At Beehive Science and Technology Academy in Sandy, Utah, students are known by name — and sometimes, by their passion. For Alexander Straley, that name was “the dinosaur kid,” and it stuck for all the right reasons.

Now a student at the University of Utah and a staff member at the Natural History Museum of Utah, Alexander credits Beehive with igniting the spark that led him to a life immersed in paleontology. “Beehive really fostered my interest in paleontology in many, many ways,” he says. “They always supported my passion.”

Alexander’s journey began in sixth grade, when he co-founded the Dinosaurs and Fossils Club. With encouragement from Vice Principal Mr. Kablan and a science teacher who shared his enthusiasm, the club became a launchpad for deeper exploration. “They told me how important it was to pursue my passion,” Alexander recalls. “Year after year, they stoked the flames under me and built me up as much as possible.”

His passion wasn’t just nurtured — it was showcased. Teachers regularly invited him to present to younger classes, giving him a platform to share his excitement and inspire others. “I honestly don’t think I’d be where I am today if it weren’t for Beehive,” he says.

For Alexander, Beehive’s culture of connection was just as impactful as its academic rigor. “The administration, all the staff, all the teachers, they learn your name,” he says. “It’s incredible. At a larger school, I’d just be another face in the crowd.”

That sense of belonging made a 30-minute commute from Kearns and West Valley City feel like nothing. “My friends thought it was crazy, but I always felt it was worth it,” he says. “I never once felt how long it was because I enjoyed the quality of education I was getting.”

Alexander’s academic achievements extended well beyond fossils and fieldwork. Through Beehive’s College Mentorship and Leadership Program (CMLP), he earned both congressional gold and silver medals, becoming a gold medalist by age 15. “Not a lot of schools offer that,” he says. “It gave me an edge and prepared me for college.”

The program also gave him a community of like-minded peers. “We went on trips together, earned our medals together—it was a very fun time,” he says. “I’m very thankful for all the opportunities Beehive gave me.”

If there’s one message Alexander hopes future students take to heart, it’s this: passion is power. “My passion for paleontology and the natural world has carried me so far,” he says. “It’s the biggest tool that’s gotten me where I am today.”

And where he is today is exactly where he wants to be — working at the Natural History Museum of Utah, surrounded by the very fossils that first sparked his curiosity. “This is the best job in the world,” he says. “I found my place at Beehive, and I believe future students can too.”