Meet Keila Navas

Meet our next Outstanding Student, Keila Navas, a senior at Polk County High School. “My name is Keila Navas, I'm 18 years old and a Senior at Polk County High School. I've been on the basketball team for four years, developing teamwork and leadership skills. I have been involved in several clubs, including Prom Committee, BETA Club, FCA, JAG, and Student Council. I maintain a 3.8 GPA with an ACT score of 22. I love the outdoors, reading, traveling, and spending time with family. After high school, I plan to attend college and pursue a career in the medical field.

Last December, my life completely changed. My younger sister Anita became very sick and had to go to the hospital. Since then, she has undergone over 25 surgeries, a double amputation of her legs below the knee, skin grafts, medically induced coma, and the struggle of trying to learn how to function in this world again. Witnessing my sister endure these hardships has been the most difficult experience of my life. Through this, I have learned resilience and the importance of support.

How has JAG helped me? JAG has been a safe space for me: helping me connect with others and reminding me that I'm not alone in facing struggles. It has also taught me that even though things are hard in the moment, they will always get better, even if they have to get worse before that happens.”

According to her JAGTN teachers, Melissa Fugate and Tanner Plemmons, “Keila Navas has shown significant achievement through adversity. She is extremely hard working in the face of less than ideal circumstances. Keila maintains a postive attitude and is very great at working with other people. She is a leader who lifts other people up and thinks about the progession of the common good for the people around. She never seeks the failure of others, and strives to lift them to success with the best of her abilities.”

We are proud to feature Keila as our next outstanding JAGTN student!