Kylani Class of 2023
Kylani (Class of 2023) is from Noblesville with a passion for biology and mathematics. At the Academy, she is involved as an athlete, officer of two student unions, ambassador, and a peer assistant.
When Kylani first heard about the Academy, she saw it as an opportunity to get out of her comfort zone and push herself academically. Although the Academy was an adjustment, she quickly learned the benefits of residential life and time management. “You have to have good time management to do well here,” Kylani said.
She soon was balancing academics, athletics, activities, and personal health. Kylani said that prior to the Academy, academics came easy to her, so she had to develop new study habits to succeed. It’s common to be afraid to fail, but she found herself no longer fearing failure and being excited to try new things.
“Here, you have the opportunity to do so many things at once,” said Kylani. This type of flexibility allowed her to explore her interests and find new passions.
Participating in organizations such as the Black Student Union, Latinx Student Union, and the Student Equity Council have given Kylani the opportunity to make her voice heard at the Academy. Giving presentations and hosting events has actively helped her educate her peers in different subjects. Although it could have been nerve-wracking, Kylani was always excited to share her passion and knowledge. Joining the Black Student Union allowed for Kylani to help bring positive changes to her community in a more supportive environment than at her previous school.
Not only is Kylani active in clubs and academics, but she is also active on the field as a soccer player and track-and-field athlete. Even though she played soccer for 14 years, she was initially nervous to join a new team when coming to the Academy, but she has helped the team go to sectionals during the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 school years. Kylani has also found a tight community with her fellow track athletes which has made her experience on the team meaningful.
Being a peer assistant and admissions ambassador has allowed Kylani to have a unique school experience by giving her the opportunity to plan events for all students, help welcome new students, and be a mentor. Being a peer assistant has allowed Kylani to have a positive impact on the experiences of new students. As a student ambassador, she has helped prospective students learn more about and decide on attending the Academy. Kylani helped at Discovery Days, took students on tours and to classes, and shared her story on social media. Reflecting on her time at the Academy, she does wish she had taken more time to spend on hobbies and other things she loves like sewing.
After high school, Kylani wants to study cellular biology with a track in pre-medicine, and her goal is to be a doctor. She will attend Johns Hopkins University in the fall. We are excited to see what Kylani continues to do after her time at the Academy.