Douglas Byrd High School's Class of 2024: A Beacon of Optimism and Community Engagement

Jayla Foxx, the Senior Class President at Douglas Byrd High School, found her role profoundly inspirational. Reflecting on her tenure, she shared, "My overall experience of representing my senior class has been inspirational because I have the opportunity to learn and surround myself with different students all in the same grade level." This experience not only built a sense of community for herself but also fostered new relationships among the seniors.

A defining moment for Jayla and her class was the notable improvement in their test scores. "One moment that defined my class was the improvement of our test scores," she explained. This achievement underscored their collective effort to enhance the school's reputation academically, "Our seniors work hard to build a positive name for our school, and we believe that our effort is reflected in the gradebook."

At the heart of the senior class's experience was Mrs. Demetra Myers, a key figure in supporting and inspiring the students. "Hands down, the most helpful and inspirational person to our senior class is Mrs. Demetra Myers in room 216. She is the 'heart' of everything involving seniors, and we are grateful to have her help," Jayla stated, acknowledging the significant role Mrs. Myers played in their final year.

Jayla viewed her class's contribution to the school and the community as a cornerstone of support and positive influence. "I believe that our senior class' contribution to our school and community is a 'pillar to lean on' because we do our best to volunteer with any organization that needs help, and we're trying to be positive role models for the younger students in our surrounding community," she noted, emphasizing their commitment to service and mentorship.

Describing the spirit of her class, Jayla chose the word "optimistic." This optimism was particularly evident in their shared aspirations for higher education. "One common goal that most of the students of the Class of 2024 at Douglas Byrd share is the advancement in post-high school education. Whether it's a 2-year, 4-year, or trade school, we all share the common goal of furthering our education," she remarked, highlighting their collective ambition to succeed beyond high school.

Jayla also shared a piece of wisdom for future generations, focusing on resilience and integrity: "The main piece of wisdom I would love to share is to work hard no matter what and don't let outside sources and stereotypes break your character and turn you into someone you're not supposed to be."

She concluded by appreciating the role of Cumberland County Schools in preparing them for the future, "Cumberland County Schools prepared our senior class by giving us the push to perform better inside school and out in the 'real world'."