By Caroline Arnold
As high school graduation approaches, many students hope to leave their mark through grades or athletics. For Menchville High School senior Kyla Legette, the impact she leaves extends beyond the walls of the classroom. A Hampton Roads native, Leggette has made it her mission to help her local community through leadership.
Leggette’s work began in high school. After feeling indifferent toward education throughout middle school, Leggette’s mindset changed during her freshman year after taking three Advanced Placement (AP) classes. She was hesitant to take these college-level courses, but her mother encouraged her to challenge herself. Leggette says, “If there’s a number one supporter for me, it’s my mom, and with that, she strongly believes in challenging who I am and pushing me out of my comfort zone.”
One of the classes Leggette took, AP Biology, sparked her interest in health. Leggette says the class “reinvigorated me and actually drove me to go out and learn more and be open minded.” This inspiration led her to become deeply involved in her school and community.
During her junior year, Leggette co-founded The Menchville Sunflower Junior Circle. The club focuses on fundraising for the Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters (CHKD). Some of its fundraisers include singing telegrams, which helped bolster club membership from 12 members to 30. The organization has raised more than $2,500 for CHKD.
After having the opportunity to tour the CHKD hospital in Norfolk to see where the proceeds went, Leggette says, “Just seeing that affected me really emotionally. I realize now the true impact not only in our community, but also in the communities beyond.”
Leggette is also a part of multiple school organizations at Menchville. She is president of Model UN and the Health Education Advocacy League, vice president of the Student Council Association and captain of Menchville’s archery team. She is also in multiple honor societies, including National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society and Science National Honor Society.
In commenting about Leggette, her AP Spanish teacher Alice Shepley, is very complimentary, “She uses her leadership skills to make the school and the community a kinder place in which people of varied backgrounds can find a way to succeed,” Shepley says. “I am extremely proud of her and am eager to see the ways she continues to contribute to our world in the future.”
During her junior year, Leggette applied and obtained the position of student representative for the Newport News School Board. Now, she represents more than 25,000 students in the school district. Of her work on the board, she says, “It’s my favorite activity ever. It’s something so unique and such a rare experience to be able to hold a leadership position where you are being recognized by the city.”
Leggette continued her mission into her senior year. This past March, she traveled to Washington, D.C., for a week as one of 104 students across the country chosen for the U.S. Youth Senate Program. Speaking of the experience, Leggette says, “My life changed because of that program and meeting 103 other people who aren’t like-minded. The whole point of the program is to challenge you and your beliefs, and it was so respectful, all of it.”
Leggette is excited for what the future brings. It was a difficult decision between Princeton University or Harvard University, but Harvard won out. Leggette plans to major in sociology with a minor in global health and health policy while following a
pre-medical track. Her dream job is to become surgeon general of the United States.
This summer, however, Leggette hopes she can return to her hobbies. She loves swimming, baking and playing Just Dance with her friends. She likes gardening and is excited to see her pink peony bush bloom very soon. Most of all, Leggette is ready to tackle the pile of books on her shelf and finally read East of Eden by John Steinbeck.
When talking about this upcoming summer break, Leggette says, “Every summer I’ve always done something that really occupied my time. I didn’t have time to just sit and relax or sleep in. This summer, I’m actually challenging myself to get back into the hobbies that I neglected.”
As Leggette steps away from her busy schedule, her influence will remain. As graduation nears, her titles and achievements will be remembered, but the meaningful changes she has brought to her community will have a lasting effect on her and those she has met.
TO THE POINT:
Newport News Public Schools
Address: Administration Bldg., 12465 Warwick Blvd., Newport News, Va. 23606
Phone: 757-591-4500
Website: nnschools.org
Email: com.rel@nn.k12.va.us
