Years ago Kaylei Ballard set a goal for herself, then set out to achieve that goal, meticulously moving step by step.

She made it through her freshman year of high school — the year COVID hit and classes were no longer in person.

Step by step, year by year she continued to gain knowledge, and next week she is graduating from Lamar State College Port Arthur with an associate’s degree, then from Woodrow Wilson Early College High School.

But there’s so much more.

Ballard is the recipient of the prestigious Gates Scholarship. The process took more than six months and much work on her part.

More than 53,000 students applied for the scholarship, and Ballard is one of just 750 to earn the title in 2024.

The Gates Scholarship is a “highly selective, last-dollar scholarship for outstanding minority, high school seniors for low-income households,” according to the website.

This scholarship pays all expenses and follows Ballard through whatever degrees she pursues.

Ballard has chosen Howard University after pondering several choices.

“That’s the perfect school for me as far as education-wise, that is the perfect school,” Ballard said.

As for a major, she’s looking at biology on a pre-med track. She plans to become an obstetrician-gynecologist.

Ballard, the student

A top student in her class, Ballard is secretary of the Maritime Club, took part in the Motiva Aspire Program, is a member of the Spirit Club, the Asian Culture Club and is in an internship through Port Arthur Independent School District, where she is a substitute tutor at Adams Elementary School.

When she graduates she will have more than 680 hours of community service, some of which is through the school and with Linda Spears, her mentor and sponsor.

The community service has her taken place during Thanksgiving giveaways, collecting items such as canned goods, toiletries and more.

Student Success Instructor Yolanda Avery met Ballard a few years back and knows of her drive for success.

“I call her a quiet force, because she’s very personable,” Avery said.

She recalls telling Ballard everyone will take a different road, a different path and advised her to do her own path and do it well.

“And I saw it. I literally saw it,” Avery said of Ballard.

Recently when she learned of Ballard earning the Gates Scholarship, she thought back to that day. “She said it a year ago. She made it come to fruition because she’s focused.”

Ballard realizes she is a role model for others, especially for her two younger siblings and the fourth graders she works with at Adams Elementary.

She offers them words of encouragement and leads by example.

Kaylei Ballard is the daughter of Endia Ballard and Keithian Ballard.