Editor’s note: The Future Leaders of America series profiles high school seniors who display leadership qualities in their school and the community. The series is brought to you by Pridemark Construction.
By Stacey A. Shannon—
YORKTOWN, IN—During her time at Yorktown High School, senior Kendall Turner has run her way to success. She’s a member of both the cross-country and track teams, which keep her busy and connected with her teammates while running distances and cheering them on.
“I support my team[s] very strongly,” she said. “I like to cheer them on after my race. I just try to positively impact people and make a difference. And I hope that they see that they can believe in themselves.”
Turner also cheers on the girls’ basketball team, for which she serves as manager, and younger students as a master mentor in the school’s mentor program. Her leadership extends to student council as well, where she serves as vice president.
“I know that there’s things I can give,” Turner said. “And I think that being involved is a way that I can really give.”
Over the past year, Turner has seen that giving back sometimes makes a bigger difference than she expects. For example, at a recent cross-country camp, she spoke about the importance of believing in yourself. Afterward, a varsity runner came up and told her how much her speech meant to him. Turner was encouraged to learn her words made a difference for the state-qualifying runner.
When she isn’t running or encouraging others, Turner is maintaining her schoolwork by using her time wisely. She is also planning for the future. Right now, she hopes to attend Purdue University and take her love of going fast to the next level by becoming a commercial pilot. Her career plans were inspired in eighth grade after flying to Disney World with her family.
As she completes the first quarter of her senior year, Turner has advice for students coming behind her, including her freshman mentees.
“Just get involved,” she said. “If you can find somewhere that you feel like you belong, that you are wanted, that you are loved, [then] high school is 1,000 times easier.”
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