Name: Kendall Thompson
Hometown: Fort Bragg, NC
Major: Elementary Education with a double concentration in Behavioral Studies and Language Arts
Minor: Potentially psychology
Year: Junior
Kendall, second from the right, pictured with fellow members of the UNCW Residence Hall Association.
HC: What is your position in the Residence Hall Association and why did you choose to join?
KT: My position in the Residence Hall Association is Vice President of Community Service. I chose this position because I have a deep passion for serving others and being a part of something bigger than myself, and I love being in the position to provide others with the opportunity to partake in those things as well. I had the opportunity to put on a campus wide program last year as the VP of Community Service for the Seahawk Village Area Council and ever since then I knew my heart was set on pursuing an RHA executive board position and continuing to do campus wide community service programs.
HC: What is your favorite part of working with your fellow RHA members? Do you have a favorite memory?
KT: My favorite part of working with my fellow RHA members is the positivity and laughter we exhibit each and every meeting when we do “happy notes”. Happy notes is when we all take sticky notes and write down positive, funny, or memorable moments as the meeting takes places to put in a cup and read out loud at the end of the meeting. My favorite memory is when we all bonded during our summer training and spent a few days getting fro-yo, seeing Captain America, and just hanging out!
HC: Why did you feel the need to suggest a food drive in order to help those impacted by Hurricane Matthew?
KT: I felt the need to suggest a food drive to help those impacted by Hurricane Matthew because I know that a large number of food banks in North Carolina are in high demand for food items to feed those displaced by or who lost everything because of the hurricane. I felt as if a food drive would be an effective way to unite all areas for one common goal regarding a cause.
HC: What was your experience with Hurricane Matthew or with viewing what was going on in the news?
KT: My experience with Hurricane Matthew was a second-hand experience in that I personally knew people affected but I personally was not as affected. The passion and emotion that has come out of the conversations I’ve had with some people whose communities were negatively impacted is a driving force behind why I am doing this because I know it matters to people.
HC: Why should UNCW students help out by donating to this cause?
KT: UNCW students should donate to this cause because even if Hurricane Matthew does not personally affect them, they have the power to help make starting over easier for those who were affected. Students should also donate because a little goes a long way, and it’s a great way to unite as one student body.
HC: What other advice do you have for anyone else interested in helping with causes like this?
KT: If a student is interested in further helping with this particular cause or a similar one, I would suggest that they participate in raising awareness, rallying others together, and perhaps volunteering with the American Red Cross and other organizations that support relief efforts.
Photo courtesy of Kendall Thompson.