In the recent episode featuring Myah Boyes (she/her) and Christopher Lewis, listeners are welcomed into an honest, practical, and empowering conversation. This episode is not just another discussion; it's a real, lived account of facing challenges, finding your place in the world, and building the courage to carve your own path.

Embracing Authenticity and Owning Your Story

One of the most impactful moments in this podcast is when Myah openly discusses her journey of self-acceptance. She explains how owning her identity wasn't always easy, and she relates stories of moments when she felt out of place or misunderstood. "Being your authentic self isn't just about confidence," Myah shares. "It's a daily practice of checking in with yourself and allowing your uniqueness to shine—even when it feels tough." This honesty resonates deeply, offering a reminder that self-discovery is ongoing and requires both courage and vulnerability.

Taking Risks and Saying Yes to Opportunity

Myah doesn't shy away from talking about risk. She details key points in her life where taking a leap—even before she felt fully ready—led to unexpected growth. She encourages listeners to trust their instincts: "A lot of the time, you won't have all the answers before you begin. But if an opportunity sparks something in you, that's often enough reason to take the first step." By sharing her own stories of uncertain beginnings, Myah motivates others to move past perfectionism and let curiosity guide them.

The Power of Connection and Collaboration

Throughout the episode, Myah highlights the importance of community and collaboration. Christopher and Myah reflect on projects where listening to—and leaning on—others created stronger results. "No one's journey happens alone," Myah insists, emphasizing how impactful it can be to seek advice, share ideas, and invest in supportive relationships.

Why You Should Listen

If you're seeking real-world perspective, practical motivation, and stories that remind you you're not alone, this episode is for you. Myah's candid reflections and specific examples make her insights relatable and actionable. Tune in to hear heartfelt advice on navigating identity, embracing your journey, and finding strength in community—you just might walk away with the inspiration you need to start your next chapter.

TRANSCRIPT

Christopher Lewis [00:00:20]: Welcome back to the Hornet Hive. I'm your host, Dr. Christopher Lewis, one of the members of the Williamson Community Schools Board of Education. Really excited to have you back again this week. As always, every week we have a great opportunity to be able to learn about everything that's happening within our schools. And I love being able to share with you not only the great things that are happening, but the people that make our schools work. And you don't get to meet everybody as a, let's say, a parent or a community member within our district. But it's important for you to know who's out there supporting our students.

Christopher Lewis [00:00:58]: And. And we have new staff. We have staff that have been around for a very long time. And today I've got another great guest joining us. Myah Boyes is with us today. And Myah is the brand new guidance counselor at the high school. She just joined the Williamston Community Schools this year and I'm really excited to be able to introduce her to you and for you to get to know her a little bit more. Myah, thanks so much for joining me today.

Myah Boyes [00:01:22]: Of course, I'm excited to be a part of this. When you reached out to me, I didn't even know there was a podcast and I love podcasts, so of course I had to join.

Christopher Lewis [00:01:30]: Well, I'm really excited that you are on today and I guess first and foremost, can you tell me a little bit about your background and what brought you to Williamston?

Myah Boyes [00:01:39]: I am a brand new graduate, so I just graduated from Wall State University in Indiana. I actually graduated in July, so very quick turnaround. I did my bachelor's and my master's there, so of course I got my master's in school counseling. I'm kind of from the area. I'm from the Howell area. I went to school there, but I live in Fotherville. And I was very excited to see that there was an opening in Williamston because I like the little town, I like smaller communities and working with those. I did my internship with rural high school, which was very small and they had about 70 students per class.

Myah Boyes [00:02:14]: And I just fell in love with being able to create more connections with the students because there was not a million of them like there was at my high school. So building those relationships was very nice.

Christopher Lewis [00:02:24]: So you talked about going through your undergrad and from there deciding to go on and get that graduate degree in becoming a guidance counselor. Talk to me about that journey and what made you decide that you wanted to be a guidance counselor.

Myah Boyes [00:02:39]: Yeah, so it was kind of a bumpy road So I originally went to get my bachelor's in zoology. Clearly not the job I left with, but I have a passion for helping others, whether that is animals or people. So sometime in my sophomore junior year, I ended up switching my major, which was the third time, by the way. But I ended up changing it to sociology, which is the study of people and their behaviors and stuff like that. And it felt kind of like an offshoot of psychology, which is just as interesting as sociology. But I also got minors in counseling and women and gender studies, so, of course, more understanding of people and how their minds work and stuff like that. And originally, when I was thinking of going on to grad school, I was thinking of doing the clinical mental health route, but I didn't really see my passion with working with individuals that were older than me. I know that sounds silly, but I was sitting at Texas Roadhouse with my mom, of all places, and she sat me down and was like, do you think you would be able to counsel someone my age? And I went, honestly, Mom, I don't even know what to say to you sometimes.

Myah Boyes [00:03:45]: And so I was like, you know what? Maybe I'll look at the K12. And I ended up falling in love with it. And so I went on to my master's immediately after graduating with my undergrad. And I fell in love with elementary counseling and just helping the kiddos. And I really enjoyed working with the high schoolers as well and just building those relationships and getting them ready to move on into their adult lives and onto these new chapters.

Christopher Lewis [00:04:09]: It's always interesting to look in to understand and see what kind of path your road will take you. You never know. It can take you in a very circuitous path to lead you to where you are today. Now, you've been a guidance counselor at the high school now for a few weeks. You have had students now for a few days. And I guess as you are jumping into this new role, what's been your first impression, not only of the students and the staff, but being a part of the Williamson schools?

Myah Boyes [00:04:37]: When I met Dr. Delp for the first time, he was telling me about the staff and how the staff here is great. They are very helpful and friendly, and they'll give you advice, but they'll also be there to pat you on the back and also give you tough love if you need it to. But I noticed that immediately during our professional development days before school started, and everyone was so welcoming and introduced themselves to me. And even throughout the week, they've been checking in with me to see how I've been transitioning, and if I have any questions, which has been great because I have so many questions since this is all brand new to me. But even with meeting with the students, I've had so many students just come into my office and be like, I wanted to see who the new counselor was. And I'm like, oh, that's me. Hi.

Myah Boyes [00:05:23]: But on the first day of school, and Ms. Richards, they actually had a scavenger hunt that they had to do, so they had to get a picture with this new staff member. And of course, in the high school, I'm the only new staff member, so they meant all the students were coming to me. So all day on the first day of school, I was just sitting here taking pictures with students. And it was just funny that my first impression with them is them forcibly having to take a selfie with me. And we're just laughing about it, and some of them feel awkward about it. But I think it's a great way for them to let this space is open to them, and it's comfortable and cozy, and it's just so nice to feel so welcomed into a space that's brand new to me.

Christopher Lewis [00:06:02]: So not everybody knows you. You're starting to get to know people. They're starting to get to know you. For students and parents who may not have met you yet or haven't gotten an opportunity to get to know you, how would you describe the role of a guidance counselor?

Myah Boyes [00:06:16]: So each counselor is going to be kind of different between each other. So me and Ms. Greenleaf kind of rotate on the same axis, but we do two different. So she's really focused on the academic side of things. And I really like to focus on, like, the social, emotional aspect. So if you're having a hard mental health day or you got in trouble because you didn't do your chores last night, and you just need to take a breath in the office or some friend, trauma, or anything like that. I really like to be that person that students can lean on. So we kind of do a little bit of everything.

Myah Boyes [00:06:49]: Honestly, some students just come down to chat real quick. I've even had students in the past where I did my internship where she just sat in here and we sat in silence for 10 minutes because she just needed to, like, have a quiet space and feel comfortable. I had students before screaming in my office because they were so angry. So it's a space where they can kind of do anything they want, within reason, of course. But I know, too. I talked a little bit, but I'm working With like the Wilson Talent Center. So I'm kind of doing some community partnership too, and being representative in there, but also working with students that have like 504 plans. So those are students that need, like, accommodations in the classroom so they can be the most successful self.

Myah Boyes [00:07:28]: But other than that, it's also post secondary options, talking to them about what colleges are available, talking about the fafsa, which is oh so fun, and really just preparing them to be their best selves and also making sure they're on track in school right now, too.

Christopher Lewis [00:07:43]: As you think about your role and where you are in your position right now, what's one way you hope to make a positive impact on students this year?

Myah Boyes [00:07:52]: I know this year my main goal is really just that relationship building. So I'm trying not to set myself too high of a goal of like wanting to do this big, amazing thing within my first year. So right now I'm really just focusing on memorizing all the teachers names and all the staff and getting to meet all the students as well and just building those relationships and letting the students know that, like, there is a safe space here. I know some students mentioned to me that they feel a little nervous that I'm brand new and that Ms. Eric is gone and she's retired and moved on to bigger, better things. And a lot of them had a really close relationship with her since she was here for so long. So I mentioned them. Like, I understand that anxiety.

Myah Boyes [00:08:35]: It's intimidating when there's a new person that's also brand new in the role to now be taking over this space. So really, whether that's a month or this whole year, just kind of focusing on the students, knowing that I'm not a scary person. There's spaces for them too, and not just, you know, somewhere for there just to be another person in there.

Christopher Lewis [00:08:55]: And what advice would you give to students who might be nervous about coming to see you for the first time, being that they don't know you yet.

Myah Boyes [00:09:04]: One of the things my professor always mentioned is that students are never coming down to your office as a school counselor because they're in trouble. And I think growing up, when you get called down to the office, you think, oh my gosh, what did I do? I'm in trouble. And half the time it's not because you're in trouble, as if you're going to see Dr. Delp. That's not me. But I just want them to know that it can be intimidating and whatnot. But I'm really just here to check in make sure you're good, make sure you're happy and healthy. And if there's resources that need to be given, I have those resources in my office.

Myah Boyes [00:09:36]: I actually have a bunch of donated items from people in my life. It's my basic needs cart. So on there I have snacks for students, school supplies like notebooks and folders, pencils, pens, highlighters. But I also have some basic self care needs. So I have like hand sanitizer, lotions like toothbrush, a bunch of other stuff too. But I also have like menstrual products too for students. So just know that that's also available to them, which I know can be awkward sometimes to ask for help and need assistance. But they can just walk in and say, I need something from the car and I can turn around and I don't even have to look at what they're saying because I know again, that can be a little scary to come in and admit that you need something.

Myah Boyes [00:10:19]: But just know that like I've been there before where it's hard to get into a new space and meet someone new, but you make that first connection later on, it's so much easier.

Christopher Lewis [00:10:30]: Also out there are the parents. And parents are always looking for ways to be able to support their kids in different aspects. How can parents best partner with you to support their student success?

Myah Boyes [00:10:43]: So my email is always open, of course, if I'm in the office and I usually respond pretty quickly. So if there's ever any questions or concerns or need for resources, that's always open to them. Or if they call the school and want to talk to me on the phone as well, they can get a hold of me that way additionally. But even if they're like, hey, blah, blah, blah, student left home today. I don't think they're feeling that well. Can you check in with them? Of course I can. I will make time in my day to check in with them because, you know, teenagers don't want to talk to their parents about feelings sometimes. So I can be that buffer in between and encourage them to also maybe have those conversations at home, even if it is hard.

Myah Boyes [00:11:23]: But school counselors aren't just here for the students. We're here for the staff, but also for the parents. Because parenting is hard and it can be very rewarding at times as well. But just know that everyone here is also there for them, for their success too.

Christopher Lewis [00:11:38]: Now a fun question. Outside of school, what are some things you enjoy doing in your free time?

Myah Boyes [00:11:43]: I have like a million hobbies, so I really like to read. I Have a personal goal of reading 30 books this year, which for some sounds like a lot, but for some it doesn't. I have one friend that has, like 100 books on her reading list, and I don't know how, but additionally, I really like to play with my cat. His name is Toby. He is my pride and joy. My mom keeps yelling at me for calling him my son, but I swear he is. But I also really like to work on cars and go skating outside when it's really nice out and just enjoy nature. I really like going camping and hiking, so anytime I can be outside, I will be out there.

Myah Boyes [00:12:22]: Which I really appreciated the outdoor space in the cafeteria. When Dr. Delt showed me that, I was like, oh, I will be out there.

Christopher Lewis [00:12:30]: So if students see you out in the hall or around the high school, what's something you'd love for them to ask or talk to you about?

Myah Boyes [00:12:38]: I think, honestly, just asking me anything, even though if it seems like a random question, like an icebreaker question or something like that, just to open up a conversation is always welcome. Those, you know, those silly things are what you remember. And sometimes I can break the ice, too. Hence, like, the icebreaker questions. And even if they're like, hey, I think I might need to talk to you later. Yeah, that's fine. We can build time in. You can send me a message, you can ask your teacher to come down, but they can literally ask me anything.

Myah Boyes [00:13:07]: I'm an open book, pretty much. And I feel like I'm in the know of things that are going on, whether it's social media and whatnot. So it always makes me laugh when students are surprised that I know what some of the things are. And I'm like, I'm not that old. I know.

Christopher Lewis [00:13:23]: Well, Myah, I just want to say thank you. Thank you so much, not only for joining the Williamson Community Schools and being a part of our community, but for being here today, for sharing some of the journey you've had thus far. And I know there's much more to the journey that's going to be coming. It's going to be an exciting year for you and for the students getting to know you. And I truly wish you all the best.

Myah Boyes [00:13:43]: Perfect. Thank you so much for the opportunity. It.