Alumni Spotlight: Megan Smith & Taylor Smith

Sisters Megan Smith and Taylor Smith were deeply involved with Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference starting in elementary school through their high school years, serving a combined total of 1,171 hours of service to the community. They've continued to stay in touch as they went through college at UC Davis (pictured above when Taylor graduated from undergrad and Megan graduated from graduate school during the same year.) Both credit their experiences with Hands4Hope as guiding them to where they are today.

As alumni, they worked with the Kono family and Hands4Hope staff to create the Yoko Kono Humanitarian Award in honor of Yoko, a beloved Hands4Hope staff member, volunteer, and member of the El Dorado Hills community who passed away in 2026.

They shared, "We are lucky enough to call the Kono family our neighbors and close family friends for almost 13 years now. We grew up volunteering and spending time with them. Yoko’s passing was hard on so many people in the El Dorado Hills community, but we know the immense impact it had on Hands4Hope. We worked with the Kono family and the Hands4Hope staff to create the Yoko Kono Humanitarian Award to honor Yoko and ensure that the incredible legacy she left with the youth who participate in Hands4Hope is carried on for years to come. Yoko believed in compassion, empathy, and selfless service. She always put others before herself, served simply in hopes of making a difference, and never sought recognition. If you ever heard her phone ring, you would hear the song ‘Humble & Kind’ which are two of the perfect words to describe Yoko. This award celebrates youth who carry those same values forward in their schools, communities, and within Hands4Hope, making the world the better place Yoko always believed it could be. We were honored to present the inaugural award to Lily Hinkle, who was the perfect recipient in our eyes after reading through the nominations. We are excited to continue this next year and beyond and will be working with Yoko’s husband, Danton, to facilitate fundraising to hopefully increase the scholarship from $1,000 in the years to come."

Megan and Taylor had the honor of introducing the inaugural Yoko Kono Humanitarian Award recipient at the 2026 Youth Recognition Event.

Where are you now?

MEGAN: I am a CPA (certified public accountant) and have worked at Deloitte in the audit practice for almost 3 years now. I went to college at UC Davis where I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics with minors in Accounting and Technology Management and a Master of Professional Accountancy. 

TAYLOR: After graduating from UC Davis with a degree in Communications in 2023, I now work in communications and marketing at the local not-for-profit energy company. My time with Hands4Hope helped me find my passion for communication as a study and a practice, and I’m glad to say it led me to where I am today.

Tell us about your experiences when you were involved with Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference as a participant.

MEGAN: I was in 5th grade when I began participating in Hands4Hope in 2012 and was involved until I graduated high school in 2019. I joined the club at Rolling Hills when I got to middle school and was a part of the Oak Ridge Club in high school. I was the treasurer of one of the Oak Ridge clubs for 1 year and the president for 2 years. I served on the youth board and winter boutique committee and was a part of the inaugural Ryan Christopher Hersh Memorial Scholarship committee. 

TAYLOR: I began participating in Hands4Hope when I was in 4th grade in 2012 - back when our meetings were held at the EDH library! I held leadership positions in the school clubs throughout my time at Rolling Hills and Oak Ridge, and I was a member and leader of several committees including the Youth Board, School Supply Drive, Winter Boutique, Fall Festival, and Ryan Christopher Hersch Memorial Scholarship. In between committees, I enjoyed spending time at Sister Nora’s Place and Green Valley Community Church. I also had the privilege of being the Youth Intern during my senior year.

How did those experiences with Hands4Hope shape you into the person you are today?

MEGAN: Hands4Hope has shaped me into the person I am today in so many ways. My experiences taught me how to collaborate with others while also taking pride in my own contributions. I learned vital organization, time management, and communication skills that have taken me far in college and in my career. I am so grateful for all of the opportunities Hands4Hope has given me, the people I met along the way, and the mentorship from the staff, board members, and adult volunteers. 

TAYLOR: When I first joined Hands4Hope, I was so shy I would barely speak. I relied heavily on my sister to be my voice. Over the years, I learned to break out of my shell and become a strong leader, a thoughtful teammate, and a bold advocate. I never had to force myself out of my comfort zone - I was just excited about the opportunity to be a part of something great, and everything else came naturally. Being surrounded by so many incredible people with the same drive and values that I aspired to lead with during my most crucial developmental years was a vital part of becoming who I am today, and I am endlessly grateful for my Hands4Hope community.

What is one favorite memory of Hands4Hope?

MEGAN:  Hands down my favorite memories with Hands4Hope would be attending leadership camp during the summer. I was fortunate enough to be able to attend for 3 summers as I was a part of the leadership of one of the Oak Ridge clubs as a sophomore, junior, and senior. It was so fun to be able to connect with both people from my school and other schools who are working towards the same thing. We used to stay in cabins in Coloma and we would have campfires and play games at night. One night we would also all have a part in making dinner for everyone which was such a great way to teach us how to contribute to a common goal while taking responsibility for your own part in it. I will never forget those trips. Jen and Nicole can also tell you that the cabin they used to stay in is definitely haunted.

TAYLOR: One of my fondest memories with Hands4Hope was my first year leading the School Supply Drive Committee. The team was small but mighty, and it was one of my very first leadership roles that cemented my passion for service. With just a six-person team, we provided supplies for hundreds of students and organized a very successful distribution event. I learned the importance of bringing together all corners of the community to do something great, and I learned I am strongest when I lead with empathy and compassion. Putting myself in the shoes of students in need, I understood that having the right supplies for school provides the tools needed not only for academic success, but also for stepping confidently into new environments, new friendships, and new endeavors. As cheesy as it sounds, being a part of this committee was one of the greatest privileges I’ve ever had.

What do you enjoy now in your free time?

MEGAN:   In my free time, I volunteer as a youth cheerleading coach with the Oak Ridge Jr. Trojans. I also enjoy going for walks, reading, and spending time with my family and friends!  

TAYLOR:  I love spending my free time with friends and family, learning new things, and traveling! My favorite trips I have taken are Charleston with Megan and Spain with my friends, and I’m excited to travel to Boston with Megan this fall.