FERRIDAY — On a typical day, sisters and Ferriday High School students Kanedra and N’Kendra Brooks spend the majority of their time together.

Whether they are working to help out at their church or visiting area nursing homes and hospitals, they work side-by-side with the intent of one day changing Ferriday for the better.

“We just want to be able to give back to Ferriday by building parks or starting after school programs,” Kanedra said. “We just want to have some more opportunities for kids in the area.”

The Brooks sisters’ plan to change Ferriday has already started, Doty Road Church of God pastor the Rev. Simeon Green said.

“These two are always very attentive, and I am proud to say that they are in my congregation,” he said. “I have watched them mature and develop since I have been here, and I know they are going to continue to be an asset to Ferriday for years to come.”

Both sisters are honor roll students, Beta club members, 4-H members and band members at their school, while they also continue to stay involved in their church.

Between Louisiana Church of God camp meetings, Christian education seminars and Bible study, Kanedra and N’Kendra spend much of their time learning about the Lord.

“God is a very big factor in our lives,” Kandera said. “If we didn’t have Him, we couldn’t do the things that we do in our daily lives, and we thank him every day for allowing us to wake up and go on with our lives.”

Kanedra was also recently named the director of the sanctuary choir at Doty Road Church of God, and has spent the past two weeks performing her new duties.

With all these extracurricular activities, Kanedra, who will be a junior at FHS next school year, said she still focuses mainly on her schoolwork so she can achieve her dream of being a nurse one day.

“(Education) is a door that can be opened to kids everywhere,” she said. “It is hard to get through life without opening the door to education and bettering yourself.”

N’Kendra, who will be a freshman at FHS next school year, has her goals set high also as she plans on being a lawyer when she gets into college.

“I just want to be able to help people out this way,” she said. “Me and my sister both love to see people happy, and I think we both picked two careers where we can do that.”

Kanedra and N’Kendra said that they can both thank their parents for instilling in them the desire to help others and to succeed in every aspect of their lives.

“Our parents have always told us that we need to grow up to be positive leaders in the community,” Kanedra said. “They have pushed us to be who we are.”

N’Kendra also said the support of her older sister has gotten her through a lot in her life.

“She always influences me to do my best,” she said.

Until the start of the new school year, the Brooks sisters said they will continue to stay involved in the community, starting with Vacation Bible School at Doty Road Church of God next Monday.

Kanedra and N’Kendra Brooks are the daughters of Kelvin and Benedra Brooks.