From HTA grad to global advocate
From the halls of HTA to the research libraries of Hungary, Ashton Bliss has built a career on the independence she cultivated as a student. After earning a Master’s in Public and International Affairs and completing a Fulbright Research Grant, Ashton has come full circle — returning to HTA this year as a Community Engagement Facilitator to mentor the next generation of learners.
The Class of 2017 grad says HTA provided a unique head start for the modern professional world.
“In a post-COVID world, I realize HTA was much more forward-thinking than people realized at the time,” Ashton says. “So many people struggle with making connections over a screen, but HTA set me up to navigate that space. Whether it’s a virtual job interview or a remote project, so much happens on Zoom now and I never had to catch up like others did.”
A FOUNDATION IN ADVOCACY
Beyond mastering the tools of digital learning, Ashton’s professional growth was also fueled by the real-world opportunities HTA helped her pursue. While her peers at other schools were confined to traditional classrooms, Ashton was getting her feet wet in the field through HTA’s early Career-Based Learning program.
She interned with Ho‘ōla Nā Pua, a nonprofit dedicated to preventing sex trafficking and caring for exploited children. Tackling high-stakes advocacy while still in high school was a defining moment. It proved how data can change lives — a realization that eventually took her to Hungary to study women’s rights and democracy. Today, as she pursues a career in diplomacy, she remains driven to combine rigorous research with real-world impact.
COMING FULL CIRCLE
Ashton is now bringing her global perspective back to the HTA classroom as she leads a middle school elective on government and the law. Her message to her students is rooted in the same self-advocacy that defined her own journey.
“HTA puts your education in your hands,” she says. “You have a lot more freedom than a traditional high schooler, which means you learn time management and self-discipline much earlier. My advice is to use that time to pursue what you actually care about — whether that’s starting a new club, advocating for a class you want, or staying committed to a sport.”
Returning to HTA eight years after graduation wasn’t just about a job; it was about rejoining a community that helped her find her voice.
“It’s a fun environment to be a part of,” she says. “Reach out to your old teachers, stay involved, and take advantage of the fact that this school lets you be the driver of your own success.”
