March is National Women’s History Month, and Eastern Center for Arts and Technology (EASTERN) is proud to celebrate by spotlighting some of our exceptional female students. Today’s Student Spotlight features Kyrah Walden, a dedicated Protective Services student at EASTERN and a driven junior at Upper Moreland High School—a young woman already making her mark through commitment, leadership, and passion.

When Kyrah reflects on National Women’s History Month, she envisions the power of women uplifting one another—standing together, encouraging, mentoring, and celebrating each other’s successes. She also recognizes the courage of women who boldly step into male-dominated fields, challenging expectations and paving the way for those who follow.

Kyrah has long been drawn to law enforcement, inspired by the shows she enjoys and the career she has envisioned for herself. “I explored other options too—when I visited EASTERN in tenth grade, I looked into Design, Photography, and Illustration, as well as Cosmetology—but Protective Services was the program I kept coming back to in my head,” she shared.

She appreciates how her Protective Services instructor, Michael Raggi, brings the field to life by inviting professionals from a wide range of careers to the program and organizing field trips. “We’ve met representatives from the Navy, Army, Marines, and even the District Attorney’s office,” Kyrah shared. “We recently had a K9 unit visit, and now several of my classmates are considering it as a future career path.”

Kyrah has a strong interest in joining the Air Force and is scheduled to meet with a recruiter later this month. “There are so many career opportunities in the Air Force, and they also provide education,” she said. She is equally interested in pursuing a career as a Corrections Officer and was excited to recently learn that she can enter the academy right after high school. Kyrah’s dream is to become a Homicide Detective—combining her passion, determination, and drive to make a meaningful impact in the field of law enforcement.

She draws a great deal of inspiration from her older sister, who works for Child Protective Services. Although her sister lives out of state and they do not see each other as often as she would like, Kyrah values their regular phone calls. “She makes sure I’m okay,” Kyrah shared. “She’s very supportive of my goals and gives great advice.”

At Upper Moreland High School, Kyrah has been actively involved in a variety of activities over the years, including Orchestra, Cheer Team, Track, and the Diversity Club. She also balances a part-time job at Burger King. In her Protective Services program at EASTERN, Kyrah has already demonstrated leadership—stepping up for her squad when their class sergeant was absent.

“Go after what your heart wants,” Kyrah encourages. “Stay focused on your goals and do what will make you happy and successful.”