Senior Kyleigh Gold possesses determination and leadership as a student at Sheridan High School. She immerses herself in many different activities such as student council, Sources of Strength, and varsity volleyball.

   Gold has played volleyball since 6th grade. Over the years, Gold has grown in leadership and work ethic. Her teammates, who have worked with her for some years, respect her for the hard work she always puts in. As the captain of the varsity volleyball team, her strong energy and adaptive skills inspire her teammates to work hard to overcome the many challenges they face.

   One challenge for the team this year is maintaining confidence when facing opposing teams. Laramie has been number one in the state for some time, and finding the confidence to beat them has posed some struggles. However, they do their best to build on a past program the volleyball team had worked with before.

   While they are working on some of their struggles, they have also improved their abilities to work with each other. “Our team chemistry is really great. I mean, it helps that we’ve all been playing together for a really long time, but I think that it’s starting to reflect and show,” said Gold. “When we play those really good teams, we have good chemistry that keeps us together.”

   Although Gold has a lot on her plate, she succeeds in handling all the responsibilities she has. Gold talked about her being 100 percent invested and doing her best to be there consistently. “Sometimes I feel like I lack for my teammates, and it’s hard for me to handle when I’m not delivering,” said Gold.

   She works hard as she takes AP Biology and AP Calculus, goes to volleyball practice for two hours after school, and completes all her work at night. Somehow, Gold still finds time for herself and her friends.

   Gold is very active in other clubs and activities as well. In the National Honors Society, she does a lot of volunteering such as babysitting for parents. In student council, she attends meetings and plans out assemblies while also creating fun activities such as Senior Sunrise, where all the seniors go up on the football field and watch the sunrise at the beginning of the school year. Another club she is involved with is the Spanish Club. Gold wanted to continue learning and experiencing Spanish, but her heavy class load did not allow her to take Spanish as a class.

   Gold spoke fondly about We the People, which is a civics competition across the U.S., with topics that include the Constitution, United States government, and politics. She explained how it was the “Easiest decision in my life, said Gold. “I would do it again if I could. I think that a lot of my friends and the people that I hang out with helped me to choose those clubs. But also my interests in my values, morals, and my life helped me decide.”

   Senior Danielle Gilbert has been a good friend of Gold since 6th grade. They had a history class together when they first met and that is where their friendship began. “She is very funny, and she likes to laugh at everybody’s jokes,” Gilbert said. “From the beginning, she was very new. I had the same friends my whole life until I met Kyleigh. She was a whole different perspective.”

   Coach Danielle Torpey has known Gold for four years and talked fondly about how she was “responsible for her age.” Gold is very determined and is included in a lot of activities. “She likes to give back to her community,” Torpey said.

   Gold has no firm plan for what she would like to do in the future. Some ideas for her future involve jobs in law with the hope she will go to Washington D.C. She is also considering being a nurse, but her main goal for the future is to make a change.

   She is considering Utah State University to major in nursing because of the culture, environment and campus the university has to offer. She is also looking into the University of Wyoming for law.

   She hopes to continue playing volleyball through clubs and intramurals. Gold explained further, “When I go to college and I manage my time better than in high school, I’ll be able to play in those rec leagues and not only play volleyball but maybe basketball and soccer and everything else. So, I definitely see a future in volleyball and maybe even coaching a younger team.”

   Gold is the daughter of Nick and Stephanie Gold.