“There's just an energy and lightness to who Kira is that radiates out of her.” 
—Kim Guzowski, MYP/DP Theater Teacher

Kira Mahoney ’30 joined Dwight in grade 5 and since has become a vibrant and joyful presence from classrooms to the black box to the Large Gym. 

Creativity is at the heart of Kira’s world. She enjoys acting, singing, choreographing, playing piano, and painting — and she feels especially at home on stage. “My spark of genius is creative ideas, being on stage, and not being scared of who I am. I always wanted to be on stage.  I can be who I am, but I can also express a story to other people,” she said.

The Theater Program at Dwight has given Kira the opportunity to delve into all of her creative passions, choreographing movements for the Middle School plays, acting in scenes with her twin brother Roland Mahoney ’30 (she also has an older brother, Shaylon Mahoney ’28), painting sets, and sharing ideas with her classmates. These experiences have helped her build meaningful relationships with classmates both younger and older, something she values deeply. 

According to Ms. Guzowski, Kira’s ability to connect with others is one of her greatest strengths as a performer. “She listens and she watches. She's very interested in other people, very aware of the pieces around her of other people and how all of it fits, like a jigsaw puzzle or a painting,” she said.

With a strong interest in communities and characters, she embraces thoughtful discussion and welcomes new perspectives. She shows up to class as present as possible, talks through historical analyses, and asks thought-provoking questions. Her strong suit is working with others, and she does so with great ease. 

Kira brings the same enthusiasm to Language and Literature. An engaged and reflective learner, she consistently participates in class discussions and seeks opportunities to deepen her understanding of the material. Her teacher, Barry Kimpel, describes her as a “thoughtful, mindful learner who shows up every day with a smile on her face.” Mr. Kimpel highlighted Kira’s Doris Post speech about Lord of the Flies as a memorable example. During the speech, she chose to embody the character of Piggy, with a strong emotional depth. “She almost brought tears, not just to her own eyes, but also to the eyes of her classmates,” he said.

After school, Kira is equally inclusive in her activities, and thrives not just in theater, but in athletics. She plays soccer and basketball, and is currently the co-point guard on the Middle School basketball team. The team, coached by Joshua Kigel, Director of Quest, won 11 games and only lost one, which Kira is extremely proud of. Coach Kigel said, “The dynamic on this team is really good and I think she's a big part of setting that tone. She showed real maturity and leadership this season,” he said.

Through actively participating in the classroom, encouraging her teammates on the court, or collaborating with fellow performers on stage, Kira’s ability to uplift the people around her is magical. We can’t wait to see what’s next for Kira as she enters high school!