Two students from Bossier Schools will represent their community as finalists in the Louisiana Department of Education 2024-25 Student of the Year (SOTY) competition.

Kylie Small is one of eight high schoolers and Lily Kees is one of eight 8th graders selected for the honor. Both were chosen from the region comprised of 11 parishes.

Kylie is a senior at Haughton High School (HHS). As the vice president of the HHS Student Council, a four-year varsity starter on the softball team, a member of the HHS Red Jackets, and involved with the Talented Arts Program for music, she is a leader on campus and off of it. 

“Softball taught me a lot of responsibility, and the biggest benefit is being a part of something greater than yourself because it prepares you for the future and a career to work with others towards a common goal,” she said. “Being a Red Jacket is more than a club, it is an honor that comes with the responsibility of being a role model for other students, serving the community, and inspiring others to be excellent.”

She said being a SOTY finalist is very rewarding because her support system inspires her to leave a legacy for Haughton High and Bossier Parish.

“Some people are born with a competitive drive to be the best, and I set a high bar for myself. I have an internal motivation to achieve beyond just satisfactory,” Kylie said.

Kylie’s true passion is music. She notes that music saves by giving people a way to relate to one another. She uses it to express her feelings and by sharing her original songs, she has received overwhelming feedback that her art has helped others by making them feel seen and heard.

“I started creating music from an internal desire to express my emotions and thoughts, but the further I’ve gone along, my 30,000 followers on TikTok and I have formed a community,” Kylie said. “Now, I do it for more than just myself, I want to provide a place for people to go and relate to each other.”

Sharing her art online has led to success beyond the app. While a poem about mental health launched her platform, her passion to create from a place of love caught the attention of a Nashville talent scouting agency. Within only two months, she was signed to a recording contract and now works with professionals across the music industry. Her first original, the country song “Them Boys,” will be released May 16.  

Kylie described this as surreal, saying, “I knew it was God opening doors for my future. I have always felt called to pursue music professionally, and this made me feel like that was a real possibility. Now I feel like I’m living a dream.”

After graduation, Kylie will attend Belmont University in Nashville, where she will balance pursuing a degree in music business with chasing her dream. She hopes to intern at a songwriting agency while simultaneously writing and releasing songs.

Kylie said she stays centered by prioritizing her relationship with Jesus Christ. 

“None of this would be possible without Him. Making time for that lets my schedule work because I know it’s the Lord working it all out to where I’m able to manage,” she said.

Lastly, Kylie was speechless when it came to expressing how much she loves her hometown. She is grateful for the support and hopes to spend her future making them proud.

“It takes a village, and I am extremely grateful for mine,” Kylie concluded. “I will miss it when I go off to college, but I want to return and raise my kids in Bossier Schools so they can experience that encouragement and support that I had.”

Lily, an 8th grader at Greenacres Middle School, is honored and surprised to be a SOTY finalist. She is driven by her desire to achieve and the support from her parents.

Her interests include Brazilian jiu-jitsu and powerlifting. Kees volunteers teaching self-defense at the Louisiana Black Belt Academy.

“I like the personal growth aspect of martial arts and lifting, it gives me motivation to become my better self. I love focusing on my abilities and pushing myself in male-dominated sports,” she said. “Teaching self-defense helps others, and knowing that I can play a role in protecting someone’s life is the enjoyment I get out of it.”

Kees also enjoys reading, poetry, acting, and film. She is a member of the Bossier Schools Talented Arts Program (TAP) and performs with the Shreveport Little Theater (SLT).

“My house has always been a place where you can be yourself, and I’ve always used art to express myself,” Kees revealed. “My friends pushed me to try SLT, and my teachers noticed my ability and put me in the TAP theater program, which helped me to get even more opportunities. Being with a theater is like a big family, and being on stage allows me to become someone new in a whole different world.”

As captain of the Mustang Prancers Danceline, she said her favorite part of Bossier Schools is connecting with a wide variety of personalities and new people. She is looking forward to pursuing a future career in biology, veterinary science, or geology.

“Thank you to my friends and family, Greenacres Middle School, and the community for being behind me. You all have made such an impact on my life, and I believe the best is yet to come,” Kees said.