Kayla Ball – Class of 2012

For Kayla Ball, success was never handed to her—it was built through perseverance, long hours, and an unshakable determination to overcome circumstances that could easily have altered the course of her life. A 2012 graduate who finished high school with honors—and a year early—Kayla’s story is one of resilience shaped by adversity, personal accountability and an unwavering commitment to building a better future.

During high school, Kayla described herself as involved in a little bit of everything. She participated in volleyball, basketball and softball, using sports, though not really her thing, primarily as a way to stay active and engaged while maintaining strong academics. Education remained a priority, and her dedication allowed her to graduate early, an accomplishment she worked tirelessly to achieve.

But behind the scenes, her high school years were far more difficult than most people realized.

“High school was kind of rough for me,” Kayla said. “I come from adversity.”

Growing up, Kayla lived primarily with her mother, who had primary custody of Kayla and her sister. Because of that arrangement, her father did not live locally and was not part of her day-to-day life during her teenage years. While her mother worked to raise the family, she also faced personal struggles of her own, and during Kayla’s senior year, circumstances changed dramatically.

When her mother left the area to take Kayla’s sister to college in California, Kayla remained behind in Pahrump with the understanding that she would be back. However, her mother never came back and the promise of support ultimately fell through, leaving her unexpectedly on her own during one of the most critical periods of her education.

Without a stable support system in place and determined not to disrupt her education, Kayla chose to stay and finish what she had started.

As a teenager navigating adulthood far earlier than expected, she was eventually classified under the McKinney-Vento program, a federal initiative that supports students experiencing housing instability. While many people associate homelessness with living on the streets, Kayla explained that the reality is often much broader. Students living without stable utilities, moving between homes, or lacking consistent parental support may also qualify—situations that often remain hidden because students are afraid or embarrassed to speak up.

For a period of time, Kayla lived in a single-wide trailer without electricity. She drove herself to school in a vehicle that lacked registration and insurance because it was her only way to attend classes. Without steady income, parental guidance or many basic necessities, each day became a balancing act between survival and determination.

Despite the challenges, she remained focused on one goal: graduating.

“I was doing the best I could,” Kayla recalled

Her situation came to light after a traffic stop in that unregistered vehicle and law enforcement began asking questions about her circumstances. Overwhelmed by months of pressure, Kayla was brought to the school office, where she finally broke down and shared what she had been quietly carrying on her own.

“I just couldn’t hold it in anymore,” she said. “It was too much on my shoulders.”

What followed became a turning point. School administrators and community members quickly mobilized, connecting her with resources and local support systems. Kayla credits individuals such as Linda Fitzgibbons and numerous school staff members for helping her access essentials like clothing, toiletries, food and counseling support—resources she said many students don’t realize exist.

“There’s a lot of people willing to help,” Kayla said. “The problem is, when you’re in those situations, you don’t want anyone to know. You’re embarrassed. You’re afraid of what people will think.”

One question often asked, she said, is why she did not reach out to her father during that time. Kayla explained that her father was living elsewhere and was completely unaware of what she was experiencing. At the time, she feared that asking for help might mean being forced to leave town just months before graduation.

“I didn’t want to move,” she said. “I was so close to graduating, and I was determined to finish where I started.”

Looking back, Kayla says she would not change that decision. While the experience was incredibly difficult, it ultimately shaped her independence and resilience.

“Adversity is my motivator,” she said. “I love to be doubted because I’ll prove everybody wrong.”

She now speaks openly about her experience to encourage students facing similar challenges not to suffer in silence. Programs like McKinney-Vento, she explained, often connect students to a network of additional resources once they step forward.

“When you get involved in one program, it opens the door to people who want to help,” she said.

After graduating in 2012, Kayla immediately entered the workforce. College was not financially possible at the time, but an opportunity through the NyE Communities Coalition’s YouthWerks program helped launch her career. The program placed her at the Nye County District Attorney’s Office, where she began as an intern while being paid through the coalition.

Starting at the very bottom—handling copies, paperwork and basic administrative tasks—Kayla embraced every opportunity to learn. Over the years, she worked her way through nearly every support staff position in the office, gaining firsthand knowledge of how the legal system operates behind the scenes.

Fourteen years later, she remains with the District Attorney’s Office, now serving as a supervising executive legal secretary and one of the office’s lead legal support professionals. Along the way, she even stepped into interim administrative roles when leadership positions were temporarily vacant.

“I worked every support staff position I possibly could,” she said. “I just learned everything I could learn.”

Although college had once felt out of reach, Kayla eventually returned to school once her life stabilized. Rediscovering education under different circumstances allowed her to enjoy learning in a way she hadn’t been able to as a struggling teenager focused solely on survival.

“I missed enjoying education instead of being stressed and just trying to survive,” she said.

She is now completing her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, with graduation set for December 2026. She also plans to pursue a paralegal certificate, expanding her professional opportunities within the legal field.

“Nobody can take away your degree,” she said. “It gives you options.”

While Kayla has no desire to become an attorney, she emphasizes that the legal system depends heavily on professionals working behind the scenes—not just attorneys.

“Support staff keeps the wheels turning,” she explained. “There’s so much more to the legal field than just being a lawyer.”

Today, Kayla’s life reflects the growth she once only hoped for. In addition to her full-time career and college coursework, she owns and operates a sheet-metal manufacturing company that produces conduit sleeves used in construction projects, particularly parking garages. Entirely self-run, the business ships products throughout Nevada, California and Arizona.

Driven by curiosity and a desire to learn, Kayla taught herself welding, computer-aided drafting and CNC machining to design and manufacture her patented product.

“I’ve always loved to learn,” she said. “If I can learn something and experience it, I’m going to.”

The success of her business has allowed her to pursue another lifelong passion—rodeo. A dedicated competitor in breakaway roping and barrel racing, Kayla spends much of her free time training and caring for her horses and livestock.

Her love for animals extends beyond competition. Kayla rescues three-legged dogs, known as “tripods,” and cares for multiple animals on her property, joking that she would operate a full sanctuary if she had more land.

“They’re my kids,” she said. “I love the old ones, the handicapped ones—the ones that just need a chance.”

Kayla also gives back to the rodeo community by sponsoring local barrel races, using her manufacturing skills to design and create custom metal awards that support and promote the industry she loves.

Family remains an important part of her life as well. While she no longer maintains relationships with her mother or sister, she shares a close bond with her father, whom she describes as her best friend and a strong supporter. She also credits lifelong friend Jacqui Sears, who stood beside her during high school’s most difficult moments, as someone who helped her endure when life felt overwhelming.

Looking ahead, Kayla hopes to channel her professional experience and personal resilience into public service. Having spent years working alongside county offices, she recently decided to run for Nye County Clerk, motivated by a desire to help guide positive growth within the community she has called home her entire life.

“I’ve grown up in Nye County, and I want to see it expand in a positive way,” she said. “I believe I can make a difference.”

From a teenager quietly struggling to finish high school to a professional, business owner and community leader preparing for her next chapter, Kayla’s journey reflects the power of perseverance—and the reality that adversity does not have to define a person’s future.

“It was so hard back then,” she said. “But it made me who I am today. Looking at what I’ve built now—it truly is a dream come true.”