Two local students recognized by Charlotte Post Foundation as ‘Top Seniors’

CHARLOTTE, NC — Two high school seniors are at the top of their class –  Kyla Hudson and Ajae Purnell are making an impact on and off campus. 

Top senior Kyla Hudson graduated from Mallard Creek High School with a 4.78 GPA  and dreams of majoring in chemical engineering. 

“I just see how much power there is and black women STEM, and I really want to be part of that statistic and then pass it back to younger girls like me that are trying to figure out a career pathway, and hopefully they can kind of take after me,” Hudson said. 

 She dreams of going into cosmetic science and creating her own make up brand specializing in creating a variety of shades for women of color. 

“I feel like it gives women empowerment ultimately. So I really want to help empower women to feel beautiful in whatever skin color they are,” Hudson said. 

Ajae Purnell,  the top senior runner up from Cato Middle College High School has a 4.6 GPA and aspirations of a career in the medical field as an anesthesiologist. 

 She also wants to be a part of creating more representation for black women in STEM. 

 “It’ll be a great help if we have more people that look like us.  I hope when I’m in there, I can help mentor other young women and men that are black to come into the medical field,” Purnell said. 

Purnell said being recognized  as a  top senior is an honor that was made possible through the help and support of her  family 

“So I think that’s one of the biggest things that led me to be able to accomplish this great accomplishment and be able to be a top senior,” Hudson said. 

 Hudson said she hopes she will inspire others to follow their dreams. 

“I want to tell them that the sky is limitless for them. You should do things that are past what you think you’re capable of and shoot for the stars.”