David Hauser '15 Finds Passion for Debate and Connects with Nature at High Meadows

“I did not have a good experience in public school,” he recalled. “Everything was so rigid, and the gifted programs were difficult to get into. I was bored in class, and a friend told my mom about High Meadows. I enrolled for first grade and found a welcoming, kind, and sincere environment.”

David connected deeply with the campus ecosystem, growing up among its woods and meadows. He credits this environment for nurturing both his curiosity and commitment to sustainability. “From exploring to playing Capture the Flag on the Lower Meadow and having intense games in the Gaga Ball pit, the connection with and studies of the environment around me allowed me to play and learn in a nurturing, caring place,” he said.

As David progressed through the Early and Elementary Years programs, he had no idea that Mr. Isaac Wolf would spark his passion for debate in fifth grade, just before Middle Years. “Isaac scouted me to join the debate team, and the first time I picked a mini-course, I picked debate. I stayed in it all three years. Mr. Wolf saw the potential in me and cultivated it.”

Debate didn’t click at first for David. His first two years included growing pains, but with guidance from Mr. Wolf and teammate Foster Ellis, everything came together. “Foster became my partner in eighth grade, and we put in a lot of work to understand the arguments. Mr. Wolf guided us in his classic, silly, almost sarcastic way. He’s the greatest debate coach of all time, and someone I aspire to be like.”

Thanks to rigorous academics and teachers like Dr. Babiar and Ms. Spinola, David entered high school — and later college — well-prepared in subjects from calculus to Spanish. “Ninth grade year was easy,” he said. “Dr. Babiar taught me all the math up to calculus. She has such a rigorous program. Ms. Spinola broke down Spanish concepts and made sure we not only understood them but practiced them.”

To any parent concerned about readiness for high school, David offers reassurance: “High Meadows maintains tough academic standards. Even in multivariable calculus in college, no professor compared to my Middle Years experience with Dr. Babiar. I had a better breakdown of John Locke in English class at HMS than I did in undergrad.”

David graduated from Chattahoochee High School in 2019. That same year, he helped coach the debate team with Mr. Wolf. In 2022, he earned his bachelor’s degree in economics and philosophy from the University of Georgia.

He currently works in business-to-business sales for Cintas, selling fire protection program services. High Meadows School students graduate as ethical leaders, something that David embraces in his role. “Cintas is in an industry that’s life saving,” he said. “A fire extinguisher, alarm, or sprinkler will go off, and someone will escape a fire because of what I do.”

David continues to give back to High Meadows. 10 years after graduating from HMS, you’ll find him judging at Atlanta Urban Debate League (AUDL) tournaments. This year, the AUDL honored him with the 2025 Outstanding Alumni Award.

“High Meadows is the best place for your kids to learn and be given the resources to develop themselves,” David said. “They can relate to other people and learn social interaction. They’ll relate to teachers, friends, and the environment.”

To see firsthand what made David’s experience so impactful, plan your visit to High Meadows School today.