FACES OF JAG
Meet Nyla
From Shrinking to Shining
When people asked Nyla who she wanted to be when she grew up, the answer was never simple.
“I didn’t know how to answer,” Nyla recalls. “Not because I didn’t have dreams, but because somewhere along the way, I stopped believing I deserved them.”
Born in New York, she was a child of “big heart and bigger light.” But life wasn’t always easy. Frequent moves and a constant sense of not fitting in caused her to retreat. “I started shrinking myself,” she says.
“Every move, every change, every moment, I felt like I didn’t fit anywhere, chipping away at me, and eventually I started shrinking myself.”
Finding Room To Grow
“Losing my father two weeks before junior year shattered something in me I didn’t know could break.”
Finding Her Voice & Power in JAG
She joined JAG looking for support and community.
“I was going through a difficult time when my father passed. I looked to JAG for a community where I could feel supported, find the positive in my circumstances, and find my voice.”
For the first time in high school, Nyla ran for a leadership role. Even though it was her first year in the program, she became Vice President of her school’s JAG Career Association chapter. As vice president, she helped organize events such as JAG-A-Palooza, the Initiation & Installation Ceremony, and a prom for the JAG and Best Buddies programs.
Throughout that journey, her JAG Specialist played a big role in her life. “What I like most about my coordinator is that no matter what, I know she will always be there for me. I doubt myself a lot. I’m an overthinker, and I’m always in my head. She never gives up on me; she pushes me to keep going.”
Nyla competed in multiple competitions at the 2022 Career Development Conference, placing in the public speaking, housekeeping, and LinkedIn competitions. After winning first place in the Carolyn Warner Legacy Public Speaking Competition, she shared her story in front of more than 700 guests.
“”I have never had a teacher see so much potential in me, and because she does that, it keeps me going.”
National Competitor to JAG News Desk Anchor
After the trip, she shared; “When I went on the trip, I was really nervous because I didn’t think anyone would like me. And before, I was struggling a lot with friendships. Going on the trip made me realize that I’m worth so much more than I think. I definitely want to work on being more confident in myself and knowing my purpose, my worth, and what I have to offer not only to this program but to my school, community, and this country in general.”
Through public speaking and leadership, Nyla discovered the power of storytelling. “The JAG program ignited my passion for public speaking, where I discovered the power of storytelling and advocacy.”
That experience helped shape her future path. “Competing in public speaking showed me the importance of amplifying marginalized voices, and sparked my interest in journalism.”
Her internship as a JAG News Desk content creator helped solidify her career decision. “As a news desk content creator with JAG, I further realized journalism was my calling to give voice to the voiceless and shed light on the darkest corners of society.”
“JAG became the place where I stepped into my power.”
Stepping Into Her Future
At Tonopah Valley High School, no student had ever even applied to Howard, let alone been accepted. “Part of me wondered if a girl from my small town could really break that barrier,” she admits. She applied anyway.
When the acceptance letter arrived, it was a milestone not just for Nyla, but for her entire community. “It wasn’t just good news,” she recalls. “It was history.”
She graduated from Tonopah Valley High School in May 2024 and began studying Media, Journalism, and Film with a concentration in Broadcast Journalism at Howard University.
“I shattered expectations and made history when I received the news of my acceptance into Howard University with a $20,000 achiever scholarship for media, journalism and film.”
What Comes Next
She credits those who helped guide her.
“I am profoundly grateful to my coordinators, and to the entire JAG community for their endless support and continuous belief in me, and to my amazing mother, who pushes me harder than anyone I’ve encountered.”
With the leadership and public speaking skills gained in JAG, the academic rigor of Howard University, and real-world experience at PBS, Nyla is preparing for a very successful career.
“This is only the beginning,” she says, and her future in journalism is just getting started.
Watch Nyla’s Personal Story!
This powerful personal video is a MUST SEE! Nyla shares her journey from grief to growth in a beautifully created video she wrote, directed and produced herself. Hear directly from Nyla about losing her father, stepping into leadership, discovering her passion for journalism, and making history at Howard University.
Thank you, Nyla, for allowing us to share your story!