2019 KHS Valedictorian returns to share experiences and inspire students at Kilgore Gifted Center

Mia Wright, 2019 valedictorian and Ron Brown Scholar at Kecoughtan High School, returned to Kilgore Gifted Center to inspire students. She is presently a junior at Harvard University studying mechanical engineering.

Having been a student in Lisa Ann Wilson’s digital studio class at Kilgore Gifted Center, Wright contacted Wilson and offered to talk to her students about filmmaking, speaking to an audience with confidence and holding their attention, conveying a message to the audience in film, and what these skills look like in different disciplines (i.e., engineering). 

“It was so much fun getting to meet the bright sixth graders in Mrs. Wilson’s digital studio class and talk with them about how filmmaking can be a very useful skill beyond this class,” said Wright. “I had a great time showing the students some of the films I made in high school and college for final projects and a film I made just for fun during my senior year of high school.”

“Mia is an excellent presenter! I liked her presentation because not only does it show how the digital studio class helped her in higher grade levels, but it also showed how successful she is,” shared Kara Lucas, Kilgore student.

Another student, Tuong Vi Phan, said, “I really liked that Mia talked about how she goes to Harvard and what she is majoring in. Mia said she is majoring in mechanical engineering and I have always wanted to be a mechanical engineer.”

“I was delighted when Mia reached out during winter break and offered to speak to my students,” shared Wilson. “Her videos and the presentation far exceeded by expectations. This experience is definitely the highlight of my school year and will set a precedent for other invited former students to speak to all of my students in the future!”