Looking to the future In addition to the hours Hendee spends rowing and giving back to the community, he’s focused on rigorous coursework at school, with science and math his primary areas of interest. He declares his favorite class to be chemistry, both because of the subject matter and a dedicated teacher who’s helped the subject click for him. While rowing is one of the prime methods Hendee employs to calm his mind, he has recently discovered how much he enjoys exploring his creative side through art. Learning to create 3D art at Casady and becoming proficient in ceramics have been welcome stress relievers as he prepares for his future after high school. Hendee hopes to pursue a career in engineering, with renewable energy a personal passion project. Though his college pursuits will likely take him out of Oklahoma, and he dreams of living in the Boston area one day, Hendee will carry the vision of a vibrant sunset sinking into the Oklahoma River with him wherever he goes.
HENDEE ON THE OKLAHOMA RIVER
He serves on the executive teen board for Cleats for Kids, a nonprofit providing sports equipment to kids in need. Cleats for Kids reports one in four Oklahoma City families live in poverty; when putting food on the table is difficult, purchasing sports equipment may be out of the question. Hendee’s impact began at the organization’s founding in 2011, getting in on the ground floor of what he felt was a vital service for kids in the Oklahoma City metro.
“Sports have been a big part of my life, especially since I started rowing,” said Hendee. “I think it’s so important and necessary for people to have the opportunity to play sports and have that experience.” Hendee organizes drives to collect sports equipment and helps plan fundraising events. Since the organization’s beginnings, more than 97,000 items have been provided to 47,000 metro kids, according to the Cleats for Kids.
Supporting Change– For the Better
Ten-year-old Brixton Ison volunteers every Friday night at Celebrate Recovery Memorial Road Church of Christ. Whether setting a dining table, distributing informational material, or preparing a dish for a family-friendly dinner, his passion for helping others is a prime example of why we’re inspired by kids like Brixton . At Kimray, our mission is to make a difference in the lives of those we serve. Brixton exemplifies this by living out that mission in the service he provides to his community. And that’s The Kimray Way.
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