At just 11 years old, Laylah Shahid continues to make waves—both in academics and athletics. A proud member of the O’Fallon Park Makos Swim Team, Laylah remains a 4.0 scholar and straight-A student, proving that discipline and determination pay off both in the classroom and in competition.
Laylah’s passion for swimming continues to grow as she keeps dropping time in her events and achieving new personal bests. Recently, she earned the #1 seed in the 50-meter breaststroke in the Girls 11–12 Division at the Penguin Plunge Meet in Washington, Missouri, where the Makos Swim Team captured first place overall.
Her coaches, Terea “T” Goodwin and Torrie Preciado, couldn’t be prouder of the team’s progress and unity. “The Makos are stronger than ever,” they shared, noting that the team has now grown to more than 40 dedicated members—each striving to uphold the team’s proud legacy of excellence, discipline, and sportsmanship.
But swimming isn’t Laylah’s only arena of growth. This past summer, she participated in Beauty Boot Camp, hosted by Mrs. Tameka, Mrs. Tee, and Mrs. Lawanda, the owner of Sweethead Naturals Institute—the only Black-owned beauty school specializing in natural hair. The camp gave Laylah hands-on experience in hair and skincare, sparking a new entrepreneurial dream: launching her own skincare line.
With big goals and an even bigger heart, Laylah also aspires to become a lawyer one day—a reflection of her sharp intellect, confidence, and passion for justice.
Looking ahead, Laylah and the Makos are preparing for exciting upcoming competitions, including a swim meet in Detroit, Michigan this February, and a multicultural swim meet in Indianapolis, Indiana this summer. Beyond competition, Laylah will also embark on a life-changing journey to Accra, Ghana this spring, broadening her global perspective and cultural understanding.
To continue pursuing her dreams, Laylah is currently raising funds for her 2025–2026 swim season. Every donation helps support her travel, training, and competition expenses—fueling her pursuit of excellence both in and out of the pool.
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“Thank you in advance for your generosity and encouragement,” Laylah’s family shared. “No donation is too small when it comes to investing in a child’s dreams.”
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