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published: Friday, May 18, 2012
Meet Your
NEIGHBOR
Kalena Meyers
-- Hometown: Casey, Ill.
-- OCCUPATION: Dean of Institutional Advancement at Montverde Academy
-- FAMILY: Son, Maverick
What do you enjoy most about South Lake County?
I love the small-town feel with all the amenities of a large city.
If you had to summarize your philosophy of life in one sentence, what would it be?
My favorite quote from Ralph Emerson sums it up: "To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children ... to leave the world a better place ... to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded."
Name a person or incident you've come across recently that's touched you in some way. Why did this person or incident impress you so much?
At Christmas I reached out to some local organizations to help a family in need as we typically have done in the past. What started out as helping one family blossomed into helping almost 30 families in total with the help of many friends and even raising money to help get a family the down payment needed for a home. It was nothing short of a miracle!
How does what you do contribute to the welfare of the area?
I get to work with many great organizations in the area. One that has touched my life has been Kiwanis of Clermont. I became a member almost seven years ago, and now am the faculty advisor for K-Kids at Montverde Academy. I love being able to help people on a daily basis, and getting to work with kids to teach them the same has been such a blessing. Our K-Kids group recently raised over $2,000 to help New Beginnings support its homes for local homeless families. I was so proud of our students.
What's something you've always wanted to do but haven't yet?
I want to go to Paris.
What advice would you give to people who want to help out in the community?
The best advice I could give to someone wanting to get involved in the community would be to join one of the many great organizations in town. Find something you are passionate about. We have so many great people doing wonderful work in our community and they all need help. I have told many people in my life that feel like something is missing to volunteer and I guarantee they will be rewarded with blessings more than they can imagine.
