Rutherford's Clyatt named to all-state academic team

Kylee Clyatt had the best of two worlds in high school.

She was a seven-time letterman in soccer and volleyball, and a standout in the International Baccalaureate program at Rutherford.

Last week she was honored for excelling in both areas.
Clyatt was one of 24 student athletes from across Florida named to the FHSAA Academic All-State Team.

"It was nice to know that the work I had done and the time I had put in was comparable to people around the state, so that was really nice," Clyatt said. "It was a lot of time doing both, so it was good to be recognized."

Clyatt is Rutherford's valedictorian with a 4.0 unweighted GPA. She'll attend the University of Pennsylvania next year with plans to study biomolecular engineering.

"I absolutely love biology so that would be the biggest pull for me," Clyatt said. "I love science. Living here I don't think you can help but be addicted to biology. As for engineering, I love the way it makes something useful out of knowledge. You don't just learn something, but you learn how it can be applied to peoples lives, so that's really attractive to me."

Clyatt has looked up to her mother, Rhonda, who owns her own law practice. That has inspired Kylee, a member of the National Honor Society, to plan on attending either dentistry, medical or veterinary school.

In the IB program, Clyatt developed a broad foundation in a variety of subjects. Her English class focuses on world literature and drama. She's taken Advanced Placement calculus and statistics, 20th Century United States history, Latin and biology. Academics have always been one of Clyatt's strengths. She remembers her only B coming in elementary school. She's received straight As in high school.

"I loved the subjects and I was always the kid that wanted to stay after and hear more," Clyatt said. "I think that has a lot to do with it."

Rutherford coaches voted Clyatt as the school's nomination to the FHSAA, Athletic Director Kirk Harrell said.

"It's a very prestigious award," Harrell said. "We felt good that she'd have a chance. Two sports is better than one and being on top of her class, they look at that very favorably. She's a great young lady and a great student."

In soccer and volleyball, Clyatt's academic prowess didn't go unnoticed. She received academic awards from Bay District Schools for each of her letters. Clyatt was also voted as one of three soccer captains by her teammates.

She wasn't just a bookworm in high school. Rutherford soccer coach Lisa Tonn said Clyatt had fun, but she was always thinking.

"I would tend to see that when she was analyzing things on the soccer field either when they were happening or after the game," Tonn said.

Clyatt's organized athletic career came to an end when soccer finished last winter. She plans on participating in intramural sports at Penn.

"It was good to see academics and athletics come together at least for my part because a lot of times they don't seem to go together as much as they should," Clyatt said. "I feel when you're blessed with talents, it's your responsibility to use them."