Jennifer Jenks
Linn-Mar Senior Jennifer Jenks said she was, “Incredibly honored to be named one of Iowa’s two youth volunteers for the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards.” Jennifer says that she looks forward to the experience she will have while in Washington, D.C., with all the other winners.
During the visit, Jennifer says she will,“Have the opportunity to collaborate with other Spirit of Community award winners and will hopefully return with some incredible ideas to improve Mercy Storytellers, the Riff Room, and her approach to leadership.”
The Mercy Storytellers and the Riff Room are two volunteer activities Jennifer has been an integral part of. Mercy Storytellers is a writing-based therapy program for patients, residents, and caregivers at Mercy Medical Center. At the LMHS Writing Center, “the Riff Room,” Jennifer serves as the student director for the program. Outside of school, Jennifer is an intern at Mercy Medical Center in volunteer services. “I was so fortunate to do this and thank the administration at the high school. I also volunteer at Mercy Medical Center at its Tenth Street gift shop,” she added.
Being involved in these activities requires a big time and energy commitment, she says. “I’m lucky enough to have a supportive family and school that allow me to involve myself in these activities, all of which are true passions of mine. Therefore, I just can’t rank my volunteer work. I love everything I do and am so fortunate to be able to do it!”
Moving forward, “The only mission I have for the rest of my life is to continue to help people,” Jennifer said, “While my future plans are fairly unknown at this point, I do know that wherever I end up, I will take my passion for helping others with me to fuel my actions.”
Jennifer says that her four years at LMHS have taught her that having support from others is one of the integral aspects of becoming a leader. “As independent as I am, I’ve learned from my time at the high school that, not only is the process of accomplishing a goal easier with the support of others, but the result also usually ends up being several times better than if I were to complete it autonomously.”
Jennifer currently plans on attending a four-year institution (outside of Iowa) to major in either neuroscience or psychology and minor in political science.
Know a student or staff member who exhibits superior performance, displays exemplary character, or has made a direct and positive impact on our students, staff, or the community? If so, nominate them to be highlighted.