Connie Kendall

Constance "Connie" Kendall is a major character in the radio drama "Adventures in Odyssey". Arguably the second-most important character, Connie has appeared in more episodes than any character except John Avery Whittaker. Connie has been voiced by Katie Leigh since her arrival in Odyssey in episode #4: "Connie Comes to Town".

Connie, originally from California, moved to Odyssey with her mother sometime after her parents' divorce, and soon came to work at Whit's End. Though she came to Odyssey at age 15, the episode "Champ of the Camp" portrays Connie as being about age 13 at the time of her parents' divorce.

Connie had moved from the California coastline to the Midwest town of Odyssey to be with her mother, June. After her parent's divorce Connie had become very independent and was antsy to return back to California as soon as possible. She also came to Odyssey a non-believer. For the first three albums this was a major story arc for Connie and through the friendship of Whit, Tom Riley and the other kids of Odyssey. She eventually accepted Christ as her savior after a soul searching trip back to California. (#51 & #52 Connie)

Upon her return to Odyssey she found that new help had been hired in the person of Eugene. The dynamic relationship between Connie and Eugene's relationship was the material for many great comedic episodes. Eugene's logical way of thinking clashed with Connie's impulsiveness and curiosity, and provided comedic relief. Nevertheless, Eugene often ended up drawn into Connie's misadventures, which often ended disastrously. On one occasion, Connie and Eugene gained access to a top-secret computer program called "Applesauce" which Whit had warned them not to touch, and Whit was forced to fire them because his trust in them had been damaged. Whit did eventually hire both Eugene and Connie back when he was certain they'd learned their lesson; however, Connie's curiosity has still gotten her into trouble several times since.

Connie's first relationship was in the episode First Love, in which she dates an athlete named Jeff who is not a Christian. The relationship interferes with her worship at church and she makes the painful decision to break up with him.

Connie learned many lessons in life from her time in Odyssey and after graduating from Odyssey High School her character more or less "froze in time", with no more direct references to her age or continued aging experiences. The biggest change was when the character of Robert "Mitch" Mitchall was introduced in the later albums in which she even became engaged to him, but eventually the relationship ended with Mitch pursuing a career in the FBI overseas.

Trivia

Connie once owned a Golden Labrador Retriever named "Kitty". (#7 Promises, Promises)

"Dreams By Constance" is Connie's wedding coordinator side job. (#353 A Question About Tasha, #374 For Whom The Wedding Bells Toll III)

Connie was Eugene's driving instructor. (#194 A License to Drive)

Connie was her high school's valedictorian. (#405 The Graduate)

At one point in her relationship with Mitch, she dyes her hair "raspberry chestnut," which turns out purple. (#483 Secrets)

Connie wears a size 6 jeans. (#610 Hear Me, Hear Me)

Connie has a habit of testing ice cream for freezer burns. (#610 Hear Me, Hear Me)

Connie has a fear of staplers. (#485 Plan B: Collision, #602 Mum's The Word)

Connie has scars on two of her fingers. (#369 It's A Wrap!)

Connie and Eugene were camp rivals when they were kids. (#583 Champ Of The Camp)

Even though she never saw him in person, Connie developed a crush on Eugene at camp as a kid. (#583 Champ Of The Camp)

In addition, it should be noted that the main reason for Connie being depicted as a wildebeest draws from the fact that her name is taken from the scientific name for "wildebeest": "Connochaetes taurinus".

External links

* [http://aiohq.com/char/charc.htm#connkend "AIO" episodes containing Connie]