Project Exploration

Kyla grew up on the South Side of Chicago, facing countless challenges, from gun violence, which took her father’s life when she was still in high school, to inadequate schooling. However, despite growing up in a single-parent household, Kyla’s mother always instilled in her the importance of work ethic and how hard work would help her overcome the most challenging circumstances. “At an early age, I always wanted to be on the honor roll and preferred studying over hanging out with friends. My drive grew tremendously when I started at Kenwood Academy High School. From freshman to sophomore year, I strived to be an athlete on the Kenwood Girls Basketball Team and a high honor roll student.” It was at that time in her high school career that she lost her father to gun violence. While she grieved, the loss also inspired her to live her life with more purpose and work even harder in school. This was when she challenged herself to take more AP and honors classes to change her academic pathway. She took up more community service opportunities in her junior and senior years, becoming a National Honors Society and Mickva member. She also began managing her business, selling sweets like Kye Pie Sweets. Nearing graduation, Kyla applied to receive the Chicago STEM Signing Day scholarship and was selected as a 2019 honoree. She became the first person in her family to attend college when she enrolled in Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Kyla’s work ethic shined, and she was on the dean’s list for four consecutive years through her post-secondary education. She graduated with honors in 2023, earning her bachelor's degree in Agricultural Business. Upon graduating, Kyla returned to Chicago with the intention of applying her education and skills to her local community. When she was contacted by Project Exploration’s team regarding the opportunity to join our team as a STEAMbassador, she immediately submitted her resume. “I believe in making a difference in the world; I must first work to help rebuild my own community.” We were impressed with her reserved but extremely thoughtful demeanor upon interviewing her. While she had not led a classroom previously, Kyla possessed robust STEM knowledge and experiences, which she was eager to share with her peers. Upon learning that our school partner, University of Chicago Charter School’s Donoghue Elementary School, was Kyla’s alma mater, we immediately agreed that her placement there would inspire her younger peers. We were thrilled to see Kyla's skills begin to shine in the classroom at Donaghue. Shortly after starting, Kyla contacted our staff to request additional opportunities to support Youth-Science Pathway Programs. While we typically reserve promotions to Program Assistant for STEAMbassadors who have been with our team for at least a year, the professionalism and quiet confidence she brings to our team motivated us to offer her the promotion after just one semester of leading programs. We look forward to witnessing Kyla’s continued growth with our team and investing in her to reach her full potential for the role she possesses now as a STEAMbassador and Program Assistant and for her future career aspirations. She represents the power of multifaceted investments in direct-service programs and ecosystem initiatives.