Howdy friends,

My name is Kendra Rainey, and for the past seven years I’ve had the honor of serving as a school nurse in the Beebe School District. Among the many faces that have passed through our doors, one has left a lasting mark on my heart — sweet Lilly.

I first met Lilly when she was in fourth grade, a bright-eyed girl with a story that could humble anyone who heard it. Though life had already tested her in ways far beyond her years, she carried herself with a light that could fill a room — radiant, brave, and beautifully full of life. To know Lilly is to love her. No matter what storm she’s walking through, she greets the world with a smile on her face and a little sass in her step — a reminder that joy and strength can coexist.

I was her nurse for only a short while before moving to the high school, but I’ll never forget the day she told me, “You better still be the school nurse when I get there.” And if you know Lilly, you know that when she speaks — you listen!

Fast forward a few years, and there we were again, reunited. Seeing her walk through those high school halls brought me so much joy. As nurses, we advocate for Lilly’s medical needs, but what has truly touched me is how our entire Beebe family — nurses, teachers, staff, administrators — has surrounded her with love. Lilly isn’t just a student here; she’s part of our family. In truth, I think the whole community feels that way.

This past year has been heavy for Lilly and her family. Watching someone you care for walk through such difficult times weighs deeply on the heart. Yet even in hardship, the grace and courage they show continues to inspire us all. I’m endlessly grateful for her incredible transplant team in St. Louis and for the care they’ve provided as Lilly prepares for her second transplant.

When Nurse Heather and I learned that Lilly was back on the transplant list, we didn’t hesitate — we knew we wanted to do something. Lilly and her family have become an extension of my own. And when family is in need, you show up — with love, with prayer, with open hands and open hearts. Whether it’s through fundraising for COTA in her honor, listening, or simply standing beside them in faith, I’m grateful to be part of their journey.

And I’m thankful, too, for this beautiful community — for Beebe School District — where love stretches far beyond the classroom walls. Together, we are lifting Lilly up, believing for brighter days ahead, and celebrating the incredible young woman she is.

With all my love and hope,
Kendra Rainey