Where some teenagers rebel against their families, Kaitlin Maynard says hers inspires.
The 17-year-old Crittenden County High School senior grew up with a brother who has special needs. It’s that experience that influenced Maynard to pursue a career as a psychiatric nurse practitioner.
Maynard plans to attend Murray State University in the fall. She credits her parents with her drive and desire to succeed. Because neither of her parents attended college, Maynard wants all the more to earn a college degree and make her family proud, she said.
Undoubtedly, Maynard is well on her way. She holds a 4.0 grade-point average and scored a composite of 27 on the ACT. She was a Governor’s Cup participant this year, has been on the All “A” Honor Roll and Who’s Who Among American High School Students for four years and participated in both the Kentucky Governor’s Scholars Program and Commonwealth Honors Academy last summer, both at Murray State. Maynard studied psychology at both summer programs. She earned six college credit hours at Commonwealth Honors Academy, and her peers voted her community council representative. To hear Maynard explain how the summer programs helped prepare her for college life, watch the video interview at paducahsun.com.
Her junior year, Maynard was chosen as a Commonwealth Ambassador and was named to the National Society of High School Scholars and the United States Achievement Academy.
Maynard also serves as the senior class executive council reporter, plays on the school’s volleyball team and helps her journalism class produce the “Rocket Daily Broadcast.” She is a Rocket Role Model, a student-athlete who speaks to local elementary students about good grades and being active in school and sports. Maynard also participates in the National Beta Club, yearbook committee, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, pep club and biology club.
Kaitlin Maynard, daughter of Tommy and Kathy Maynard, is the Murray State University Teen of the Week. Each Monday, the Sun features a different MSU Teen of the Week selected from nominees high school guidance counselors throughout western Kentucky and southern Illinois submit to the Sun. In May, a Teen of the Year will be chosen from the weekly winners, earning a $5,000 scholarship to Murray State. Teen of the Week is part of the Sun’s Newspapers in Education program.
As she prepares to leave high school behind, Maynard has the full support of her teachers and mentors.
Glenna Hoeszle-Rich, Crittenden County teacher and volleyball coach, said, “Kaitlin is a self-motivated student with a highly developed sense of accomplishment and work ethic.
“She has such a kind heart and will truly be one of those people who makes a difference in the lives that she comes across.”
Contact Danielle Ray, a Paducah Sun staff writer, at 270-575-8657.
