By Cary Jordan, Pioneer Academy Counselor — The Pioneer family is honored to introduce our senior of the week Kylee Krause-Mays. Spending her entire high school career at Pioneer High School, Kylee represents the epitome of excellence. When you first meet her, Kylee greets you with a shy and humble demeanor, but don’t let that fool you from the warm and friendly person waiting to burst out and get to know you.
Being socially outgoing has always been a challenge for Kylee at school, so she started ninth grade at Pioneer as an online student to avoid the anxiety of the high school environment. During her tenth-grade year, Kylee realized she was missing out meeting new people and experiencing new activities and classes she wanted. Kylee stated, “Anxiety was something that has always held me back, and still holds me back in some ways, but I finally started to open up and fight against it. Something I am glad I did.”
To help her through the challenges of facing her anxiety, Kylee appreciated the support of her family. “My parents and grandma have helped me the most in overcoming my anxiety, giving me that nudge I finally needed going back in seat. I met some amazing friends and teachers that gave me that extra push in becoming the person I am today.” Much of the success Kylee has experienced she attributes to her family and says they see her for who she is and motivate her to not hold herself back from something they know she can be. “My parents are major contributors to my success, they fostered a lot of my confidence by encouraging my hobbies and interests since I was little, and they always let me try new things. Along with my grandma, they have been major influences in my life, pushing me to do things, especially when I am scared to take the step in doing so. They have helped develop my love of learning and why I try so hard to do my best.”
Kylee is also thankful for what the Pioneer community given her, motivation. “The setting of Pioneer has helped me achieve my goals. It has allowed me to come out of my shell more, helped me make amazing friends and do well academically. One of the things I like the most about Pioneer is the small community. Getting help from your teachers is something that you will never really struggle with as long as you ask for it. All the teachers there are amazing and willing to help you get to where you want to be in life. I love the environment Mrs. Walker creates in her classroom, both during teaching and during lunch. I really enjoy her class, and I think she has been a contributor in me opening up and making the friends I have.”
The confidence Kylee has acquired has helped her become a 4.0 GPA weighted student, earning an academic letter and a Distinguished Student award through PHS National Honor Society. Kylee is also a member of the ASL club and plans to grow her interests in painting, crocheting, reading and listening to music.
Discovering her motivation, Kylee can now see and appreciate what she has achieved the last few years and now has the confidence to not quit on her goals and go after the things she wants. Her current plans are to attend WNC then transfer to UNR and major in psychology.
“I think my desire to be the best me I can, will push me to see what I am capable of.”
The Pioneer family is proud of Kylee and how much she has grown while at Pioneer and we also look forward to seeing what she is capable of achieving.
— All students named as a weekly Senior Spotlight are featured at the weekly meeting of the Rotary Club of Carson City. The Rotary Club of Carson City is a vibrant and dedicated group of professionals and community leaders committed to making a positive impact. The club welcomes individuals who are passionate about service and enjoy opportunities for personal and professional growth, networking and fellowship.
