The Webster Dictionary states that the noun “hero” refers to a person who is admired for courage and outstanding achievement; someone who is looked up to and admired for their bravery, strength, noble character, and for those who have made significant contributions in their field.

In 2010, there were no school-sponsored after-school sports for middle school grades. Kim Kendall, along with volunteers for the St. Johns County Florida Middle School Athletic Association, helped fill this void.

Kim became Vice President of this Association. In this role, she wrote a business plan to start the needed middle school sports program. She worked with the St. Johns County School District Board, Parks and Recreation, and middle school volunteers to create an organized intramural athletic program for 6th, 7th, and 8th grades.

Both boys and girls of middle school age were given opportunities to participate in baseball and softball during the first year of the program. The second year of the program included football and cheerleading.

One of Kim’s biggest volunteer initiatives was her American Eagle and Literacy Challenge. This program involved fundraising to increase awareness of the importance of early reading, complemented by promoting the American Eagle as the program’s mascot. This project took two years, including a team of 25 volunteers, to implement. The challenge launched in 2006.

Kim partnered with 150 elementary schools in Florida, all having the American Eagle as their mascot. She asked Florida’s Lt. Governor to be her State Literacy Ambassador. Miley Cyrus, also known as Hannah Montana, along with other co-actors, created a commercial that drew attention to this endeavor.

Kim worked with Dollywood and was able to get “Challenger” the bald eagle to be part of events at both the local and state levels. Her efforts were followed with boots on the ground, knocking on doors, making calls, and gaining support from local businesses and developers to raise $50,000 for books in St. Johns County elementary schools.

The literacy program, coupled with its mascot, the American Eagle, expanded to many other states.

A four-year project began in 2013 with the National Literacy Council to have prayer at high school graduations. The National Literacy Council stood strong on the fact that student-led prayer at graduation is protected under the Constitution.

The St. Johns County School Board did not schedule a public workshop on prayer for graduation in 2013. Students at St. Augustine High School circulated petitions requiring prayer at graduation ceremonies. As the pursuit of this effort continued, school districts were encouraged to remain neutral and do the right thing by allowing prayer at graduation ceremonies.

Kim Kendall’s call to service began in her childhood, guided by the examples set by her mother and the military service of her father and grandfather.

Kim is a formidable humanitarian, one of compassion and empathy. She has a passion to face any challenge where she will “stand on the wall” for others. Kim is a force to be reckoned with to accomplish God’s plan for her to advocate for those who are not being heard.

Kim is a groundbreaker who has never given up and is always ready to fight the good fight for others. It has been my greatest honor to work beside her on this journey.