A Voice for Justice and Stories: Kayla Diee’s Legacy at Centenary

As the Fall 2024 semester draws to a close, Centenary University prepares to bid farewell to an extraordinary senior who has left a permanent mark on our campus. Kayla Diee, a double major in English and Writing with a minor in Paralegal Studies, has spent her time at Centenary redefining what it means to lead, inspire, and give back. 

Kayla is the editor-in-chief of The Cyclone Chronicle, Centenary’s student-run newspaper, a role she stepped into this semester. Her journey with the paper began in Fall 2023, when she co-founded it alongside then-editor-in-chief and Centenary Spring ‘24 graduate, Eve Foote, and adviser, Janet Zatta, during the Experiential Writing course. From her first role as Copy Editor and Features Editor to eventually taking the helm, Kayla’s influence on the Chronicle has been pivotal. 

“I would love to get us in print,” Kayla shared when reflecting on her goals for the newspaper. “From the time that we started, I was pushing for print, and that passion has not ceased. I think it would be really special to get the paper in people’s faces again... I think it would be an awesome resurgence.” 

Kayla’s vision goes beyond publishing articles. She sees The Cyclone Chronicle as a means of sustaining Centenary’s spirit and stories. “Print preserves culture, preserves the narrative of the university,” she explained. “I think it would be very special, for one day, in like a decade, for someone to be able to go down into the archives and see a real paper.” 

Her passion for storytelling and equity extends far beyond Centenary’s campus. Kayla is also the founder of the Next Chapter Foundation, a correctional education initiative where she teaches in New Jersey prisons. Her drive to create opportunities for incarcerated individuals stems from a life-changing experience when she toured a prison facility at age 15. 

“I was immediately claustrophobic walking through the building,” she recalled. “There’s mold on the walls, and it actually looks like a standard American public high school. But the difference is stark—people are screaming, and the resources for growth and health just aren’t there.” That visit ignited a spark in Kayla, leading her to start book donation drives in 2019. 

Since then, her efforts have flourished. One of her proudest achievements was establishing a recreational library at the  Warren County Correctional Facility. “Being able to see my students connect with the books there was very special,” Kayla said. “They didn’t even know I had anything to do with the library, but they’d talk about it constantly—what they were reading, what they wanted to see there. It’s humbling to see that zeal to learn and form relationships through books.” 

Centenary University partnered with the Next Chapter Foundation to donate 378 books to Warren County Correctional Facility in October 2023.

Professor Janet Zatta, the adviser to The Cyclone Chronicle and an adjunct professor of writing, describes Kayla as a modern-day Renaissance woman. “She’s a master of many trades, knowledgeable in a wide range of subjects, and a pursuer of diverse passions. Watching her grow as a journalist and leader has been a true pleasure,” Zatta shared. 

Professor Zatta’s admiration for Kayla is echoed by everyone who has worked with her. From her thoughtful leadership in The Cyclone Chronicle to her tireless dedication as a Resident Assistant and Peer Writing Tutor, Kayla’s presence on campus has been immense and felt in every corner.

As Kayla prepares to graduate, her hopes for the newspaper and her legacy are rooted in sustainability and growth. “I would really like to see [The Cyclone Chronicle] thrive,” she said. “It would be awesome if we could have the staff and the support to write an article about everything that happens on campus and dive more into campus culture.” 

Looking to the future, Kayla plans to attend graduate school and continue her mission to drive policy reform for educational equity. But for now, she leaves Centenary with a successful newspaper, a strengthened community, and a legacy that will inspire future students. 

To quote Kayla herself: “Our culture is built and preserved on our stories, and our identity is built on the stories that we read. Being able to see yourself in the pages of a book—or in a newspaper—is transformative.” 

Kayla Diee’s time at Centenary has been just that: transformative. For her peers, her students, and everyone whose lives she’s touched, her story is one that will not soon be forgotten.