“Stay focused and be yourself! Do not try to change who you are to stop your journey to success to try to fit in.” Words of wisdom from an already accomplished member of the Lakeview School Class of 2025, Kayla Scales-McKoy.
Kayla should know. She’s the recipient of the 2025 North Carolina State Employees Credit Union People Helping People scholarship, awarded to students who exhibit “leadership, excellence of character, and integrity.” She plans to apply the award to her tuition at Elizabeth City State University, where she will major in psychology.
Ultimately, Kayla plans to open a mental health facility for under-represented and minority adolescents. She says she’s motivated by proving wrong those who might naysay her ambitious goals.
“What motivates me to succeed is everybody who counted me out or told me that I was never going to be anything, because all I want to do is prove them wrong,” said Kayla, whose favorite memory as a Lakeview student is serving as a panelist for the Safe Minds Safe Schools community forum.