From the rhythm of hip-hop to the harmonies of choir, senior Kayla Mathai has made her mark on South’s fine arts community. As Co-Captain of the dance team De La Cru and a dedicated member of the choir program, Mathai’s high school journey is one of leadership, passion, and commitment to the arts.

Surprisingly, Mathai did not start her high school career immersed in the fine arts. When she was a freshman, Mathai played basketball before rediscovering her love for singing and dancing, activities she had done when she was younger.

Mathai’s impact on the choir community at South has been significant since she joined, senior Maddie Uhlemann said. Uhlemann describes her fellow choir member as a powerful and motivational role model, especially for the underclassmen, and someone whose energy is always felt in the group.

“[Mathai is] a really talented singer [as well as a] really quick learner, which helps when we’re learning songs,” Uhlemann said. “She always comes to choir prepared and with a smile on her face, ready to sing, and it really shows the effort and care that she puts in every day.”

Additionally as Co-Captain of the De La Cru dance team, Mathai’s responsibilities now include choreographing their dance routines, cutting the music for their dances when necessary, designing their team costumes, and leading the practices.

“I saw [De La Cru] at the Fall Sports Assembly and pep rally my freshman year, and I really liked them and their style,” Mathai said. “My freshman year, my peer group leader was on the team and she encouraged me to try out. She’s the reason why I’m on it now.”

As the Co-Captain, Mathai goes out of her way to make the underclassmen feel included in the team and even meets with them outside of practice to help them feel ready, Elizabeth Nestos, De La Cru sponsor, said.

“[Mathai] has a level of excellence and dedication that in my three years of being a sponsor, I have [never] seen before,” Nestos said. “She shows up to practices with such intention of being positive and setting a good example, just tirelessly helping team members get to where they need to be.”

Mathai’s ability to navigate through all of her responsibilities efficiently with confidence and complete devotion has left a long-lasting impact, shaping not only just her own growth but also inspiring the all underclassmen who look up to her, Nestos explained.

“What’s amazing is that I can already see who the next leaders will be [for De La Cru] because they have a lot of the qualities that [Mathai] has modeled this year,” Nestos said. “She is, in essence, kind of training [the] next captains, and I feel really comfortable knowing that I have those in place.”