In Her Own Words: Skyline Senior Thanks Mentor, Issaquah School District and Issaquah Schools Foundation

If adults need a reminder that students in schools in Sammamish appreciate the help they have received, have a look at this YouTube video.

It features a student named M'Kayla, a senior at .

She talked about receiving help in the VOICE Mentoring Program, which is supported by the Issaquah Schools Foundation. The Foundation posted the video, which was shot at the recent "Nourish Every Mind" event.

Staff at the school, she added, also pitched in with guidance.

With poise and conviction, M'Kayla discussed how Skyline was her eleventh school since kindergarten. But at Skyline, she said, she found a home of sorts.

Her counselor, Kristen Flemer, suggested she participate in the VOICE Mentoring Program, which pairs community members with students. There's guidance, feedback, support.

"Before I arrived in the , I never received that sort of attention," M'Kayla said.

"For the first time in my life, I had support and I was actually seen," she said moments later.

Some other notes: M'Kayla graduates from Skyline High School on Friday. "Against all odds," she said in her talk on YouTube.

Her next step is to attend  - and she's already signed up for classes. She said she will be the first member of her family to attend college.

Her goal is to become a marine biologist.