This past month, Hyde had the privilege of welcoming back alumnus Scott Buell '85, founder of the STEM education company Drone Legends, and edutainment brand company, Dynamic Learning Experiences for a multi-day visit centered on entrepreneurship, character, and reinvention. While students were excited to learn about drones, technology, and storytelling, what resonated most deeply was Scott’s message about growth, and how his time at Hyde laid the groundwork for the life and career he has built.

In a powerful address to the student body, Scott spoke candidly about the twists and turns of his journey. He did not present a linear path to success. Instead, he described a series of reinventions — moments when he had to reassess, rebuild, and redefine himself. He credited much of his ability to do so to lessons learned at Hyde: owning mistakes, leaning into feedback, developing resilience, and believing that character growth is not separate from achievement but foundational to it. He shared that Hyde challenged him to confront who he was and who he wanted to become — a process that continues to shape how he leads and innovates today and through all of life’s milestones.

Working closely with students in EntreX and in partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters, Scott brought that same spirit of growth into the classroom. He reviewed student pitch decks with thoughtful candor, pushing students to clarify their value propositions, tighten their storytelling, and anticipate investor questions. His feedback balanced high standards with genuine encouragement. When asked which investor from Shark Tank he most resembled, Scott joked that he lives somewhere between “Mr. Wonderful” and a more relational, supportive investor like Robert Herjavec — direct about the presentation and viability, but deeply invested in the people behind the idea. Students quickly saw that while he would challenge assumptions, he did so with the goal of helping them sharpen their thinking and elevate their vision. Working with groups of children these past few years have clearly made Scott as much an educator as an entrepreneur.

A central theme of Scott’s visit was the belief at the core of Drone Legends: that every young person has a story worth telling and a capacity to create meaningful impact. Through drone technology, students learn not just technical skills, but confidence, collaboration, and voice. That philosophy mirrors Hyde’s enduring belief in the unique potential of every student. Scott surprised himself when making a presentation at a STEM education conference that the company he was building in his 50s had been instilled in him decades before in his time at Hyde. Just as Hyde challenges students to discover and develop their character, Drone Legends equips them with tools to see themselves as creators and problem-solvers capable of contributing positively to their communities.

By the end of the visit, what stood out most was not simply the innovation of drone programming or the polish of improved pitch decks. It was the visible shift in student confidence — the realization that reinvention is possible, that feedback is a gift, and that growth is a lifelong process. Scott’s return to campus served as a living example of Hyde’s mission in action: character developed over time becomes the foundation for unique potential realized.