Layla Kay Wisemen was born on April 6, 2006, to Heather Kirkpatrick and the late Leo Wiseman. She has six siblings: Tiana, Leo, Izaiah, Chloe, Carter, and Chadlynn. Her favorite teacher is Mr. Shrum, who also inspired her favorite quote: “You are awesome. Trust the awesomeness.” Three words that Layla would use to describe herself are outgoing, kind, and strong-willed. If she could travel anywhere in the world, she would choose Chicago because “it holds many good memories and has a special place in my heart.” Her favorite school memory is working with all the seniors during homecoming and winning the spirit stick for the second time. One of her most embarrassing high school moments occurred in Stegs’ class when they were discussing what was for second chance, and Layla mistakenly said “panacakes” instead of pancakes, leading everyone to laugh at her mispronunciation.
As a child, Layla wanted to be a lawyer when she grew up. After high school, she plans to attend Mineral Area College for two years to earn her Associate of Arts degree in social work and then continue her education at Williams Woods University to major in medical social work. Layla is involved in several clubs, including BETA, FBLA, FCA, and PEP, and she is also a member of the volleyball and track and field teams. Her advice to underclassmen is to enjoy the journey: “High school is not just about academics; it’s also about making memories and friendships. Take your time and enjoy your high school experience.” When asked how she feels about graduating, Layla stated, “Excited but nervous. I’m looking forward to taking the next step in life, but I’m scared as well.” What she will miss most about high school is seeing her friends, the Benjis, every day and creating unforgettable memories with them. Layla feels that her biggest accomplishment so far is being accepted to the college she wanted to attend. The person who has had the greatest influence on Layla is her mom. Throughout her mom's ups and downs in life, she has taught Layla many valuable lessons, such as how to get through tough times, that it’s okay to make mistakes, and the importance of taking responsibility for those mistakes. Most importantly, her mom has taught her that no one is perfect.
SHOUTOUTS: Mom, Tiana, Chloe, The Benjis, Dezi, Mrs.Braswell, Mrs.Page, Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Brumfiled, and my dad and brother