The first edition of the Paducah Tilghman High School Female Leadership Spotlight is on senior Lily Holm.

Holm is involved in many school activities, such as varsity soccer, the Sustainability Club and the National Honor Society. She also is on the leadership team of the Pep Club. She has volunteered to help the junior varsity soccer team and has painted murals at Clark Elementary School and has donated several art pieces to their faculty and staff. She also volunteers for Lotus, a local sexual assault prevention center, commissioning hand painted artwork and donating her profits to Lotus.

After high school, Holm plans to go to college and major in psychology. She wants to work her way to a doctorate and partner with non-profits to benefit survivors of sexual violence.

Some of Holm’s female role models include Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Mallory Pugh, and Simone Biles.

Holm is very passionate about feminism and protecting survivors of sexual assault. She said her path started as a female activist by just taking the first step. She said it’s not all about going out and protesting; it’s about educating yourself and then moving on to educate others.

Regarding resources available for Tilghman students, Holm said she appreciates the resources Tornado Alley provides for students but suggested an increase in promotion of those resources. She also believes that Tilghman should continue programs that address the mental health issues so many students struggle with.

Holm has some advice for younger female students of PTHS. “You choose what path you take and what people are in your life,” she said. “You don’t have to let people walk all over you and the sooner you realize that the better off you will be. Take charge. Take power over your own life.”