Resume

Hayden Walker
Todd, NC, haydenwalkercollege@gmail.com, 828-434-0168, haydenwalker.net 


Education

Sacred Heart Academy Homeschool
Expected Graduation: June 2025

  • Dual-enrollment courses taken at Caldwell Community College and Franciscan University: Calculus, Biology, Chemistry, English, Latin, Electives

  • GPA: 4.47

  • Balanced a combination of independent challenging homeschool courses, AP coursework, dual enrollment community college courses, and high school courses to allow for flexibility to study music and pursue athletics at a superior level

Core Skills

  • Leadership & Teamwork

  • Self-Directed Learning & Time Management

  • Adaptability & Problem Solving

  • Communication & Collaboration

  • Emotional Intelligence & Mentorship

Academic Experience & Extracurricular Involvement

Athlete – Alpine Ski Racing
Sugar Mountain Alpine Ski Racing Team Banner Elk, NC
2017 – Present

  • Dedicated 30+ hours per week in season to training, practice, and competitions, demonstrating discipline, resilience, and teamwork.

  • Coaches’ assistant (skill and leadership to assist coaches with course setup)

  • Won fastest male in regional High Country Junior Race Series; top placings USSA division; qualified for Eastern Regional High School Championships; fastest time on Sugar, Beech, and Appalachian Mountains.

Athlete – Lacrosse Midfielder
Watauga High School Varsity Lacrosse Team Boone, NC
2024 – Present

  • Dedicated 30+ hours per week in season to training, practice, and games having never played the sport before demonstrating a willingness to try new things, determination, and teamwork.

  • Selected as Most Agile Player and Team Captain 2024

  • Starting player with assists and goals

Athlete – Football Wing and Corner
Watauga High School Varsity Football Team Boone, NC
2024 – Present

  • Starting special teams and defense having never played the sport before demonstrating the ability to learn and memorize large volumes of material quickly and a commitment to teamwork

  • Volunteered with team at community events and as part of the Hurricane Helene relief efforts in Watauga County, NC

Musician – Guitar, mandolin, piano
Pickin’ Thistles Bluegrass and Celtic Band
2019 – Present

  • https://www.pickinthistles.com

  • Developed proficiency in guitar, mandolin, and piano through self-study and formal instruction, balancing practice with other academic responsibilities.

  • Performed at music festivals, enhancing public speaking and performance skills.

  • Collaborated with other musicians for community events.

Homeschool Mentor
Oldest of 8 Siblings
2006 – Present

  • Served as a role model and mentor for younger siblings, supporting their academic, musical, and personal growth.

  • Developed organizational skills by assisting with family scheduling and household responsibilities on a working farm.

Peer Tutor & Mentor
High Country Christian Homeschoolers
2020 – Present

  • Provided academic support in core academic subjects and music to other homeschooled students and siblings, developing strong interpersonal and communication skills.

  • Created learning resources and facilitated study groups, embodying a passion for helping peers succeed academically.

Farm & Agricultural Experience
Caledonia Farm, Watauga County, NC
2015 – Present

  • Assisted with daily sheep and blueberry farm operations, including livestock care, crop maintenance, and machinery operation, demonstrating responsibility, work ethic, and adaptability.

  • Led siblings in farm tasks, cultivating leadership skills and promoting teamwork within the family.

Dual Enrollment Student
Caldwell Community College, Watauga County, NC
2023 – Present

  • Enrolled in advanced coursework in STEM subjects, English, and electives, expanding academic knowledge and preparing for college-level rigor.

  • Maintained a high GPA while balancing community college studies with homeschooling, athletics, and music.

Volunteer & Community Service - 

Community Volunteer –
St. Elizabeth of the Hill Country Catholic Church; Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child; Elk Knob State Park; iCamp; Junior Appalachian Musicians Program; Grandfather Mountain Highland Games; Hart Square Heritage Festival; Charlotte Folk Society
2019 – Present

  • Organized and participated in community service projects, special needs camps; traditional musical instruction and performance, junior board member

  • Actively engaged in community initiatives, demonstrating a commitment to making a positive impact.

Achievements & Awards 

  • Caldwell Community College Honors List

  • National Latin Exam Intro, Beginning, and Intermediate Magna Cum Laude

  • Charlotte Folk Society Marilyn Meacham Price Scholarship 

  • Tosco Music Youth Scholarship

  • Mark O’Connor Strings Camp Scholarship

  • Wayne Henderson Scholarship

  • Wernick Bluegrass Scholarship 

  • Ed Neigh Scholarship North American Academy Piping and Drumming

  • Richard D. Fain Scholarship North American Academy Piping and Drumming

  • Fund the Royal Caribbean International Scholarship North American Academy Piping and Drumming

  • Clan Scott Society Scholarship

  • Fiddlers Grove Junior Mandolin 2nd place; Ashe County Fiddlers Convention Junior Mandolin 2nd place; Ashe County Fiddlers Convention Youth Mandolin 1st, Youth Guitar 2nd, Youth Band 3rd; Crooked Road Next Generation Youth Music Festival & Competition guitar 3rd place & mandolin 3rd place  

  • Merlefest Acoustic Kids Ambassador 

  • IBMA Kids on Bluegrass Performer

  • Junior Appalachian Musicians Worl of Bluegrass Performer

  • Merlefest Official Performer

  • Woodsong Kids Performer

  • Charleston Scottish Games Grade 5 Snare Drummer of the Day 

  • Charleston Scottish Games Grade 5 Snare Drummer 1st place 

  • Eastern United State Pipe Band Association Grade 5 Pipe Band 1st place 

  • Stone Mountain Highland Games Grade 5 Snare Drummer 2nd place

  • Grandfather Mountain Highland Games Grade 5 Snare Drummer 2nd place 

  • Watauga High School Varsity Lacrosse Most Agile and Fast player

  • Watauga High School Varsity Cross Country All-Conference qualifier

  • Charlotte Folk Society Board Junior Member

Academic Highlights

Independent Music Project
Music For the Mountains
2024

  • Conceptualized and pursued the creation of a concert gala in Charlotte, NC featuring musicians impacted by Hurricane Helene from Northwestern North Carolina communities to raise funds to benefit the NC Arts Disaster Relief Fund and the International Bluegrass Music Association Trust Fund.

  • Communicated with professional musicians and the Charlotte Folk Society showcasing creative responses to natural disaster relief

Additional Skills & Interests

  • Self-Directed Learning: Highly motivated and disciplined, managing a rigorous, self-structured academic and extracurricular schedule.

  • Technical Skills: Experienced with farm machinery, record keeping, Microsoft Office, PowerPoint, Excel, Google Suite, Squarespace, and Canva.

  • Personal Interests: Passionate about agriculture, music performance, composition, teaching, and personal athletic excellence.

References 

Dr. John Cockman, cockmanje@gmail.com, 828-773-5493, Musician and Teacher, Bluegrass Daddy

Gordon Warburton, gmhpb@charter.net, 828-442-7690, Pipe Major, Grandfather Mountain Highlanders Bagpipe and Drum Band

Ross McNeil, rmcneil513@gmail.com, 336-816-4720, Ski Race Coach, Sugar Mountain Alpine Ski Race Team