Kendyl Pennington

As a high school senior, Kendyl Pennington organized the Relay for Life Crowns for a Cure event to benefit Relay for Life. Approximately $5,000 was raised and 100% of the funds made were donated to the American Cancer Society. What started as a small fundraiser turned into a big event with 35 participants and more than 250 in attendance. During the past three years, Kendyl has donated more than 1,200 hours to Relay for Life. As team captain, Kendyl Pennington has hosted sales for bracelets, tags, and bag goods, and football game Pink-outs to raise money. Kendyl developed a Small Change for Big Change Drive to collect spare change. And Kendyl Pennington has worked with the Pink Bus Heals Tour and decorated a basketball that was auctioned. Kendyl’s team raised more than $50,000 for cancer education, prevention, and research, and Kendyl Pennington personally raised $7,500 of that amount. She was named the Top Earner for Relay for Life in Augusta, Georgia for 2012 for her efforts.

Kendyl Pennington is a sophomore at the Universty of South Carolina where she maintains a 4.0 and is on anacademic scholarship. Kendyl Pennington was also the recipient of several other scholarships from the following: Augusta Exchange Club, Georgia State Exchange Club, Martinez Merchants, and the Jenny Clark Memorial Scholarship for Scholar Athletes. She was also named an AP Scholar twice by the College Boards.

One of the scholarships closest to Kendyl’s heart is the Ryan Clark Memorial Scholarship. Ryan Clark was a hero at the Virginia Tech shootings when he stepped between the shooter and a young lady he sought to attack. His heroic actions cost him his life and he became the first of more than 50 students and teachers that were killed or wounded at the hands of Seung-Hui Cho. Kendyl Pennington was the 2012 Recipient of the Ryan Clark Memorial Scholarship and was selected by Ryan’s mother Letitie Clark, for this honor based upon her volunteer work, academics, and leadership.