Special Story to the Guide
Gabriel M. Mclendon, age 10, son of Dr. Nequai Terry Mclendon (an Eastern Shore native) and Retired Navy Lt. Commander Eric Mclendon was awarded a 2015 Kohl’s Cares Kid Scholarship (cash and certificate) as a local winner for his volunteer service and involvement in his community.
Gabriel distributed over 110 “blessing bags” filled with overnight essentials to the homeless; Volunteered to assist in Cleaning up a park in Virginia Beach; Cleaned up trash at his local elementary school; collected canned goods for the homeless; Raised money for the American Heart Association via jump rope marathon and raised the second highest amount in his elementary school, Landstown Elementary School, of over 750 students; Raised money for Operation Smile and participated in the final mile run; Plays soccer, basketball an baseball on recreation leagues; Volunteers and works as a ball boy for Norfolk State University men’s basketball program; Assisted in adopting AWANA clubs in foreign countries to spread the word of Jesus; and His AWANA Team won 1st place in the region for Bible quiz competition in 2014.
Gabriel is a Cub Scout and volunteers for many duties throughout the year such as selling popcorn for the scouting program. He has been a 4-year participant in the Hampton University’s 6-weeks Kiddie Kollege program for academic enrichment/recreation/and art; He is enrolled in the New Oak Grove Baptist Church and Virginia Beach Public Schools Summer Saturday Reading Academy; He is a club member of the Future Young Engineering Club of Landstown Elementary School; A member of the Robotics Kids Engineering Camp at Landstown Elementary; and has participated at his school in the Reflections Art Project. He enjoys playing with his two dogs “Cotton” and “Shadow,” riding is bike, and playing with neighborhood friends.
Gabriel is a rising 5th grader at Landstown Elementary School, Virginia Beach, VA. His maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Reginald and Joyce Terry, live here on the Eastern Shore and his paternal grandmother, Mrs. Sandra McLendon lives in Cincinnati, Ohio.
