A GENEROUS SPIRIT

Mya Broughton ’23

Senior Mya Broughton wants to live a meaningful life in service to others, and she embodies the EHS mission every day on campus and in the greater community.

“I always want to help people, especially knowing that there are those less fortunate than me. That’s what I strive for in my daily life, even something as small as putting a smile on another person’s face. I want to be a beacon, a light in other people’s lives,” explains Mya.

Although Mya is a natural leader, she isn’t keen about being in the spotlight. Oftentimes, you will find her on campus with a camera in her hand, working hard to capture special moments for others. When looking at Mya’s work as a photographer, it’s easy to see her leadership ethos play out through her unique lens.

“Capturing the little things that are not as noticeable is important to me. When you look at the bigger picture, you can notice how impactful that small thing is,” says Mya.

Photography teacher Mr. Japheth Storlie says: “I have had the great privilege of teaching Mya Broughton photography all four years at EHS. Her quick wit, infectious sense of humor, and relentless pursuit of perfection in everything that she does make her both an amazing student and an awesome person to be around. She never settles for anything less than her absolute best, which has made her one of the strongest photographers and team members of the Photojournalism program during my time at EHS.”

She has always been fond of St. Jude’s Research Hospital and its mission, so when she saw an opportunity to connect EHS with her favorite cause, Mya seized it. As a sophomore on the Track and Field team, Mya organized and lead a runathon on campus, raising both awareness and funds for families of children with cancer. The fact that patients and families don’t have to pay for treatment resonates most with Mya and motivates her to make this event an annual tradition at Episcopal. So far, she has helped raise over $12,000.

Mya’s generous spirit and advocacy carry into her leadership as Honor Council Co Chair, D.I.A President, and Admissions Club Vice President. Whether she’s welcoming prospective students as a Knight Ambassador, helping first-year students adjust to our culture through Freshman Advisory Mentor (FAM), swimming on the Varsity team, or providing support on the sidelines as a student athletic trainer, Mya is always finding a way to make a difference.

Her English teacher Tennessee Hill adds: “Mya’s artistic ability is rivaled only by her eloquent thoughtfulness. She is a deep and empathetic speaker, classmate, and artist.”

For Mya, her EHS education has been the key to preparing her for a significant life in service to others after graduation. She hopes to study medicine and become a doctor, looking to tackle disparities in healthcare outcomes and to be an advocate for her patients.

Reflecting on her EHS experience, Mya says: “My mom has always stressed the importance of education. I’m blessed to be at Episcopal, knowing that when I stepped into a classroom, I had teachers and staff who helped guide and shape me. They have pulled me out of my shell to be more of myself, academically and spiritually. They have encouraged me to be more outspoken and advocate for myself and others.”

As a scholar, artist, leader, and role model, Mya is a blessing to EHS as well.

– Jess Adams, Associate Director of DCI and English Teacher

Varsity Boys Lacrosse team shares a moment of focus with Head Coach Mike Donnelly.