10/01/2026
Beyond the Test: Kevin Kiralyfalvi’s Pursuit of Curiosity and Connection
When we think about academic milestones like earning a perfect 36 on the ACT, our minds often go straight to textbooks, high-pressure testing rooms, and endless hours of isolated studying. But for USD 265-Goddard High School senior Kevin Kiralyfalvi, achieving that rare score was never just about memorizing formulas; it was a byproduct of a deep-seated curiosity and a genuine love for learning.
Long before the test results came in, Kevin’s pursuit of knowledge was already taking shape in creative and unexpected ways. To build endurance for his studies, Kevin documented marathon sessions on social media using timelapse videos featuring a gallon jar filled with ice at the start, studying continuously until the ice had completely melted.
During one memorable 19-hour session, his home ice maker couldn't keep up with the demand for two jars, prompting his dad, Eric, to make a run to the local gas station for a backup bag of ice. Reflecting on that late-night run, Eric noted that while the ice run itself was simple, it fit right into the elaborate, methodical schemes Kevin uses to keep himself motivated.
Eric and his wife, Baotram, watched those flashes of cleverness and intense drive emerge early on. Though they initially expected they would need to push their son academically, they quickly realized they never had to. Instead, Kevin’s internal drive guided the way, establishing a focus that Eric describes as constant, methodical, and always centered around discussing his strategies.
That kind of dedication is rooted in a unique perspective on goal-setting. Rather than feeling overwhelmed by high-stakes exams, Kevin occasionally relies on a visualization strategy that mirrors the mental prep of elite performers.
“When I’m doing something that I’m anxious about, I imagine that it’s already happened and I’m almost remembering what I’m doing,” Kevin explains. “Because then it takes some of the burden off if I imagine that the outcome is already guaranteed and I could just try my hardest and pretend as if it’s already happened.”
When he hit a roadblock in math, that problem-solving mindset took over. Before falling in love with the subject, Kevin did not consider himself particularly strong in math. That changed during his sophomore year when he joined the math club and began using tools like Desmos to visualize patterns and symmetries.
He credits educators along the way for helping fuel that fire. Early on, when Kevin faced some initial school challenges, third-grade teacher Mrs. Shanda Busby saw something special in him and helped change the course of his educational path. Mrs. Busby fondly remembers a defining project from those formative years, when Kevin was challenged to apply science lessons by creating electrical circuits for an independent project. Kevin built a cardboard house featuring a fully functional electrical system made from Christmas lights. True to his collaborative nature, he brought his classmates into the process, delegating tasks and leading a team to present it.
“Watching Kevin actually reach these incredible milestones is a literal dream come true, and it reminds me exactly why I went into teaching,” Mrs. Busby shares.
That strong foundation was continually reinforced by dedicated educators throughout his journey. Mrs. Kylie Rush ensured he was constantly challenged rather than coasting, while his high school math teacher, Mr. Joel Burgeson, Mr. Derek Stearns, and others have left a lasting impression on his family through their exceptional impact in the classroom.
That intellectual curiosity extends far beyond the classroom. When he is not tackling complex equations or competing in Robotics and Business Professionals of America programming competitions, Kevin channels his creativity into building custom mechanical keyboards. He meticulously assembles switches, base cases, and keycaps, often gifting the finished creations to his friends.
Looking ahead to life after Goddard High School, Kevin has his sights set on the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to study electrical engineering and computer science, drawn to a program where he can understand technology all the way from individual transistors to high-level code.
For younger students just beginning their own educational journeys, Kevin’s path offers a powerful reminder of what happens when you lean into curiosity and get involved early. Whether he is building a cardboard house with working circuits, designing custom keyboards, or diving into advanced mathematics, his ultimate ambitions stretch far beyond a single university or career path, rooted instead in a desire to push the boundaries of what we all know.
“The truth that I'm looking for is where I can learn from a collective of human knowledge,” Kevin shares. “If I can do my part to find things out where I can increase that net sum, just add a little piece. My goal is to increase the collective of human knowledge.”
Thank you to the dedicated educators of Goddard Public Schools and supportive families, like the Kiralyfalvis, who help our students turn their brightest curiosities into reality, fueling a lifelong passion for discovery across our !
