Pandemic Disappointment Inspires Young Influencer

Kayla Young is enjoying life as a successful 19-year old Influencer.

Image: © 2021 Miss Ari Photographer

For many high school seniors in the fall of 2019, school was about to reach its most interesting point. The weekly pep rally would feel different, Friday Night Lights would be a bit more meaningful and prom would be a culmination of an entire year of planning.  

Spring Break arrived in March of 2020 and then the world just stopped.

For Kayla Young and many of her classmates at Cedar Hill High School - all of their dreams, expectations and hopes for senior year got stuck in what they will remember as the worst Spring Break ever.

There was no finishing the spring athletic seasons. There were no senior activities. There was no prom. All there was inevitably was virtual school – a confusing an uninspiring virtual school at that.

“I looked forward to my senior year for as long as I can remember,” Young says. “The way it all just stopped was heartbreaking.”

By mid May – Young, her classmates and their respective families didn’t even know what to expect from graduation. A class of roughly 530 students didn’t know if their commencement ceremony would be broadcasted via Zoom or if their families would be able to witness the celebration in person.

With the onset of the pandemic, many students understandably emotionally withdrew from school – some abandoning academia all-together. That was never an option for Young, who was a varsity cheerleader for all four years and very much involved with her class.   

“Like a lot of my peers, I was frustrated and upset,” admits Young. “I got too far to just walk away.”

While school was stagnant and the expectations of virtual school weren’t always clear, Young was on her way to building a lifestyle that would sustain her after high school – no matter how the 12th grade concluded.

“My senior year, I really started to get more into Instagram and TikTok,” says Young. “I would make funny videos and then share inspirational videos as well.”

Her following grew quickly. She has always loved taking pictures. One particular shot caught the eye of a brand on Instagram. That company sent her a few articles of newly released clothing and the rest was history.

The bubbly 19 year-old believes that creating a positive presence online actually helped her to cope with the disappointment of her senior year. Making those videos and interacting with other young people around the world, who were also trying to make sense of the pandemic was perhaps therapeutic.

Young now has over 13,000 followers on Instagram and well over 170,000 followers on TikTok.

Each day, she arrives home to packages from various brands, wanting her to serve as a brand ambassador. What does that mean exactly? Well, Young is actually living a girl’s dream. Not only does she receive complimentary clothing, shoes and makeup products – but she is also paid very well to market these items for the brands.

“I love the opportunities I’ve received,” says Young. “I get to work at my own pace, pick out clothes that I love and earn a living. None of the social media experience interferes with my schoolwork.”

The ever-so-charismatic young adult is in her second year of college, majoring in Broadcast Communications. She recently celebrated being signed to a modeling agency.

Young is undoubtedly an Influencer, and making positive waves in the ever-growing world of social media.

While the pandemic has given so many people time to sit in their sorrow – it has given Young time to grow in her purpose.