Shiloh Byers of Kirkwood High School
Shiloh Byers is dedicated to helping her fellow students. Inspired by her own experiences with sensory processing disorder, the Kirkwood High School senior developed Techne Colored, a comprehensive student-friendly resource hub. The site includes simplified lab activities, study guides, quizzes, flashcards, wellness resources and support for students to advocate for themselves including explanations of 504 Plans and Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). The project earned Byers the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest achievement in Girl Scouting.
When did you join the Girl Scouts?
I’ve been a Girl Scout since I was five years old—I like to say a little before that, too. My mom is the troop’s co-leader. She and the other leader created the troop when I was in kindergarten. Ever since, I’ve experienced life through the program. It’s been an amazing experience. My mom was a Girl Scout; her mom was a Girl Scout; all the women in my family have been Girl Scouts. It’s a great family connection, and I’ve got to make friends with a really great group of girls.
What lessons have you learned from participating?
It’s important that people can learn from one another. That’s something the Girl Scouts has taught me. We’re a group of diverse girls, and we learn from our differences. One member of my troop has spina bifida, and working with her has taught us all the importance of advocating for oneself. I think every girl would benefit from having a female figure in their life who will fight with them, fight for them and push against them when they’re wrong. The Girl Scouts offers that.
Where did the inspiration for Techne Colored come from?
I have ADHD and autism, so I struggle with sensory issues. During COVID, there was an explosion of online resources. However, all the resources in the world don’t mean anything if you can’t access them. I wanted to create something that could help other people learn—something flexible and accessible that allowed neurodivergent students to navigate a system that wasn’t built for them. I tried to make it in a way that allows students to work through things at the level and speed that works best for them, while still allowing them to access what they need easily and efficiently.
What are you looking forward to for the rest of your senior year?
I’m excited about my classes this semester. I’m privileged to be in a place in my education where I can take subjects I’m really interested in. I’m a student teacher, and a piece of advice I always give is that the ability to authentically be you is a skill that has to be nurtured and developed. I’m seeing my peers starting to express their unique interests, and it makes me excited to continue meeting new people in college, ones from completely different backgrounds than me. A lot of people see graduation as an educational finish line, but for me, it’s just the beginning.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I have a weird group of hobbies. I’ve been told I live like a grandmother. I read a lot of classic and Gothic literature. I write poetry and short stories. I love to be outside exploring. I hike, kayak and collect things like rocks, bugs and shells. I sew and embroider. I really enjoy taking clothing and customizing them. More than anything, I do a lot of music. I play piano, guitar and oboe. I sing. I write music.
