Kyla James is a part of this year’s graduating class here at Athens, but more than that, she is an artist, gamer, and an aspiring mortician.
Over her years at Athens, she has a lot of fun memories, including a school blackout during her sophomore year, and even a time when the school flooded.
Out of all four of her years at Athens, James says this year has been her favorite. “I’ve went out so much with my friends, went to different places, met different people. [It’s] just been so much fun so far.”
Olivia Leonardo, James’ freshman year English teacher, nominated her for the Oracle’s Senior Spotlight.
“Kyla just always made me laugh…Kyla has come back every single year with a new poster. She just walks past my class and says, ‘I don’t think I like the way I did that’ or ‘I think I’ll try a new style,’” said Leonardo. “The first one was for her book project, which she went above and beyond for, and she just kept adding to it as she went on.”
Leonardo enjoyed having James as a student and said that the art on her projects and posters is still enjoyed by students.
“She’s just made an impact on my students just by having her artwork up because a lot of people go up to admire it. She always paid attention in class and asked a lot of good questions,” said Leonardo.
To become the successful student James is today, she practices great habits to stay on top of things and has developed her own studying strategies.
“When I study, I usually go through the [given] notes and rewrite the notes [in my own words]. I put the topic and whatever we’re learning, and I look over that the day before [a test]. I did that in anatomy, and it really helped my grade,” said James, “And take Physical Science, not Chemistry.”
James’ advice to freshmen is “Definitely take off classes in senior year if they’re able to. [It] makes your day shorter, and having less classes is less stressful.”
After she graduates, James plans on attending Fayetteville Tech for their Funeral and Mortuary Science program to pursue her dream of becoming a mortician.
“I decided to be a mortician because my mom saw I was interested in anatomy and dissecting,” said James, “We were trying to find a job for me, so she thought of that job for me. Plus, my grandpa was [also] a mortician.”
Outside of school, James finds lots of ways to express her creativity.
“I do art, that’s the main thing I do, I’m always doing art. Games, I have a very big interest in games, that’s my life,” said James, “Fandom spaces, I’m really into fandoms. Anything creative.”
James has also used her creativity on social media. From 2021 to 2022, she had an account where she posted edits and other content she was interested in.
Congratulations, Kyla, on finishing high school, and we hope you succeed in pursuing your dreams and interests in your future!
“I wish her the best in her endeavors and to keep up with her art,” said Leonardo.
