Campus News
May 14th, 2024
May to serve as commencement speaker
SGHS alum balanced two jobs, internship while earning GC degree
Nakayla May will be the student speaker at Garrett College’s commencement exercises Saturday morning.
Nakayla May realizes the importance of keeping your options open.
"I learned it was OK to have a Plan B – or even C," said May, a 2022 Southern Garrett High graduate who will be the student speaker at Garrett College’s commencement exercises on Saturday morning. May is taking her own advice, with a plan to study nursing at Frostburg State University after having earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in cybersecurity from Garrett College.
"It was kind of about discovering myself," May said of the path that is leading her to pursue a nursing career. "We all came here to learn, whether it be from our professors, our peers, or even from ourselves."
May said she realized she "wanted to help people" and nursing could provide that opportunity.
May earned her cybersecurity degree while balancing two jobs and a cybersecurity field experience with the Garrett County Public Schools Information Technology Department.
"I actually enjoyed it quite a bit," May said of the cyber internship with GCPS.
May commended her cybersecurity faculty members – Computer Science Professor Rich Lewis and Assistant Professor of Cybersecurity Kenny Allman – for their support. Both Lewis and Allman said May is an outstanding student.
"Nakayla exemplified the ideal student over the past two years, setting the bar for what I'll now expect from a high-achieving student," said Allman. "She's kindhearted, wicked smart, gets it done, and undeniably bound for future success."
"Nakayla was a great student and a pleasure to have in class," said Lewis. "She has so much drive and ambition. I know that she will succeed in all of her endeavors after Garrett College."
