Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day: Kiara Lewis’ Story

Every student has been asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” For some, the answer is clear as day and for others, they have no idea. Kiara Lewis fell somewhere in the middle. She knew that she wanted to study English, but she wasn’t sure how that would translate to a career. When Kiara was introduced to engineering, her plans changed.

Kiara was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. She is currently a senior at Warren Easton Charter High School. During her freshman year, Kiara was placed in an engineering elective class and enrolled in her school’s NAF Academy of Engineering. Three years later, Kiara is still interested in engineering and the things she gets to create in class. It was no surprise to her family when she decided to continue studying engineering: “Over the years I would proudly bring home the things we worked on in class, so my mother knew it was something I would pursue in the future.”

In her last year of high school, Kiara is racking up accolades. Last April, Kiara received the highest ACT score, with a perfect reading score, in her school. Most recently, Kiara was named “Student of the Year” in the Orleans Parish District and will be competing to hold that title statewide. Grateful for the recognition, Kiara said, “Many people in the school are going for the same thing as me! All of my peers are just as great, so it is an honor to be recognized.”

Although Kiara has had a change of heart, she still lies in the middle. She is not sure what she’ll do in engineering because she is still exploring all the careers the subject has to offer. What she does know is that she won’t leave her original dreams of studying English behind. Kiara hopes to double major in engineering and English next year in college. As for where she’ll begin her undergraduate career, that is still up in the air. Kiara’s been accepted to her top pick, Spelman, but is still waiting to hear from other schools.