I’m Lylah Murrah, and I’m from North Pole, Alaska. I graduated from North Pole High School, where I played varsity softball for four years. I now play college softball at Beloit College in Wisconsin. The game has been part of my life for as long as I can remember and it has shaped who I am in every way. Softball has taught me the value of perseverance, mentorship, and community lessons I will carry for the rest of my life. Growing up in Alaska, opportunities for athletic recruitment were limited. To chase my dream of playing college ball, I trained every day. At team practices and again on my own. My parents made sacrifices to get me to tournaments in the lower 48, sometimes barely scraping by to cover travel and competition costs. I knew I couldn’t waste those chances. That experience taught me how to fight for what I want and to never take any opportunity for granted. Our high school team was small. We struggled to field enough players. But we had something special we were a family. Many of us had played together since we were little girls, and that sense of family became the core of our strength. We finished top three at State multiple years and I was honored to be named First Team All-State each year we competed. But more than any title, what I remember most is the pride I felt in our teamwork and heart. During my junior and senior years, I had the privilege of serving as team captain. That’s when I discovered how much I loved mentoring younger players encouraging them, guiding them, helping them grow. It showed me that leadership isn’t about being the loudest voice on the field, but about being the most dependable one. Watching my teammates learn and succeed reminded me how powerful encouragement can be. That experience inspired one of my biggest goals: to one day coach young girls in softball and help them realize they’re capable of more than they think. The support of my family made everything possible. My dad volunteered to coach and spent countless hours working with me, learning just so he could help me improve. My mom worked overtime, left early, and drove long hours just to make sure I never missed a game. Their selflessness taught me what true commitment looks like and it motivates me to give that same kind of support to others. Off the field, I plan to earn my master’s and PhD in mathematical statistics. My goal is to become a college professor and use that platform to teach, mentor, and inspire students the way others have inspired me. I want to be the kind of coach and educator who not only teaches lessons but helps others believe in themselves. Softball has shaped my character in ways I never expected. It’s given me grit, leadership, compassion, and a sense of purpose. Because of this sport, I know I want to spend my life helping others grow on the field, in the classroom, and beyond.

My name is Lylah Murrah, and I’m proud to be from North Pole, Alaska. I graduated from North Pole High School and am currently attending Beloit College in Wisconsin, where I’m pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Data Analytics. Growing up in Alaska has taught me the values of resilience, hard work, and community. I carry these values with me as I follow my educational path far from home. I’ll keep going back to school to get my Master’s in Statistics and eventually my Ph.D. I want to be a college professor so I can help others discover the power and magic of math and statistics. Before I get into academia, I hope to work as a risk manager in the insurance industry where I can advocate for better coverage and support for everyday people. I want to show companies that helping people isn’t just the right thing to do it’s worth investing in. Looking forward I dream of opening a pottery studio where I can offer classes and community programs focused on creativity and self-expression. I hope to partner with local schools to strengthen their art programs and make sure every child has the opportunity to create and explore. In the later years of my career I want to be an art teacher in the Alaskan school system and use my experiences to give back directly to the community that raised me. I’m passionate about my career path because I get to combine my love of problem solving with my desire to make a difference in people’s lives. Math and statistics aren’t just numbers to me they’re tools for understanding the world, identifying patterns and creating solutions to real world problems. Whether it’s helping people through fairer insurance policies or teaching students how to think critically and analytically I see my future career as a way to empower others through knowledge. Coming from Alaska where communities are tight knit and support systems are vital I’ve seen how access to education and resources can change lives. I want to be someone who helps open those doors for others especially young women and underrepresented students who might not always see themselves in STEM fields. Teaching at the college level will give me the chance to mentor the next generation and working in industry before that will help me bring real world experience into the classroom. My passion also extends to the arts and community involvement. One day I hope to bring people together through a pottery studio blending creativity with education in a hands on welcoming environment. Whether I’m analyzing data, managing risk, teaching a class or leading a ceramics workshop my goal remains the same: to uplift others and help them see their own potential.To other Alaskan students chasing your dreams whether through training or a college degree know this: where you’re from matters and it gives you power. With drive and hustle you can change the world around you. I want to be part of the women in STEM movement, break down barriers and show young girls across Alaska they can be anything they want to be.

I’m from a small town called North Pole, Alaska, where it truly feels like Christmas every day. Growing up and attending North Pole High School came with its challenges, but one of the greatest blessings was the incredible teachers I had along the way. I've always been passionate about pursuing higher education, but for the longest time, I had no idea what I wanted to major in. That changed when I took AP Statistics with Mr. Andrew Slagle. I already knew I had a deep love for mathematics, but I never really understood how I could apply that passion in a meaningful way, so I pushed it to the back of my mind. I even considered engineering at one point, but after taking my first physics class, I quickly realized it wasn’t the path for me. From the very first day of AP Statistics, I was hooked. The subject was exciting, engaging, and surprisingly fun. I found myself looking forward to class every single day. A huge part of that excitement was due to Mr. Slagle’s impeccable teaching. His enthusiasm, clarity, and dedication sparked something in me, and I credit him with inspiring a large part of my passion for the subject. What really solidified my interest was our final project in the course, where we were given the opportunity to conduct our own research and present our findings to the class. It was both an educational and incredibly rewarding experience. Designing the study, analyzing the data, and creating the presentation gave me a new appreciation for the power of statistics. I was proud to show my classmates the results of my hard work and demonstrate, both visually and literally, what dedication can accomplish. For my project, I researched whether completing homework assignments had an impact on exam scores in an Algebra II class. The experience not only reinforced my love for statistics but also opened my eyes to its real world applications. That's when I knew this was the path I wanted to pursue. I still have a deep appreciation for the arts and plan to pursue a minor in Studio Art alongside my major in Mathematics and Data Analytics. What’s been especially exciting is how often I find connections between the two fields. In the future, I hope to continue exploring and strengthening the intersection between my two passions. I know I may not fit the typical image people think of when they hear “Woman in STEM”. But I truly love the field of mathematics, and I want more young women to realize that there are countless opportunities in STEM beyond engineering. You don’t have to fit a stereotype or follow a specific path to belong here. STEM is for everyone regardless of gender or background. I feel incredibly fortunate to study subjects that I love, and I hope to inspire others to do the same. Being able to continue learning and growing in both math and art is not just fulfilling—it’s a dream I’m proud to follow.