Student Showcase: Kayla Erickson and the Path to Stardom

The first thing you notice about Kayla Erickson is her infectious giggle. One can tell it brightens every room and charms every person she meets. Every sentence is punctuated with a giggle instead of an exclamation point, and it shows off her personality as someone who enjoys life to the fullest. That’s why homeschooling has been such a gift for Kayla and her family, because it allows her to pursue her acting dream.

Starting at age four, she knew she wanted to act. Kayla recalls dressing up in costumes almost every day, while pointing at the TV and wanting to be right there on screen. A couple of years later, she starred in commercial roles for companies such as Calvin Klein, AT&T, and Nationwide Insurance.
You may not have heard of Kayla, but you might have heard her voice. Her acting credits include Nickelodeon’s Bubble Guppies, Most Beautiful Island, and even Saturday Night Live. She’s currently filming a new PBS animated series called Pinkalicious and Peterrific, voicing the main character, Pinkalicious. For someone who’s just entered her “double-digits,” Kayla’s passion shines through each role, above and beyond.

Kayla is an only child, and her parents fully support her career. She considers her two dogs, Lacey and Sadie, part of the family. “They’re like siblings to me,” she joked, “since I don’t have siblings.”

When asked about homeschooling, Kayla said, “I like Bridgeway Academy because it teaches useful life lessons. I love it! I like the live online classes the best because it gives me a chance to talk to the kids about what they are learning,” says Kayla with a giggle. Her favorite subjects? “Language arts and science. I like geology the best because I learn about the rock cycle.”
Kayla’s routine works around her schedule, one of the many benefits of homeschooling. Her day typically starts off with school in the morning, and when she needs a break, she walks to the local Starbucks in New York City, where she lives. “I like anything with strawberries,” she says.

Her favorite pastime is reading. “With reading, I can use my imagination,” Kayla says. “I like reading about real life. I don’t read much fantasy, but kids who go through tough times are interesting to read about.” Her current favorite book is Wonder by Raquel J. Palacio, about a disfigured boy who is bullied by his peers. Kayla participates in Free 2 Luv, an organization dedicated to stopping bullying and promoting equality. “This is important to me because I’ve been bullied too, and I want to help stop bullying.”

Even though she’s ten, Kayla has serious goals for her future. “I want to be a director or producer,” she says. “I’ve seen the producing side and I think it’s very interesting. And I also want to go to New York University for their film program.” For her fellow homeschoolers, she encourages them to stay passionate about the hobbies they love. “Pursue your dreams and never give up,” Kayla says. “Keep trying.”

Watch out world! Kayla Erickson is coming to a screen near you! We’re excited to see her touch the stars as she moves forward in her acting career.