Mead’s talented, humble Kaylin Woods is ‘one of the helpers’

From spotting high school girls on the balance beam, to caring for children so their young moms can get a break, Kaylin Woods is a helper.

“She doesn’t draw attention to herself, she’s just there to help,” said Mead High School counselor Mike Phillips. “She’s a talented kid, but very humble.”

A member of the National Honor Society, Woods is no slouch as a student, but she’s most at home with an instrument in her hands. She’s been involved in music throughout her high school career.

“I play baritone, tenor and alto sax and oboe,” she said. “I’ve been in marching band, jazz band and wind ensemble.”

While many kids get their first taste of band in 4th or 5th grade, Woods said she started late.

“I didn’t join band until middle school.”

She also picked up tennis late in her high school career.

“I started my junior year,” she said. “I love tennis!”

Though she’d participated in gymnastics for many years, when high school rolled around she immersed herself in music. But then at a friend’s urging, Woods joined Mead’s gymnastics team during her senior year.

“It was hard, but fun,” she said. “I was on ‘C’ team with the younger girls. I had the background and knowledge, but my skills were rusty.”

When she fell off the beam and sprained her ankle midway through the season, she still found a way to be part of the team.

“I just helped and spotted the girls,” she said.

And during the COVID-19 pandemic, lessons she learned during her freshman art class have come in handy. Woods has picked up a paintbrush.

“I started painting during the quarantine. I love it!” she said.

Academically, Woods excels at mathematics, something she said just came easily to her. She plans to expand those math skills at Washington State University this fall, where she’ll major in business.

“I’m the first Coug in the family.”

Phillips fully expects Woods to be an asset to WSU and to the community. He’s seen how she’s made a difference in the lives of young moms and their children as a volunteer for the North Side Young Lives group.

Young Lives operates under the umbrella of Young Life, (a nondenominational Christian ministry for adolescents). Young Lives reaches out to middle school- and high school-age girls who are pregnant or raising a child.

Woods cares for the kids while their moms (and sometimes dads), share a meal, connect with mentors and socialize with each other.

“Her presence there is really important,” said Phillips. “I’ve seen her feeding the kids during the meeting. She’s so calm in the midst of the chaos! She’s even recruited other kids from school to help.”

Woods said she enjoys working with the children and hanging out with their moms.

“The girls are so sweet. Some of them are my age, and one of them is like my big sister,” she said.

In fact, she’s already missing the kids and the connections she made while volunteering at Young Lives.

Wherever her education and career plans take her, Phillips is certain Woods will find a way to assist others.

“Fred Rogers said ‘Look for the helpers. You’ll always find people who are helping,’ ” Phillips said. “Kaylin is absolutely like that. She’s one of the helpers.”