Kendall Donna is a senior from Bel Air, Maryland, who is soon to achieve a major in environmental studies and a minor in screen studies. She is the Captain of the Roanoke College Dance Team, a Community Leader (similar in responsibilities to a Resident Advisor) for the left side of the second floor of Maxey Hall, and a Sustainability Fellow. “Joining the dance team was one of the best decisions I’ve made in college. Especially this year, it has taught me to think on my feet, because we haven’t had a coach since the end of last semester. So it’s fallen on me and my co-captains’ shoulders, and it’s been hard to navigate, but it’s taught me a lot about making quick decisions and going with whatever happens.”
“The other best decision I’ve made during my time here was going on the Oregon Extension! In the past few Sustainers [a publication written by Sustainability Fellows], I’ve written updates about the future of the Oregon extension. The program’s land was almost sold, so the program would not be able to continue in its long-time location. Thankfully, the land will not be sold, and the Oregon Extension will be able to continue for the foreseeable future. There will be another semester happening this fall, and I encourage people to attend because it’s a truly fantastic program. The more people from Roanoke who participate, the larger the community will be when you return. That is something I really struggled with when I came back. I wouldn’t change it for anything, but I was the only person in my cohort from Roanoke, so adjusting to normal Roanoke College life again was very lonely. The program deserves engagement, and Roanoke students deserve that experience.”
As for other Kendall-related happenings in need of promoting, she encourages y’all to check out the new free store in the basement of Shenandoah Hall, created by her and other Sustainability Fellows. Keep an eye out for a mural soon to grace the free store! Kendall also wants to elevate the fact that a recycling drop-off spot is remarkably close to campus. In the parking lot adjoining City Hall and behind the Wortman Complex, there are large bins that are divided by recycling types and go directly to Salem’s recycling station.
“I love the scents of fresh-baked goods and the ocean, since my family and I spent weeks at the beach when I was younger. I feel like this is a hot take, but my least favorite scent or flavor is mint. I’ve never understood the Thin Mint praise; it’s too potent.”
“For my screen studies minor this semester, I am making a film for the Tarantino Film Festival, so if anyone wants to hit me up and be in it, you should!”
If any of Kendall’s residents are reading this, she has a message for you: “You’re all really great! Just read the Sustainers that I put on the tables, since I write in them, and continue to not fight.”
“My plan right now for after graduation is to just go home for the summer and get my bearings, and then for the fall I want to do some sort of seasonal job in the environmental sphere. There are a lot of jobs where you can just go anywhere and do whatever the company wants, like some of them can be trail maintenance in the back country, education in a national park, surveying trees, or surveying plots. I would love to do that.”
Kendall would like to thank “Anyone who has been or is on the dance team, the Oregon Extension staff, Dr. Hartman, and Joe Boucher.”
Juniper Rogers
Folk of ‘Noke Editor
