Growing up, Kayla was always determined to succeed, and her time at Carrollwood Day School was where that ambition first took root. At CDS, she was part of a nurturing and supportive environment that taught her to be her authentic self and to always push for what she believed in.
“CDS was a community that taught me I can do anything I want in this world no matter what my circumstance was. CDS bred a sense of leadership in me, and taught me that I should never take no for an answer," Kayla says.
Kayla took the entrepreneurial spirit and strong character she developed at CDS with her as she ventured off to Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) in 2022 to study political science. At FAMU, Kayla dove into a world of law and leadership. Summer after her freshman year, she interned at a personal injury law firm, gaining real-world experience in the field. By her second year, she broadened her horizons with an internship at a chiropractor’s office, where she learned about the practice and became certified in their filing system. Her most transformative interning experience though came when CDS Coach, Tony Brewington, connected her with the nationally renowned civil right's attorney Ben Crump, where alongside Attorney Anthony Thomas, she worked on cases that shaped history. Kayla's academic success and standout performance in her internships has earned her the honor of being inducted into the pre-law fraternity Phi Alpha Delta, and the Society of Future Female Attorneys.
While Kayla continues to thrive academically, she has also found her place in the FAMU community. Feeling homesick her freshman year, she channeled her emotions into starting her blog and Instagram account, “Christian Girl. College Life.” (@cgclife) where she encourages girls on campus to gather for Bible study, share their faith, and support one another. Her passion for community and leadership also extends into her work as the founder of CHAARG at FAMU (@famu_inchaarg), an organization promoting health and fitness for college women.
Kayla’s college years have already been marked by so many achievements, but despite all her success, her heart remains in her roots. One of the proudest moments of her life so far came during her senior year at CDS when she was paired as her little sister’s Patriot Buddy.
“It was like she could really see what a full circle at CDS looks like,” Kayla reflects. As a minority and soon to be first-generation college student, Kayla was determined to inspire her sister and let her know that no challenge is too great and she would always be there to guide and support her every step of the way.
Kayla's journey from the halls of CDS, to making a mark in the legal world, demonstrates the power of a strong foundation and the importance of community. Kayla's story is not just one of individual achievement but of lifting others along the way, a principle she first embraced as a student at CDS, where the support and encouragement of a family-like community set her on a path to success. The impact Kayla has already made at FAMU and in her community is the very inspiration she hoped to provide to her sister, and it's a testament to the amazing things she's destined to accomplish. We are incredibly proud of her achievements and excited to see all that her future holds!
We love sharing our CDS alumni achievements and are delighted to share Kayla's updates with the alumni community. If you are a CDS Alumni and would like to share your accomplishments, please contact our Alumni Engagement Coordinator, Carli Gauthier Mianne '16 at cmianne@cdspatriots.org and let us know what you have been up to since leaving CDS. We look forward to hearing from you!
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