Beyond The Nest is a feature that reaches out to WYWLA  graduates and interviews them to 

provide insights about their college or professional experiences.

This month we spotlight Kaiya Keyes!

What year did you graduate from WYWLA?

I graduated from WYWLA in 2024.

How long were you at WYWLA?

I came to WYWLA as a 10th grader, so I was there for three years.

Why did you choose WYWLA? What were some things you had in mind to get out of WYWLA? Did you? Who were your biggest influences at WYWLA?

I chose WYWLA because my previous school had a lack of diversity and I didn’t see myself growing or coming out of my shell in that environment. Obviously the college credits were a big part of making my decision to come to WYWLA, but aside from that I thought it was important for me to find a place where I could grow and develop as a person. My biggest influences at WYWLA were definitely Mr. di Carlo, Ms. Shope, and Ms. Wormald, because they all gave me the motivation to be the best student I could, and I wanted to make them proud. 

What are some of the biggest lessons you learned at WYWLA?

One of the most valuable lessons I learned at WYWLA was the importance of adaptability. Throughout my time there, I faced numerous changes and while adapting to new situations has never come easily to me, I had to learn and grow to navigate those challenges successfully.

What were you involved in during your high school years? What staff members championed you while at WYWLA?  How?

I was a part of many clubs at school such as National Honor Society, Junior Civitan and Student Government. Outside of school, I had two jobs and I spent much of my time volunteering for community organizations like Note in the Pocket, Activate Good and Springfield Baptist Church. While all of my teachers supported me throughout my time at WYWLA, Mr. di Carlo and Ms. Shope played a particularly significant role in my success. They set high expectations for my academic success but also made me feel confident in my ability to do hard things. Their guidance and encouragement made a lasting impact on my high school journey and helped shape who I am today.

Approximately how many college credits did you earn through our partnership with St. Augustine’s University?

I think I earned about 47 credits that actually transferred to my school and I currently have junior academic standing as a freshman!

Why did you choose Finance major? What is your career goal? 

I am a Finance major and Marketing minor. I chose Finance because I’ve always enjoyed mathematics and my University offers really great opportunities for Finance majors through their School of Business. My current career goal is to do data analytics for an NBA team’s marketing operations department or to do data analytics for some part of the sports industry. 

What advice would you offer to our 6th grade OWLS, 9th grade OWLS, and our senior OWLS?

To the 6th grade OWLS: Be patient and embrace where you are right now. Don’t be in  a rush to grow up and get to high school. Middle school is such an important and formative time in a girl’s life, so take the time to stay present and enjoy it.

To the 9th graders: My advice is similar—high school will fly by faster than you think. Take it all in and if you have big plans or goals for your future, stay focused on your work (especially junior year) and make the most of these years.

To the senior OWLS: You’re almost there! Personally, I couldn’t wait to graduate, but trust me, the hardest part is already behind you. I know people always say not to get senioritis, but if we’re being real, it happens to the best of us (I definitely had it). Just do your best to finish strong!

What do you do in your spare time?

In my spare time I go out with my friends, watch movies, and work as an athletics marketing intern. 

What colleges did you apply to/get accepted? Why did you choose your university?

I got accepted into 19 different colleges but I chose my university, Hampton University, because when I visited I thought the campus was beautiful with a smaller, close-knit feel and I could see myself thriving here. I also ended up getting a full ride merit scholarship to Hampton and I love free money!

How did high school prepare you for college? 

High school prepared me for college because since I had already taken college-level courses, I knew what to expect. Through high school I also learned little things such as knowing to go to office hours and getting to know the professors. This information has helped me a lot in college. 

What is your impression of life in college thus far?  How does it feel to be in college?

I really love college life so far. The independence is great and I feel like I've grown just in this first semester. I had a great semester academically, so I can't wait to finish out the year strong and tackle another group of classes!