee, Massachusetts, then to Richmond, Massachusetts and started her life all over again. She lived with her paternal grandparents as she began her sophomore year of high school. Tobler needed to make friends, settle into a new home life, adjust to a different school and town and, somehow, find a way to create a new life.
”Fortunately, I ended up at a Lennox High School, where my school really pushed me to apply to colleges that were far from my new home,” recalls Tobler. This gave me the confidence to believe that I could do bigger and better things if I found the perfect college for me, even if it meant leaving everything familiar behind.”
Tobler was challenged with something many typical high school seniors face: making a college decision. Originally, she wanted to play it safe and stay close to home. However, Tobler
ultimately decided to follow the advice of her grandparents, which was, “Reach for the moon!”
Tobler accepted the offer from Florida Southern College despite only knowing one online friend, Sydney Windsor, who became her roommate. Over the past three years, they have not only remained roommates but also became best friends who are always there for each other.
Despite her challenging upbringing, Tobler has successfully settled into college life. A junior pursuing a Political Science major and math and Pre-Law minor, Tobler is also involved in internships. In addition, she is active in Greek life as a member of Alpha Delta Pi and a member of the intramural sports teams.
Although taking off on her own was a big decision, it is definitely something Tobler doesn’t regret. She credits her grandparents’s support every step of the way for helping her successfully adjust to college life and thrive. “My grandparents send me encouraging letters and also text me scriptures when I’m stressed. I always feel supported by them, despite the distance between us.”
Tobler shows that strength isn’t always instant or easy. While life can knock you down, if you show up for yourself with faith and determination, you can reach from the moon – and beyond!.