Kayla moved to Kilbourne, Louisiana at the age of 17. She came from a family that struggled with addiction, early motherhood, and heartache. She left high school when she was five months pregnant.
Kayla received her GED shortly after the birth of her first child, but was unsure what to do next. During childhood, she struggled with ADHD, bullying and an unstable home life. Kayla's educational experience was negative. Teachers were not supportive and told her she would never amount to anything.
Kayla met her husband in 2007, and they had four more daughters. Together, they found God and raised their five children. Kayla's husband worked long hours to provide for them. They lived paycheck to paycheck, and their daughters often went without. Kayla believed a higher power had big plans for her but wasn't quite sure what they were.
Eventually Kayla heard her calling at church to become a nurse. She worried about the commitment and time away from her children it would take. She deliberated, but knew it was the right choice. She applied to nursing school and was accepted. Now she needed to find a way to pay for school.