Vy’toria Lewis says the unique learning opportunities she’s had while attending Webster Middle and High School have helped her find her path.

“My time here has been so amazing, I’ve managed to accomplish a lot! One of my favorite memories is from freshman year when I went to New York City. I was personally selected by the group that helped us start the Webster Beyond program. The other two students on the trip were seniors. We went to a civil rights activist event called A Calling: the Civil Right of Education. It was an amazing experience.” 

Vy’toria has also participated in several learning and development opportunities, including City Lab and Tulsa’s Next Gen Talent.

“I’ve participated in City Lab since I was a freshman–I’ve done it every year of high school. It’s an internship where we work on solving issues in our community. The students team up to solve the issues and the adults have little involvement. We come up with solutions, and present our ideas to solve the issues. The adults help guide. I’m an alumni of the program now, I’m considered a student leader.

“I’ve also done an internship called Tulsa’s Next Gen Talent. This one is based in the business industry. I got a chance to take a look at what it’s like to work in the business industry. First, they bring in motivational speakers from across the state who work in various fields. They also bring in graphic designers, and we actually got to design our own business cards! Then at the end, you get to do a job shadow. Mine was at an organization called TEDC Creative Capital. It was scary at first but a fantastic experience in the end.”  

Vy’toria will graduate from high school with her cosmetology license from Tulsa Tech.

“I plan on attending the University of Oklahoma in the fall and majoring in business administration. My ultimate goal is to own my own salon. I’ll use my experience in the cosmetic industry to help me start my own business.”

She is also active in band where she plays the clarinet, and she says her favorite teacher is her band director, Ms. Elaine Lancaster: “She is so amazing and has supported me every step of the way. I’ve been in band since I was in 6th grade, and I’m actually going to state soon for a duet I’m in! We’re going to the solo and ensemble contest in Stillwater.

“I was also named homecoming queen, Miss Daniel Webster. The process was kind of hard, it was definitely competitive, but all my peers picked me to be Miss Daniel Webster! It was so amazing, I almost cried! I plan to come back to Webster and stay involved in the community!”

The Webster High School graduation will take place Friday, May 19 at 5:30 p.m. at Expo Pavilion, 4145 East 21st St.