By: Hayden Taylor, EAST Student Contributor

Lexi Jarrett, a former EAST student and EAST Conference Speaker, recently shared how her EAST experience affected her current journey of running for Miss Kansas. Throughout her time in EAST, she worked on various projects ranging from 3D printing to audio/visual media. The following interview shares just a little look at the big impact EAST has made on her and her current success.

1. In what ways did EAST expand your interest?

“EAST expanded my interests by giving me opportunities I never thought I would have

been interested in. In ninth grade, I was asked to edit my school's Founder’s Award

application video, which made me realize I enjoyed video editing. In tenth grade, I got to

host the halftime show for the King Cotton Holiday Classic, which taught me that I loved

talking and entertaining on camera and not just being a play-by-play commentator. In

eleventh grade, I got to attend the International Trade Expo at the Governor's Mansion

and learned that I loved networking with professionals, even outside of sports. The list

could go on forever, but the root of it all is that EAST gave me opportunities that allowed

me to expand my interests in ways I would have never known without EAST.”

2. How did EAST set you up for success after graduation?

“EAST set me up for success after graduating by teaching me to not be afraid of the

unknown. With almost every EAST project I was a part of, there was always something

that went wrong. Whether that was a community partner falling through, a battery dying

during a broadcast, or simply just not knowing what step to take, there was always at

least one issue at hand. However, with each project, I was able to learn how to adapt and

not be afraid of these mess-ups, but to understand how to fix them. Graduating and

leaving to attend the University of Kansas was a scary thought because it was a new

environment with new people. However, EAST taught me to not be afraid of this new

challenge, but to embrace it.”

3. What was your greatest hit in your time in EAST?

“My greatest hit during my time in EAST was when Arkansas PBS created a feature film

telling the story of how I became the first female commentator for CCHS Live!, while

also dealing with my Tourette's Syndrome diagnosis. It was the coolest opportunity

having Arkansas PBS follow me around for a few days to write this story, and then

watching it during the Arkansas High School Football Championships was awesome.

This feature film ended up leading to a host of other opportunities including working for

the King Cotton Holiday Classic, and eventually playing a role in my decision to attend

the University of Kansas.”

4. How has EAST helped build upon your confidence in discovering new opportunities?

“EAST built my confidence in discovering new opportunities by teaching me to not be

afraid of any opportunity, and to constantly be seeking new opportunities. After the King

Cotton Holiday Classic, I was asked by M&M Productions if I would want to provide

color commentary for the Great American Conference’s Softball Championship

Tournament. This was a college-level tournament and I would be commentating

alongside a guy with his masters in broadcast journalism. Not only that, but I had never

commentated a softball game. I truly felt like I was in over my head, but EAST taught me

to seize any opportunity, so I did it. This opportunity allowed me to see that even if the

opportunity is new and intimidating to still take it. Since then, I have always been looking

for opportunities, even if they are not within my comfort zone, because I know that each

opportunity is a change to learn, gain perspective, and open doors for future opportunities.”

5. What skills you developed while in EAST, have benefited you in your new journey?

“EAST has taught me more skills than I could list. If I had to pick a few that have stuck

out since I have come to Kansas, it has been being able to take risks, public speaking,

community outreach, and adaptability. These are all skills that I learned through a variety

of projects within my time in EAST, and they have played great parts in my journey to

get me to where I am today.”

6. How has EAST given you a platform for competing for Miss Kansas?

“EAST taught me the importance of project-based learning and community outreach in

one’s education, and I am excited to use this as a platform while competing for Miss

Kansas. Coming from a household where my parents worked in education, I was

constantly hearing about how not every child learns the same and that education does not

look the same for everyone. With EAST, however, students get to learn in the way that

best fits them, while also bettering the communities around them. I have seen the power

of “Education Accelerated by Service and Technology” and I hope to bring that same

power in education to communities across Kansas.”

7. What’s your advice to incoming EAST students?

“My advice to incoming EAST students is to try everything! My first project in EAST was

3D printing, and even though I learned pretty quickly that 3D printing was not what I

wanted to do, I was able to gain the experience of learning something new and learn more

about myself in the process.”

8. How did EAST Leadership shape your EAST journey?

“EAST was what I was most passionate about throughout middle and high school, and

holding a leadership position as an EAST Student Champion and as an Ambassador

Team Speaker and Leader allowed me to lead others through their EAST experience.

After having such a positive EAST experience, I knew that I wanted others to experience

the same. Getting to play a role in other EAST students' journeys was really cool and

inspirational to watch.”

9. What’s one piece of advice you have for veteran EAST students?

“My advice to veteran EAST students is to never stop learning and seizing opportunities.

There is always room to learn something new, even in ways you may not realize. Taking

those opportunities that come your way will allow you to learn those lessons, leading you

to grow as a person and set yourself up for success in the long run.”

10. Is there anything else you would like to share with the rest of the EASTverse?

“Being a part of an EAST Program truly is an opportunity in of itself, so use it. With

EAST, the possibilities are endless. Oh, and Rock Chalk Jayhawk!”