This month’s Student Spotlight belongs to Kallyn Black, a fifth-grader at Lake Oconee Academy. Kallyn exhibits excellence in many areas of her life at LOA, from academics and music to athletics. Her favorite subject is math because of her love for problem-solving, but she has also received highest honors (all As) every year. Kallyn also plays golf for LOA, and she has quickly grown skilled in the sport. Lastly, Kallyn also plays piano, and she recently received the Piano Guild Award through LOA. Her other awards through her school include the Cornerstone Award, the PE Award, and the Technology Award.
Kallyn has been playing golf for over two years, and her skill and dedication to the sport have led her to receive many prestigious awards and titles. In addition to her place on the LOA team, she also plays for the North Georgia Junior Golf League. This season, she was able to win 9 out of 12 tournaments (including the Reynolds Club Champion Tournament). She also placed first in the Junior RP Division Club Championship (2016, 2018) and the Athens Area Tour Championship in 2017; she placed second last year. In 2018, Kallyn also placed third overall in the second round of the Drive, Chip, and Putt Regionals in Savannah. Lastly, she participates in the junior golfing program at Reynolds with Sean Cain and Jose Lopez.
Kallyn moved to Reynolds in 2009 with her parents, Bobby and Laree Black, and her brother, Rhylan. Rhylan also attends LOA as a freshman in high school. Kallyn is also pleased to live near two sets of grandparents who also live “Inside the Gates” (Alec and Patti Ward, Bob and Becky Black). Her favorite things about life in Georgia’s Lake Country are the slow-paced lifestyle, access to the lake and golf courses, scenic trails for bike riding, and the close-knit community environment. Kallyn’s hobbies and activities outside of school and golfing include piano, sewing, riding bikes, spending time with her dogs, Lacy and Champ, and attending church.