Berks' Best 2024 social studies winner Kayla Laucks wants to own a small theater, create collaborative art

May 17—Kayla Laucks' passion for the arts — particularly theater — and history has shaped her academic pursuits, extracurricular activities and future aspirations.

Throughout her years at Fleetwood High School, Kayla, who is the Berks' Best 2024 winner in social studies, has been deeply involved in various extracurricular activities, showcasing her leadership skills and artistic talents, including:

—Drama Club, holding roles such as president and production manager.

—Orchestra: Dedicated violinist, holding the position of second chair, first violin in her senior year.

—National Art Honor Society co-president.

—National Honor Society and Rho Kappa National Honor Society: Recognized for academic excellence and community service.

—Dance Team and marching band, highlighting her versatility and passion for performing arts.

—Editorial roles: Editor for "Paw Print" magazine and "Artifact," an art and literary magazine.

Kayla extends her talents and leadership beyond the school walls, contributing to community activities and organizations including:

—Fleetwood Area Public Library programs as a volunteer.

—Technical roles in Reading Area Community College's musical productions and Reading Theater Project's performances, highlighting her expertise in stage management and technical production.

—Local theater productions, including lighting design and performance roles.

—Technical roles in productions such as "The Nutcracker" and "Love is Afoot!", showcasing her commitment to professional and community theater.

It shouldn't be surprising that Kayla was exposed to theater and performing arts at an early age.

"My mother has a degree from Bucknell in theater," Kayla said. "My mom and my dad met through community theater and did shows together. They stopped doing theater when I was relatively young but would take us to shows at venues including Millersville University."

Kayla said her mother would encourage her to pay attention to the sets when attending theatrical performances and try to understand what the designer is trying to convey.

Less comfortable on stage than backstage, Kayla thrives in set design, combining her passions for the arts and history to assist in the storytelling.

Inspired by the interconnectedness of historical events and human experiences, Kayla has incorporated historical research into her theatrical designs, enriching her creative process and engaging audiences with deeper narratives.

Kayla's aspirations reflect her passion for the arts, community engagement and interdisciplinary exploration.

She plans to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in theater with a concentration in design/technical production. She's considering a double major in studio art, reflecting her dedication to interdisciplinary learning and creative exploration.

Her long-term aspiration is to own a small theater and create collaborative art.

Kayla credits the mentorship and guidance of her humanities teacher, Diane Chisdak, for shaping her artistic vision and personal growth. It was through Chisdak's class that Kayla discovered her love for storytelling and the transformative power of the arts.

The teacher encouraged her to embrace her artistic identity and pursue her passion for theater.

Kayla's study of social studies, particularly history, has had a profound impact on her personal and academic journey: She explained that it has helped her to recognize the importance of historical understanding in shaping her decision-making and artistic expression.

According to Fleetwood social studies teacher Susan M. Nagle, Kayla is the type of student whose peers look to for advice and assistance.

"She has pushed herself to higher levels in the field of social studies and has reached the highest accolade by being invited to be a member of Rho Kappa National Historical Society at our school," Nagle wrote in her recommendation letter to the Berks' Best scholarship committee.

She added that she has been impressed by Kayla's consistent high level of preparation for classes and participation in class discussions.

"Her opinions were well-founded, thoughtful and analytical," Nagle wrote. "Throughout the years Kayla demonstrated her understanding of the importance of a quality education and has worked hard to achieve that in all her classes."