“Whether it is in class, on the basketball court, on the softball field or in any place you find her, Kyla is a person people look up to on how to live a life of purpose and kindness,” Shannon Hall, an English teacher at Lakeland High School, said.
Well known for basketball, softball, her kindness and generosity, Kyla Holte will walk across the graduation stage in June and move onto the next steps in her life.
Holte has been in the Lakeland Joint School District 272 since third grade, so this change will be quite drastic. Being in the district for so long, Holte has made many memories she will cherish forever.
“I have made a lot of memories through sports, going to state and even at practices,” she said. “I had so much fun going to all the dances and Battle for the Paddle and events like that.”
In August, Holte plans to attend Gonzaga University where she plans to get her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Going into the medical field was always something Holte knew she wanted to do, so she is eager to start college in the fall. The program should take about four years to complete.
“I always wanted to help people and make a difference so I knew that healthcare would be right for me,” Holte said.
Despite Holte being ready for this next step, she will miss the friendships she has made in the school and community, as well as the teachers she has learned from.
Students and staff will miss Holte once she moves on from LHS. Hall thinks of it as a “privilege” to have had Holte in class.
“She is an intelligent and kind young woman overall and a very talented writer and humanities student,” Hall said. “I think every teacher who has had her in class would say how amazing she is, and from my observations, this is also true of her as a peer. She is just a gracious, thoughtful human being.”
Holte has also had this effect on students throughout all her years at LHS. Ella Terzulli, a senior at LHS, originally met Holte during their freshman season of basketball. Since then, the two are rarely seen apart and have a close friendship. Although the two will be going in separate directions in the fall, they plan to stay in touch and keep up with their friendship.
“It’s really special to me because she’s one of the kindest, funniest and genuine people I know,” Terzulli said.
Holte and Terzulli have attended both of their proms together and many of their homecomings. They also have countless memories from basketball practice and classes they share together.
Despite staff and students feeling sentimental for Holte leaving the school and moving on, they are also excited to see what Holte will accomplish.
“Kyla is going to go on to do great things in this world,” Hall said. “Not only do I have zero doubts about her ability to be successful in college and in her career, I also have zero doubts as to her leading a life of meaning, a life that will positively impact all of those who are fortunate enough to cross her path.”
