Student Spotlight: John Blakely ’26 — The Buzz Behind Gulliver’s First Beekeeping Club
When most students think of starting a club, they picture something traditional like debate, robotics, or photography. But for senior John Blakely, his inspiration came from a fascination that began long before high school.
“My roots reach all the way back to when I was maybe 5 years old,” he says. “I partook in a beekeeping clinic with my family members and had a blast.” That early curiosity about bees stuck with him, and years later, it resurfaced during his 8th grade community service project for the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (IB MYP). “My teammates and I built a beehive in my backyard to explain why bees and general pollinators are so important for our community,” he explains.
That project reignited his interest and gave him a new sense of purpose. “I first knew I wanted to bring this to Gulliver when I was making a presentation about bees for one of my classes,” John recalls. “I was shocked when nobody seemed to know the true importance of them in our environment. I created the club to act as an educator for my peers.”
Starting the school’s first-ever Beekeeping Club was no small feat, but it was a true labor of love. While teachers and administrators immediately recognized the educational value and environmental importance of John’s idea, some of his classmates were skeptical. Still, John remained confident in his vision. With determination, and with the steadfast support of Mrs. Carmona and other faculty members, he turned his passion into a reality — creating a space where students and educators alike could learn about the essential role bees play in our world.
That support, he says, is what makes Gulliver different. “Gulliver has been an obelisk of support in pursuing this passion of mine. Despite its uniqueness, Gulliver not only allowed me, but helped me to form my club. Administrators have gone out of their way to connect with me, expressing their interest in my passion and asking how they can join in.”
Through beekeeping, John has learned valuable lessons in patience and care. “I’ve realized that some things can’t be rushed,” he says. “When inspecting a hive, you’re at the mercy of the bees. You can’t just go as fast as you can and be done — you have to move slowly and gently, careful not to hurt any bees.”
One of his most memorable experiences came during his certification exam. “It was the first time I’d ever been so close to an open hive and I was absolutely terrified,” he recalls. “Only then did I realize how docile and gentle they really are. To this day, I’ve never been stung while beekeeping.”
Beyond the science, John sees his work as a lesson in leadership and authenticity. “I think it’s always important to be yourself,” he says. “I’ve always had a few people who criticized my passion or said it was ‘weird.’ The important part is that even more people supported me, telling me to keep going. I’m glad that my step forward could set the stage for others to follow.”
As for the future? “Despite the fact that I would love to keep beekeeping as a hobby during college, it will likely be incredibly difficult to find a place to practice it,” he says. “While that may make me sad, I know that whenever I come home there will always be a hive waiting for me.”
And when it comes to advice for students thinking of starting a club of their own, John keeps it simple: “Just do it. Apply to become a club. If it gets declined, who cares — you tried. If it gets approved, you could spread your love about a subject to your entire community.”
Oh, and his favorite fun fact? “In the event that two queens hatch at the same time, they’ll fight to the death using their stingers as swords,” he says with a grin. “This is a real fact, by the way — I’m not making this up.”
Through curiosity, courage, and the support of the Gulliver community, John has shown that even the smallest creatures, and the boldest ideas, can make a big impact.
