Second Chances - A Hyde School Alumni Story

A Hyde School Alumni Success Story

This reflection comes from Heidi Effinger, Class of 1994. Her story captures how Hyde School offered a second chance — through character, belief, and athletics — and how those opportunities reshaped her life.

Hyde School Alumni Story

Heidi Effinger, class of 1994, playing lacrosse with her tean at Hyde School

When I was 16 years old I walked out of my high school in Central New York in April and never went back. I was failing all of my classes (including PE) and felt lost and hopeless. My mental health was not good- I struggled with anxiety, panic attacks and symptoms of PTSD. Thankfully, my mother recognized that I was drowning, and she took me to an educational psychologist in Boston, who recommended a character education school in Bath, ME called Hyde School. I was terrified. I was not at all sure that I wanted to take such a drastic step. In the interview a few weeks a later I was nervous and hesitant in answering questions, and my mom jumped in frequently to answer questions for me. I will never forget this: Laura Gauld, who was conducting my interview, Turned toward my mother and said calmly, "If you don't stop answering questions for your daughter I am going to ask you to leave the room." That is the moment that I knew Hyde School was for me. It was exactly what I needed.

I ended up attending the summer challenge program that year and enrolling in the Fall as a sophomore- as I was failing every class I needed to repeat the academic year. What followed for me was essentially a complete turn-around. It wasn't necessarily an easy road- my first year I was in trouble a good bit. I broke some rules and ended up on 24 hour "work crew," rising at 5:30 in the morning to complete a work-out and then heading out to rake paths with maintenance for the day. What I remember most about my tough first year was the shock of having at least a dozen adults believing and expecting the best out of me every day- checking in on me, having long talks, encouraging me, challenging me. Multiple times. Every. Single. Day. I slowly started to believe that maybe I was not the under-achieving, unlovable kid that I thought I was.

Slowly but surely my confidence grew. I collected win after win and developed confidence and insight. I journaled, I listened, I cried, I made friends. While I still visited with a psychologist on breaks, my mental health improved leaps and bounds in the structured environment. My grades improved from passing to excelling and I developed skills that I did not even know I had. Most importantly, for me, was the skill and confidence I gained as an athlete. Playing sports at Hyde School is, to this day, what I consider the most significant time in my life in terms of confidence building and identity formation. It was the first time that I reached excellence- through character- not skill. I was excellent mostly because I worked hard, never quit, and believed wholeheartedly in displaying the sportsmanship that my coaches demanded of me.

After 3 years at Hyde SchoolI graduated with honors. I attended Hamilton College and played soccer there. I have had struggled since Hyde for sure. My mental health issues were certainly not cured there (it's not a treatment facility), and my family history of alcoholism ended up taking me out by my senior year in college. But what I gained at Hyde saved my life. I got sober at 25 thanks in part to the self-awareness and ability to reflect on my own behavior that I developed at Hyde. I still make a ton of mistakes, but boy am I quick to get back on my feet, take accountability, and move forward. Because I'm a good person with the potential to reach excellence no matter how many tries it takes me. Thanks Hyde.

The Lasting Impact of a Hyde School Education

Hyde Voices shares authentic perspectives from Hyde School alumni, parents, and staff. Each story demonstrates how Hyde School’s focus on truth, growth, and character creates lasting change. Explore more Hyde School stories, share your own reflection, or learn more about the school itself at the Hyde School website.