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 Kai White and Sarah Carter!

What year did you graduate from WYWLA?

I graduated from WYWLA in 2024. 

How long were you at WYWLA?

I attended WYWLA from the eighth to the twelfth grade. 

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?

To be honest, my parents chose WYWLA for me but I am glad they did. I learned so many valuable lessons while attending WYWLA and feel it was special to go to school with so many girls with diverse backgrounds and experiences. My biggest influences were probably Ms. Cuffee, Mrs. Nieh, Ms. Watkins and Mrs. di Carlo. 

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

The two biggest lessons I learned at WYWLA were to make the most of your time in high school and to be open to making friends. Attending WYWLA is a unique experience that many students don’t get, and even on the days when I couldn’t wait to graduate, I realized it’s important to appreciate those high school years. While I don’t necessarily want to go back, high school is a time when you can make mistakes and learn while having the support of teachers and parents in a way you might not in college.

I also learned that friendships and relationships can change, and that’s perfectly normal! It’s important to maintain early friendships while staying open to new connections. Honestly, two of the closest friends I have from high school didn’t become close to me until the last two months of senior year, which taught me that meaningful relationships can develop at any time.

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

During my time at WYWLA, I was a member of the National Honors Society (NHS), and Junior Civitan. I was also a grade representative for Student Government. All of the staff at WYWLA played a major role in my time at WYWLA but the ones that stand out in particular include: Ms. Cuffee, Mrs. Nieh, Ms. Watkins and Mrs. di Carlo. These staff members in particular I feel had a particular investment in students and truly had compassion and care. I believe these women in particular were perfect for teaching at an all girl’s school and exemplifying what it looks like to be a woman leader. 

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

I earned approximately 54 credits during my time at WYWLA!

What did you choose as your major? What is your current job/career?

I chose Psychology as my major because I became fascinated with human behavior and mental processes during my junior year. After taking Introduction to Psychology at Saint Augustine's University, I knew I wanted to continue learning about the field, so I took Psychology of the African American Community during the first semester of senior year , which allowed me to explore the branch of Black psychology. Being at Central has only solidified my interests and has encouraged my goal of pursuing a career in child psychology. 

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

To the 6th grade OWLS: Middle school can be challenging, but remember to have fun and know that everything will work out! Right now, you might be eager to get to high school or grow older, but make the most of your middle school years. Try new sports, explore new hobbies, and enjoy this time as much as possible.

To the 9th grade OWLS: Don’t worry if you’re unsure about what you want to do after high school. You still have plenty of time! You’ll probably start hearing a lot about college and possible careers this year or next, but don’t feel discouraged if you’re not sure yet. Stay open to new experiences and take advantage of taking college classes when you get there-you might discover something you really enjoy!

To the senior OWLS: You’re almost there! My biggest advice is not to limit yourself to what you think your path should be after high school. Honestly, if you had asked me most of senior year where I thought I would go to college, I probably would have said Howard or NC A&T, and I definitely would not have said Central. But I am so grateful I chose Central because I absolutely love it!  You never know where life will take you, and there’s so much beauty and excitement in that uncertainty.

What do you do in your spare time?

In my free time, my friends and I like to do random and spontaneous things. Sometimes we go thrifting, hit the mall, check out events in downtown Durham, or go to things happening on campus. I even remember one time we went out for a seafood boil. I also try to make it to the bigger football games, like the first home game, the Aggie-Eagle Classic, and homecoming. When I’m not hanging out with them, you will probably find me in my dorm room watching TV. 

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

When applying to college, I knew I wanted to attend a Historically Black College or University. I applied to several institutions, including Howard University, North Carolina A&T, UNC Charlotte, UNC Chapel Hill, Spelman College, Morgan State University, North Carolina Central University, and Winston-Salem State University. I was grateful to receive a full scholarship to North Carolina Central University, which played a significant role in my decision to enroll. Additionally, NCCU’s psychology program stood out as one of the strongest among HBCUs, making it the ideal choice for me.

How did high school prepare you for college? 

WYWLA prepared me for college in many ways. Academically, I was able to take classes on a college campus for two years and earn college credits, which now gives me the opportunity to explore other interests since I have space in my curriculum. Beyond academics, WYWLA helped me develop leadership and professional skills that I am very grateful for. I learned how to manage my time, communicate effectively, and work collaboratively with others which are skills that have been essential in college. The school also encouraged me to take initiative, get involved in extracurricular activities, and engage in community service, all of which helped me become more independent and prepared for the responsibilities of college life.

What was your impression of life in college?  What was college life like?

College life is very different from high school, but in the best ways. One of the biggest changes is having less structure and more free time, which can be both a good and a challenging thing. You get a lot more choices in college. You get to choose your classes and the times of your classes in most cases, your major, the organizations you desire to join, and even what you want to eat that day. Beyond classes, there is always something unexpected happening, and no two days are the same. One of the best parts of college is meeting people from different places with unique stories. I have made friends from Delaware, Georgia, Florida, New Jersey, and have met people from many other states. Even though I am close to home, college has given me the chance to see the world outside of my North Carolina bubble.

You’ve been fortunate enough to attend and present at various conferences.  Please elaborate on these.

The first conference I attended was back in March at the Southern Regional Honors Council Conference in Chattanooga, Tennessee with my school’s honors program. I thoroughly enjoyed this experience because I got to meet other students my age from various different schools and see them presenting their own research.

During my first year of college, I was fortunate to join a research lab as an undergraduate research assistant. Through my lab, I had the opportunity to attend and present at the Society for Community Action in Research (SRCA) Biennial Conference in Lansing, Michigan. I also participated in the Big Ten Alliance Summer Research Opportunity Program (SROP) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign for eight weeks. At the end of the program, I presented my research at the Illinois Summer Research Symposium (ISRS). I am very grateful for these experiences, especially because before starting college, I believed research was boring and daunting, but I now see that that is not always the case. These opportunities have helped me see the value of research, and I am thankful to have been exposed to it early in my academic journey.

What year did you graduate from WYWLA?

I graduated from WYWLA in 2022. 

How long were you at WYWLA?

I attended WYWLA from the sixth to the twelfth grade. 

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 I wanted a challenge. I heard about the early college and knew that I wanted to get ahead of my peers. I wanted to grow my confidence and my leadership skills. I accomplished all of the above and more. My biggest influences were Mrs. Feldman, Ms. Wormald, Mrs. Watkins, Mrs. Wilkes, Dr. Terry, Mrs. Stearns, and Mrs. Solomon.

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

Keep it classy. Shake hands with everyone. Every day is a job interview; you never know who you'll meet. Be professional at all times. Have high expectations for yourself, but forgive yourself. You are not just a number or a grade; you're a person too.

What were you involved in during your high school years? 

I was involved in the National Honor Society and in religious organizations, and I had jobs outside of school. I tutored, babysat, nannied, and taught at a religious organization.

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

I do not have an exact number, but I graduated from college a year early.

What did you choose as your major? What is your current job/career?

I majored in Middle School Math and Science education at North Carolina State University. This is my current field; I teach Math 1 and Math 8.

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

For 6th-grade OWLS, I would tell them to learn study skills and begin to prepare for high school and college by listening to their teachers and admin; trust that they are preparing them for the future.

For 9th-grade OWLS, the same, and also say that you enjoy your time as a high schooler, because it will fly by fast. 

For seniors, the same as both 6th and 9th, and to enjoy the relationships you have with your teachers. When you go to college, keep up those relationships; they will help you later.

What do you do in your spare time?

I go on walks with my boyfriend, get lunch or dinner with friends, use Duolingo (I have many students who speak Spanish or another language), and bake. 

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

I applied and got accepted to UNC Charlotte, UNC Greensboro, North Carolina State University, and Appalachian State University. I attended NCSU. I chose this college because it is the top producer of STEM educators in North Carolina. NCSU had also been a dream of mine since I was in elementary school.

How did high school prepare you for college? 

I learned study skills and organizational skills. I was ready for the workload, the need to be organized, and the need to stay on top of my assignments.

What was your impression of life in college?  What was college life like?

College life was fun. It was all about balance, balancing social life, schoolwork, studying, healthy eating, and moving your body. I had to really create my own schedule, build my routines, and stick to them. I learned to advocate for myself more than ever. A professor, advisor, or teaching assistant will not know you need or want help if you do not ask for it.