Step Up for Scholars 2022: Kendra Smith

Welcome to Step Up for Scholars, the second event in the 2022 Pat’s Run Challenge Series! We’re celebrating all 14 classes of Tillman Scholars over the next 14 days. Each day, we’ll share a story from one of our scholars to inspire you to push a little harder tomorrow in your step challenge. Today, we bring you 2009 Tillman Scholar Kendra Smith discusses with us how understanding your personal values can help guide your decisions to put your best foot forward. Check out Kendra here:

Hi there, this is Kendra Smith from the 2009 Tillman Scholar class. As I think about stepping up and what that means, I think about what is required to make the decision to step up. At times I’ve struggled with making decisions out of fear, frustration, and anxiety. One day I ran across Roy Disney’s quote about decisions and values, which states “It’s not hard to make decisions when you know what your values are.” 

Since then I’ve made an effort to understand my personal and professional values and have let them guide my decisions and how I show up in the world I can attest to the difference it’s made in my life as a friend, a sister, a daughter, a business owner, a colleague, and a Tillman Scholar. As you’re making decisions on when and how you will show up and step up, keep your values in mind and let them lead the way. Again, this is Kendra Smith from the 2009 Tillman Scholar class, signing off.

Want to join the challenge? It’s not too late! Register by Aug. 14 at StepUpforScholars.org and you’ll get a commemorative t-shirt and hat.