On Wednesday night, two local high school students received the Youth Human Rights Award from the Rye City Human Rights Commission.
Today, meet Kaylie Nakamura, a senior at Rye High School, and one of this year’s Rye Youth Human Rights Award winners.
Your Name: Kaylie Nakamura
Your Role: Team Carpe Diem Captain for Soul Ryeders 5k & Half Marathon
MyRye.com: Describe yourself in one word: Whenever I’m asked this, I can never think of an adjective so… I relayed the prompt to my mom and she said “I’ll do it for three. Determined, resilient, caring”
Where do you live in Rye or Rye Neck?
Nakamura: I live in Rye off of a cul de sac [near] Milton Point.
Tell us about the activity that led to the award:
Nakamura: I was the team captain for Team Carpe Diem for the Soul Ryeders 5k and half marathon. I set up the team fundraising page, posted and shared the link on social media, recruited friends and family to run, and designed and ordered our Team Carpe Diem matching race day shirts. I fundraised for a little over one month and through Instagram posts, word of mouth, and texting the link, we raised about $24,000. After everyone finished walking or running the 5k and we were excitedly waiting for our half marathon runners to come sprinting in, we set up a tailgate with breakfast and drinks as a way to thank our Team Carpe Diem members.
Why did you get started in this area–what or who prompted you to become involved?
Nakamura: My aunt, Nina Cheigh, who also lives in Rye, first created Team Carpe Diem for the 2024 Soul Ryeders race because the race fell on my dad’s birthday. My dad had passed away from stage four pancreatic cancer just a few months before. I owe her a big thanks for starting this new tradition. Team Carpe Diem was our way of honoring him. He lived life to the fullest, staying true to the “Carpe Diem” mantra. Everyday we are reminded to live our lives like there’s no tomorrow.
Who nominated you for the award?
Nakamura: My neighbor, Meg Cameron.
How did you hear you won the award?
Nakamura: I received an email from the chairperson of the Rye City Human Rights Commission, Rita Capek. Shortly after, I had the opportunity to meet Rita and accept the award at the Rye Youth Council awards ceremony.
What’s next?
Nakamura: The race is held every year in May, so we will try our best to fundraise for Team Carpe Diem and Soul Ryeders every May. Each year we participate in the race, we will strive to top the fundraising amount of the previous year. We would love to continue donating to Soul Ryeders, as well as actively search for more opportunities to support individuals and families impacted by cancer.
Outside this work, what are three of your favorite things to do in and around Rye?
Nakamura:
- I’m a competitive dancer at Brava Dance Center, so I spend a lot of my free time taking class and rehearsing our competition dances. We are off to nationals at the end of June, wish us luck!
- I enjoy spending time with my friends, dressing up and going out to lunch or dinner, and we usually end our night with a trip to “16 Handles” for fro-yo.
- I like taking long walks in the summer sun listening to music or a podcast. I lace up my sneakers and kind of just aimlessly walk around town. I usually end up walking the Playland Boardwalk, sometimes with my dog, Sammy.
Thank you!
