LEXINGTON, Ky. — You wonder how Lydia Charles finds the time! The senior at Lexington’s Frederick Douglas High School has a 4.5 grade point average while being on the dance and tennis teams, serving on Student Council, being on multiple school clubs and working two part-time jobs. Despite all that, she makes her commitment to the community a huge priority in her life.
“Remembering the impact that’s possible from your actions really keeps me going,” she said. “I truly believe seeing other people succeed makes me succeed and makes me happy. I love to see my peers truly succeeding and feeling fulfilled in what they do.”
Much of her volunteer work comes as president of the school’s Beta Club, dedicated to the core characteristics of achievement, character, leadership and service. They sponsor “Breakfast with the Bunny” during Easter and “Breakfast with Santa” during Christmas. Each event serves the underprivileged in Fayette County.
She is also the chair of the Dance Blue Committee to raise money for charity and volunteers at Southland and Northeast Christian Churches.
Her teacher, Nicole Bersaglia, shared, “She always has the greater good in mind and really does try and make the world around her a better place. She’s just so special. From the first time I met her, I saw a light in her that was just different. I’ve been teaching high school for 17 years and every so often, kids come along who are truly phenomenal human beings and that’s Lydia.”
Charles has been recognized with multiple awards, including the George Eastman Young Leaders Award, the Central Kentucky Youth Salute and membership in Distinguished Young Women of Fayette County.
In the future, Charles will make her impact in the business world. Her parents are inventors and she wants to be an entrepreneur.
She attended the prestigious Governor’s School for Entrepreneurs and is a member of Future Business Leaders of America.
In college she’ll major in business administration and minor in Spanish. “I really believe so much change can be made through entrepreneurship and so that’s what I hope to do is make change in the world — the change I want to see through my entrepreneurial mindset,” she explained.
Whatever she does in the future, there’s little doubt it will be Charles in charge. That’s why she is a deserving Spectrum News 1 High School Scholar.