Bentley Jenkins is a remarkable individual known for his unwavering positivity, a rare quality in today’s Gen-Z. Despite a world increasingly marked by negativity, Bentley’s outlook remains bright. His happiness is rooted in being around people and making others happy. He strives to be a friendly, approachable presence, ensuring those around him feel comfortable and authentic. Bentley’s positivity is even more impressive when considering his personal hardships. At seven, he lost his mother to addiction, an experience that profoundly shaped his perspective. Instead of succumbing to despair, Bentley chose to focus on the positive, saying, “Even though I’ve been dealt a terrible hand, you can still make whatever your situation is into a good day, good life, and impact others positively.”
I asked Bentley to reflect on his time here at Santa Rosa, his thoughts about his time here, what it all means. Bentley promptly replied saying My biggest regret is not spending more time with my loved ones. I can always get a better education or more money but I can never get more time. “In addition, I have a good social circle, I have started to hang out with more than just my core group, and I have begun to make amends with people I never liked.” The ability to go through life and forgive and not hold any ill will towards those that have wronged you is not a skill that many have today particularly at our age group and Bentley has that skill, a representation of Bentley’s maturity and perseverance forced to mature faster than most kids his age. Finally adding when asked “How do you think you come across to other people around Santa Rosa either people you know personally or don’t know as well? What gives you that impression?” responding “Well, I would hope that I come across as a friendly face that everyone feels like they can talk to, I hope that everybody likes to talk to me and that they can always be the real them with me.
The amount of strength and perseverance in which it takes for any person to go through such an experience is not an easy one for anyone to go through. Since Bentley has been here at Santa Rosa he has been able to persevere and overcome many obstacles that most people never knew about and that is commendable. Bentley is a personification of an idea, the idea that everyone no matter who you are, who you want to be or attempt to be. There is one universal truth that no matter who you are or who you want to be, everyone is uniquely and individually going through something.in ways you might not even expect or understand fully. That idea, the concept that everyone is uniquely going through their own struggles big or small and are still able to show up and be a present member at school, with their families, and friends is an extraordinary concept and one that Bentley has exemplified throughout his journey at Santa Rosa Academy here.
His resilience in the face of adversity is a testament to his strength and maturity. While he celebrates his close relationships with friends and family, Bentley is honest about his struggles. He faces challenges with confidence and body dysmorphia, like many of his peers. He admits, “Sometimes people dislike what I say and think I’m being unfiltered in my honesty. It’s a blessing and a curse I struggle with.” Despite these challenges, Bentley’s commitment to making others’ days brighter never wavers. His daily goal is simple yet profound: “My goal is to wake up every day, and if I can end that day by making one person’s day just a little better, honestly, that’s enough for me.” Bentley Jenkins is a shining example of how resilience and a positive outlook can not only help overcome personal challenges but also inspire and uplift others around him.
