PHS Senior, Kyra Morrow, is a two-time debate state champion, varsity tennis player, and aspiring criminal lawyer. Kyra has balanced multiple extracurriculars and a successful academic career by working hard and never giving up.
Morrow finished her senior tennis season strong and competed hard with her team. Although she didn’t find the success she was hoping for, she grew both collaboratively and individually.
“Overall, I feel like it went really well,” Morrow said. “Isabelle [Urbach] and I competed really well at the beginning of the season, and even though we weren’t playing as strong toward the end, we still had a lot of fun. … We played a lot of really good teams, and I’m proud of how we finished.”
The tennis season showed Morrow that her success was defined by the accomplishment and growth of a team, rather than her individual success. Throughout high school, tennis has taught her to step out of her comfort zone and make new friends.
“Tennis has definitely made me into a more social person and a better team player,” Morrow said. “I used to prefer working on my own, but playing doubles and having great coaches really changed that. Their advice has helped me, not just in tennis, but in things like speech and debate too.”
Speech and debate, another extracurricular that Kyra dedicates her time and energy to, has also taught her valuable lessons. By overcoming challenges like anxiety and unpredictable opponents she has become a title-winning debater.
“The hardest part is the nerves. You walk into a competition with nothing but what you know,” Morrow said. “It’s tough because you can’t predict what your opponents will say, so you have to be ready for everything. … You also have to learn how to adapt your arguments to different judges’ biases.”
Even with activities like tennis, speech and debate, National Honors Society (NHS), Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), and more demanding her time and energy, Kyra still manages to balance a successful academic life.
“I’m involved in about seven clubs and activities, plus school and church, so it’s definitely hard to balance everything,” Morrow said. “The key has been keeping an organized schedule and relying on the support system around me. It’s nice knowing I’m not alone when things get overwhelming.”
With all of this going for her, Kyra has lots of opportunities to continue learning, growing, and pursuing her goals after high school. She has dreams of using her debate skills to bring justice to those who aren’t getting it.
“My plan right now is to major in criminal psychology with a minor in criminal justice and a focus in pre-law,” Morrow said. “I want to go to law school and become a prosecuting lawyer because there are so many people who deserve justice but don’t have anyone willing to fight for them.”
After four long and stressful, yet equally rewarding years at Powell High School, Kyra leaves these wise words for younger students:
“Don’t be afraid to try new things, even if you’re nervous or bad at them at first,” Morrow said. “I used to be terrified of public speaking, and now I’m a two-time state champion in speech and debate. You never know what you’ll end up being good at or where you’ll find your closest friends.”
