Union County High School Senior Kenli Jenkins Shines in Tennis, FFA, and BSU

Kenli Jenkins – Florida

Nomination by Kelli Jenkins

Photography by Alyssa Chappell Photography

Issue 100 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Union County High School Senior Kenli Jenkins Shines in Tennis, FFA, and BSU

Nomination: Kenli Jenkins is an 18 year old senior at Union County High School in Lake Butler, Florida. She is an active student at her school- playing tennis, participating in the National Beta Club, FFA, FCA and Black Student Union and with a strong passion for community service, she has over 200 community service hours. Kenli has a passion for beautiful smiles and intends to become a dental hygienist.

Photography by Alyssa Chappell Photography

What inspiring qualities or accomplishments weren’t highlighted in your nomination?

I proudly received my CNA license during my junior year of high school. I am also CPR certified. Although I hadn’t planned to pursue a career in the medical field, this certification has been very rewarding and I’ve had the opportunity to work with private clients where I built sweet relationships.

How did earning your CNA license at such a young age challenge you or help you grow?

Obtaining my CNA license challenged me to get out of my comfort zone! By completing this through high school, I worked with my peers on matters that were personal and honestly a little uncomfortable at times. In the end, we all grew and learned so much!

What have you learned about compassion and responsibility through working with private clients?

Compassion comes so easily when help people who are so appreciate and humble. It is the ultimate responsibility to know I am in charge of someone else’s health. Sometimes that means making sure my patient doesn’t fall and other times it may mean getting them a snack and tucked into bed- either way, responsibility is rewarding.

Was there a specific moment while working with a client that confirmed you love helping others?

One of my very first in home CNA jobs was a sweet lady who needed help while her own husband was recovering from a procedure. He is her normal care taker so they just needed a hand while he was down. After a speedy recovery for him, I was only needed for a few weeks. On my final day, we both shed tears as we said goodbye. This touched my heart so deeply and made me realize how much she appreciated me and how quickly I had come to admire her.

What current goals and/or projects are you working on now?

Senior year is full of scholarship applications and time spent making memories doing everything “one last time!” I am currently playing on my school varsity tennis team and enjoying every minute. I am also currently providing child care for a local family that is near and dear to my heart.

How do you balance academics, athletics, work, and community involvement during such a busy season?

Organization!!! I try to keep a monthly calendar as well as a weekly one. I always like to look at my week in advance and see what I am up against. I always strive to hit deadlines early and never procrastinate.

Union County High School Senior Kenli Jenkins Shines in Tennis, FFA, and BSU

What has tennis taught you about discipline, perseverance, or teamwork?

Coming into tennis as a junior was a challenge. There were other team members who had played since their freshman year, so it was a challenge for me “play catch up.” This really gave me the motivation I needed to push hard and make my way to the top.

In what ways has childcare strengthened your patience and leadership skills?

Similar to working with my CNA, childcare pushed me out of my comfort zone. In a situation where I am in charge, it pushes me to lay down rules, make plans and always be on my toes. Patience is a must with young children, especially when you are with 2-3 siblings, all under the age of 11. Having 3 siblings of my own, I felt very comfortable caring for them.

As you prepare for graduation, what are you most excited about in this next chapter of life?

I am so excited to get going in college! I am looking forward to meeting with counselors on campus and making a plan on how to execute my goals.

What steps are you taking now to prepare for your future career as a dental hygienist?

I have been in contact with friends and family in the dental field. So thankful to have already secured a contact at a dental office to apply for a summer job!

What do you feel passionate about or could talk about forever?

I could talk about self confidence and the importance of believing in yourself forever! I truly believe that teenage years are fun for some but not everyone. They can be hard! I love to see everyone succeed and everyone be happy. That begins with self confidence and the ability to choose a path that makes YOU happy. Sometimes that means stepping away from the crowd and making your own way.

Where does your confidence come from, and how have you built it over time?

My parents have been a huge part of my confidence! They have always coached me and reminded me how strong I am, how smart I am and how beautiful I am. I may not have realized the importance of their words when I was younger, but I see now that they were helping me mentally and emotionally.

What advice would you give to a teen who is struggling to believe in themselves?

Find a strong group of friends! Surround yourself with people who are like minded and who cheer you on. If your friends can’t be happy for you when you succeed, they aren’t your people! If your friends don’t pick you up when you need a hand, they aren’t your friends.

Have you ever had to step away from the crowd and choose your own path? What did that look like for you?

Absolutely!! Major shifts in friend groups have been necessary more than once in my life. My freshman year, after playing softball for years, I decided to walk away. It was no longer good for my mental health and was beginning to take a toll on my physical health. Although leaving it behind was hard, I gave myself grace and the patience to close that chapter before I moved on to something else. In the end, I have no regrets.

How do you hope to use your career in dental hygiene to impact others beyond just creating beautiful smiles?

A beautiful smile is so much more than just cosmetic. Through a career and dental hygiene, I hope to inspire others to use their smile to make other people happy. Smiles are so underestimated whenever it comes to their power to really change someone’s day.

How did you find your photographer and what did you love most about the experience?

My older sister, who graduated two years before me, was photographed by Alyssa Chappell Photography! Watching her step out of her comfort zone and enjoy taking photos made me realize that I wanted to do the same. Building a relationship with Alyssa has been so much more than just the photographs she has taken. It truly becomes a family experience. I cannot imagine choosing anyone besides her to go through this with me. She is a true hype girl!

Are you part of a model team with your photographer? If so, tell us about it.

I am! It has been the absolute best experience that I have shared with two other girls from my high school. We have made the best memories and shared so many laughs. Alyssa has gathered us together for multiple holidays to have fun as well as be photographed. As much as I would like to say that being photographed is the best part, it was really the talks about life, eating good food, and laughing uncontrollably that I will remember forever.

What is a favorite memory with or thoughts of the person who nominated you?

My mom is always my biggest cheerleader! Whether it’s a tennis court, a homecoming queen nomination or prom dress shopping- she always supports me whole heartedly. We have so many amazing memories but my most recent favorite is prom dress shopping out of state, just her and I. We spent the day together and I probably tried on 40 dresses!

Why do you want to be in Inspiring Teens Magazine?

I have many stories to tell! From having a seizure my freshman year and learning to live life after….to learning to choose friends who choose me back and have similar interests…I feel like high school has taught me SO much. If I can share my stories and help others in similar situations, it would be so rewarding.

If you win a scholarship, what will you do with the money?

As a second child of four, I would love to put a scholarship directly towards my college education. In middle school and in high school, I always gave 110% so that I would be a good candidate to apply for scholarships when the time came. I would love to be able to take some of the financial burden off of my parents. Independence is a huge goal of mine.

What is your ideal dream job if it were offered to you today?

A dentist!!

Is there anyone you'd like to thank for helping you to get where you are today?

My entire immediate family deserves a huge thank you. I have the most supportive parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. They always believe in me and support every crazy idea I come up with. It has never gone unnoticed and I truly hope to be able to repay the favors one day.

If you had nothing to do and all day to do it, where would we find you?

Shopping! TJ Maxx is my favorite store!

What advice would you give to someone who wants to be where you are today?

Make a plan and do your best to stick with it! Be flexible when things don’t go your way, but don’t let that stop you.

3 Things on your bucket list:

- Visiting Hawaii

- Go skydiving

- Go on a mission trip to another country

Look for Kenli in issue 100 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

*Interviews are not edited after received from our inspiring teens - what you read is who they genuinely are!