In the world of service, there exists a powerful truth: “Not all heroes wear capes.”
Kadence Walker, a student at St. Agnes Academy, learned this firsthand through her involvement with the Forrest Spence Fund (FSF) and 901 POP, experiences that have shaped her perspective and ignited a passion for positively impacting her community.
Kadence was recently honored with the 18 Under 18 Award by National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS), a scholarship that recognizes young students who spread positivity and show leadership in their communities through their passions. A top-notch program started by Claes Nobel and James Lewis, it provides many great opportunities for outstanding students worldwide, such as high school and college scholarships, events, making friends, internships, and chances for future careers.
Through participation and leading many service projects over the past few years, Kadence has grown in leadership, gaining opportunities to learn from other influential community leaders. Some of her favorite contributions include the FSF and 901 POP. The FSF assists with non-medical needs of critically or chronically-ill children and their families throughout the Mid-South. Kadence’s volunteer efforts through FSF, which supports St. Jude and other regional children’s hospitals, included serving meals to patients and families, organizing a toy drive for young patients, and creating treat bags for hospital employees during COVID.
From age 10, Kadence volunteered with FSF, but one memory vividly stands out to her. On a particularly tough day in 7th grade, she headed to Le Bonheur Children's Hospital to serve dinner to families. There, she met a nonverbal autistic boy with an infectious smile, joyfully riding his intravenous (IV) pole down the hallway. He had just undergone a kidney transplant.
Meeting this brave young boy helped me to realize that all my troubles and worries were trivial, and serving others gave me the energy and perspective I needed to tackle anything that life threw my way,” says Kadence.
Over the years, she has experienced her share of spreading joy and kindness while volunteering with 901 POP, a nonprofit that repurposes flower arrangements from events and donates them to individuals in facilities such as senior living communities, hospice homes, and shelters. Kadence has helped with transporting many flowers, sorting and arranging bouquets, making cards, and deliveries.
Her mother, a youth minister, instilled the importance of giving back from a young age, teaching her to overcome obstacles creatively.
Instilling a ‘no excuse’ attitude, my mom has never let me use age, time or even pandemics as an excuse not to volunteer, rather inspiring a creative approach to any obstacles,” says Kadence.
Mrs. Gretchen Kirk, who spearheaded service initiatives at Kadence’s school, further nurtured her passion. She mentored Walker in starting a pop tab collection program. “At different points over the past eight years, our garage has been full of pop tabs that were inevitably donated at various times to the Ronald McDonald House,” explains Kadence.
Kadence also credits her service journey to inspiring community leaders like Brittany Spence, who turned personal tragedy into a blessing for others through FSF. Her selflessness taught Kadence to transform struggles into opportunities for service. “Watching Brittany selflessly grow the Forrest Spence Fund to support not only Le Bonheur Hospital but several other local children’s hospitals has taught me that I must seek ways to turn my own personal struggles into blessings for others,” says Kadence.
Through these experiences, Kadence has grown as a leader.
Having been diagnosed with a learning disability at a young age, I was never completely comfortable being in a leadership role,” she says. “Through the encouragement of my teachers and other mentors, I ran for my class minister of service, served as Beta Club and now Key Club President.”
Despite a learning disability, Kadence embraced leadership roles and learned that leadership is not just managerial; it’s about confidence, effective communication, and building relationships.
“As a senior, I realize it is time for me to pass the baton to help shape the next generation of volunteers,” says Kadence. “Currently, I am organizing events to collect socks and create posters with positive messages to decorate the walls of the women’s prison.” As Kadence looks to the future, she aspires to continue her journey of service and leadership. “Currently, I am working as a volunteer intern for the Memphis Shelby County Humane Society,” says Kadence. “Though I have volunteered to work with the animals in the past, I am now working in the office, assisting with day-to-day operations and their fundraising efforts.”
Courtesy of Katelin Walker
In the tapestry of service, Kadence has found purpose and fulfillment. Through small acts of kindness and the guidance of inspiring mentors, she has discovered the true essence of leadership and community. Kadence is excited to continue this journey, knowing that every act of service, no matter how small, can create positive change in the world. She is also contemplating a possible career working in the non-profit sector.
Some of the most fired-up individuals are young students under 18. They understand that a single person can change the world, and they’re not sitting around waiting.
For more information on NSHSS, visit nshss.org. To learn more about the following organizations, visit: Humane Society of Memphis & Shelby County, Forrest Spence Fund, and 901 POP.