Feb. 27, 2024—Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) alum Ka Myaha Bush refused to let one poor decision define her, and now, the Breckinridge Metropolitan High School (Breck-Metro) graduate is shining bright as a McDonald’s Black History Maker of Tomorrow.
Bush’s high school career hit a bump in September when a conflict at her home school landed her at Breck-Metro, one of the district’s alternative schools.
After her initial meeting with Breck-Metro staff, Bush said she knew she would do more than just survive at her new school—she would thrive.
“Breck-Metro actually makes people feel like they do matter and like they actually have a fighting chance to graduate,” Bush said. “They pour into what you want to do. Breck is like a safe haven.”
Bush’s drive and passion to succeed were apparent from her initial meeting with school staff, said Breck-Metro Principal Erik Huber.
Bush had been studying allied health at her home school and didn’t want to lose momentum. She asked Huber to order her a NOCTI test—a nationally-recognized credential that would let employers know she was ready to work in the medical field—and became the first person in the school’s history to pass it.
Then Bush told school staff she wanted to graduate early. She made that happen, too, earning her diploma in January.
“From day one, she was on a mission to make her plan a reality,” Huber said. “Now she has been accepted to multiple colleges and won a scholarship. Ka Myaha is an incredible young lady whose smile and presence brighten every room.”
Breck-Metro’s staff was so proud of Bush and her persistence that they nominated her for the McDonald’s Black History Makers of Tomorrow scholarship. Bush was one of 10 students from across the region chosen for the recognition that honors outstanding seniors who are actively involved in their school and community and who embrace the values of leadership and culture.
It feels “amazing,” Bush said, knowing that her advocates at Breck-Metro and the Black History Makers of Tomorrow program see so much potential in her.
“It means that they actually see me for what I can be in life,” Bush said. “I’m a girl with passion, a girl who is smart, and they see me for the things that I can do.”
Bush said she encourages others who may hit bumps on their own paths to never give up and seek out support to rise above adversity.
For her, that support came from her Breck-Metro principal, counselor, and teachers who helped her put her plan in motion and continue to lift her up in celebration today.
“There’s some people out there who are going to be there for you no matter how much you want to give up,” Bush said. “Never give up. Just keep going. Don’t ever let a bad decision define you because you’re more than just that decision. We make bad decisions in our lives, but it’s all about how you move forward.”
By Juliann Morris