Kenadi Bryant

What skills did you develop or improve through this service experience?
At the packing party for Girls on the Run, I improved my teamwork, time management, and organization skills. The work required us to assemble materials quickly and accurately, so I had to stay focused and efficient. I also strengthened my ability to follow structured processes while still keeping a positive and energetic attitude.
How did your service influence your understanding of social or environmental issues?
This experience helped me better understand the importance of programs that support young girls’ confidence, health, and personal development. It showed me how intentional programming and resources can empower girls and give them tools to succeed both physically and emotionally.
Did you work individually or as part of a team, and how did that impact your experience?
I worked as part of a team, which was essential for completing the packing process efficiently. Everyone had a role, and we had to communicate and stay coordinated to keep things moving. The teamwork made the experience more enjoyable and showed how collaboration helps accomplish larger goals.
Do you plan to continue volunteering with this organization? Why or why not?
Yes, I would volunteer again because I like the mission behind the organization and how it focuses on empowering young girls. It felt rewarding to contribute to something that supports their growth and confidence.
What unexpected challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them?
One unexpected challenge was keeping up with the pace while making sure everything was packed correctly. It could be easy to rush and make mistakes. I overcame this by staying attentive to detail, double-checking my work, and working closely with my team to maintain both speed and accuracy.

What skills did you develop or improve through this service experience?
At the grocery store–style food drive at Memphis Dream Center, I improved my customer service, communication, and organization skills. I helped guide individuals through the process, answered questions, and made sure everything ran smoothly. It also strengthened my ability to stay attentive and respectful while working with people from different backgrounds.
How did your service influence your understanding of social or environmental issues?
This experience gave me a deeper understanding of food insecurity and how it affects families in everyday life. Seeing people rely on a food drive set up like a grocery store showed me how important it is to provide access to food in a way that maintains dignity and choice, not just basic distribution.
Did you work individually or as part of a team, and how did that impact your experience?
I worked as part of a team, which made a big difference in how efficiently everything operated. We had to communicate and support each other to keep the flow of people moving. Being part of a team also made the experience more organized and allowed us to better serve the community.
Do you plan to continue volunteering with this organization? Why or why not?
Yes, I would volunteer again because I appreciated how the organization created a respectful and supportive environment for families. It felt meaningful to be part of something that directly meets a basic need in the community.
What unexpected challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them?
One unexpected challenge was managing the flow of people and making sure everyone understood how the process worked. Some individuals needed more guidance than others. I overcame this by staying patient, clearly explaining directions, and stepping in to help wherever needed to keep things moving smoothly.

What skills did you develop or improve through this service experience?
Through volunteering with kindergarteners planting seeds, I improved my patience, communication, and ability to work with young children. I had to explain instructions in a simple, engaging way and guide them step-by-step. I also strengthened my flexibility, since working with young kids requires adjusting quickly to their energy levels and attention spans.
How did your service influence your understanding of social or environmental issues?
This experience helped me see the importance of introducing environmental awareness at a young age. Teaching children how to plant and care for seeds showed me how early exposure can shape their understanding of responsibility, sustainability, and where food comes from. It also highlighted how hands-on learning can make these concepts more meaningful.
Did you work individually or as part of a team, and how did that impact your experience?
I worked as part of a team alongside teachers and other volunteers. This made the experience run more smoothly because we could support each other and manage the children more effectively. It also showed me how important collaboration is when working in a classroom setting.
Do you plan to continue volunteering with this organization? Why or why not?
Yes, I would consider volunteering again because I enjoyed working with the children and seeing their excitement about planting. It was rewarding to be part of a hands-on activity that supports both learning and development.
What unexpected challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them?
One unexpected challenge was keeping the children focused and engaged throughout the activity. Some of them got distracted or impatient. I overcame this by redirecting their attention, making the activity fun, and breaking instructions down into smaller, easy steps so they could stay involved.

What skills did you develop or improve through this service experience?
Through my time at Sweet Cheeks Diaper Ministry, I improved my communication and organization skills. I was directly interacting with families during distribution, which helped me practice being clear, patient, and efficient while working in a fast-paced environment. I also strengthened my ability to stay focused and work under pressure, especially in uncomfortable conditions.
How did your service influence your understanding of social or environmental issues?
This experience deepened my understanding of financial hardship and how something as basic as diapers can be a major burden for families. It made me realize how many people rely on community resources for essential needs, and how important programs like this are in supporting child health and family stability.
Did you work individually or as part of a team, and how did that impact your experience?
I worked as part of a team during the distribution. Being on a team made the process more efficient and showed me the importance of coordination and communication. Even though I chose to stay outside the entire time, the teamwork helped everything run smoothly and made the experience more impactful.
Do you plan to continue volunteering with this organization? Why or why not?
Yes, I would consider volunteering again because I enjoyed being directly involved in helping families. Seeing the immediate impact of the work made the experience feel meaningful and rewarding.
What unexpected challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them?
One unexpected challenge was the extremely cold weather, especially since I chose to stay outside the entire time during distribution. I overcame this by staying focused on the purpose of the work and pushing through the discomfort, reminding myself that the families I was helping were dealing with much bigger challenges.

How has this experience influenced your future career or educational goals?

This experience strengthened my desire to become a child life specialist. Spending time with the nursing home residents reminded me how important emotional support, communication, and presence are—skills that directly connect to child life work. It showed me how impactful it is to create moments of comfort and connection, which is exactly what I want to do for children and families in healthcare settings.

Did this experience change your perspective on your role within the community or environment?

Yes. It helped me understand that my role in any community is to be a source of encouragement, comfort, and understanding. Even outside of a hospital setting, I saw how powerful it is to sit with someone, listen, and show genuine care. It made me realize that I naturally step into supportive roles, which reinforces my confidence in pursuing child life.

How might these relationships influence your future involvement?

The connections I made encouraged me to keep seeking out service opportunities that build my interpersonal and communication skills. Getting to know the residents, hearing their stories, and showing them kindness reminded me how meaningful small interactions can be. Those experiences motivate me to continue volunteering in ways that prepare me for working with children and families facing stress or uncertainty.

Do you plan to continue volunteering with this organization? Why or why not?

Yes, I would like to continue. The residents were warm and appreciative, and I felt like my presence mattered. Returning would give me more chances to build long-term relationships and strengthen the empathy and patience I’ll need as a child life specialist.

What would you change about your approach to this service opportunity in the future?

In the future, I would be more intentional about preparing questions or simple activities to help spark deeper conversations. I’d also spend more one-on-one time with each resident to learn their stories and make the experience even more meaningful. Approaching it this way would help me continue building the relational and communication skills that are essential for child life.

How did this experience challenge your problem-solving abilities?
This experience challenged my problem-solving abilities by requiring me to think on my feet when approaching people and encouraging them to donate. Not everyone was immediately interested, so I had to adjust my approach, explain the purpose more clearly, and find ways to make the interaction quick but meaningful. I also had to stay flexible and figure out how to keep engagement up during slower moments.

What did you learn about the community or environment you served?
I learned that the campus community is incredibly generous when they understand the mission. People were willing to donate, write cards, and show support once they realized the impact it would have on children during the holidays. It showed me that small efforts can inspire big compassion.

Did you work individually or as part of a team, and how did that impact your experience?
I worked as part of a team, which made the experience much more organized and enjoyable. We shared responsibilities, encouraged each other, and helped create a welcoming atmosphere for donors. The teamwork also made it easier to approach more people and keep the energy high.

How did the organization support or guide you during your service?
Sigma Phi Epsilon provided clear guidance, supplies, and instructions so we knew exactly what to do. They explained the mission, how to talk to people about donating, and how to help with writing cards. Their support made the experience smooth and ensured everything stayed aligned with the purpose of Operation Santa/Toys for Tots.

Did your service align with your personal values and beliefs? If not, how did you handle any conflicts?
This service aligned completely with my values of giving back, supporting children, and spreading kindness during the holiday season. There were no conflicts for me, and the experience actually strengthened my belief in the importance of helping others in practical, meaningful ways.

How has this experience influenced your future career or educational goals?
Volunteering with “Get on the Ball” has strengthened my desire to pursue a career as a child life specialist. Being involved in an event that directly supports children’s hospitals like Le Bonheur has given me a deeper understanding of the resources and advocacy needed to improve pediatric care. It also highlighted the importance of community engagement in raising awareness and funds, which are essential components of holistic support for patients and their families. This experience reinforced my educational goal of gaining hands-on experience in hospital settings to better prepare me for a professional role where I can advocate for children and support their emotional and developmental needs.

Did this experience change your perspective on your role within the community or environment?
Yes, it did. Collecting signatures and talking to people about the mission of CMNH made me realize how much impact even small acts of service can have on the local community. It reminded me that my role in the community isn’t just limited to working in a hospital; I can also be an advocate for children’s health and wellness outside of the clinical environment. It broadened my perspective on how I can contribute to positive change, whether through fundraising, volunteering, or community outreach initiatives.

How might these relationships influence your future involvement?
Building connections with other volunteers, community members, and hospital staff during this event has shown me the value of collaboration in making a meaningful difference. These relationships will likely encourage me to seek out future opportunities to volunteer or partner with organizations that support children’s health. Networking with individuals who are equally passionate about pediatric care can also open doors to mentorship and professional guidance as I progress in my career.

Do you plan to continue volunteering with this organization? Why or why not?
Yes, I plan to continue volunteering with CMNH events like “Get on the Ball.” The mission of supporting children’s hospitals aligns perfectly with my career goals as a child life specialist, and the hands-on experience provides both personal and professional growth. Continuing to volunteer will allow me to contribute to causes I am passionate about while also staying connected with the community I hope to serve professionally.

What would you change about your approach to this service opportunity in the future?
In the future, I would focus on being more proactive in engaging participants and encouraging conversations about the mission behind CMNH. I would also try to better coordinate with fellow volunteers to maximize the number of signatures collected and to make the experience as interactive and meaningful as possible for the community. Additionally, I would reflect on ways to integrate my knowledge as a child life specialist to make the event more child-focused, perhaps by including small activities or explanations that help children and families understand the purpose of the initiative.

What skills did you develop or improve through this service experience?
I improved my communication skills by learning how to explain the bone marrow registration process in a clear, simple way to people who had never heard of it. I also strengthened my confidence when approaching strangers, answering questions, and encouraging them to get involved. This experience helped me become more organized, more patient, and more comfortable speaking with people who had different levels of understanding or concern about the process.

How did your service influence your understanding of social or environmental issues?
Volunteering with Gift of Life helped me understand how important bone marrow donations are for people battling life-threatening illnesses. It showed me how something as small as registering could potentially save a life, especially for patients from minority backgrounds who often struggle to find matches. This experience made me more aware of health disparities and how volunteer-driven efforts are essential in closing those gaps.

What new connections or relationships did you form during your service?
I built connections with members of Zeta Beta Tau who were also volunteering and learned more about why they support Gift of Life. I also interacted with students across campus who were interested in registering. These conversations helped me engage with people I might not normally talk to and made the experience feel collaborative and meaningful.

How did your service contribute to the mission or goals of the organization?
By helping students learn about the registry and guiding them through the sign-up process, I contributed to Gift of Life’s mission of expanding the bone marrow registry and increasing the chances for patients to find life-saving matches. Every person who registered brought the organization closer to saving another life, and being part of that effort made the work feel impactful.

What unexpected challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them?
One challenge was overcoming hesitation from students who were nervous, misinformed, or unsure about the commitment. I overcame this by staying calm, giving clear explanations, sharing facts, and reassuring them about how simple and painless the initial registration process is. Another challenge was keeping people engaged when they were in a hurry, so I learned to give quick but effective explanations. These moments helped me stay flexible and patient throughout the day.