Kayla Lydy '23 Recruiting Profile

Hi, my name is Kayla Lydy. I am a senior at American Leadership Academy. My main positions are Catcher and 1st Base. However I am a utility player who can play anywhere you need me too. I throw righty and am a lefty up to the plate. 

For the last 15 years I have committed my life to softball. And for the last 3 I have added the gym and nutrition to that commitment. Softball has been a remarkable journey and I hope to continue it into college. If you know anything about softball you know it's a failure sport. It tells you no, no, no and you have to tell it yes. For example, Hall of Fame MLB players have an average batting average of .300. That means that only 30% of their at bats they are getting hits. That would be a huge F on your paper. Softball has taught me to learn from your failure and appreciate your success. Its taught me hard work and mental toughness. I spend 7 days a week either in the cage, in the gym, or on the field. Some days all three. 

Not only do I spend much time and discipline in my training. I have also been active in my studies. I have taken much pride in being a student athlete who maintains an unweighted GPA of 3.9 and weighted of 4.24. I like to challenge myself by taking some honors, AP, and DE classes. I am in NHS (National Honors Society) and NSHSS (National Society of High School Scholars). I have a passion for education and learning and will be studying education in the fall of 2023. So far I have done multiple mentorships with several different teachers of different subject areas. And have led over 100 classroom lessons.

Leaders shape the future. And that's why I surround myself with opportunities where I can be an active and kind leader so that I can bring out the best of those around me. From spring of 2021 to spring of 2022, I was a state leader for a non-profit organization that promoted personal growth and leadership development through Family and Consumer Sciences education. This organization was called FCCLA and had some remarkable opportunities to work with students all around Arizona and how they can become better leaders. I was able to run a leadership camp, a Fall Leadership Conference (FLC), and a State Leadership Conference (SLC) with my fellow State Officers (8 total including me). While also sending out weekly videos to help students in life. These videos could include opportunities for leadership, tips and tricks to handling school work, or the importance of self care. Along with being a State Officer, I was a chapter officer for my school for the last 3 years through FCCLA. I have become a leader for the youth in my school while working with different students ages 5-14. Through helping them in the classrooms while I am in there. Or helping around my schools through free tutoring for anyone under 9th grade and helping new students find their way around the school.

As Martin Luther King Junior spoke, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, What are you doing for others?” It's important that we not only care for ourselves but others as well. I try to ask myself everyday “Have I helped someone out or was I there for another?” I take a love for volunteer work with having over 50 hours of volunteer work. And make a mission of mine to put a smile on at least one person’s face a day. Because again, what you are doing for others is life's greatest question.

To those reading, spread kindness and love one another.