Slayden Thomas
June 28, 1994
Important People
MOM AND DAD
Boyfriend
Zistas
Friends
Why Education?
Best Education Memory
In high school, I spent a large part of my summers volunteering. I worked with an organization that repaired homes around the Columbia and Charleston areas. One summer, I met Kai. He was a five year old boy who lived with his grandma. He loved to count to 10, sing his abc's and make funny animal noises. At the sites, we would bring fruit to snack on throughout the day. One day the program director, Hank, pulled me aside and asked if I would teach Kai how to properly peal an orange because he would just squish them and drink the juice. So that day I went to the house, pulled Kai aside, and together we pealed his orange. This was a huge moment. The joy on his face is unforgettable. This picture is ingrained in my mind. Kai is why I want to teach. (The best part of this story? That was my first time pealing an orange too!)