Education: it’s something many American children take for granted.
But Oakwood’s Kylie Neuman feels blessed to have had the opportunity to learn.
“I guess it’s hard to describe what having the opportunity to learn is because I’ve always had it, and I think that is something we all take advantage of,” Neuman said. “Learning doesn’t always seem fun, but a life without it would be so different, and so at the end of the day, I’m very grateful.”
For Neuman — who joins Andrew Cook as valedictorians of Oakwood High School — gratitude fueled her desire to do her absolute best in everything in which she participated.
“I’m a perfectionist when it comes to school, and just hated getting B’s,” she said. “It sounds a little goofy, but it wasn’t necessarily about being valedictorian, it was just about getting and keeping A’s.”
As Neuman focused on her grades, she also excelled in athletics and student council.
Kicking off her junior year on the varsity basketball team, Neuman injured her knee, sidelining her for the rest of the season.
Staying down was not in her plans though.
“I had a lot of support from teachers, family, and friends,” she said. “Having someone in your corner is always a good thing, especially through the challenging times.”
Neuman came back her senior year, helping Oakwood volleyball to a 24-10 record and doing her part to help Oakwood basketball win the Vermilion County title.
She also rallied to score 349 points in basketball her senior year, pushing her over the 1,000-career point milestone, and she hit a team-high 10 home runs during softball season.
“Fortunately, I was able to get to 1,000 and it was a very gratifying moment for me,” Neuman said. “It felt so good because there was a time when I truly thought that I could maybe get close to 1,000 but would never actually get there. So it felt even better knowing that I was able to accomplish it despite my setback.”
Neuman holds the record for number of games played during any athletic career at 355 during her time at Oakwood High School.
She is also proud of the time the student council spent organizing the senior citizen holiday dinner.
“I think it’s important to get involved because high school is truly what you make of it,” she said. “It might get stressful at times, but accomplishing things makes you feel really good about yourself.”
As an incoming student at Danville Area Community College, Neuman will have to take her time management skills with her as she balances academics and softball.
Neuman plans to transfer to a four-year university, seeing her education through to a doctorate degree in physical therapy.
“Hard work pays off in the end,” she said. “You can truly get through anything as long as you trust that you will.”
