The Oneonta Area Branch of the NAACP has awarded one of two 2023 Martin Luther King, Jr. Tuition Assistance Awards to Kayla Clark. The purpose of this award is to recognize a student who has demonstrated the ideals and principles of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in their schools and communities. The Education Committee selected Kayla for her exemplary leadership skills and because she is an excellent role model for her peers.
Kayla Kimberly Clark was born in Oneonta, NY and grew up in Margaretville, NY. Kayla is a 2023 graduate of Margaretville Central School. While in high school, Kayla played three sports. She played two years of varsity soccer, as goalie, and was voted Delaware League All Stars second team for 2022. She played three years of varsity basketball and was voted Delaware League All Stars honorable mention in 2023. Kayla also played four years of varsity softball and was voted Delaware Leagues All Stars honorable mention for 2023.
In addition to sports, Kayla has been very active in her school, in other ways, as well as in the culinary program at NCOC. She was President of the Leadership Club at NCOC, where she worked on several activities such as blood drives, toy drives, and food drives. She was also Vice President of her culinary class. At Margaretville, she showed her school spirit by single-handedly organizing a pep rally and helping teachers whenever she could. Along with these accomplishments, she was also a member of the National Honor Society, and National Technical Honor Society. She was either on the Honor roll or Principal's list throughout high school as well. Kayla says her biggest high school accomplishments were overcoming her struggles as a student, having great bonds with her teachers, and graduating with honors!
Kayla will be attending SUNY Cobleskill, majoring in Early Childhood education. She hopes to work with young children as her career. She was truly honored to receive this scholarship. She would like to thank the Oneonta chapter of the NAACP for their generosity. She would also like to thank her teachers, mentors, and coaches.