Cejay Riley, a Murray High School senior and Murray State Teen of the Week, aspires to become an interior designer. She draws inspiration from remodeling projects she’s completed for friends and family.
Riley maintains a 3.4 GPA and is involved with FBLA, LEO Club and student council. She is also on the school’s yearbook, homecoming and prom committees where she uses her skills and passion for design to make eye-catching events for attendees.
“Being able to open my mind up to fashion, just in clothing wise, and then open that up into more interior spaces and building business spaces rather than just fashion really helps,” Riley said.
Riley’s fixation with design and fashion grew as a child from studying TV shows. When she got old enough to start dabbling in interior design, Riley’s family entrusted her with significant remodeling jobs at their homes. She said this experience left her hungry to do more jobs and gain more experience before college.
“A lot of my family trusted me with designing their homes, kitchens, party planning and all that,” Riley said. “So, that really put it in my mind that this could be a full-on job. And having people already trust me so young has really built my confidence.”
Riley will attend Murray State University in fall 2024, majoring in design engineering technology. During the summer, she hopes to obtain a real estate license to fast-track her way into interior design — a career pathway she is more than excited to be a part of.
“I always tell people it really opens my mind and makes me feel so calm,” Riley said. “It just makes me feel so happy being able to see my clients’ eyes light up whenever they see a room that really describes them, also, having that fun aspect of picking out tiles, shades of curtains and all of these textures and styles while also doing that more serious work of helping others.”
Toree McMain, Murray High School counselor, describes Riley as an intelligent, talented, hard-working and dependable young woman. She praises Riley’s leadership initiatives and cheerful personality, which McMain said “makes the school a happier place for all students.
“Cejay is a caring and genuine person,” McMain said. “In addition to her school and extracurricular, she devotes her time to working and volunteering in the community. Cejay is an extraordinary young lady, and I am grateful for the opportunity to know her.”
Riley wants her peers to believe in their abilities and not focus on everybody’s opinion or way of doing things.
“Listening to those around you sometimes will lead you astray,” Riley said. “Being confident in what you are thinking. Don’t overthink or let others persuade you. This is the best thing I have found for me in high school and real life. It’s really helped me push myself and be more confident in who I am and who I will be in the future.”
