Most high school seniors look ahead and want to have a successful life. Katie Kendall wants to have a significant life and has encouraged others to inspire for the same.
As her senior project at ArtsWest, a private school in Eagle, Katie organized “Say It With Music”, a fundraising event to benefit the Boise Valley Habitat for Humanity. In doing so, she raised $1800 for the Boise Valley Habitat for Humanity Meridian Build, the first Habitat home to be built in Meridian.
A talented vocalist, Katie organized and performed in the event which was held on April 19th at the Holy Trinity Church in Meridian. Jazz musician, Jeff Baker, and jazz combo, Take2, also performed. The evening included catered food, a wine tasting, raffle and silent auction, all of which Katie arranged.
The senior project requires 120 hours of work plus a written paper about the project. At ArtsWest, students are encouraged to be creative with their senior projects and to do something that would benefit others. Katie was the first to use the project as a means to directly benefit a nonprofit.
Hearing of Katie’s plan inspired three classmates to change their senior project. One student whose project was going to be to run a marathon decided to collect pledges for his run to benefit Habitat for Humanity. “26 miles is a long way to run just for yourself” he announced. Two other students put on a rock concert downtown to benefit YouthAIDS. “Katie led the way,” said Mary Cenell, founder of ArtsWest.
As most people who plan events quickly find out, details and expenses to host an event add up quickly. From catering services to mentoring, many of Katie’s friends and supporters stepped up to donate their time and energy to the event. Katie paid the remaining expenses with her own money. “Katie learned first hand that we can’t do anything alone. We all have to work together to benefit others,” said her mother, Stacy Finley.
That message resonates with the project she chose to help. The Meridian Build home was built in partnership with the residential construction classes of Meridian School District. Boise Valley Habitat for Humanity and Meridian School District are in their 7th year of partnership in which the students build one Habitat home per year. The students in the program spend several hours every day working on the house, said Carol Boss of the Boise Valley Habitat for Humanity. “From framing to sheetrock to roofing to painting, they work on it all. They see the house from ground to completion.”
In May, Katie graduated Salutatorian of her class from ArtsWest. She is taking this next year to focus on her music with a music internship. She still performs with the other musicians from ArtsWest on Thursday nights at Rembrandts Coffeehouse in Eagle. She also leads classes at the Holy Trinity Church, which her mother and stepfather founded.
From the family who moved into their new home in Meridian on June 1st to the others who indirectly benefitted from her inspiration, Katie Kendall has already made a difference. And since her example will undoubtedly continue to influence senior projects for years to come at ArtsWest, she has clearly embarked on her path of significance.
For more information about the Boise Valley Habitat for Humanity, go to www.hfhboise.org.
