Valedictorian of his class, Kylar Akira DeLoach is no stranger to challenges and successes. One might say that his challenges as well as his successes began early in life and are likely to have played a major role in his becoming a National Merit Scholar. As he recalls early years of study and competition, Akira fondly remembers kindergarten and first grade at Enterprise Elementary School.
Akira’s mantra has been and continues to be “Treat others like you want to be treated.” He says this practice has made life easier for him as he encounters and deals with both pleasant and unpleasant situations. This attitude no doubt has had a positive impact on Akira’s achievements. Recently he was selected as one of Enterprise High School’s 2022 STAR students. Not only did Akira receive the distinction of being chosen STAR student, he also achieved the honor of being a National Merit Scholar. The National Merit Scholarship Program is a national academic competition offered to high school students which allows them an opportunity to compete for college scholarships. Students who complete grades 9 through 12 before entering college full time can participate in the National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the PSAT/NMSQT in the third and fourth year of high school. Akira worked hard, took the tests, and became one of around 7200 National Merit Scholars out of millions of competitors. Not only that, but Akira was also named one of 620 U.S. Presidential Scholars Semifinalists from a selected group of only around 5000 candidates nationwide. The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program honors students based on their academic success, leadership, community involvement, and several other pillars.
Akira says one of his challenges has been trying to establish himself as a leader and maintaining the courage to speak up when needed. It is important to him as a leader to lead others in the right way. This attitude, along with his hard work, has led to many valuable experiences and achievements. For example, service as a class officer, member of the BETA Club, and president of the NHS and FBLA all helped to develop his leadership skills. His interest and aptitude in math and science led to the development of a combined geography and history phone quiz app and led to his winning the Congressional App Challenge. Akira’s interest in learning has allowed him to pursue many interests and accomplish much both personally and academically.
Akira has been accepted at MS State University and is the recipient of the Presidential Endowed Scholarship and a variety of scholarships from MS State, including a full ride for research and study abroad. Akira sees his acceptance into the computer engineering program as one of his greatest successes, especially since math and computer science are his favorite subjects.
It has been said that the apple does not fall far from the tree. This appears to be the case for Akira and his mother, Ms. Cheryl Hand, who has had her share of successes and recognitions in the world of academia. Ms. Hand was recently selected as one of Enterprise High School’s 2022 STAR teachers. This is just one recent honor among many others. Ms. Hand has been an instructor at Enterprise High School for the past thirty-two years.
Akira also contributes a lot of success to his father, Mr. Jerome DeLoach, a photojournalist for WLBT. Akira noted that his father serves as a huge inspiration for him to fully pursue his dreams and spread positivity throughout his community.
We wish much continued success for Stonewall’s National Merit Scholar, Kylar Akira DeLoach.
