My name is Zylah Tykera Grier, and I was born on February 13, 2008. I am from Atlanta and have attended Drew since the 1st grade. As a member of the Class of 2026, I am preparing to take the next step in my academic journey by attending a four-year HBCU. I aspire to build a successful future by becoming an influencer, a real estate agent, and pursuing studies in radiology. My favorite subjects are reading and math, as they challenge me and help me grow academically. In my free time, I enjoy watching movies and TV shows, which allow me to relax and explore different perspectives and stories.

My academic goals are to graduate with a high GPA while consistently maintaining at least an A- (above 80%) in all of my classes. I am committed to staying focused, managing my time effectively, and putting in the effort needed to understand the material in each subject fully. I also plan to take advantage of opportunities such as advanced courses, tutoring, and extracurricular activities to strengthen my academic skills and prepare myself for college and my future career.

On a personal level, I aim to continue building my self-confidence and practicing self-love, learning to believe in myself even during challenging times. I want to grow into the best version of myself by staying positive, motivated, and resilient. In the future, I aspire to become an influencer who inspires others by sharing my journey, encouraging self-growth, and making a meaningful, positive impact on people’s lives. Alongside that, I am working toward becoming financially stable by setting goals, learning how to manage money wisely, and creating opportunities for long-term success and independence.

My journey at Drew has been full of growth and self-discovery. I’ve been here since first grade, and over the years, I’ve experienced both losing and gaining friendships, which taught me the value of real connections. I also built strong relationships with teachers and counselors who supported me every step of the way.

High school brought new challenges and some of my best memories, especially during my freshman year. As I started thinking about my future, I explored other schools and was even wait-listed at my top choice, which left me feeling unsure at times. Looking back, staying at Drew was one of the best things for me. I’m truly grateful my mom didn’t let me transfer because the connections and academic opportunities here shaped who I am today.

I also faced moments where I was tested emotionally and mentally, including situations where I was provoked into altercations. In those moments, I had to learn how to step back, control my reactions, and think about the bigger picture. Those experiences didn’t define me — they taught me. I grew stronger, more mature, and more aware of who I want to be. Instead of letting those situations hold me back, I used them as motivation to become better and rise above negativity.

I went from doubting whether I could pass AP classes to taking three in my junior year and passing all with grades over 100. Drew pushed me to grow, believe in myself, and reach my full potential.

This isn’t just goodbye — it’s every lesson, every struggle, and every win coming full circle.