Get to know two junior board members

Carroll White REMC’s junior board of directors helps local students enhance their professional skills.

SARAH PADILLA

Padilla learns about business on the junior board

Thanks to her involvement on Carroll White REMC’s junior board of directors, Sarah Padilla is learning about career opportunities in the business field. She couldn’t be happier about her experience since she’s interested in pursuing a business career. “My biggest surprise of being on this board is the number of businesses we have visited and the number of careers that we have been introduced to as part of our learning experience,” Padilla, who joined the junior board in 2020, said.

“Being a junior board member has already benefitted me by providing insight to many different careers through first-hand accounts,” Padilla said. “This will continue to benefit me in the future when I am in a meeting or professional setting.”

The 17-year-old Winamac Community High School student is also discovering what CW REMC is all about through her junior board experience. “I learned that CW REMC provides electrical services to rural communities and that they are very involved in the communities they serve,” she said. Meanwhile, Padilla is able to contribute her unique qualities to the junior board. “I bring curiosity and a willingness to learn to the table,” she said. 

Padilla, who was born in Knox but raised in Winamac, is active in her school’s National Honor Society and Sunshine Society. “I have helped the school and community through fundraisers, which includes Rocking for Riley and Sweets for a Sweetie, where the proceeds fund a cause,” she said.

Following graduation, Padilla plans to attend a community college to attain her prerequisites, then transfer to Indiana University South Bend to study abroad and obtain her bachelor’s degree.

The daughter of Maria and Baltazar Padilla, Padilla has three siblings: Beaker, 31; Karly, 29; and Ruby, 16. In her free time, she enjoys sewing, baking and cooking.

KENDRA SHEAGLEY

Sheagley making the most of junior board experience

Though only 17, Kendra Sheagley is already to committed to living life to the fullest. Her life philosophy, after all, is “You only have one life so you might as well make the most of it.”

When the Carroll County native joined the junior board of directors in August 2021, she was anxious to try something new after hearing about the junior board from past members.

In the past eight months, Sheagley has not only learned about Carroll White REMC, but the community as well. “I have learned that CW REMC is a not-for-profit organization that offers many different programs to get youth involved, such as the junior board of directors or the opportunity to be part of the Washington, D.C., (Youth Tour) trip,” the Carroll Junior-Senior High School student said. “What has surprised me most serving on this board is the number of opportunities we have so close to us in our own community and how helpful a program like this is.”

Sheagley believes being on the junior board will benefit her with college applications. And, since the junior board visits many local businesses, she knows her involvement is a huge plus as she contemplates a future career. In turn, she says she is an asset to junior board because, “when given a task, I always complete it on time to the best of my ability,” Sheagley said.

In addition to serving on the junior board of directors, Sheagley participates in swimming and tennis, and manages the boys’ tennis team. Her other extra curricular activities include band, FFA and the National Honor Society.  

As a member of the Burlington Fall Festival Queen court, she has volunteered for events in the community including Burlington’s Christmas event and annual Easter egg hunt. She works at the Burlington Scoop during its open season which starts in April.

After graduation, Sheagley plans to attend college and major in agricultural business or finance.

“I spend most of my free time with friends and family,” Sheagley, who lives in Bringhurst, said. Her family consists of parents Nathan and Amy Sheagley; sister Ali, 27; brother Brenton, almost 15; and brother Braedon, almost 12.