Kiyan Ardoin is a freshman at James Irwin High School and maintains 3.7 GPA. With a strong interest in math and machinery, Kiyan dreams of pursuing a career in a math-related field, potentially becoming an engineer like his cousin who he admires or exploring other career paths that align with his passions. After high school, Kiyan plans to attend college, aiming to secure a job in a field related to math, which is his strongest subject.
 

Math is Kiyan’s favorite subject, as he excels in classes like geometry and algebra 2. He enjoys solving problems and math provides a solution for every challenge. Beyond academics, Kiyan is passionate about basketball, music, and community service. He plays the saxophone and has performed as a DJ at the Air Force Base, a skill he learned from his dad. Kiyan enjoys spending time with his dad DJing at events like the African American market and at a fun run.
 

A dedicated volunteer, Kiyan is actively involved in the Keystone Club, where he contributes to community service projects. He has also volunteered at Care and Share, helping others in his community. Kiyan finds fulfillment in volunteering, seeing the positive impact his efforts have on others. He believes in following his own path, a principle instilled in him by his dad, who has been a great mentor, providing valuable advice on making good decisions.
 

Kiyan’s athletic achievements also stand out, particularly in basketball. He is a talented player for his school, having scored 15 points in his last game. Basketball remains his favorite sport, providing him with both joy and a sense of calm. Kiyan admires professional basketball players like Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors, learning dribbling techniques and motivational lessons from watching Curry's performances.
 

In addition to his personal achievements, Kiyan has attended the AAYLC conference for the past two years with his brother who also achieved the Student of the Month award. The conference has given Kiyan valuable knowledge on financial advice and scientific activities. His parents are proud of his accomplishments, including his school awards and his contributions to his community. Kiyan's future goals include continuing to excel in school, growing as an individual, and achieving his dreams in sports or a math-related career.
 

Question: What challenges have you faced in pursuing your goals, and how did you overcome them?

“One of my challenges is being undersized in sports, but I practice a lot and learned to get past the taller defenders. I’ve grown from that!”