Kyndal Jolley

Kyndal Jolley – Alabama
Interview by Inspiring Teens
Nomination and Photography by Heather Drummond Photography
Issue 42 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

The Nomination: Kyndal is known for her willingness to serve others. She serves others through peer helpers, a program that helps students with disabilities, and church programs such as teaching Vacation Bible School, being a camp counselor, and serving food to the homeless. Kyndal has been part of her school volleyball team for six years. As a Senior, she worked hard to inspire her team to play as a team versus working toward individual goals. Kyndal has done all these things while achieving academic success. She plans to further her education by pursuing a degree as a speech pathologist.

Photography by Heather Drummond Photography

Tell us more about your volunteer services. 
My volunteer services included my role at my church’s kids camp. I volunteered as a youth leader to help with anything that needed to be done including taking care of the kids, serving lunch, helping the kids complete different crafts, and assisting in anything else that needed to be done. My volunteer work in one of my school clubs, FCCLA, included serving food to people that come to The Foundry, which is a food bank. I also help organize, package, and deliver the food to the people who come to The Foundry.

When did you start volunteering and what do you love most about it?
I would like to think volunteering has always been a part of my life. I have always helped at my church whenever I was needed. In the 9th grade, however, I started school clubs such as FCCLA and Peer Helper. These school clubs helped gave me many opportunities for volunteering.

Photography by Heather Drummond Photography

​Please share a favorite memory from volunteering with us. 
In all the years i’ve volunteered, my favorite memories are made while volunteering for Peer Helper. This school club has done many activities such as track, basketball, bowling, and a special needs Prom. In all of these I have made so many of the same, precious memories. These memories include spending time with the kids or teens and being able to bring joy to them by helping them do things they might not be able to do on their own.

If you were to present a topic to a group of your peers, what would it be on and why?
If I were to present a topic to a group of my peers, I would express how important it is to help others and to always think about others. Through my experience in being a peer helper, I learned how kids with disabilities need one on one guidance. In my experience with this, I helped them learn how to bowl, play basketball, and participate in a track meet. I also attended, as a volunteer, to Tim Tebows Night To Shine, which is a prom experience for people with special needs ages 14 and older.    

Photography by Heather Drummond Photography

How did you maintain such a high gpa while dealing with covid restrictions? 
During the first semester of my Senior year, I was a remote student. This helped a lot with being able to get my schoolwork done because I had more time to spend on my class work. I have had a good GPA every year of high school but to make sure I kept it up during covid, I worked harder to make sure I got my work done and to make good grades. I used Covid restrictions to my advantage and pushed myself harder than I would have during a normal high school year. I was determined to not let my grades or Senior year be ruined by Covid-19.

What was your district like during covid? How much restrictions have you had on school activities like volleyball?
Our district implemented several Covid restrictions for volleyball like wearing masks, sitting 6 feet apart, and cleaning volleyballs during the game. I represented our volleyball team in a school video with other fall sports leaders to inform students, parents, and fans of school Covid restrictions. Our team finished our season with a winning record. Unfortunately, we were unable to go the second round of playoffs due to a Covid outbreak on our team.

Look for Kyndal in issue 42 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

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