$5000 Biddeford and Mechanics Savings Charitable Foundation
of Maine Community Bank
2024 Gray-New Gloucester High School
“In college I want to be an active change-maker advocating for underrepresented communities through initiatives, research and internships.”
Empowered by her grandfather’s story as a Vietnam refugee, Kylie has dedicated much of her thus far short life to pursuing her passion for inclusiveness, bettering the lives of immigrants through increasing awareness, particularly of the youth in surrounding communities.
Throughout high school she has been involved in both the Civil Rights and Model UN Club, and created two additional organizations: Engaging Diverse Perspectives, and Global Maine. She applied for and received a $10,000 grant to support these programs which seek to increase global engagement from youth in rural communities such as her own and counter xenophobia in rural Maine’s youngest populations. Approaching public libraries in rural communities, she created story times using children’s books that told honest, accurate, positive stories by and about immigrants.
Kylie currently holds a leadership position in the Maine Youth Action Network (MYAN) that allows her to put into practice her understanding of group dynamics and organization skills while always remaining respectful and open to diverse ideas and opinions.
As part of an honors curriculum her senior year Kylie researched the effect of immigration on Maine communities, focusing specifically on the job market. This motivated her to submit Letters to the Editors of local newspapers: “Do Immigrants Steal Jobs from Native Born Mainers?” The resulting varying opinions and feedback from the public further allowed Kylie to strengthen her belief that all opinions matter and free expression is important.
Atypical of someone her age, Kylie recognizes strength in others and has a broad understanding of the world. An active change maker, she is devoted to ensuring that diverse perspectives are at the table whenever solutions are being developed.
Kylie will attend Columbia University.