Turning tragedy into resilience

Kendra is a lovely young woman who has experienced significant challenges in her life due to the loss of two special people. As a young child, Kendra lost her mom. More recently, her aunt, the woman who raised Kendra, passed away.

Despite her overwhelming feelings of sadness, Kendra has demonstrated tremendous resilience; she is determined to not let these tragedies define her life. In fact, despite these tragedies, or perhaps in part, because of them, she has blossomed into a beautiful human being, both inside and out.

Instead of turning inward, Kendra turns outward, always present to help and support her peers with a strong moral compass and a kind, compassionate heart. She is resourceful, seeking the help and support she needs to heal.  She is driven to hold on to her hopes and dreams and takes pride in her academic work, so that she can pursue her goal of attending college in the fall. She is an active member of the Wahconah Ambassador team, a student leadership group that strives to implement positive, supportive programs for students.

Kendra is also active outside of school; she has held jobs at Cranwell Spa & Golf Resort in Lenox and Target in Lanesborough, to help support her financial needs. In between work and school, she reaches out to help people in need in the community like her grandmother, who needs assistance with household chores and taking her clothes to the local laundromat.

Donna Therrien, School Adjustment Counselor at Wahconah Regional High School in Dalton, who shared the above story, says it was her pleasure to nominate Kendra Richards, a senior at Wahconah for the S.A.Y It Proud (Supporting and Acknowledging Youth) award for outstanding involvement in community and school activities.

Established by the Pittsfield Prevention Partnership in 2012, the important work of recognizing middle and high school students with S.A.Y. It Proud awards will be continued by our Positive Youth Development Impact Council (PYDIC).   

If you’d like to learn more about PYDIC, which creates healthy, positive opportunities for all Berkshire County youth, or if you want to nominate a young person aged 11-19, for a S.A.Y It Proud award, please contact me at  ktoomey@berkshireunitedway.org or 413-442-6948 ext. 15.

In the meantime, keep your eyes open for announcements of future S.A.Y. It Proud awardees!

Kat Toomey

Coordinator of Positive Youth Development