Networking and Live Stream

By: Alex Barron

On Lake Avenue, Kendall Walker ’20 was well known for what he does on the basketball court – and for a good reason. He was a key contributor on the team, a solid defender and top scorer, who played nearly every minute of every game in his junior and senior seasons. His dramatic game-winning shot against Gilman was one of the highlights of his career, and a moment that he lists among the best parts of his upper school experience.

But what spectators may not realize is that basketball was just one of Kendall’s many school activities. During his time on Lake Avenue, he spent countless hours contributing to BAC (Black Awareness Club) and Diversity Club, volunteering as a Laker Buddy, singing in the chorus, helping to guide the Student Council, and tutoring peers in the Writing Center. To top it off, he even ran a season of cross country.

All of these extra-curriculars complemented a rigorous academic schedule: Kendall graduated having taken seven AP classes. He considers his performance in AP United States History his proudest success in the classroom.

“[It] was easily the most challenging course I have ever taken,” he says, “I struggled at the beginning, so the amount of growth and hard work I did to finish with a B+ is something I am really proud of.”

Never one to shy away from a good challenge, Kendall made perhaps his most enduring mark on the community in the fall of his senior year. He wondered if some of his peers, especially underclassmen, would benefit from mentorship that was different than what was provided by faculty advisors. With help from Mr. McDonald and others, he created the Senior Council, a board of seniors who would help to advise peers in certain situations.

“I asked some of the guys if they would want to talk to upperclassmen about challenges they faced at School,” he says, “ Lots of the time, kids will really open up to their fellow students.”

Throughout the year, the Council met with students over lunch, creating a relaxed, low-pressure environment. Relationships like those forged in Senior Council are what Kendall valued most about BL.

“[At BL] I have people that I can call my brothers, and also teachers who I feel very comfortable with,” he says, “[I]t was nice to know that they would do anything they could to help me succeed.”

Kendall’s teachers can attest to his success in and out of the classroom.

“He was solid and reliable without ever being boring or predictable,” says Kristen Tubman, who worked closely with Kendall as the faculty sponsor of Black Awareness and Diversity Club, “He stepped in to mentor freshmen, and it was obvious that he had a talent for it. He’s always authentic. And he clearly cared about the younger students.”

Michael Austin ’21, Kendall’s basketball teammate, attests to his leadership ability.

“It’s not like he ever commanded you. He just encouraged you,” says Michael, who entered BL as a junior, “Whenever I struggled with a play in basketball, he’d go over film with me to make sure I had it down.”

Kendall is a freshman at Morehouse College and plans to play basketball. It’s a guarantee that he’ll find ways to contribute to his new community.