Leading to Success

Senior Shares Importance of Leadership Skills in Personal Life, College Recruiting Process

Photo Courtesy of Keep it Digital

Eyes on the ball, senior Kymorah Carter looks to pass the ball. Carter has helped lead her select volleyball team for seven years and implemented those leadership skills to showcase herself during the college recruiting process. “These skills I learned helped me to speak up for myself and pushed me to be the best I could possibly be during the process,” Carter said. “Having the opportunity to be in these leadership positions has helped me grow tremendously and to be comfortable in my own skin.”

Lauren Dillon, Guest Reporter
May 19, 2022

Team captain, warm up captain, tournament captain, president of two clubs, and a Division I recruit. After having a crucial leadership role for her select volleyball team for seven years, Carter decided to use her leadership skills in a larger scope, influencing others in the greater-Austin community.

For two consecutive years, Carter was president of the Xinos and Kudos Regional Chapter, as well as the Top Teens of America Austin Chapter. Both of these organizations specialize in community service and academic scholarship opportunities for high school students. 

 “I implemented the leadership skills I learned from club volleyball into these organizations,” Carter said. “We do a lot of work with the community and local churches that members frequently attend.”

Carter says her role is vital to these organization’s conferences, as she makes sure everyone is mingling and she also gives speeches at the beginning and end of each annual conference.

“I love being involved in these conferences yearly,” Carter said. “It not only provides college opportunities, and allows me to connect with other organizations, leaders, and committee members.”

Carter stated that she has always been a social and outgoing person, so joining these groups really helped her to express herself, as well as put herself on the map for college recruitment.

“My mission is to help members of these groups express themselves and to be vocal with their thoughts and ideas,” Carter said. “I try to help everyone get the most out of the experience as they can.”

As a woman of color, Carter uses these clubs as an outlet to discuss and guide other African American women through their struggles.

 

“I’ve always been taught that things are twice as hard for me, therefore I have to work twice as hard,” Carter stated. “I use this to motivate and push myself and get outside of my comfort zone and use that knowledge to express my viewpoints and opinions on things without fearing I won’t be heard.”

It has always been Carter’s dream to play at an HBCU school and follow in her family’s footsteps. 

“I knew I would feel comfortable going to a historically Black college,” Carter said. “I grew up visiting them and I knew it was where I belonged at a very young age, as I knew I would be able to be my authentic self.”

Having this goal in mind, Carter was recruited to play volleyball at Jackson State University, a Division I HBCU school. 

“I felt super accomplished and proud of my hard work after I got recruited,” Carter said. “My mom is a Jackson State alumni, so it was a really big deal for her and the rest of my family.” 

Carter feels as though the leadership skills she obtained through leading her club volleyball team and both organizations helped her showcase herself in the recruiting process.

 “These skills I learned helped me to speak up for myself and pushed me to be the best I could possibly be during the process,” Carter said. “Having the opportunity to be in these leadership positions  has helped me grow tremendously and to be comfortable in my own skin.”