Graduation season is happening May 29–June 7, and in honor of Dallas ISD graduates, The Hub is spotlighting a different senior each day as the Class of 2015 prepares to take their anticipated walk across the stage.
Today we spotlight Kiera Percy at Wilmer-Hutchins High School.
Awards/honors, involvement: Classically trained vocalist, National Honor Society, TRI-M (National Music Honor Society) president, Outstanding Performer Award (UIL Solo and Ensemble) for three consecutive years, Salutatorian
The biggest lesson I’ve learned in school: I’ve learned to never underestimate anyone. You never know if that person you meet can make a huge difference in your life or help you in some way, so I’ve learned to not be so quick to judge others. I’ve also learned that it takes hard work to get what you want. I like what Estee Lauder said when asked about her success. She said she never dreamed of success, she worked for it. That’s my favorite quote, and I’m prepared to work for my success.
The teacher(s) who inspired me the most: Jonathan McTier and Beverly Chinn. They’ve been my music teachers throughout middle and high school; Mr. McTier at Sarah Zumwalt [Middle School] and Ms. Chinn is my current music teacher at Wilmer-Hutchins. They saw the drive that I have for music, and they supported and guided me so I could be where I am now in my musical experience.
What/who motivates me: We grew up really poor in rural Mississippi, and I didn’t want to live like that every day. I think about how my mother and grandmother struggled so much, and I don’t want to struggle like that. I want to do better for them as well as for myself.
What’s next: I plan to attend Huston Tillotson University in Austin to study music education. I want to open two music schools to train students to be musicians and help them develop more than just their singing ability. I want to teach them how to be musicians in every way, not just how to read music, but to analyze it and understand every aspect of it.
