Kendra Chiota Payne

The 2020 sports interns, Christina Valdivia-Gatmaitan (above) and Dillen Corlett (below) worked with the Isla Vista Youth Program (IVYP) using a Zoom format over a six-week period in the summer of 2020. Dillen and Christina created home kits for the 12 participants and planned activities around mindfulness, mental health, self-love and empowerment.

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Although the interns were unable to engage in the sports aspect of the internship, they were able to foster community in a different way while still promoting the confidence and positivity that can come from being active. 

“Though I went into this internship expecting to be a mentor and leader, I was amazed by how much I got out of it. I shared my love of sports with a group of amazing young ladies and left feeling as though I gave genuine direction and actionable advice. It was an incredible feeling, and one that I hope to take with me as I continue to act as a proponent for women, especially now that I've seen the way in which sports empowered those girls.

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Each girl had a unique background: different family structures, cultures, and struggles. I saw the girls break out of their shells and dare to be more courageous, open, and loud. I am honored to have been part of that story. Thank you for the

opportunity to meet these young ladies, and for allowing all of us to be inspired by Kendra.”

“When I first heard about this internship, I could not have been more excited to give back to the community, while also furthering my passion to work with children and sports. I had high expectations for this internship, and was blown away after meeting these tenacious, inquisitive, and sometimes-goofy young girls. It was humbling and extremely gratifying to see the excitement on their faces when we showed up and how they learned to share their experiences with us.

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I cannot describe the feeling of having a girl who barely talked during the first-week run up to us on the last day with her newfound confidence. I am honored to have been chosen as an intern in Kendra’s name, and I can assure you her spirit is still touching and enriching the lives of many."