Kate met the Young Avengers during her older sisters wedding when gunmen took the entire church hostage. Her quick thinking played a large part in the gunmens defeat when things took a bad turn for the Young Avengers. While not having any "special" powers she is skilled in archery, fencing, sword fighting, self defense and several other types of combat. Much of this was learned as a result of being attacked and feeling defenseless as a result of it. Kate's father is very wealthy and she used this money to get new uniforms for the team after their originals were confiscated by Captain America & Iron Man. The team also uses an empty building owned by her father as a base. After Patriot was injured she stood up to Captain America concerning their lack of training. Impressed and somewhat humbled by Kate's words, she was given the code name Hawkeye by Cap, along with Clint Barton's bow and arrows.

During the Superhuman Civil War, Hawkeye, alongside the rest of the Young Avengers, were aligned with Captain America's forces. While disappointed with her friend Stature's decision to sign the SHRA after the death of Goliath, Kate remained supportive of her friend, and the two parted fairly amicably.

Following the victory of Iron Man's forces in the Civil War, Hawkeye has remained aligned with the rebel superheroes, often teaming up with Patriot while on patrol. Shortly before the funeral of Captain America, Hawkeye and Patriot were confronted by Clint Barton, the original Hawkeye (at the time dressed in Cap's uniform and bearing his shield). Unaware of his true identity, Kate lambasted him for usurping the name and costume of Captain America and acting as a puppet of the United States government. In the process, she explained that she had chosen the name of Hawkeye not to replace the original, but to honour him, and would act accordingly as he might have. Stunned by this revelation, Barton let the two Young Avengers go, even referring to Kate as Hawkeye before abandoning Iron Man to join Luke Cage's New Avengers.

Kate has also made supporting appearances in the pages of Young Avengers Presents, joining other members of the team in their adventures. The sixth and final issue of the series will focus on Hawkeye specifically, as she encounters Clint Barton once more and fights to keep the Hawkeye name.