Kendra Ellington Nafziger

I was born in North Carolina and then moved up here when I was in elementary school because my dad got a job with Conn-Selmer Inc. He worked there for years. That’s what brought us to Elkhart. I went to all Elkhart schools – Eastwood and Pierre Moran – and then I transferred to Goshen High School and drove to Goshen every day with my mom. My mom, Susan Ellington, was the orchestra director at the high school. GHS has an amazing music department!

I’m married to Aaron Nafziger, my high school sweetheart. We have two children: 3-year-old Luke and 5-month-old Lily.

I’m a director for MARY KAY and have been with them for nine and a half years. Aaron and I own Constant Spring together, but Aaron does everything. He does the day-to-day. I do a lot of the supporting behind the scenes – the support at home, and talking through things with him and dreaming and exploring and all that jazz.

I’m in the season of kids, so I love the things that are good for kids. I love our bike paths and Tommy’s Kids Castle and Shanklin Park and all that’s there. I enjoy taking them to The Chief Ice Cream. I love being outdoors, and the Elkhart County 4-H Fair. Goshen High School’s musicals are great. I often help do the makeup for them, or teach their girls how to do it. Any way I can give back. I give back to the pageant world, too, such as at the 4-H Fair and the Bristol Homecoming Festival.

The people make Goshen unique. This is such a supportive community that loves hometown family things. Anything you start, it seems that you’re so supported and loved. I love that you can walk downtown and see everybody. The schools are wonderful, especially the music departments and the teachers there. It’s a diverse community and it’s a good central area, not far from Michigan and Chicago and Indy. We love it so much we’re staying. We’re totally committed.