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Haylee W., a YES Abroad participant, is the U.S. Department of State’s February 2020 American Abroad Student of the Month. Haylee is a student at Troup County High School in LaGrange, Georgia, and is currently studying in Bayombong, Philippines.

Haylee’s host school has awarded her special recognitions for “Best in Math,” “Best in Entrepreneurship” and achieving high honors.  She works on the school’s student publication, is active with a mathematics club that provides after school tutoring for junior high school students, volunteers with her school’s Leadership Congress and is an honorary member of the student government. 

Following the eruption of Taal volcano, Haylee sang as part of a live performance series and performed at a concert at her school to raise funds for the victims.  Haylee has also donated blood through the Red Cross and joined the “Adopt a Barangay Program” through which she provided Christmas gifts and meals to children. Haylee especially enjoyed joining a local festival, at which she learned a dance from the local people and performed it with them. 

Haylee has embraced her exchange experience with enthusiasm and initiative and continues to make many friends throughout her host community of Bayombong.

Congratulations, Haylee!