Kyra Sizemore

Kyra Sizemore – Kentucky
Nomination by Shonna Sizemore.
Photography by Keshia Amburgey Photography.
Issue 98 of Inspiring Teens Magazine.
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​Nomination: Kyra is a driven and compassionate young leader who founded the EBF Project, a community service initiative dedicated to making a difference. As Miss Teen Kentucky Festivals she represents confidence, service, and excellence with grace and purpose. She is also a young entrepreneur, proudly running her own baking business, KS Sugar Express, where her creativity and ambition shine.

Photography by Keshia Amburgey Photography

What does being a “driven and compassionate leader” mean to you personally, and how do you try to live that out each day?
To me, being a driven and compassionate leader means leading with both purpose and heart. It means showing up consistently, leading by example. Being compassionate means, you listen, understand and care. Helping others to grow and leaving people better than you found them. I live this out everyday by learning from setbacks instead of giving up, supporting others and using my drive to make a positive difference. It’s not just about achievement, it’s about service, compassion and choosing every day to serve with integrity and heart. Treating others the way you would want to be treated.

What inspired you to create the EBF Project, and how did the idea first come to life?
The EBF Project, Embracing Babies Forever, is a community outreach where we take donations for gently used stuffed animals and blankets, and distribute those to our first responders to use in traumatic situations involving children. We also receive new stuffed animals and blankets and donate those to the local hospitals, to use them with the newborns who may be less fortunate to have this type of luxury. It is amazing the comfort a cuddle of a stuffy and the warmth of a blanket can bring to a child that may have lost everything or just experienced something no child should ever have to experience.
My older brother, Keaton, started this project when he was in school, but after graduating, college and marriage, the outreach stopped. I began to see a greater need in our community for this type of service and asked if I could pick up where he left off, the answer, of course, was, YES! The outpour of support we have received from our community has been overwhelming.

How has serving as Miss Teen Kentucky Festivals shaped your confidence and strengthened your sense of purpose?
Serving as Miss Teen Kentucky Festivals strengthened my confidence by pushing me to use my voice with purpose. I learned that confidence comes from preparation, authenticity and service. This role has challenged me, in more ways than one, to step outside my comfort zone. It also clarified my sense of purpose, to use my platform to advocate for children and to turn my empathy into action. Wearing the crown is more than an honor, it is a responsibility that helps shape my leadership, deepen my commitment to service and inspires me to make a meaningful impact in my community.

As a young entrepreneur with KS Sugar Express, what have you learned about responsibility, creativity, and believing in yourself?
As a young entrepreneur with KS Sugar Express, I’ve learned that responsibility means showing up consistently, managing my time and finances and delivering quality even when it’s challenging. I love the ability to be creative, it has taught me how to stand out, adapt and turn ideas into something incredible and delicious. Most importantly, running my own business has taught me to believe in myself, to trust my abilities, take risks and grow from my mistakes. Building KS Sugar Express showed me that confidence is created through action and that when you pair passion with hard work, you’re capable of more that you ever imagined.

What inspiring qualities or accomplishments weren’t highlighted in your nomination?
I also have a passion for volleyball. It has taught me discipline, teamwork, and perseverance. Unfortunately, due to an injury, I had to set it aside. That experience was difficult, but it helped me learn resilience and the importance of finding new ways to grow and pursue my dreams. I hope my story shows that with support, perseverance, and a passion for helping others, we can all make a difference.

How did volleyball shape who you are, both on and off the court?
Volleyball taught me discipline, teamwork, and resilience. On the court, I learned the importance of trust, communication and pushing through. Off the court, those lessons carried into my everyday life, helping me handle setbacks, stay committed to my goals and support others. Even after stepping away from the sport due to injury, volleyball continues to shape me by showing me how to adapt, persevere and find new ways to grow. The port has taught me that strength isn’t just physical, its mental, emotional and rooted in determination.

What was the hardest part of stepping away from something you loved, and how did you find strength during that transition?
The hardest part of stepping away from something I loved was letting go of a piece of my identity and the future I had imagined. Volleyball was such a constant in my life for so many years, so walking away was emotionally challenging. However, I found strength by allowing myself to grieve the loss, then choosing to redirect that passion into new purpose. Through service, leadership and advocacy, I learned setbacks don’t end our story, they refine it. That transition taught me resilience, self-belief and the courage to grow beyond what I thought defined me.

How has your injury changed the way you approach challenges and setbacks in other areas of your life?
My injury changed the way I approach challenges by teaching me patience, adaptability and resilience. Instead of seeing setbacks as endings, I now view them as redirections that require growth and perseverance. I’ve learned to listen to my body, give myself grace and focus on what I can control. That mindset has been carried into every area of my life. Reminding me that strength isn’t about never falling, but about rising with greater clarity, purpose and determination.

What advice would you give to other teens who are facing unexpected obstacles or changes in their plans?
I would tell other teens that unexpected obstacles don’t mean your dreams are over, they mean your path may look different than you imagined. Allow yourself to feel disappointment, but don’t let it define you. Trust that growth often comes from challenges and believe in your ability to adapt. Setbacks can reveal strengths you didn’t know you had. Keep moving forward with faith in yourself and confidence in what’s still possible.

What else would you like to talk about?
My current goal is increasing The EBF Project. To focus on partnering with more first responders and hospitals to provide comfort kits—stuffed bears and blankets—to children experiencing trauma. These items offer immediate emotional support, helping children feel safer during medical emergencies, accidents, or crisis situations.

Why was it important to you to focus the EBF Project on children experiencing trauma?
It was important to me to focus on the EBF Project, Embracing Babies Forever, on children experiencing trauma because they often feel scared, powerless and forgotten in their hardest moments. I want to provide something that brings comfort when words aren’t enough words. A simple bear or blanket can provide a sense of safety, normalcy and reassurance during overwhelming situations. By focusing on children, the EBF Project reminds them that they are seen, loved and not alone. It allows compassion to meet them exactly where they are, when they need it most.

What do you hope partnerships with first responders and hospitals will accomplish in the long term?
I hope partnerships with first responders and hospitals will create a lasting network of support for children experiencing trauma. By working together, we can ensure that every child who faces a difficult moment receives comfort, care and a reminder that they are not alone. In the long ter, I hope these partnerships raise awareness about the emotional needs of children, inspire more community involvement and build systems that prioritize kindness and healing alongside medical care. Ultimately, I want these connections to leave a lasting impact on both the children and the communities that serve them.

What do you feel passionate about or could talk about forever?
My community outreach. The EBF Project has that rare combination of heart, purpose, and real-world impact. Providing bears and blanket kits for children in trauma, right at the moment they need comfort most, is powerful. You’re meeting kids where they are—often scared, overwhelmed, and surrounded by unfamiliar faces—and offering something that says, “you’re not alone, you’re safe, you’re cared for.”

Why do you believe comfort and compassion are just as important as physical care during traumatic moments?
I believe comfort and compassion are just as important as physical care during traumatic moments because emotional healing is a crucial part of recovery. A child who feels seen, safe and cred for is more likely to cope with fear, pain and uncertainty. Physical care addresses immediate needs, but compassion helps build trust, resilience and hope. Small gestures, like a bear, blanket or kind word, can leave a lasting impact, reminding a child that they are not alone and that someone cares. In moments of trauma, empathy can be just as life changing as medicine.

How has giving back through community outreach shaped your identity and future goals?
Giving back through community outreach has shaped my identity by teaching me empathy, leadership and purpose. Serving others helped me realize that my voice and actions can make a real difference, no matter my age. It’s shown me the importance of using my experiences to uplift others and lead with compassion. These experiences have also influenced my future goals by inspiring me to pursue paths rooted in service, advocacy and impact. Community outreach didn’t just help others; it helped me discover who I am and the kind of leader I want to become.

Looking ahead, how do you hope your leadership, service, and passion for helping others will continue to grow and inspire change?
Looking ahead, I hope my leadership, service and passion for helping others continue to grow by taking on bigger challenges, learning from every experience and finding new ways to make a meaningful impact. I want to inspire change by showing others, especially young people, that even small acts of kindness and dedication can create tipple effects in their communities. My goal is to lead with compassion, empower others to use their voices and build projects that not only address immediate needs but also leave a lasting, positive impact for years to come.

How did you find your photographer and what did you love most about the experience?
I met Keisha during my eighth-grade year. She took my snowball pictures and we immediately clicked. She has taken ALL of my milestone pictures and then some ever since. These most recent pictures are to celebrate the new year in an old Hollywood glam setting. I absolutely LOVED the whole experience. From the set up to the lighting. It was simply PHENOMENAL!

What is a favorite memory with or thoughts of the person who nominated you?
When my mother nominated me for Inspiring Teens Magazine, I felt everything at once — proud, surprised, and deeply emotional. It wasn’t just the recognition that mattered. It was knowing that someone who knows me better than anyone else truly believed in me. That belief has stayed with me ever since. There are so many memories it would take days to cover, but she has always been my biggest supporter, in everything. I honestly wouldn't be where I am today without her.

Why do you want to be in Inspiring Teens Magazine?
Wanting to be in Inspiring Teens Magazine isn’t about attention — it’s about impact I want to be in Inspiring Teens Magazine because I believe stories have power. When someone reads about a real person making a difference, it reminds them that they can too. If my story can encourage even one person to keep going or to help someone else, then it’s worth sharing.

If you win a scholarship, what will you do with the money?
Winning the Inspiring Teens Magazine scholarship would mean the opportunity to further my education in cosmetology. It would help me invest in my future and continue working toward a career that allows me to build confidence in others.

Is there anyone you'd like to thank for helping you to get where you are today?
I would like to thank my family, especially my mom, who has been my biggest supporter and constant source of encouragement. I’m also grateful to my mentors, coaches and community members who believed in me, pushed me to grow and supported me through challenges and transitions. Their guidance, faith in me and unwavering support helped shape my confidence, resilience and passion for service. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the love, sacrifices and belief of those who have walked alongside me on the journey.

Look for Kyra in issue 98 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!
*Interviews are not edited after received from our inspiring teens - what you read is who they genuinely are!

click here for more information on issue 98

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