Inspiring Teens Magazine Features

Mackenzye Knopp

11/20/2023

Mackenzye Knopp – Indiana
Nomination by Liza Knopp
Photography by Melissa Presnell Photography
Issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Nomination: Mackenzye Knopp is a beautiful young lady. She is academically outstanding in the classroom with maintaining a 3.8 GPA throughout High School. She also participates in many clubs including the National Honor Society, DECA and her favorite, 4-H. She will be a 10-year member of the Dairy Barn this upcoming year, where she serves as the Youth Representative. She also is a 3-year Varsity Soccer Team letterman and a 4-year Varsity Basketball Team letterman. With her active lifestyle she maintains two part time jobs. Her work ethic is superb. She is so big hearted and loves volunteering around her community.

Photography by Melissa Presnell Photography

How do you balance your high GPA with everything else you do?
Honestly, school has always been easy for me. Earning a high GPA and mostly all A’s has never really been a struggle. I am very active in sports so most nights I am either at practice or at a game and with that, my nights are usually pretty full. On the weekends, I work both Saturdays and Sundays, so I do not have much free time. I mostly finish all my homework during class time, so I do not have to worry much about homework. I just know that I must stay on top of my grades to keep that high GPA!

What is your favorite class this year and what is the most interesting thing you've learned?
My favorite class this year is quantitative reasoning. We learn real life math such as finances, taxes, how to use a credit card, when to purchase a home, etc. I find it extremely useful. The most interesting thing I have learned about is credit cards. We do not get taught that anywhere else, so it has helped me understand how they work and when the right time is to get one. This class has helped me understand real life situations and gain knowledge on these topics. I love to go to this class and leave knowing something new every day.

What will you miss most about high school?
The thing I will miss most from high school is playing sports every single day. I am such an active person and I enjoy being a part of the basketball and soccer teams. It has given me many new friendships, I have built good relationships with the coaches, and I have learned many lifelong lessons. I will miss being able to hang out with my teammates daily and finding the younger Freshman to take under my wing.

What legacy do you hope to leave behind?
I hope to leave a legacy of being kind behind when I leave high school. It is difficult to find teenagers in high school who are your true friends, people that are genuine, and that are kind to you and others. I hope that I can show others that it is okay to not fit in and just be you. That is what matters most these days. Being kind, accepting others into your friend group, not being so judgmental, and just having a good heart, is what I hope to leave behind knowing others might do the same.

Photography by Melissa Presnell Photography

What has the NHS taught you about leadership?
NHS has taught me many things about leadership. I have stepped out of my comfort zone and volunteered by myself and realized it is not that bad. It really makes you feel like a leader and like you are doing something great for your community. It has helped me meet new people while volunteering and engaging in conversations I would have never had if it were not for volunteering in those places when I did.

What is your strongest leadership quality?
My strongest leadership quality I would say is communication. I am incredibly good at engaging in conversations with others, speaking to others, and being able to make common ground when I am talking to someone new. I have experienced many public peaking events, small conversations with people I do not know, and just being able to have a day-to-day conversation with others.

What has your favorite DECA project been?
I just joined DECA this year and we have only been to one event so far. We went on a field trip with a few other schools for a preview day. It was just like an introduction to DECA for new members. We practiced taking a test, speaking, and engaging with new people.

What do you participate in 4-H and why is this your favorite?
I show Dairy Cattle in 4-H. I love everything about it, the barn, the people, and the friendships I make every year. Over the past nine years I have made some of my best friends from being involved in 4-H and in the dairy barn. My favorite part about it is getting able to run around all night and have the best time with all my friends from the barn.

What else would you like to talk about?
I would like to extend to the topic of my involvement in 4-H over the past nine years. 4-H has been a huge part of my life since I was nine years old, and I have learned many valuable life lessons from being a member. I have learned responsibility, dedication, and most importantly passion. I can strongly say my passion for 4-H is one of my greatest qualities. I show dairy cattle and have loved every part of it and the amazing friendships I have gained along the way.

Photography by Melissa Presnell Photography

What does being a member of the Dairy Barn entail on your end?
Being a member of the Dairy Barn on my end entails many things. Attending all the meetings, helping with setup of pens and cleanup, helping the younger members, making decisions for the barn, volunteering at the fairgrounds if they need help, and being the youth representative for my club. It also includes all the work put in at home. The Dairy Club is such an amazing community to be a part of and I have loved every moment of it.

Tell us about your soccer career.
I started playing soccer when I was six years old. I started playing at a local facility here in Terre Haute. Then when I got into high school, my sophomore year, I joined the high school soccer team. I played for ten years in total. I just recently finished my senior season and wrapped up my soccer career, sadly.

What do you think non-soccer players may not realize about the sport/training for the sport/playing the sport/or the rules?
I think people who do not play soccer do not realize how much conditioning goes into soccer. We condition all summer long up until season and really do not stop until we start playing games. We run miles every single practice. In the summer it is super-hot, and we do lots of running so it is a lot of work. During games, it is constant running back and forth unless you are on the defensive end, sometimes you get a break, but it can be really tiring sometimes.

What do you attribute your strong work ethic to?
I attribute my strong work ethic to my parents. They have instilled a good work ethic in me. They have taught me responsibility and that hard work takes time and dedication. My Dad owns his own business and throughout all the years I have seen how strong his work ethic is and wanted to be that way. My Mom has always worked super hard as well and I think just seeing them both dedicated to their jobs has made me want to work just as hard or even harder.

Photography by Melissa Presnell Photography

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
Another inspiring thing about me that my nomination doesn’t cover is that I raised over $5,000 dollars for P.I.N.K of Terre Haute. This organization is a local charity to help fight breast cancer. It covers expenses of cancer patients and families, helps provide day to day essentials, and offers many other benefits to patients and families that need help through the hard times. I feel like this was an amazing opportunity to help out an amazing organization to help others in my community and could inspire others to do the same.

What do you feel passionate about or could talk about forever?
I love to volunteer around my community. One of my proudest volunteering moments was when I volunteered at the Grace Gala event. This is an evening where people of all ages with special needs have a “prom night” and volunteers are there to help them feel remarkable. Seeing the smiles on the boys’ and girls’ faces who were so proud to be there that night made my heart light up. This event has such a special place in my heart because I have a little cousin with Down Syndrome, and he is one of the biggest blessings to our family.

How did you find your photographer, Melissa Presnell Photography? What was your experience like? What did you love most about it?
Melissa has been one of my mother’s friends for many years and takes amazing pictures, especially Senior pictures. The experience was amazing. She makes the sessions awesome because they are all about you and getting the perfect picture to highlight your strengths. I love her being my photographer because I am comfortable with her, she brings so much energy to the shoot and it's also super fun!

If you had nothing to do and all day to do it, where would we find you?
If I had nothing to do all day and all day to do it, you would find me shopping with my grandma. I love spending time with my grandma and one of our favorite things to do together is shop until we drop. We used to do it all the time when I did not have such a busy schedule. You would find us at the mall with many bags in our hands and still looking for more!

What is up next for you that you are super excited about?
Up next for me that I am super excited about is college. I am going to attend Indiana State University next year and major in Applied Medicine. I am very eager to start the next chapter in my life and go to college. I am excited to see how it makes the most out of my experience. Roll Trees!

3 Things on your bucket list
Three things on my bucket list are to go to Bora Bora and swim the pigs, buy a black Camero, and build my dream house when I am older.

Look for Mackenzye in issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

click here for more information on issue 73

click here to nominate an inspiring teen

Carter Smith

11/20/2023

Carter Smith - Missouri
Nomination & Photography by Sycamore Creek Photo and Design
Issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Nomination: Carter Smith is truly a role model and an inspiration to those around him. Carter is very passionate in all he does. He excels academically and socially. He is the head drum major of the Camdenton Band and is in NHS, show choir, theater and tennis. Carter has many accolades, including being a finalist at the 2021 International Science and Engineering Fair. He is working on his private pilots license and will start college this fall to obtain a degree in aviation; his goal to become a commercial pilot. Carter is a true leader and well-rounded student.

Photography by Sycamore Creek Photo and Design

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
I feel that it is also necessary to include my dedication to my academic venture. I have had the distinguished privilege to enroll in a variety of both Advanced Placement, College Dual Credit, and International Baccalaureate coursework. Alongside this opportunity, being placed into the gifted program, provided me with the chance to take the ACT as part of the Duke TIP talent search. After the test I was informed that I scored high enough to be invited to the Grand Recognition Ceremony held at Duke University. This was an amazing experience that changed the way I look at academics forever.

What are you most looking forward to in your senior year?
I’m very excited for the activities that I am a part of! My year is constantly filled with fun things and being a senior puts a new perspective on all of these activities. I am looking forward to these especially because I get to partake in all of the senior traditions that happen. In our theatre program, we have a special senior tradition that only happens on the closing night of each show. We have a special prop called the Little Wonder that replaces or gets added into our show.

Where are we most likely to find you and your friends and what would you be doing?
When I hang out with my friends, most of the time we either go bowling or swimming! Since we live around the Lake of the Ozarks we have access to many things to pick from, but swimming is still our favorite. We will jump in and throw a ball around or see who can stay under the water longer, as we are all band kids and can hold our breath for a while.

How did you find your photographer, Sycamore Creek Photo and Design? What was your experience like? What did you love most about it?
My photographer was Amanda Garrison from Sycamore Creek Photography, and I had a great experience with her. She made me feel so comfortable and we had a lot of fun capturing my interest and personality.

Photography by Sycamore Creek Photo and Design

Tell us about your music career.
I started my music career with piano and choir when I was just a small child, and I have been doing some sort of music ever since. I played piano for around ten years, and I have sang in choir since I was in second grade. I started my band career in seventh grade where I joined as an alto saxophone. Now I am a part of the top choir and band at my high school and have been part of Regional, State, and National honor choirs.

What is a favorite accomplishment with your music?
My favorite accomplishment when it comes to music is being selected for the National Honor Choir, held in Cincinnati, Ohio. This choir was the most elite choir that I have been a part of, and every single person in the choir was an amazing singer. We had one particular song that was very loud and filled every single room that we practiced in. The sound of all 300 voices combining was a spectacular sound that I will not forget for the rest of my life.

What else would you like to talk about?
In my high school experience, I have had the pleasure of being a part of many conventions and conferences. Among my favorites have been the National American Choral Directors Association choir, the Missouri All-State choir, and the International Science and Engineering Fair where I was fortunate enough to place fourth in my category. All of these experiences have contributed to my academic experience while giving me a fun and creative output of my work.

What is your favorite part about being on stage?
I love making the audience laugh! One of the best parts of being on stage is having the ability to provide entertainment and a distraction from the world around the audience. I also love singing for audiences, helping them to feel the emotions of my character through my voice. The sound of applause is one of the best feelings in the world, to know that the audience enjoys and appreciates the work that you put in.

Which theater production you've participated in will always stand out to you?
My favorite production that I have been a part of was “High School Musical”. One reason that this production was particularly amazing was because I got to spend every rehearsal with my friends. I played Chad and so there were many rehearsals where a lot of “The Guys” were there, making every rehearsal especially interesting and fun! I managed to find a group of friends during this play that made me feel more a part of something than anything else that I have been a part of.

Photography by Sycamore Creek Photo and Design

When did you start playing tennis and do you play for your school team?
I started playing tennis my freshman year for the school. I was not planning on playing any sports at all during my time in high school, but there was a senior who was my mentor who convinced me to try it, and I immediately fell in love with the sport. Of course it is much different than baseball, which I had played just before high school, but I loved it all the same. I convinced a couple of friends to join me and now I am always looking forward to tennis season.

What was your project as a finalist at the 2021 International Science and Engineering Fair?
My project dealt with making new Surgical Graspers that utilized biomimicry of tree frogs to be able to grasp the inside of the body with more precision than before. There were many iterations of this project but I eventually found that my design was significantly better than the current “teeth-like” design that is currently on the market.

What does it entail to get a private pilot’s license and where are you at with your journey in this area?
Getting a private pilot’s license entails taking lessons from an instructor for at least 40 hours, with a knowledge test and a check ride once you are ready. There are different things to complete before this point, including cross-country flight time, a solo cross-country flight, and night flights. I am currently about 33 hours into my journey, and I have finished my night flying and cross-country flying already.

What are you most looking forward to in college?
I look forward to making new friends. I have heard all of my life that college is where life-long friends are made, and this excites me! I love making friends and the change of scenery will help this a lot.

Photography by Sycamore Creek Photo and Design

What is your strongest leadership quality?
I believe that one of my strongest leadership qualities is dedication. I have done many activities in my life, and I’ve done well and also very bad at these random activities, but the one idea that I can hold onto is that I have never quit.

What do you feel passionate about or could talk about forever?
I feel that the arts are a vital and undervalued piece of academics as a whole. Activities such as band, choir, and theatre can build good habits and strong personalities. Having been a part of all three of these activities I have learned hard work, perseverance, and the dedication that it takes to not only succeed but to truly thrive.

If you had nothing to do and all day to do it, where would we find you?
This does not happen very often, but when it does happen, I try to get together with my family. We all love to get together and play board games and eat dinner. We will also go see movies or find some new and exciting activity or place around our area.

What is up next for you that you are super excited about?
I am very excited about hopefully finishing my private pilot’s license soon! I just got finished with my most recent theatre production and now I will have extra time to put into getting it done, which will then allow me to start work on the next step in my flight career: my commercial license.

Look for Carter in issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

click here for more information on issue 73

click here to nominate an inspiring teen

Evan Brownsberger

11/20/2023

Evan Brownsberger – Colorado
Nomination & Photography by Everyday Moments Photography
Issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Nomination: Evan lives life to the fullest! He’s a strong athlete and natural leader and is captain for his club and high school volleyball teams, and also coaches and mentors younger players. Evan is a talented artist! Evan is the dance captain for Show Choir and writes his own songs-he even has two songs on Spotify! Mostly, Evan is inspiring because of his compassionate heart. Evan’s often reaching out to kids around him. Recently he told his mom, “It makes me happy to help others. Even if I am feeling down, it lifts me up to be there for others.”

Photography by Everyday Moments Photography

Tell us about your volleyball career.
I played soccer since I was able to walk but in 2020 my soccer season was cancelled due to Covid. I decided to try volleyball and was asked to try out for the competitive team at Team Colorado Volleyball. I placed on their 16s #1 traveling team as a 14 year old. I fell in love with volleyball and I am still playing for Team Colorado and have played at Nationals 2 years and hoping to do go this year as well.

What is your favorite memory with your volleyball team?
While I love playing volleyball my best memories are being at tournaments and hanging out with my team in the pool, goofing around, eating etc. .

What does being a captain entail on your end?
I have responsibilities at the games- talking with officials, being the voice for the team but most importantly it’s not just leading the team but being there when they need to be picked up.

What do you love most about coaching younger players?
It's that magical point where they actually realize something they need to fix and can start to make changes. I also just have a ton of fun since they are goofballs.

Photography by Everyday Moments Photography

What has been your favorite show choir performance and why?
When we performed at Disney Land in March of 2023. It was a fantastic experience to work with Disney recording professionals and singing (I also had a small solo)at that big of a venue.

Tell us about a favorite song you wrote.
My newest song "I CRY" is my favorite song so far. It's about someone who had a rough day and the one person they would usually turn to is not there. In total writing and recording took about a month and a half to finish. Here is the link to take a listen
https://open.spotify.com/track/0Gw5gWvAHXNwtgpjV8rX2D

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
I was asked to speak at our senior retreat this year on leadership and strive to be a positive influence at our school. I have also been a soccer referee and mentor for years with a local soccer club.

How would you describe your leadership style?
I feel like I mostly lead by example but I also try to match my style to what seems to motivate or make a difference to those around me or those that I am leading.

What leadership style do you respond best to?
I respond best to someone setting expectations and being tough on me to excel.

Photography by Everyday Moments Photography

How did you get involved with being a soccer referee and what did you need to do to obtain that role?
I played soccer for 8 years and at the age of 12 became a referee to be able to referee younger kids' games. I had to take courses, take a test, and then had to do hours of in-person mentoring. I still have to take courses and test out every year to continue to be a licensed referee. I referee all ages now and am working towards higher licensing to referee higher level games

What else would you like to talk about?
I graduate this year and have really been focused on figuring out where to go from here. I want to go to college and see where that takes me. I plan to make an impact wherever I go.

What will you miss most about high school?
Show choir and all the people involved in it because it feels like a family.

What are you most looking forward to in college?
Meeting new people and creating a new family.

What do you feel passionate about or could talk about forever?
I could talk about many things for forever but my two big things would be volleyball and music. I have a favorite saying - "Music is Life".

How did you find your photographer, Everyday Moments Photography? What was your experience like? What did you love most about it?
We did quite a bit of research, looked at galleries, and narrowed down our prospects. We then sent messages to each requesting information from them. We shared what our vision was and sent some picture ideas. Chris was so excited with our vision and was completely on board with what we wanted, we knew she was the one. She took her time and went out of her way to deliver the shots we were looking for. I had a fantastic time and felt like a model.

If you had nothing to do and all day to do it, where would we find you?
Probably in my room singing, working on learning the keyboard, recording songs, listening to music, and playing Rocket League.

Photography by Everyday Moments Photography

What is up next for you that you are super excited about?
I want to continue to grow as an artist and release more music

What is the hardest thing you have ever accomplished, and how did you do it?
Right now my hardest accomplishment will be finishing High school. I have ADHD and school can be complicated to keep track of all the requirements for each class and focus on the things I need to.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to be where you are today? Have a strong support system (parents. teachers, coaches, counselors, friends) and know it's okay to sometimes live in the moment. If you are not enjoying it, it is hard to motivate.

What is your favorite activity or pastime that was not in your nomination?
I enjoy playing the video game Rocket League. I am in the top .3% in the world

Do you have a hidden talent?
Yes What is it? I can rap!

3 Things on your bucket list
Singing at my own concert
Traveling the world -more specifically to Spain to see FC Barcelona play
Deep sea fishing

Who do you find inspiring?
My music teacher Ms. Quinn, she always seems to say things that really speak to me.

What about you inspires others/why do you think you are inspiring?
I am not sure I try to be my most authentic self and people tell me that my support and genuine niceness are inspiring.

Look for Evan in issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

click here for more information on issue 73

click here to nominate an inspiring teen

Skylar Campbell

11/20/2023

Skylar Campbell – Indiana
Nomination by Michelle Campbell
Photography by April Moore Creations
Issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Nomination: Skylar is an amazing young woman. She is inspiring because she is a hard worker, intelligent but most importantly a caring person. Skylar has taken aviation classes at her high school and will graduate with academic honors as well as a pathway in aviation.

Photography by April Moore Creations

What would you most like to talk about?
I would like to talk about aviation. The thrill of flying in a plane and being behind the controls is an amazing feeling.

Tell us about your love of aviation.
My love for Aviation started when I went to an air show and I saw the blue angels fly, and saw other aerobatic maneuvers. I was instantly drawn in, and knew I wanted to learn to fly.

What is most challenging about your aviation classes?
One of the most challenging things about my Aviation classes is learning all the new information and rules of flying.

What has been a rewarding experience so far?
A rewarding experience so far in the class is seeing everyday just how much I am learning, that I had no idea about just a couple years ago. I'm waiting to start on flight lessons, so just seeing how far I am able to get with the dedication and putting myself out of comfort zone has been really rewarding.

What do you think others might not know about aviation training?
I don't think people know all of the flight planning, checks, and thought that go into flying. There are so many rules and regulations and charts you need to learn how to do and read, that just take work to learn so you can be safe while flying.

Photography by April Moore Creations

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
I will be graduating with a pathway in aviation and have plans to get my pilot's license as well as go to college for aviation. I have gotten to fly a plane with my instructor. I think this is inspiring because not many females go into aviation as a career. I also play golf and tennis for my high school team.

What do you feel passionate about or could talk about forever?
I could talk forever about aviation and tennis. I love going to airshows and watching the planes do stunts. I was in awe of the blue angels when I got to see them perform. They recently had their first female pilot that flew with them and that was inspiring to me.

How did you find your senior photographer, April Moore Creations? What was your experience like? What did you love most about it?
My friend had used April and I really liked how her photos had turned out. I loved that April had a style closet that I could use to find outfit choices I may not have had otherwise. April had a plan for each outfit and a different location to make my photos unique to me. She was fun and laidback which made me feel so comfortable in a situation that was new to me.

Photography by April Moore Creations

What are you most looking forward to in your senior year?
I'm most looking forward to my tennis season, and starting flight lessons to earn my Private Pilots license.

What is your favorite class this year and what is the most interesting thing you've learned?
My favorite class this year is probably Aviation. I learn so much each day I can't name just one interesting thing.

What is a favorite memory with friends this year?
A favorite memory with my friends this year is just anytime we go out and find fun things to do. It's always a good time going and playing tennis and then getting some ice-cream after.

What will you miss most about high school?
I will miss my teachers and friends the most that have helped influence who I am as a person today.

What is your family like? Where do you fit in and where do you stand out?
My family is a fun time to be around! With two little brothers and a sister close to my age, it never gets boring. I am the oldest of four kids.

What is a favorite family tradition you hope never ends?
A family tradition I hope never ends is going on a Christmas vacation each year.

Photography by April Moore Creations

If you had nothing to do and all day to do it, where would we find you?
If I had nothing to do and all day to do it you would find me tanning and relaxing on the beach.

What is up next for you that you are super excited about?
Something that is next for me that I'm excited about is flying and earning my Pilots license.

Look for Skylar in issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

click here for more information on issue 73

click here to nominate an inspiring teen

Sophie Gass

11/20/2023

Sophie Gass - Pennsylvania
Nomination & Photography by Photography by Alessa
Issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Nomination: Sophie Gass doesn't hold back when it comes to inspiring others. Sophie's kindness and empathy for others is contagious - you can't help but want to be a better person after spending time with her! Outside of excelling in school and playing varsity volleyball, Sophie's passion is helping others. Sophie spends her extra time as a church youth counselor, volunteering with the Audubon Society as a camp counselor, and organizing events to support those suffering from Alzheimer's Disease. Sophie's passion for helping others doesn't stop there- she looks forward to a career in speech and language pathology. What an inspiration!

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
I believe that kindness matters. In fact, I find that kindness is usually what leaves the most lasting impression. When I act out of kind intensions - the outcome is always defendable. Kindness is also contagious. It is one thing that grows with a simple gesture or statement. While some find being characterized as 'kind' as weak, I find it inspiring. Kindness is a trait that I embrace and willingly own.

What else would you like to talk about?
While I have joy in my life, I am also a typical teen who has faced challenges and heartaches. I have faced disappointment, break-ups and times of sadness. While I would never wish these moments on others, I do believe that these experiences have given me hope. A saying that I live by is, "This too shall pass." I know that a feeling is only temporary and that by working through it, I am stronger. I would hope that my experiences would inspire other teens to keep moving forward and to recognize that the story is not over yet.

What do you feel passionate about or could talk about forever?
Since I have been young, I have been passionate about working with children. I currently work in a preschool setting at my high school and it is a highlight of my day. Children bring joy and find the bright-side on almost everything. Their excitement and innocence are refreshing and a reminder on what is truly important. Children are a window to our world's future and I feel that educating and building values in children is one of the most important jobs in the world.

How did you find your photographer? What was your experience like? What did you love most about it?
My cousin used Alessa as her photographer for senior pictures in 2023. I was amazed at how Alessa was able to capture my cousin as a "person." I traveled almost an hour to meet Alessa. It was the first time I met her, but it was as if she knew me already. I loved that my session was filled with laughter and, despite the craziness of senior year obligations, I got to spend time with my mom. Alessa allowed me and my mom to have time to enjoy each other. I loved that the most about my senior picture experience.

Look for Sophie in issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

click here for more information on issue 73

click here to nominate an inspiring teen

Kylee Spring

11/20/2023

Kylee Spring – Missouri
Nomination by Jenni Dine
Photography by NKG Imagery
Issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Nomination: Kylee is so strong and hardworking, she pushes me and everyone else around her to be better and loves her family so deeply. Kylee has blossomed into such an awesome person and I can’t wait to see what her future holds. On top of being a full time high school student, Kylee has her own business in childcare. Watching Kylee with the children she cares for is so beautiful, because I know she loves them and what she does with her whole heart. Kylee was so strong, even through Covid turning her whole life around.

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
I am an aspiring artist. I love art and all things drawing, painting, etc. Art has made me who I am and plays a big role in my life and will play a very big role in my career and future.

What else would you like to talk about?
I want to talk about how important it is for us young adults coming into the world to be educated on our government and politics. I know a lot of people I go to school with that have no idea what’s going on and while it may seem like it doesn’t affect you, it does! Everything and everyone involved in our government affects you and you should know about current events and read articles, watch the news, follow everything! It matters!!

What do you feel passionate about or could talk about forever?
I think I could talk about the Earth forever. I love all things nature, going to the park, laying in my hammock on my back porch, feeling the breeze of fall come in and the beautiful transition from spring to summer! I remember being a little kid collecting worms and playing in the dirt while my grandma gardened and I’ve loved it ever since!

How did you find your photographer? What was your experience like? What did you love most about it?
I had a couple mutual friends who got their senior pictures done by Nathan and loved his pictures! My experience was awesome, Nathan is an AMAZING photographer and so fun to work with. He has a “Model Rep” program that I am apart of and we did a Model Rep shoot which was so much fun! It was all girls from different schools with different backgrounds and I loved meeting them all!

Look for Kylee in issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

click here for more information on issue 73

click here to nominate an inspiring teen

Eryka Hackney

11/20/2023

Eryka Hackney – Pennsylvania
Nomination & Photography by Jessica Hackney
Issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Nomination: Eryka Hackney is a very inspiring teen. She participates in Cross Country, Cheerleading, Basketball, and track at West Greene High School. She has highest honors. She is also a member and chaplain in FFA. She was voted in as treasurer of her class and is a member of the science club. In her spare time she raises livestock and grows a garden at home where she sells and donates to locals in need. She is looking forward to helping coach little league basketball.

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
I was nominated to be in the hope squad at school and am a part of pier mentoring as well and SADD students against destructive decisions. I also participate in several community service projects throughout the year.

What do you feel passionate about or could talk about forever?
I feel very passionate about sports. I feel that sports are a key role in how students grow into young adults it builds compassion, drive and a strong work ethic. This helps build a strong connection to your teammates and you grow everlasting friendships. I participate in basketball, track, cross country and cheer; these take up lots of time after school so you have to learn how to manage time wisely. Sports are a big part of who I am today.

Look for Eryka in issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

click here for more information on issue 73

click here to nominate an inspiring teen

Cody Fuselier

11/20/2023

Cody Fuselier – Texas
Nomination by Angela Winfree
Photography by LK Anderson photography
Issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Nomination: Cody Fuselier is a senior at Bridge City High School and attends Lamar University for Process Technology.
He’s a running back in football and also runs track. He puts in 100% and tries to keep his team mates positive and hyped up.
Cody has several younger kids that look up to him. He is patient and very respectful.
He was raised by older parents that taught him values and manners. He is an old soul and a southern gentleman.
Cody rides horses to help his dad work cattle. He’s a Christian and loves Jesus. He’s all around awesome.

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
I love to hang out with my buddies. I help my mom and dad on the farm. I help load and haul hay in the summer. I listen to old rock and roll, country and hip hop. I like to joke around with my teachers and coaches. I love animals, but I’m scared of lizards . I drive my dad around a lot. I love to swim and hang out on cow bayou and village creek. I like to fish and hunt and trap hogs.
I am picky about my clothes. I love McDonald’s and whataburger.I ride four wheelers.

What else would you like to talk about?
I like to talk about football , basketball and the game Madden. I talk with my buddies about just life plans and parties.

What do you feel passionate about or could talk about forever?
I’m most passionate about football . I like to talk about old times.

How did you find your photographer? What was your experience like? What did you love most about it?
Ms Lisa takes a lot of pictures at all the school activities. My mom likes her work and chose her to go my senior pictures.

Look for Cody in issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

click here for more information on issue 73

click here to nominate an inspiring teen

Rebecca Lackey

11/17/2023

Rebecca Lackey - Illinois
Nomination & Photography by B.Marie Photography
Issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Nomination: Rebecca has CRPS, which left her unable to walk at 14. She was determined to get back to the sport she loves -cheerleading. She not only relearned to walk, but is out doing flips on the football field. Rebecca is one of the most involved students that I know. She is the high school confidential for our local newspaper, an active FFA member, in National Honors Society, does cheerleading and track, speech team, math team, student council, and is a tutor and peer mentor.

Photography by B.Marie Photography

What is CRPS and what do you wish others knew about it?
CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome) is a rare nerve syndrome that is a chronic arm or leg pain developing after a traumatic injury to the body. It involves abnormal inflammation or nerve dysfunction. CRPS is characterized by pain that is greater than would be expected from the injury and not even applicable to a doctor’s pain scale. There is no cure for it and I wish others knew how hard it is. Although it’s sometimes invisible looking at someone with it. It’s called ‘The Suicide Disease’ because most patients end up committing suicide from excrutiating pain and the isolation/confinement.

Tell us about your cheer career. When did you get started and where are you at with it now?
Cheer started at age 5 when I got put into my first junior cheer camp and continued with junior cheer camps and pretending I was one. I joined competitive cheer and our youth cheerleading program at age 8. I did allstar cheer with Top Star until I was 13 and decided to fully commit to high school cheer. I cheered all 6 years in our youth program and both years in junior high. I am in my 4th year for football, basketball and competitive cheer for PBL High School. I always dreamed of cheering in college until I got diagnosed.

What is your cheer team like and what is a favorite memory with them?
My cheer team is like a family and it has always been mine. My head coach, Madison Warner, always strives to build a legacy for our program and teach us to be like a family and support each other always. We set goals and always try to reach them, while building each other up. My favorite memory with them was last year at competitive cheer sectionals when we got announced we were going to state for the 3rd year in a row, but without being online or dealing with covid. The joy, excitement and adrenaline that filled us was indescribable.

What does your job entail as the high school confidential for your local newspaper?
My job as high school confidential entails I essentially work for the News-Gazette and help show my schools uniqueness through writing stories as a journalist. I give insight every week to what is something special our school did that week and every Thursday it will be published. I talk to my school’s student body and principal to decide what I should write, then I do my research, take/get the photos and write away.

What has been your most rewarding experience in that role?
My most rewarding experience has been reading all the special things at other schools and discovering all the unique things the 40 schools have to offer.

What leadership opportunities have you had through FFA?
I have had so many leadership opportunities through FFA. Some of the top being; holding the leadership role as President this year and Reporter last year, all the colleges and social networking you acquire and the leadership conferences it allowed me to attend. FFA has so many leadership opportunities I can’t even fit them all in one magazine. FFA is a great way to learn leadership skills, public speaking, parts of a horse and the agriculture industry benefits. Leadership opportunities are also not only ones you’re given, it’s the opportunities you take advantage of in order to develop leadership qualities.

What is your strongest leadership quality?
My strongest leadership quality is my perseverance. Perseverance is persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success. Through the low points in my life and the success moments perseverance has to be a factor. Everyone has hard times in their life and I think it’s my strongest quality because I have been through a lot and not only do I have perseverance for my daily life, but for others too. I have obtained these leadership roles in my school and community, so I have to persevere through all tough situations to benefit/help those around me.

Photography by B.Marie Photography

What service project have you loved participating most in the NHS?
My favorite community service project I have done for National Honors Society is our Down Syndrome Buddy Walk. This is an event where we have students that have down syndrome, other community members with down syndrome, all their families and us students participate in a walk at our high school track. The students from NHS who volunteer help run the games, keep things in order and run whatever else needs help. This is my favorite because of how wholesome it is, everyone is smiling the whole time and happiness is the best, not only for me, but my community too.

What events do you run in track? Which is your favorite and why?
The events I ran in track were sprints, relays and high jump. The reason it is past tense for ‘ran’ is because I am unable to anymore. With my CRPS and other nerve syndrome, CCSS (Complete Central Sensitization Syndrome), it enables me to do events like that anymore. I still love to go and support my friends, but for me I just can’t do it like I could in the past.

What has been your most favorite accomplishment through track?
My most favorite accomplishment through track is actually very sentimental to me. I relearned how to walk after a year in March of 2022. I decided joining track again in the middle of my sophomore year even though I relearned how to walk a month ago was a great idea! So it is my favorite because it was the first activity/sport I was able to come back to after such a life altering injury.

What was your most prominent speech about?
My most prominent speech was an original oratory and it was for those with disabilities who struggle to get proper accessibility and resources they desperately need. I wrote this speech because the original oratory is a 8 minute speech that you write and memorize for something that you are passionate about. I am so heavily passionate about the lack of resources, funding and accessibility for those who have a disability. I wrote the pros and cons of America’s aid to people with disabilities and talked about the improvement that is needed.

What do you do in the math team and why do you love it so much?
What I do on math team is a group contest working together and then an individual contest that makes up a whole group’s score. I love math team because you have the ability to work individually, but also work in groups all trying to achieve one goal. I love the hardness it brings, but the simplicity.

What do you find most rewarding as a tutor and peer mentor?
The most rewarding thing as a tutor and peer mentor is watching the growth happen first hand. I don’t do it for acknowledgement, I do it to help those who need it in order for them to succeed. While I’m tutoring, seeing the lightbulb go off in their head and how proud of themselves they are or when your mentee or the person you tutor runs up to show you something, they have to tell you something they’re proud of, it just warms your heart. I also love the rewardingness of knowing I created a bond with someone so special.

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
Inspiring things about me is that I could not walk and had CRPS, I kept going and I recently got diagnosed with another nerve syndrome at 17 and mentally it is so hard. Through the mental health committee that I created you have to be kind to everyone because you never know what someone is going through. I, myself have gone through mental health struggles and want to help anyone that I can if they don't have anyone else. I think everyone needs to remember being kind and using compassion to others and yourself is the key to self happiness.

Photography by B.Marie Photography

What else would you like to talk about?
I’d like to talk about how thankful I am to have this opportunity to fill out this form. When my photographer told me she sent it in and then I got accepted I was so filled with enjoyment. I am grateful for everything in my life from having parents that love each other, to my little sister, to having an amazing education and support system, an amazing photographer to help capture my senior memories and this opportunity. Being grateful and not greedy for things in life makes everything more enjoyable and easy to obtain memories that will last a lifetime.

What do you feel passionate about or could talk about forever?
I’m most passionate about mental health. In today's society it’s talked about more than it used to, but not enough. Actions aren’t taken with people who struggle until it’s too late. Medicine, counseling and paper scrubs in a facility might be the easy answer, but isn’t the best answer. I think our world needs more compassion, understanding mindsets and resources to help everyone who struggles even slightly. So many people in our world struggle, but feel they can’t speak up. I want and wish to change this so we can provide a safe and loving environment for mental health struggles.

How did you find your photographer, B.Marie Photography? What was your experience like? What did you love most about it?
I found my photographer through two of my friends who were senior ambassadors for her the year before me. I absolutely loved her immediately and knew she was definitely the right one for me. She made me feel so good in front of the camera. I loved her making you feel comfortable with her camera skills and all her different ideas. She is so good about getting sneak peeks out fast and getting your album and her system is so organized and easy to use. Every session she has everything planned and makes all anxiety about the session immediately disappear.

If you had nothing to do and all day to do it, where would we find you?
You would find me creating core memories with those I love, reading any of my favorite books, spending time with my puppy or working on my devotions hoping to make a change in our world. Having free time to myself is very rare, but when it happens I am normally working on something for anyone, but myself. Whether that be more my clubs, sports or trying to do something special for someone I love, I always stay busy trying to make others feel loved, happy and special to me. Also I always take time to do self care for myself.

What is up next for you that you are super excited about?
The next stage for me is one I have looked forward to my whole life. Going into my chosen career to help others, getting married, starting a family and achieving my ultimate goal in life, happiness. I can not wait for the next stage, just like I can’t wait to wake up in the morning for another chance to seize the day. I love taking in the moment and trying to not think about the future super hard, because tomorrow is never guaranteed. So, I live everyday as it is my last in hopes I leave a meaningful legacy behind.

Thank you so much for answering the above questions specific to you!
Here are some EXTRA QUESTIONS if you have time to answer some extras not included above: (These answers should be one -two sentences as the most as they may or may not be used in the magazine but will be used on the blog. They should be added in with your Q&As above if you decide to add them to the end of your interview.)

What is the hardest thing you have ever accomplished, and how did you do it?
The hardest thing I have ever accomplished is relearning how to walk, after being enabled to for a year. I accomplished this through medicine, hard work, perseverance and determination.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to be where you are today?
The advice I would give is there are always opportunities you can take advantage of, just sometimes to have to look a little deeper to find the good ones.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years/what are your plans?
In 5 years I see myself stable in my career, settling down ready to start a family and planning to stay in my amazing hometown. I also see myself on some mission trying to find a solution for a problem in our society.

Photography by B.Marie Photography

What is your favorite activity or pastime that was not in your nomination?
My favorite activity or pastime that wasn’t in my nomination is reading. I love reading all sorts of genres and reading is my escape whenever I get too stressed.

Do you have a hidden talent? What is it?
Yes, I do have a hidden talent. My hidden talent is that I can sing.

3 Things on your bucket list
Bring more awareness to mental health
Fight the battle for CRPS
Travel to a third world country with a mission

Who do you find inspiring?
Who I find inspiring is my dad. My dad works so hard to provide for our family and give us three girls in the house anything we could ever wish for.

What about you inspires others/why do you think you are inspiring?
I get told what inspires others is my authenticity and determination. I think these are inspiring because being authentic in our world can go a long way and seeing someone else with strong determination can make you want the same thing.

Is there anything else you would like to tell us?
I would just like to say thank you! I am so grateful to have even had this opportunity for myself, but most importantly my amazing photographer who just deserves the world!

Look for Rebecca in issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

click here for more information on issue 73

click here to nominate an inspiring teen

Baylee Nuttall

11/16/2023

Baylee Nuttall – Utah
Nomination by Haley Lint
Photography by Jamie Broderick
Issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Nomination: Baylee Nuttall, they are friendly, fun, smart, creative and cute! They are always there for someone!

Photography by Jamie Broderick

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
I’m very outgoing, I love meeting new people, and new things, I love helping and volunteering to my community around me.

Tell us about your volunteering activities.
Growing up i’ve always wanted to help every homeless person I seen and every stray dog or cat. I’m in FFA and have helped them with food drives.

Which one do you spend the most time doing and what is your involvement?
Right now I am currently working and my job is doing “Toys for tots” During christmas time walmart does and “angle tree” it’s where you shop for more unfortunate kids so they can get a christmas too, me and my mom have always tried to help with that, my goal is to have a kid happy on Christmas.

What have you learned about yourself as a leader in this capacity?
Not many people are willing to help anyone but themselves. No person or kid should go hungry let alone without a christmas, I think if more people took action the world would be a lot happier.

What is your strongest leadership quality?
Motivation has always been one of my biggest strengths. When I was younger I never had motivation to do anything, as I grew up I realized how important it was to have motivation to do something, my grades got better, my skills improved, and I started to feel a lot better about life.

What else would you like to talk about?
Family, my family has been one of my biggest supporters with everything, they have helped helped every decision up to this point in my life, they are the reason I have become the women I am today. They have helped me improve my softball skills, work life, and personal growth.

What is your family like? Where do you fit in and where do you stand out?
I have a very big family, for a while it was just me my brother and mom, then my stepdad joined the family and he already had 9 kids. It was very hard for me going to only having one brother to having 5 brothers and 5 sisters. Now Im the 4th oldest, I play the most sports and school activities, and i’m the kid with the most injuries. I’m also the craziest!

What is a favorite family memory you'll never forget?
Christmas time is always the best with my family, we all get together and have a great time, eat food, party, and exchange gifts. My favorite memory is going over to my grandmas house with all the family and waiting to be able to open gifts and see everyone’s reactions.

What is a family tradition you hope never ends?
One thing I hope never ends is the family getting together and being able to eat “Stupid Salad” It’s the best thing in the world! My grandma always made it for family events, it was always gone before the day ended. Stupid salad is like a pudding with gram-crackers on the bottom, That’s something that I hope never ends.

Photography by Jamie Broderick

What do you feel passionate about or could talk about forever?
Softball, it has been my favorite thing to do since I was very little, I’ve been on the same team for about 14 years, and I grew up with all the girls on my team, they are family to me. Softball is my home, unfortunately i’ve had to stop playing due to an injury, I miss playing on the field during the weekends/weekdays, and hopefully i’ll bounce back in no time.

What is a favorite accomplishment with softball?
One accomplishment is that I never gave up on myself during the hard times, I had people to help me get through it and help me. We’ve won many games, gotten many rings, and trophy’s, I’ve learned so many things and made tons of friends.

What will you miss most about it?
One thing I will miss about softball is that it was my home, somewhere I could go when I needed thinking time, I will dearly miss the people I bonded with and all the fun and bad memories, I wanted to give a big thanks to my coaches, and family for all the support that I have gotten over the years. 

How did you find your photographer, Jamie Broderick? What was your experience like? What did you love most about it?
My family has always loved Jamie to take their family pictures, and I knew I wanted her to take my senior pictures. She is very kind, fun, outgoing, and is very creative. She cares about every person she meets and is an amazing photographer.

What have you loved most about being a senior?
The activities, friends, and teachers. I also love getting to see the underclass get excited for their future and watch them grow up, I’ve realized how much time flies, I feel like I was a freshman yesterday. I always wanted to graduate and get out of high-school but now that it’s happening I want to go back in time, high-school will be the best years of your life, don’t take anything for granted and take your time in life, go at your own pace, Time really does go by fast.

If you had nothing to do and all day to do it, where would we find you?
I would definitely be on the softball field, I think about softball 24/7. I need time to think? Go to the softball field, Bored? Let’s go practice, What should we do? Softball, What’s your favorite thing to do? Softball. This is something that has really helped me and hopefully I can go farther in life with softball.

What is up next for you that you are super excited about?
The biggest thing I am excited for is going to college and become something i’ve always wanted to be, and maybe even tryout and join an amazing softball team. I’m so very excited for the next step in my life after high-school, there are so many opportunities I have and wouldn’t change anything for the world. Always believe in yourself, and know you are never alone.

What is the hardest thing you have ever accomplished, and how did you do it?
Overcoming social anxiety was my biggest accomplishment. Going to school activities really helped me.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to be where you are today?
Be outgoing, don’t worry about what people think of you. Just be you.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years/what are your plans?
I’m planning on getting my associates degree and try and become an ultrasound technician. Also to have my own house and family.

Photography by Jamie Broderick

What is your favorite activity or pastime that was not in your nomination?
I love hanging out with my friends and going on adventures. making memories and living my best life.

Do you have a hidden talent? What is it?
I think i’m a comedian, some people may think i’m not but I make people laugh.

3 Things on your bucket list
1. Travel the world
2. Complete my dreams
3. Live a happy life

Who do you find inspiring?
My parents, they have always pushed me to do my best. I will forever thank them for helping me with my goals in life.

What about you inspires others/why do you think you are inspiring?
I feel like my leadership and my dedication to something. I can help someone do their best.

Is there anything else you would like to tell us?
I want to thank everyone for this opportunity to be in the “Teen magazine” It has been super fun!

Look for Baylee in issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

click here for more information on issue 73

click here to nominate an inspiring teen

Harlie Roth

11/14/2023

Harlie Roth – Montana
Nomination & Photography by TBarnes Photography
Issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Nomination: Harlie Roth is one of the top student/athletes at Flathead High School. She is enrolled in our International Baccalaureate program, taking some of our most difficult courses. Harlie was the quarterback of our Flag Football team that took second place at the state tournament. She has also competed at the state level as a member of our Track and Field team. Harlie has a very fun loving personality with a TON of sass! She will go on to do incredible things in the future. She is driven and will move mountains!

Photography by TBarnes Photography

What is the International Baccalaureate Program?
The I.B. Program is higher level classes that help to build skills and characteristics that develop you as a person. It gives you an opportunity to receive college credits while still attending high school.

Why is being in this program important to you and how do you benefit?
It has helped me learn important skills that will benefit me throughout my life and a future career.

What was it like being the quarterback of your Flag Football team?
It was a great experience. It really helped me with my leadership skills and connecting with my team.

Photography by TBarnes Photography

What is your team like? Where do you fit in and where do you stand out?
My team was very hardworking but also a team that could have fun. I was voted by my team to be a team captain which allowed me to get to know everyone better. This helped me understand what I could do to help them when they needed it and how to interact with each and everyone of them. I often standout because of my competitive drive and my passion for the sport.

What is a favorite memory with your team?
My favorite memory with my team was during the inaugural flag football season in 2022 when the Atlanta Falcons sponsored our trip to Seattle where we got to attend the Falcons pregame walk through practice, a college game, and an NFL game, along with playing in Seattle as well. This experience was a one and a million opportunity and I was very grateful to be apart of it alongside my team.

What do you run in track and field and which is your favorite? Why?
In track and field, I run the 300 meter hurdles and the 200 meter sprint. My favorite is the 300 meter hurdles because although it is a super challenging event it is also very rewarding. After the race when my adrenaline is high I am excited to hear the results and look for improvement.

Tell us about your favorite race ever.
My favorite race was at state my sophomore year because the competition was top notch which pushed me to compete at my highest level.

Photography by TBarnes Photography

What else would you like to talk about?
I am a 3 sport athlete, other than track and flag football, I play basketball.

What has your basketball career been like?
I started playing basketball when I was very young, I played rotary basketball in grade school followed by middle school basketball and I joined a travel basketball team as well. Now I play for Flathead High School and am going into my 4th year of high school basketball. I have always loved basketball, getting to play at a higher level makes me look back and realize how far I have come and how the hard work has all payed off.

What is your favorite accomplishment with basketball?
I have had numerous accomplishments with basketball but my favorite and most memorable was during my freshman year. As a freshman, I got to suit up and play in a varsity game and got the opportunity to play with the older girls and gain experience and knowledge from that.

What do you feel passionate about or could talk about forever?
I am passionate about sports. Sports have always had a big impact and influence on who I am as a person. I feel sports are important to keep you in shape, build character, and gives you so many opportunities to meet and work with different people.

Photography by TBarnes Photography

How did you find your photographer, TBarnes Photography? What was your experience like? What did you love most about it?
My photographer is one of my teachers. I have also gone to school with her son since grade school. My experience with Tara was a lot of fun and lots of laughs. I love that she captured my true personality in each photo.

If you had nothing to do and all day to do it, where would we find you?
At my home with friends and family playing yard games and enjoying a bonfire.

What is up next for you that you are super excited about?
My senior year of basketball is coming up and I couldn't be more excited. Our team has a new head coach this season. Coach Fox has always been a positive influence in my life and one of my biggest supporters. I am also looking forward to the season because of the skill that our team holds this year and I'm curious to see where we go and what we can accomplish.

Look for Harlie in issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

click here for more information on issue 73

click here to nominate an inspiring teen

Kendell Wilcox

11/14/2023

Kendell Wilcox – Michigan
Nomination by Shannon Wilcox
Photography by Randy Jones Photography
Issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Nomination: Kendell Wilcox is a very active hard working young lady. She participates in cross country, sideline cheer, competitive cheer, indoor and outdoor track at Shepherd High School. She has made it to the MSHAA state track meets for the past 3 years and was all state 2 of those years. On top of her athletics she is a member of the national honor society and is also involved in student council, rotary and Bluejay wellness. Outside of school she is involved in 4H, helps out with Special Olympics and works as a gymnastics coach at the Mt. Pleasant Gymnastics academy.

Photography by Randy Jones Photography

When did you start running and what do you love most about it?
I started running in fourth grade. What I love most about running is how running can tech you valuable lessons. In running I have learned that success comes with hard work and the importance of never giving up. Running has taught me that I am stronger than I thought and more capable than I imagined.

What is a favorite accomplishment from cross country?
My favorite accomplishment from cross country has been being able to finally finish races despite hardships faced. When I first started running I was always a top runner, then when my back problems began I could barely run a mile. Now, four years later, I have been able to not only finish races, but also do well in them too.

What is a track goal you've accomplished and what is one you have in sight?
One track goal I have accomplished has been qualifying for the MHSAA state meet three times and making all state twice. Another huge accomplishment was being a part of the 2023 state champion team. One goal I have in sight is the school record which my mom actually holds. I am one inch off and hope to get that goal this season.

Tell us about your cheer career.
I started cheering when I was in kindergarten doing the kids clinics at my school. I always loved cheer but when I got to middle school I chose to pursue dance. My freshman year I decided I wanted to try out for the cheer team and have been a Varsity cheerleader ever since. Currently, I am a senior and a team captain. I often compete in all three rounds of competition and am one of the best tumblers on the team.

What are your cheer teams like and what is a favorite memory with each of them?
My cheer team is like my family. The sideline team is more relaxed and fun. We have lots of laughs together and they never fail to make me smile and have made football games some of the highlights of my high school career. One memory in particular from the sideline I love is ice cream breakfast with my team the morning of the homecoming football game. We have a total of four performances as well as a tailgate, parade, and game that day so we spend our morning laughing and eating ice cream sundaes together before the craziness starts.My competitive team is how I would describe family. We fight sometimes but we love each other like crazy. It takes a lot of trust in each other to do the things we do and the competitive team is one I wouldn't trade for anything. One memory I have with this team is Christmas at our coaches house. We always have a gingerbread house contest and there are so many laughs and good times.

Photography by Randy Jones Photography

What do you love most about being in the NHS?
What I love the most about the NHS is being given so many opportunities to give back to my community. I love volunteering and being able to help the people who have been such an impact to my life. I also love being surrounded with others who love to volunteer and being a part of an amazing organization.

What has your favorite service project been in the NHS?
My favorite service project has been helping with the blood drives at our school. This is my favorite because as an athlete I am not always able to donate myself so being able to assist others and help to encourage them to donate makes my day. I enjoy the blood drives also because they are super important and we are always in need.

What leadership opportunities have you had in the student council?
In the student council I directly represent my grade and help to make decisions for the whole. I have had the opportunity to head committees such as the pep assemblies for homecoming and the food drives we have. As a leader of these committees I coordinate with administrators and help my other committee members with their specific responsibilities.

What is rotary and what are your roles and responsibilities?
Rotary is another volunteer group I am a part of. In Rotary we do a lot of community service and help raise money for charity organizations. One fundraiser we have done is purple pinkies for polio. At basketball games we charge a dollar (or any donation offered) and you get your pinky nail painted purple. All the money raised goes to charities for polio.

Photography by Shannon Wilcox

Tell us about Bluejay wellness and why your involvement is important to you.
Bluejay wellness is a mental health advocate group. We recently took up a program called be nice where we have specific training and more opportunities for summits and other large group gatherings. Bluejay wellness is important to me because the stigma around mental health needs to be broken. I believe strongly that mental health is just as important if not more important than physical health. In Bluejay wellness we are trained in suicide prevention and warning signs. My involvement in this group means I could help someone in need.

What do you participate in 4H that you are most excited about?
In 4h I show dairy feeders and goats. I also do various still exhibit projects and volunteer projects. I am most excited to learn more about showing this year and become a better showman. Every year I learn and grow more as I raise and show my animals and I am excited to see the growth this year brings.

When did you start volunteering with the Special Olympics and what do you do when you volunteer?
I started volunteering with the Special Olympics seven years ago. One way I volunteer is at the summer games. I help at events and work with athletes as they compete. Another way I volunteer is with my mom’s Area 7 cheer team. I help to teach cheers, help the athletes learn to stunt, and encourage them as they perform.

What have you learned about yourself coaching others in gymnastics?
One thing I have learned about myself from coaching others is that the only thing holding you back is your own mind. Mental blocks can be huge and I see them all the time in the kids I coach. In myself I see these mental blocks too. When I am learning a new skill in cheer that seems scary I hold myself back because of the fear I will fail. In track when I fail a height I get in my head and feel like it's impossible. Coaching has shown me this in myself but has also taught me to overcome it. When I coach others I tell them to stay out of their heads and believe in themselves, this same phrasing is what I tell myself when I have mental blocks too.

What is your strongest leadership quality in this area?
My strongest leadership quality in coaching is my ability to connect with the kids I coach. They trust my judgment more and respect me more if I respect them and we form a bond. This helps me to be a leader because I know they will be listening and following me as I teach them new skills because of the bonds we have formed together.

Photography by Shannon Wilcox

If you had nothing to do and all day to do it, where would we find you?
If I had nothing to do and all day to do it you would probably find me on a beach. I love the sand and the water. I especially love the ocean. You would likely find me here early in the morning watching as the sun rises over the water.

What is up next for you that you are super excited about?
Up next for me is college athletics. I have verbally committed to a D1 school and am excited to continue running track at the D1 level. I am excited for the new experiences this will bring and the new bonds I will form.

Look for Kendell in issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

click here for more information on issue 73

click here to nominate an inspiring teen

Ayden Richardson

11/10/2023

Ayden Richardson - Texas
Nomination by Racheal Richardson
Photography by Cheryl Taylor photography
Issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Nomination: Ayden (Bear) is such an inspiring young man because he works hard at whatever he puts his mind to. He excels in his school work and sports. He has a heart of gold and loves with his whole heart. He is a wonderful role model. Ayden plans to pursue a career in the medical field after he graduates from high school.

Photography by Cheryl Taylor photography

What are you most looking forward to during your senior year?
I am most looking forward to making memories with my classmates. This is the last time that we will all be together, so I want to make the most out of every second we have left. This is the last time me and my guys will see each other in the hallways so I want to make the best last memories with them.

What advice would you want to pass on to younger classmen?
My advice for the lowerclassmen would be to soak up the memories in high school the best you can. It might seem like graduation is so far away, but time really does fly by too quickly. Another piece of advice is to be a part of all that is offered at school, because if you do not you will regret not making those memories with your classmates.

How did you find your senior photographer, Cheryl Taylor photography? What was your experience like? What did you love most about it?
She did one of my teammates senior pictures last year and they were really good so we decided for her to be my photographer. My experience was very enjoyable. She had some "poses" in mind, but she also let me choose what I wanted to do or what I thought would look cool. I loved that I got to show my passion for football through these pictures.

Photography by Cheryl Taylor photography

Tell us what you love most about your classes this year.
I love that since this is our last year, most of my classmates are making the most of it. We are all trying to get to know each other a lot more than we did before, so we can make friendships that will last past high school.

What is the most interesting thing you've learned?
The most interesting thing I learned is how to take care of the elderly with dementia properly in my Certified Nursing Assistant class.

What sports do you play?
I play football and throw discus for my high school.

Which is your favorite and why?
Football is my favorite because it has helped me build strong relationships with my teammates. I believe that the friendships I made in football will last for the rest of my life. I have built a strong bond with all of my teammates, and I consider them all as family.

What is a favorite sports accomplishment?
My favorite accomplishment is having the honor to be a part of the All-District team.

What is a favorite memory with one of your teams?
My favorite memory with my team was when we won the bayou bowl. This was the game where we played our rival team, and we ended up being victorious after a 10 year losing streak to our rivals.

Photography by Cheryl Taylor photography

What are you doing now to prepare for a career in the medical field?
At my high school, they offer a Certified Nursing Assistant(CNA) class. Where we can learn everything there is to know about being a CNA. We also do clinicals where we perform CNA care at a nursing home and a local hospital. Also by taking this class, I am able to get our CNA license before graduating high school.

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
I am a natural born leader. I also am a very hard worker. I am in the Top 7.5% of my class. I am ranked 15th out of 199 in my class.

How are you a leader in your activities?
As a leader of my football team, I make it known to my teammates that I am there for them no matter what, including advice on life and helping them with studying. As a leader in Christ, I try my best to help others to find God like praying and talking about the Gospel with them.

How would you define your leadership style?
I like to lead by example. I want people to see the things I do and have an everlasting impact on them. I try my very best to always do the right thing even when I think no one is watching.

What else would you like to talk about?
I made the Dean's and President's List for the dual-enrollment classes I have taken over my high school career. I have earned over sixty college credits during my time in high school.

What do you feel passionate about or could talk about forever?
I have a passion for helping people. I want to make sure when a person needs help, I'll do whatever is possible to help that person.

If you had nothing to do and all day to do it, where would we find you?
I would be at my local gym. This is my happy place. I have been a part of this year for almost four years. I have a passion for weightlifting. Working out at the gym gives me the opportunity for alone time where I can think and clear my head.

Photography by Cheryl Taylor photography

What is up next for you that you are super excited about?
I am very excited about attending Texas A&M next fall. I have always dreamt about going to college here since I was young, so the opportunity for me to actually attend A&M is surreal. I believe that this college will open me up to many opportunities for my future which excites me.

What is the hardest thing you have ever accomplished, and how did you do it?
The hardest thing I have accomplished was my junior year. I took a total of four college classes, and one honors class. The workload for these classes consumed my life. I got through it by having good time management and the faith in Christ. I trusted God to help me persevere through this difficult time. I believe that He is the reason I was able to get through this year.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to be where you are today?
My advice would be to never quit trying and to trust the Lord. No matter what life throws, just keep pushing through. Times will get hard, but every hardship will turn into something great. Trust God with your future because His will will be done.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years/what are your plans?
Hopefully in five I will have my Bachelor’s in Nursing. I hope I am working as a Registered Nurse, pursuing my Master’s in Anesthesia.

What is your favorite activity or pastime that was not in your nomination?
I truly enjoy playing video games with my friends. I made some great memories on my PlayStation over the years.

Who do you find inspiring?
My dad inspires me. He is the breadwinner in my family. He has worked very hard to get to be where he is today to be able to support my family. He is a great role model for me because he is how a dad should be.

What about you inspires others/why do you think you are inspiring?
I think I am inspiring due to my work ethic. No matter the difficulty of things that I face, I persevere through by working my hardest.

Look for Ayden in issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

Jessie Pointer

11/10/2023

Jessie Pointer – Texas
Nomination & Photography by Angie Read Photography
Issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Nomination: Jessie Pointer is a gracious young lady who is compassionate about those in need. She loves to help others by participating in community service projects and assisting her dance instructor with the Special Needs class. Jessie has worked hard to overcome her anxiety about crowds to become a member of her school's varsity drill team and a line leader on the Girl Scout drill team. Academically, she’s a superstar, with membership in National Honor Society, Latin NHS, Student Council, and many additional clubs while maintaining straight A's. Jessie aspires to be a NICU nurse with a minor in American Sign Language.

Photography by Angie Read Photography

What are you most looking forward to during your senior year?
As I look ahead, I am most excited about the thought of making unforgettable memories with my friends, teachers, and directors that will last a lifetime. Time flies by so quickly, and before I know it, high school will be over, and I will have to move on to the next chapter of my life. When that time comes, I will reflect on my high school journey, appreciate all that I have achieved, and celebrate every success along the way.

What will you miss most about high school?
High school has been such an incredible journey for me, and I can already tell that I will miss so many things about it. This being my last year on the dance team, I know it will be bittersweet. The friendships I've made, the amazing directors, especially Ms. Thompson, and our supportive principal have all made my high school experience unforgettable. I will cherish all the incredible memories we've made together. Seeing my best friend, Tori every day has been a blessing too. High school has given me so much, and I'll always hold these moments close to my heart.

How did you find your senior photographer, Angie Read Photography? What was your experience like? What did you love most about it?
I discovered Angie Read Photography through a friend on my school's drill team and also on Instagram.
Working with Angie has been a wonderful experience. She has a unique way of making each session personal to every girl. I appreciate the fact that she takes her time with each of us and pays attention to every little detail to ensure that we are happy with the results. She is simply amazing.
It was great meeting new people and making friends. I was thrilled about the photo opportunities that awaited me in my Senior Year with them. Hearing about the community service projects she was planning got me even more excited.

Tell us about your community service projects.
I have been involved in various community service projects for some time now. When I was in 5th grade, I made tie blankets for the NICU babies to earn my Bronze Award for Girl Scouts. Later, in 8th grade, I built Little Libraries for the local neighborhoods to earn my Silver Award in Girl Scouts. Although I have done other smaller projects since then, these two projects remain my biggest achievements in terms of community service.

Which has been your favorite and why?
One of my favorite community service projects was making blankets for the NICU babies. Even though the work was long and hard, the result was worth it. Although we couldn't see the babies, I knew that they would come to love and cherish the blankets. I've always enjoyed helping people, especially the little ones, and this project warmed my heart.

What leadership opportunities have you had as a result?
Through my experiences, I have been privileged to lead children in various activities. These include teaching Girl Scouts the steps to earn a patch, instructing dance to a Green Starlette, and assisting my director in teaching her dance class to special needs children. I have greatly enjoyed these opportunities.

Photography by Angie Read Photography

How would you describe your leadership style?
I would describe my leadership style as compassionate, determined, and empathetic. I genuinely care about helping others and being an inspiration, especially to the young ones. My dedication to the dance team and my drive to leave a great impression on the school show my determination. And my ability to connect with others and understand their perspectives demonstrates my empathy. These qualities help make me a natural leader who can inspire and uplift those around me.

Tell us about your love of dance. What has your journey been like?
I have mentioned previously that I have been dancing for 13 years, starting when I was a little girl. This has been an incredible and unforgettable experience. I still vividly remember my amazing first dance teacher. After finishing my senior year, I am thinking of trying out to become part of the World Famous Kilgore College Rangerettes. I know it will require a lot of hard work, dedication, and time, but I am confident that I can handle it. It would be a dream come true if I could continue my dance journey through college and finish it there.

What is a typical week for you being on so many drill teams?
As a member of the school drill team, my week during football season is busy with morning practice Monday-Wednesday, after-school practice on Thursday, and games on Friday. During contest season, we have after-school practice Monday-Wednesday, night practice on Thursday, a long practice on Friday, and contests on Saturdays. Spring Show means early morning practices again. The Girl Scout Drill Team practices on Monday evenings, parades on Saturdays during the Christmas season, and performances at different colleges in the spring. The year ends with a Spring Show. It's a packed schedule, but I enjoy being part of these teams and performing.

What do you love most about being in the Latin NHS?
Being a part of the Latin NHS has been an amazing experience for me. I love the friendly and welcoming community that it provides. It's a great place to meet new people, make friends, and share ideas. The club is full of motivated individuals who are passionate about their academics and are always willing to help each other out. It's truly amazing to be a part of such a supportive group of people.

What responsibilities do you have in the NHS?
In the NHS, members are required to maintain a minimum overall GPA of 4.0, complete at least 15 service hours per semester, attend a minimum of 50% of the monthly meetings, and be an active member by participating in Committee Events. These requirements help ensure that members are committed to academic excellence and community service, and actively contribute to the organization's goals and objectives.

What has been your proudest accomplishment being in the B.E.S.T Club?
Being in B.E.S.T. Club has been truly inspiring for me. It provides an opportunity for special needs kids to come together, participate in various activities, and experience joy. We are paired up with a B.E.S.T. Buddy for the year and get to engage in different activities with them. I feel honored to have become the official photographer for the club this year. I get to take pictures of all the amazing events and capture the happiness on the faces of the kids. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of such a meaningful club.

What other clubs do you participate in that mean a lot to you?
One of the clubs I am involved in is the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. We gather as athletes to discuss our challenges as well as our accomplishments from the week. We come together to offer prayers to the Lord, seeking His help and expressing our gratitude. Our time together is focused on fellowship, where we learn about Christ, support each other's growth, and achieve our goals together.

Photography by Marlena Vanlandingham

What is your strategy for being so involved and still maintaining straight A's?
I struggled to maintain all A's in my early high school years, but I realized the importance of staying focused in my junior and senior years. I manage my club schedules and school work through reminders on my phone and Google Keep. Sticky notes have helped remind me of upcoming tests, quizzes, assignments, and project due dates. Though it can be overwhelming, I stay committed and focused to manage both school and extracurricular activities.

What is the most interesting thing you have learned in school so far this year?
I would say that the most interesting thing I have learned so far in school this year is that it’s never too late to explore different interests and change your mind. It’s okay to pursue new passions and redefine my goals, even if that means taking a different direction from the initial plan.

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
I am a dedicated and empathetic person who values loyalty towards others. Dancing has been a significant part of my life for the past 13 years, teaching me valuable lessons in discipline, perseverance, and self-expression. Although I'm naturally reserved, dancing has helped me come out of my shell and boosted my self-confidence. I have also played the violin for 13 years and have been a member of the orchestra since fourth grade. Engaging in these activities throughout my schooling years has enabled me to express myself without relying on words or others to speak for me.

What else would you like to talk about?
In 7th grade, I encountered American Sign Language for the first time. It was through a girl who was deaf with her interpreter in my classes. I found myself fascinated watching the interpreter. When I was in 8th grade, I was given the chance to take ASL, which I immediately did. Although I have some basic knowledge of ASL, I have always wanted to learn more. It is something I would like to pursue in college. Learning ASL would allow me to help people who are deaf or hard of hearing and don't always have the same opportunities as others.

What do you feel passionate about or could talk about forever?
I have a deep passion for helping people in need, even if I sometimes feel anxious about approaching them. One of my favorite ways to help is by helping teach in a special needs dance class, where I can see the joy on the children's faces. Working with them is one of the best decisions I have made. When I'm older, I aspire to work with NICU babies, particularly those who require extra attention. I love seeing others thrive after receiving even the smallest amount of help.

If you had nothing to do and all day to do it, where would we find you?
It is rare for me to have nothing to do all day, but if it were to happen, I would probably be relaxing at home by either listening to music or watching TV in my mom’s bed. Otherwise, I would take the chance to spend quality time with my best friend, Tori, whom I don't always get to see, but is the best friend anyone could ask for.

What is up next for you that you are super excited about?
Up next for me that I am super excited about is graduating and going to college. It is a big and scary moment, but it is the start of a new life filled with new opportunities. I am excited for the journey that lies ahead waiting for me.

Photography by Marlena Vanlandingham

What is the hardest thing you have ever accomplished, and how did you do it?
The hardest thing that I have ever accomplished was trying out for my school drill team. What helped me was constantly practicing and going over the different dances. I practiced until I knew I wouldn’t make a mistake in the middle of tryouts. I am so thankful that I was given the chance to be on the team.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to be where you are today?
Advice that I would give to someone who wants to be where I am today, is: Nobody’s opinion about you matters except yours. If you can believe it, you can absolutely do it. Never let anyone stop you.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years/what are your plans?
In 5 years, I hope to be graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree from college, and continuing to work hard to become a NICU Nurse.

What is your favorite activity or pastime that was not in your nomination?
Something I like to do in my pastime is to go shopping with my mom. I love when she and I have the chance to spend mother-daughter time together. During these trips, we make some of the best memories together.

Do you have a hidden talent? What is it?
Alright, brace yourself for this one. I have a unique talent where I’m able to contort my tongue into various shapes. For instance, I can form a regular taco shape, create a wavy pattern, fold it in half, and even flip it upside down in both directions. It might sound unusual, but it’s true.

3 Things on your bucket list
For me, I try to live life to the fullest, not necessarily narrow it down to a bucket list. But I have always wanted to travel the world and see all of the amazing features that there is to see.

Who do you find inspiring?
To me, my mom is the most inspiring person I have met. She has been an amazing mom, supporting me in every little thing I do, she has done countless tasks for me, and I can’t thank her enough, she is the best.

What about you inspires others/why do you think you are inspiring?
I believe that I am inspiring to others because of my determined and compassionate nature, as well as my commitment to helping others and being a role model. My resilience and dedication make a positive impact on others around me.

Is there anything else you would like to tell us?
From the time of Kindergarten up until now, (13 years), I have played the violin and have excelled in the art of it. It has been a joy getting to play this instrument for so long and from such a young age.

Look for Jessie in issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

click here for more information on issue 73

click here to nominate an inspiring teen

Isabella Vega

11/10/2023

Isabella Vega - New York
Nomination & Photography by Kristy Tasca Photography
Issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Nomination: Bella is a special young lady. Not only is she stunning but she’s equally as smart + talented. She’s been on Varsity Cheer since 8th grade. She’s a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society + Student Council. She volunteers through Elly’s Angels Foundation. The Foundation provides opportunities, inspiration, and financial assistance to children of all ages. Bella also volunteers annually to support a local Toy Drive called Christmas Bash for Kids. Whether she’s in a classroom, on a cheerleading mat or out in the community, Bella is a role model to and an inspiration!

Photography by Kristy Tasca Photography

Tell us about your cheer career.
I started when I was five years old through a recreational program within my school district. I started allstar a year after at Elite Heat and continued for six years. I was picked for varsity in eighth grade so I committed completely to school cheer. I have been in my school program for six years now and I’m starting basketball season this month which is also our competitive season.

What do you love most about being a cheerleader?
I love the bonds I build. It is really a team sport and I have so many amazing memories with the girls I cheer with or have cheered with in the past. Even with hardships it feels like I have a second family.

What is your cheer team like and what is a favorite memory with them?
My cheer team is the funniest team you will come across. The sport is so mentally challenging but we always make light of our situations. My favorite memory with them is dancing on the bus after winning our games.

What has been your favorite service project for the NHS?
I definitely enjoyed the hall of fame experience. It was very cool to see what people from my school district were able to accomplish after graduating. It was very inspirational even on the volunteering end.

What activity do you most love to participate in the Spanish Honors Society?
I love to learn spanish games. It’s very cool to see how other cultures spend their free time and how they can compare to American games.

What leadership activities have you got to participate in with the Student Council?
I went to a challenge for change meeting, we talked with the staff about how we can improve our district and did many teamwork and leadership activities. I was able to speak out about personal struggles and how I overcame them.

Photography by Kristy Tasca Photography

What has your favorite accomplishment in one of these clubs been?
I am co chair of Student Life and Education for student government. I had to get voted on by the other participants in student government and I was voted as co chair for my favorite committee.

When did you start volunteering with Elly's Angels Foundation and what is your primary role there?
I started when I was cheering at Elite Heat, around six years old. I helped with the ride for roswell which was very important to me.

How do you participate in the Christmas Bash for Kids?
I set up the event and make sure it is very festive. I also allow people in by making sure they’re donating a toy or gift wrapping paper. I assist within the raffles and help people with their tickets. After the event I bag up the toy donations for the fire fighters and help clean the event.

What are you most looking forward to in your senior year?
I am looking forward to revisiting my elementary school and middle school. Many pivotal moments of my life happened in those settings so I am excited to go back and see the people who impacted those moments.

What will you miss most about high school?
I will miss seeing my friends everyday. I have built so many good friendships through my school whether they’re in my grade or the grades below.

How did you find your senior photographer, Kristy Tasca Photography?
 My photographer was one of the coaches at my old allstar cheerleading gym. I always admired her as a coach and photographer. When I was six years old she took a photograph that is still framed in my house. I knew that I wanted to shoot with her when I was a senior. My experience was amazing. I was able to express my style and personality. The settings were beautiful and felt very authentic to me. I loved being able to have fun and participate in art.

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
I am a student body senator at my school which gives me the opportunity to participate in a lot of volunteer work. I also am a part of Spanish Honors Society and National Honors Society. I am a flyer on my schools competitive cheerleading team. Within these activities I am able to have a voice for my school. I use my voice to help my peers feel as if they’re in a safe place and I encourage diversity within my community.

Photography by Kristy Tasca Photography

What else would you like to talk about?
I am very interested with fashion. I have always been unique when it has came to my style. My fashion inspiration is my abuela. She has styled me forever and always made me feel confident in my authenticity. When she passed away earlier this year, I continued finding myself in my fashion. It is something of her I carry everyday. She taught me always to be different, unique and confident. As well as fashion, I took a creative writing class last school year. The class made me express myself through my writing and I now hope to share my writing in the future.

What do you feel passionate about or could talk about forever?
I am very passionate about cheerleading. It was my first and only sport. I started when I was five years old and I immediately fell in love with the sport. I have learned so much from the sport such as leadership, sportsmanship, determination and perseverance . Along with those traits I have also learned about teamwork. I have made life long friendships from the sport. I plan to continue with cheerleading in the future.

If you had nothing to do and all day to do it, where would we find you?
You would find me at the mall. Whether I am window shopping or doing a haul, the mall always clears my mind.

What is up next for you that you are super excited about?
I am very excited to graduate. I am hoping to go to college and express myself even more.

What is the hardest thing you have ever accomplished, and how did you do it?
Recovering from my broken elbow was the hardest thing I have accomplished. Since the cheer season never ends, I had to jump right back into it. It was mentally tough because I had fear of getting injured again and physically it was hard because I still felt extremely weak.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to be where you are today?
Never let others choices affect you. Use your voice to help others and embrace yourself. Be a loyal person, loyalty is something that others will admire and a trait that not everyone has.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years/what are your plans?
I want to go to college for marketing. Hopefully in five years I will have a stable job within the marketing career whether it’s fashion marketing or social media marketing.

What is your favorite activity or pastime that was not in your nomination?
I love going to the gym. I started going to the gym to gain muscle but it became very peaceful to me. I love listening to my music and working out. It’s very therapeutic for my body.

Do you have a hidden talent? What is it?
I always have gotten complimented on my singing voice. I always would sing for my family when I was younger and now when I sing around friends they love it.

Photography by Kristy Tasca Photography

3 Things on your bucket list
I would like to travel to Europe.
I want to learn a new language.
I want to house a foreign exchange student.

Who do you find inspiring?
I find my wela inspiring. She worked so hard for her family constantly and always was there for others even when she struggled on her own. She was very strong even when fighting cancer and never showed her fear in order to make me less scared.

What about you inspires others/why do you think you are inspiring?
I am very confident and bold. I always speak up for what I believe in. I am a hard worker in school and my extracurriculars.

Look for Isabella in issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

click here for more information on issue 73

click here to nominate an inspiring teen

Andra Smith

11/10/2023

Andra Smith – Washington
Nomination by Yanni Robel
Photography by Jean Johnson Portraits
Issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Nomination: Andra Smith, a remarkably talented teenager, embodies inspiration through her passion for the arts and commitment to her community. Her love for singing and writing music extends beyond a hobby; it's a powerful tool for uplifting others. As a skilled dancer, she captivates, expressing stories and emotions that encourage creativity in young people. Her leadership in youth church worship demonstrates her positive influence on peers. Additionally, her role as a preschool Sunday school teacher in children's ministry showcases her nurturing spirit. Andra's multifaceted contributions make her an exceptional candidate, inspiring those around her with her dedication and talent. 

Photography by Jean Johnson Portraits

Tell us about your passion for the arts.
My passion for the arts started when I began dancing as a child. Expressing myself through movement fascinated me, and my love for it grew stronger as I developed my technique over the years. The pandemic prompted me to explore music, starting with the ukulele. Playing my favorite songs every day brought joy. Soon, I channeled my feelings into words, creating my music. Self-teaching guitar and basic piano expanded my songwriting skills and confidence significantly. It's now my favorite hobby and greatest passion, offering an escape and a powerful means to convey my emotions through music.

What is your favorite genre to sing & why? Do you have a go-to song, and if so, what is it?
My favorite genre to sing is folk-pop or indie-pop because of their meaningful lyrics. Indie-pop, in particular, resonates with me as it often explores deeper themes and has a mellow tone. Singing in this genre feels like I'm narrating an exciting story, and that's what I find most appealing about music. It allows us to share stories crafted by others through our voices. One go-to song in this genre that I love to sing is “ur so pretty” by Wasia Project as its lyrics and melody perfectly capture the essence of indie-pop storytelling.

What is your favorite piece of music you've written about?
My favorite song that I've written is called "Forget Me Not." I got the idea for it when I imagined what it would be like to leave my sister behind when I left for college. It's a story about someone being separated from another and all the feelings that come with it. This song means a lot to me because it reflects the intense emotions of longing, nostalgia, and the lasting connection between two people, even far apart. It mirrors my expectations and thoughts about the future, making it a song close to my heart.

Photography by Jean Johnson Portraits

What types of dance do you study, and which is your favorite? Why?
I study various dance styles, including ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, and tap, but my absolute favorite is lyrical. Lyrical dance holds a special place in my heart due to its enchanting, fluid movements, allowing me to gracefully convey the artist's emotions. Unlike other styles that prioritize beats or counts, lyrical dance strongly emphasizes the lyrics and the story behind the music. This enables me to dance with genuine, raw emotions, creating a deep connection with the audience. Lyrical pieces are not just movements; they are a journey through feelings, making them the most emotionally moving and my absolute favorite.

What do you wish non dancers knew about dancers/dancing?
I wish non-dancers could understand the deep storytelling aspect of dance. Finding deeper meanings in words and melodies and turning them into a compelling performance demands practice and a good ear for music. Additionally, I'd like them to know the physical demands of performing beautifully and gracefully. It takes considerable stamina to make complex movements seem easy. This process has taught me the value of endurance and the hard work that goes into making something challenging appear simple. Behind every graceful performance is a story of dedication, effort, and the pursuit of artistic expression that non-dancers could appreciate more fully.

If you could be on any tv dance show, which one would it be?
If I could choose any TV dance show, it would be Dancing With The Stars. Growing up, I was drawn to the show, and the ballroom dance style has always interested me. It's a style I have yet to have many chances to explore. My dream would be to learn ballroom dance and have the privilege of participating in the show. The idea of connecting deeply with my dance partner and using that connection to get better every week is an exciting possibility that would make the experience very satisfying and exciting.

How did you find your photographer, Jean Johnson Portraits? What was your experience like? What did you love most about it?
We've known Jean Johnson Portraits for about a decade because Jean is the photographer for our dance recitals. She's also part of our church community, which makes it a special connection. Last year, she took our family pictures; this year, she captured my senior portraits, making it a memorable experience.
What I love most about working with Jean and her daughter, Emily, is their attentiveness to my preferences for my senior pictures. They listen to my ideas and incorporate my input to create beautiful photos. They always make me feel comfortable during the sessions, which I greatly appreciate.

Photography by Jean Johnson Portraits

How would you describe your leadership style?
My leadership style is transformational. I lead by offering encouragement, positivity, and reassurance to guide people through tasks. My experience in student government taught me the value of staying focused and providing support when challenges arise. I believe in motivating and inspiring others to thrive. It's about creating togetherness and a common goal, where everyone feels empowered to contribute their best effort. Through transformational leadership, I aim to create a positive, productive environment where individuals grow, develop skills, and succeed. This approach highlights teamwork, shared objectives, and personal growth as fundamental aspects of effective leadership

What is your strongest leadership quality?
My strongest leadership quality is adaptability. I'm good at finding solutions when things change fast and lifting others' spirits when things get tough. Whether it's a sudden shift, unexpected challenges, or changing priorities, I excel at staying on track and keeping everyone focused. Plus, I am good at boosting the confidence and positivity of those around me during difficult times. By offering support and a positive outlook, I help others stay motivated and work well together, even when faced with setbacks. This adaptability and emotional support allow me to build a strong fellowship, contributing to effective leadership and successful outcomes.

What do you love most about your youth church?
What I love most about my youth church is the strong sense of community it offers. I've grown up in the church, and it feels like a very encouraging and comforting place—a second home. I especially enjoy our worship sessions, where students take the lead. Seeing everyone there is heartwarming because they genuinely want to be eager to grow and strengthen their faith. The shared commitment to growth and nurturing one's spirituality is genuinely inspiring. This aspect of our youth church creates a tight and connected group, making it a special and meaningful part of my life.

What is your favorite activity to do with the children at church?
My favorite activity with the children at church is teaching them lessons and worshipping together. Their joy during worship is truly special, and it's heartwarming to see. Additionally, I enjoy teaching them because I see the moment when the remarkable stories from the Bible click with them, and they discover important truths about themselves. It's a rewarding experience to observe their growth in Bible knowledge and see their understanding expand. This connection with the children and the opportunity to share in their spiritual journey is something I value and find very fulfilling in my role at church.

Photography by Jean Johnson Portraits

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
It's hard for me to write about being inspiring because I often feel like I haven't done much. But after reading my nomination, I realized that my normal activities might actually inspire people. Knowing this feels good and pushes me to keep doing what I love. It’s surprising to see how my usual stuff, like music and helping out in my community, can make a difference and encourage others to follow their dreams and do good things too.  

What else would you like to talk about?
 I also want to shine a light on other inspiring teens in our everyday lives. They might be our classmates, friends at school, or members of our youth groups. These ordinary teens have their own unique stories of resilience, creativity, and kindness. We often overlook them, but if we take a moment to really look and listen, we’ll find that they're quietly making a big difference in their own way. They show us that inspiration can come from the most unexpected places and people.  

What do you feel passionate about or could talk about forever?
 I'm passionate about songwriting and creating music. I've independently learned to play both the guitar and piano, and I love how music serves as a means to express myself. My self-guided journey into music has not only improved my skills but also enriched my appreciation for the art of musical expression. This exploration has allowed me to delve deeper into the world of melody and lyrics, further empowering my passion for crafting meaningful and heartfelt songs.
 
If you had nothing to do and all day to do it, where would we find you?
You'd likely find me in my room if I had a whole day with no plans. I'd sit there with my guitar and a notebook on my bed. In that cozy spot, I'd do a few things. First, I'd strum and play songs I already know, enjoying the tunes. Then, I'd get creative and start making up new songs, putting my thoughts and emotions into the music. And finally, I'd challenge myself by learning more complex songs, always eager to improve my musical skills. My room is where music comes to life for me, offering opportunities for self-expression and enjoyment.

What is up next for you that you are super excited about?
I'm excited about the upcoming transition to college. It's a big moment filled with anticipation for change and new opportunities. I can't wait to see what college life will be like and experience a new place. The college promises new experiences in my academic and personal life, and I can't wait to embrace the challenges and growth it will surely bring. Additionally, I look forward to making new friends, participating in extracurricular activities, and exploring subjects that truly interest me. This journey represents an important moment in my life. I'm ready to take advantage of its opportunities.

What is the hardest thing you have ever accomplished, and how did you do it?
The most challenging thing I've accomplished is writing college essays. It required me to think deeply about my life, struggles, values, and experiences, which was tough because I hadn't explored my life in such detail before. To overcome it, I found motivation in the small moments, taking time to reflect on my experiences and their significance.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to be where you are today?
Put your heart into everything you do because you can never fail by staying true to yourself. Encouragement goes a long way and will help you get places in life.

Photography by Jean Johnson Portraits

Where do you see yourself in 5 years/what are your plans?
In five years, I hope to have graduated from college with a head start in a career that brings me joy. I want to have a clear plan for my young adult life and have gained skills such as effective time management and the ability to find the information I need for many aspects of my life.

What is your favorite activity or pastime that was not in your nomination?
I like logic games and puzzles because they challenge me to think, and it's really rewarding to figure them out. I don't have much time for it, but when I do have an opportunity, it's a nice brain break.

Do you have a hidden talent? What is it?
I have relative pitch, where I know one note in my head and can find the other notes from there. I know the note C and can use intervals to find different pitches from there. It's handy in choir when I'm learning a new song.

3 Things on your bucket list
I plan to go on a cross-country road trip one day. I also want to release an album of my own and perform a concert of my own music.

Who do you find inspiring?
I find my sister inspiring. She's really confident in the things she does and accomplishes a lot of new things quickly. She's also good at writing and poetry, and I love how we storytell.

What about you inspires others/why do you think you are inspiring?
I believe my outlook on life inspires others. I see the good in people and situations and hope it makes life easier. My creativity is inspired by the different ideas I have.

Is there anything else you would like to tell us?
I'm grateful for this opportunity to share about myself, which has given me time to reflect on my accomplishments. It's made me proud of how much I've grown in these past couple of years.

Look for Andra in issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

click here for more information on issue 73

click here to nominate an inspiring teen

Mackenzie McWhorter

11/9/2023

Mackenzie McWhorter – Iowa
Nomination & Photography by Eleanor Kathryn
Issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Nomination: Mackenzie McWhorter is an inspiring teen because she has overcome so much, and she has grown into a leader and well rounded teen. Mackenzie almost died in a car crash at age 4 due to a drunk driver. She has worked through her traumatic event to become a leader on the softball field as the catcher on varsity and travel softball. She is also a member of the NHS and works as a CNA. She enjoys her free time by spending time with family, working on her boyfriend’s farm, and spending time with her horse, Stetson.

Photography by Eleanor Kathryn

What do you want us to know about what you've overcome?
After my car crash, I suffered from PTSD and anxiety. PTSD and anxiety are not things that you cannot completely overcome, but I have been able to learn to live with them and work through them on a daily basis. I went to therapy right after the crash, which really helped me work through what happened to me, and it gave me some tools to use. My family and I have come up with some other techniques to help with my anxiety. Most people don’t even know I have anxiety because I am able to cope with it so well.

What is your best leadership quality?
I think my two best leadership qualities are resilience and accountability. I am always where I need to be, and my parents have instilled in me to be at least 15 minutes early. I have overcome and continue to overcome obstacles. Catching is a tough position to play in softball, and you have to overcome obstacles in each game.

What leadership qualities do you admire in others?
I admire leaders that are decisive. They are able to make decisions quickly and effectively.

Photography by Eleanor Kathryn

Tell us about your softball career.
I started off by playing t–ball and have only gone up. My first team was Team Iowa(Iowa Softball Club), then Blue Devils and the last was Barracudas. All of these teams have made me the player I am today. I also play for my High School varsity team.

What is your team like? Where do you fit in and where do you stand out?
My team is a very goofy team. I fit in because I like to have fun with the team. I stand out because I am the catcher, so it is my job to be very vocal and lead the team on defense.

What is a favorite memory with your team?
I have so many good memories with my team, but my favorite would have to be doing karaoke in our locker room.

Photography by Eleanor Kathryn

What do you love most about working as a CNA?
What I love most about being a CNA is seeing the faces of residents when they see I am working because for some residents we are their family.

What is your favorite family activity?
My favorite activity is playing cards with my family. It is something that connects us.

What family tradition do you hope never ends?
I hope that my family continues to get together and spend quality time together during the holidays. We always play cards and have many laughs. It is wonderful to see family members that we don’t get to see often due to distance.

What do you do for work on your boyfriend's farm?
I help him with pigs, they have show pigs that take a lot of work and time. I help train them and take care of them. I also help on the field during harvest and planting season.

Tell us about your horse, Stetson.
Stetson used to be an ex-bucking horse before he came to me. He is a horse that wants to love, but he does have a hard time trusting due to his past. He has improved a lot since I have started working with him. He also loves to be in your space and be close to you. He likes to follow me around.

What is the hardest thing you have ever accomplished, and how did you do it?
Besides my car crash, I have overcome several injuries during softball seasons from breaking my thumb to last season playing through a shoulder and back injury. I went to PT during the season. I also worked with our athletic trainer on exercises and ice baths.

Photography by Eleanor Kathryn

What advice would you give to someone who wants to be where you are today?
To never give up when something gets hard if you really want it. God will always be with you and helping you every step you take. You should always know he won’t be disappointed in you, so don’t give up on yourself. Life is a roller coaster, you have highs, lows, excitement and fearness. But you always get through it.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years/what are your plans?
In five years I plan on owning my own house, having a good job and riding Stetson all the time.

What is your favorite activity or pastime that was not in your nomination?
I love spending time with and playing with my husky, Miska. She loves to run and just spend time with me.

3 Things on your bucket list
Visit a different country, own a horse ranch, own a team of driving horses.

Who do you find inspiring?
I find my sister, Kasi, to be very inspiring. She is currently a rower at UCLA after rowing at the University of Iowa for four years. She has worked through many injuries and became 2nd Team All Big Ten last year. She works out twice a day, and she runs half marathons over her breaks to stay in shape.

Look for Mackenzie in issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

click here for more information on issue 73

click here to nominate an inspiring teen

Alyssa Connell

11/9/2023

Alyssa Connell – Illinois
Nomination by Nicole Connell
Photography by @Kimlewis_photography
Issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Nomination: Alyssa Connell a humble, sweet intelligent, athletic young woman. Back to back IHSA state champion in cheerleading. 2019 summit/world’s champion. 3 years at the podium for IHSA state championship. Alyssa wants to work in the medical field to help and inspire all individuals. A hardworking young woman set out to do amazing things for the world while wearing her heart on her sleeve.

Photography by @Kimlewis_photography

Q: Tell us about your cheer career. When did you get started and where are you at with it now?
A: My love for cheer started when I was about 4 years old. I did sideline cheer and I loved to flip around and be thrown up in the air. Years later, my mom decided to put me in competitive cheerleading to improve my skills and learn proper technique. My journey with competitive cheer lasted until I was about 14 years old and within those years I've won multiple titles including a Summit Championship in Disney World with GymTyme Illinois. I soon went off to Lockport Township High School and decided to open a new chapter and try out for my high school cheer team, Lockport Porters. At first, I thought I wouldn’t like it because of the differences between high school cheer and All-Star Competitive cheer. However, my love for it never changed. My experience of being with Lockport Varsity Cheer has been fulfilling thus far. My first two years, we won 2 State Championships and then placed 3rd in the state last season. I am so excited to see what's in store during this last season of my high school cheer career with very high standards and goals for the IHSA state championship in 2024.

Q: What do you love most about cheer?
A:What I love most about cheer would be the bonds created with my teammates. When you see a group of people every single day for two hours, they eventually feel like family to you and they become a part of you. It feels like you’ve known them forever. I have created unbreakable bonds with people on my cheer team not only throughout the past 4 years, but throughout my entire cheer career and those are people I will never forget. Another reason as to why I love cheer is its ability to make me a stronger person mentally, physically and emotionally. I have been taught to control my emotions, walk with my head high, and never let myself get intimated. Cheerleading has taught me skills that I will carry out into the real world.

Q: What is your cheer team like, and what is a favorite memory with them?
A:My cheer team is full of personalities. We are all best friends and have one common goal. That is to be at our best when our best is needed. We make jokes and laugh a little too much at practice, we make inside jokes not everyone would understand, and we all love our coaches and wouldn’t trade them for the world. My favorite memory would have to be the State Championship of 2022. This was my first time competing at State, in person. This is the year we won our back to back championship title. Our energy was euphoric and we all bonded a little extra that weekend. Winning state that year will forever be my favorite memory and that will be a group of people I will never forget.

Q: What was it like winning back to back championships? How were they different, and how were they the same?
A:Not many people in the world can say they have won a state championship, let alone 2 back to back state championships. I am very grateful for being a part of such a humble team and being able to share these kind of experiences with them. No words can describe how surreal it sounded when we heard our school, “Lockport Porters” , called out as the IHSA State Champions. Receiving a medal and walking across the podium is every high school cheerleader's dream and I will cherish those moments for the rest of my life. The only difference between the first championship and the second championship, I would have to say, was the setting where everything took place. Our 2021 championship, my freshman year, was held virtually due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. However the dedication, excitement and the emotions all felt the same. Although, experiencing the competition live and hearing our names being called in real life is way more exciting.

Photography by @Kimlewis_photography

Q: What do you wish other people knew about cheer/cheerleaders?
A: I wish other people knew that being a cheerleader takes just as much work ethic and determination as any other sport does whether it is competitive cheer or high school cheer. Cheerleaders are perfectionists and our minds revolve around whether or not our stunts hit perfectly or if our fingers are together while we’re moving to different formations. It takes a different type of mentality to being a cheerleader and not many people realize that unless they experience this sport first hand.

Q: What is scheduling like to prepare to be victorious at so many opportunities?
A: Scheduling revolves around school and practice only. We train and practice 5 days a week and also take extra classes to improve our skills on a daily basis. It takes a lot of dedication to push through the vigorous practices of which is to help maintain and advance our skills. We also have fun cheering for the football and basketball games of course, but during competition season, my entire team is dedicated to the work and progression of our program.

Q: What are you most looking forward to in your senior year?
A: During my senior year, I am looking forward to attending Prom. I love putting on fancy dresses, doing makeup, and getting my hair done. I am also looking forward to filling out college applications so I can really figure out what I want to pursue in the future!

Q: What tradition at your high school is your favorite and why?
A: My favorite tradition at Lockport Township High School is what we call TP Night. Every year during homecoming week we go to the varsity football players houses and cover their homes with toilet paper. The following night, which is called redemption night, the football players do the same to the senior cheerleader’s homes. My house was completely covered this year. This has been a tradition for the varsity cheer and football team for years and is probably one of the best memories, and most fun. It is the highlight of the year and will be a Lockport discussion for the years to come..

Photography by @Kimlewis_photography

Q: What inspired you to work in the medical field?
A: Most of my family members are a part of the medical field. They all want to help people and save lives whenever they can. This inspired me to want to help people as well and make a difference in the world. Doctors and nurses are always needed and I want to be able to provide healthcare in any aspect of someone's life.

Q: What are you doing now to prepare for it?
A: I am currently taking an Intro to Health Professions class at Joliet Junior College’s Wilco center prior to graduating in 2024 to further my education about the medical field. This course is currently teaching me about other health professions so I am able to explore different career paths and opportunities within the healthcare field. This course will help me decide, plan and pursue my future education and career path in the near future.

Q: If you had nothing to do and all day to do it, where would we find you?
A: In my spare time, you can either find me in the gym working on my tumbling skills, or watching movies. I have a love for movie nights with my family or friends.

Q: What is up next for you that you are super excited about?
A: I am super excited to start touring colleges and seeing a new world of opportunities out there for me. I have a calling and I am slowly working towards that fulfillment in life.

Q: How did you find your senior photographer, @Kimlewis_photography? What was your experience like? What did you love most about it?
A: My mom found Kim Lewis photography through friends at my high school. Kim was very upbeat and funny throughout the whole process. She made it very easy to pose and made me feel very comfortable.

Photography by @Kimlewis_photography

Q:What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
A: First and foremost, my mother has been the most inspirational person in my life. As a single mother, she has done whatever it has taken to get me to where I am today and I am more than grateful and appreciative for her. I started tumbling and cheering as a toddler and she has sacrificed so much for me. She has made me the young woman I am today. Her passion, love and drive are instilled in me and will forever help me towards my growth as a person and a one day health provider within the medical field.

Q:What else would you like to talk about?
A: I’d like to talk about my younger sister, Savanna. I love being an older sister and watching Savanna follow in a lot of the same footsteps as me, athletically. She looks up to me and that warms my heart. She is my number one fan and I’m hers. I have the honor to witness her dedication to school work, clubs, and sports such as basketball, volleyball and soccer. At such a young age of 10, I see so much potential in her and I am beyond proud of her, I love her.

Q: What do you feel passionate about or could talk about forever?
A: I am very passionate about cheerleading. My week is filled with school work, cheer and my family. I have a very supportive family of whom I am grateful for. I’m also passionate about traveling, I love seeing new things and going on adventures to new places.

Look for Alyssa in issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

click here for more information on issue 73

click here to nominate an inspiring teen

Casey Winchester

11/8/2023

Casey Winchester - North Carolina
Nomination & Photography by Words & Pictures by Jeannie DeSena
Issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Nomination: Casey Winchester is one to watch! This poised and accomplished young woman possesses quiet confidence and a strong sense of style that draws people to her. She attends Levine Middle College High School, an honors magnet program at Central Piedmont Community College. She plans to complete the Grade 13 option -- graduating with both a high-school diploma and an associates degree -- and then enrolling in a university to study international business. Outside of academics, she has been working since she turned 15 and loves reading historical fiction and traveling (New York lover forever!). Fun fact: she is a champion Irish dancer.

Photography by Words & Pictures by Jeannie DeSena

Tell us about your schooling and why it is a good fit for you.
I am currently at Levine Middle College High School which is a part of the Central Piedmont Community College. I absolutely love going there, all of the students have the same aspirations as me and I have never felt more accepted as I have with them! The high school allows me to take multiple college courses throughout the week with my HS classes scheduled to fit my needs.

What does the grade 13 option entail on your end?
Instead of graduating with my high school at the end of my senior year, I will stay at the community college to take solely college classes. By the end of the school year, I will have earned my associates degree and I can transfer to a four year university. This is all funded by my school district so instead of paying four years of tuition I will only be paying two.

Why did you choose International Business?
I love to travel, I have always wanted a job that allowed me to travel for business so when I started thinking about my future, I wanted something that would correlate to my interests. After a bunch of research, I found that lots of jobs in the business field allow traveling.

What do you hope to do with your degree?
Travel!

Before you finish high school, what is one thing you’re looking forward to doing?
Honestly, everything. I want to experience every little thing, no matter how big or small, good or bad. Just don’t make it boring.

What will you miss most about high school?
All of my friends and teachers from senior year. With a smaller school (only about 100 students) the teachers know more about you and I consider my teachers to be my second set of parents. They support everything going on in my life and are even there when I need a shoulder to lean on. At the end of the year, I know that parting with them will be a bittersweet experience.

What is your best leadership quality?
My ability to act under pressure. I have always said that my mind is clearest when I am surrounded by chaos. I love running around helping people quickly and making decisions in a moment's notice.

Tell us one thing you’ve learned about working with the public in a job situation.
Helping someone to find exactly what they are looking for is the most rewarding feeling. My first job I worked as a sales associate at a thrift store and a young girl came in one day, she had a small amount of birthday money and couldn’t decide between two different shirts. I informed her that I could give her a big discount on one of the shirts and the smile that came to her face as she left with both of the shirts made every bad day I had worth it.

What is your favorite historical fiction time period/subject - and all time favorite book?
What a difficult question! There isn’t one period I love more than the other but lately I have been drawn to the Roaring Twenties and the years leading up to WWII. My favorite book though is surprisingly not a period piece. It is called Out Of My Mind By Sharon Draper. I read it for the first time in 5th grade and the message of that book has stuck with me ever since. It made me realize for the first time that people have many different layers and there is ALWAYS more to a person than meets the eye.

Tell us about one of your favorite travel experiences.
My 16th birthday, my mom took me to New York City. When I say it was a magical experience, it is an understatement. There was always something to do. Standing in Times Square, gazing at the flashing lights and seeing the people, it was hard not to fall in love. On the last night, we were walking through Times Square when I looked up at a billboard and saw Welcome To New York, Casey. It was for clothing but I couldn’t help but feel NY was giving me a sign and I felt as though I never wanted to leave.

Photography by Words & Pictures by Jeannie DeSena

What were your Irish dance championships like?
Championships were the best! There were upwards of thirty competitors, many of whom became good friends. I danced to something called a Slip Jig as well as a Treble Jig. The Slip Jig had slower music and meant to be more graceful, with shoes similar to ballerina slippers. Treble Jig is danced with shoes similar to tap dance and has more force behind it. My outfit was called a solo dress. It was cobalt blue with white lace sleeves and lots of jewels! Competitions were all along the East coast. I have gone to Baltimore, Orlando, and Dallas for competitions.

If you had nothing to do and all day to do it, where would we find you?
100% at Barnes and Noble. It is like my own personal spa day, even if I do not buy anything there, I always feel that my soul has been replenished each time I’m surrounded by rows of books. During my photoshoot with Mrs DeSena, getting me to leave the bookshop we shot at may have been the hardest task of the day!

What is up next for you that you are super excited about?
Everything! I want to experience everything life has to offer. I want to make unbreakable connections with people and travel the world. One thing that I have learned is that there is always something to look forward to so why not look forward to everything!

What is the hardest thing you have ever accomplished, and how did you do it?
I don’t need others to be happy. While I do want emotional connections with others, I have learned that loving myself is the best feeling. I accomplished this by doing something I thought was the scariest thing ever, I left the people that were hurting me behind. I distanced myself from those who did not want to see me happy and after many nights of silent suffering, I found the light at the end of the tunnel and now I am able to see those who love me for who I am and not what they want me to be.

What advice would you give someone who wants to be where you are today?
There is no problem that time can’t heal. It is as simple as that. It may hurt terribly in the moment but when all is said and done, you will understand why something needed to happen so that you could grow.

Where do you see yourself in five years/what are your plans?
I want to be working on my Masters Degree in five years. It is a personal achievement that I would love to have under my belt one day so right now, apart from my associates and bachelors degree, my end goal for schooling is to have my masters.

Do you have a favorite activity or pastime that was not in your nomination?
I love writing! I have been writing since I was in elementary school and while many of my stories were unfinished and thrown away, I have published a few of my short stories on Amazon. One story was based on a very personal experience I had but I have found writing to be very cathartic and a great escape (wait a minute that sounds like a book title…) and of course I have written my fair share of historical fiction!

Photography by Words & Pictures by Jeannie DeSena

3 things on your bucket list.
Easy:
- Go to a Taylor Swift concert.
- Dance in the pouring rain at night.
- Enjoy life.

What about you inspires others/why do you think you are inspiring?
Others might say my confidence. Some have followed me (literally) because they say I always seem to know what to do and trust my judgment. Personally, I think the most inspiring thing is my perseverance. I have always told others to keep moving forward (it took me a long time to follow my own advice) never stay where you aren’t wanted and know that I will always be there for you. It doesn't matter who you are, if you need a shoulder to cry on I will always give you everything that I possibly can until the very end.

Look for Casey in issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

click here for more information on issu e73

click here to nominate an inspiring teen

Preston Eleck Stone

11/8/2023

Preston Eleck Stone – New Mexico
Nomination by Kimberly Stone
Photography by Ranch Raised Kids
Issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Nomination: P. Eleck Stone has cystic fibrosis but it doesn’t have him. Eleck lives everyday to the fullest as if he has no disease competing in athletic events, working hard physically on the ranch and helping others. Throughout his youth he played football, baseball, and basketball until this year when he decided to start roping calves in July. Now he competes in the NMHS rodeos in calf roping. Showing kids that it is never too late to try something new and if you work hard you can be successful, even if everyone says you are years behind.

Photography by Ranch Raised Kids

What do you wish others knew about Cystic Fibrosis?
The medicines are costly, and the disease management is very time-consuming. The research done because of people’s generous donations is helping to ensure that the average life expectancy is well into adulthood. As of today, there is no cure for cystic fibrosis.

What is life like on the ranch? What is a normal day like?
Ranch life is special. I don’t have close neighbors, which means I can see for miles in all directions. I can see the sunrise, sunset, and all the stars every day! The priority is caring for all the livestock, ensuring it has food and water. Maintenance and upkeep of the waters and fences are performed as needed.

What do you love most about living on a ranch?
I love working outside with my hands and caring for the livestock and land. I believe God placed me here to be a steward of His creations.

What is your family like? Where do you fit in and where do you stand out?
My family believes in God, grit, and hard work. My grandparents and parents and generations before have set the example of working hard to care for the livestock and the land. I am a 6th generation rancher on both sides of my family; this way of life is who I am. I am thankful to be doing online school so I can be involved in the ranch, working alongside my Dad, brother, and grandpa, and being a part of the physical work. I stand out because I love the heavy lifting and manual strain of ranch maintenance.

What do you think others might not know about living on a ranch?
Most of our population doesn’t know that ranching and farming comprise only 1% of the US population. I am proud to be part of the group that feeds and clothes the entire world. The way of life that folks in agriculture lead is rewarding in ways that aren’t financial. We make sure to be able to pay our bills, but the greatest reward is seeing the land and livestock every day.

What is the hardest part about calf roping?
Though I’ve been around horses and roped in the branding pen since I was small, I didn’t start roping calves until this past July for the first time. The most challenging thing for me is the horsemanship involved in roping calves to ensure that my horse does what he is supposed to help me tie the calf quickly.

What do you do to practice to be successful?
I practice every day, even if it is only roping the dummy and practicing tying.

What is an upcoming goal you have with it?
I want to continue to improve my skills so I can have consistent runs throughout the spring semester of the high school rodeos.

Photography by Tall Blonde Photography

What else would you like to talk about?
Life is not fair, easy, or predictable. Trust God, work hard, and surround yourself with good people to help you accomplish your goals. Give back to others it can change their life. At age 9, I received a wish courtesy of the Permian Basin Oilman’s Bass Invitational through Make-A-Wish New Mexico to become an Army Ranger. The Rangers I met on my trip have inspired me to be the best version of myself—especially SFC Harrison Houpis, who passed away in 2021. I will never forget the lessons he taught me and our time together.

What do you feel passionate about or could talk about forever?
I am proud to be part of the 1% who produce food and fiber for the world. I am a 6th-generation NM rancher on both sides of my family. It is because of the pioneering spirit of my family’s past generations that I get to be a steward of God’s land and livestock.

How did you find your photographer, Ranch Raised Kids? What was your experience like? What did you love most about it?
I was introduced to Seth Joel through the Ranch Raised Kids project for the NM Cattle Growers Foundation. Seth was a cool guy who made me feel comfortable to relax and smile.

Tell us about your football career. When did you get started and what did you love most about it?
I started playing tackle football in 1st grade, and my Dad was one of my coaches along with Mr. King. They instilled a passion for the game and grit. I played every year except for this year, my senior year. My favorite thing about football was the opportunity to make defensive tackles to help my team. It was a hard choice not to play anymore, but after several concussions, it was the right choice.

What was your baseball team like? What is your favorite memory with them?
I played baseball until 2021, when I decided to focus on trap shooting and football. My favorite memory is from Little League, where we won multiple league championships.

What position did you play in basketball and why were you a good fit for it?
I played post in basketball, and as one of the tallest members of the team, it was a good fit for me. I rebounded well and made a strong outlet pass to encourage fast breaks. I was thankful for the time I played, but once high school started, I chose to pursue focusing on shooting and football.

If you had nothing to do and all day to do it, where would we find you?
I would be roping my calf dummy or practicing tying.

What is up next for you that you are super excited about?
I am excited to attend college and continue to rope calves in my free time.

What is the hardest thing you have ever accomplished, and how did you do it?
The hardest thing I have ever accomplished is overcoming mental struggles with dealing with a limited life expectancy due to the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis. I have overcome those feelings with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the support of my family and friends.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to be where you are today?
Trust in the Lord and work hard.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years/what are your plans?
I will have obtained a college degree, worked for a ranch or other agricultural entity, and continue to rope calves competitively.

What is your favorite activity or pastime that was not in your nomination?
Since I was old enough to be allowed to have an ax, I have loved chopping down trees. Today, I cut firewood for sale and enjoy running a chainsaw and splitter.

Do you have a hidden talent? What is it?
I have taught myself to play a few songs on the guitar.

3 Things on your bucket list:
My bucket list includes visiting Normandy Beach, paying my respects to SFC Houpis and other veterans at Arlington Cemetery, and visiting Mount Rushmore.

Who do you find inspiring?
In addition to the SFC Houpis and other Army Rangers, I am inspired by Inky Johnson, a former University of Tennessee football player who is paralyzed in his right arm and is now a motivational speaker. He looks to the Word of God at all times and perseveres despite physical challenges.

What about you inspires others/why do you think you are inspiring?
I don’t necessarily think I am inspiring. Having a positive attitude and focusing on God will ensure I can accomplish anything. I hope my attitude will rub off on others I spend time with.

Is there anything else you would like to tell us?
With the Lord, hard work, and perseverance, you can accomplish anything you set your mind to!

Look for Preston in issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

click here for more information on issue 73

click here to nominate an inspiring teen

Taylor Johnson

11/8/2023

Taylor Johnson – Michigan
Nomination & Photography by Portraits by Alex
Issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Nomination: Taylor is an incredibly kind and talented senior dancer who attends Theodore Roosevelt High School in Michigan she is a graduating senior this year class of 2024. We were honored to create Taylor’s remarkable senior year images in downtown Chicago while she was there attending a dance academy, it was very special to us because we’ve been capturing Taylor’s dance photos for almost a decade now as she has been dancing since she was 5 years old. Good luck on your future Taylor we’re so excited to see where you go!

Photography by Portraits by Alex

Tell us about your dance life. What is a typical day like for you?
A typical day for me looks like getting up at around 6:45am. I go to school from 8am to 3pm and then go to dance at around 4:30pm. Depending on the day I have anywhere from 2 to 4 classes a night that typically last anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 hours each. Typically I get done at around 8pm or 9pm and then come home, eat dinner, do my homework, and then go to bed and do it all again the next day.

What dances do you study? Which is your favorite and why?
I study Ballet, Pointe, Contemporary, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, and Bollywood. My favorites are ballet and pointe because ballet is style I originally started in. It just holds a special place in my heart and it is still so much fun to do 12 years later.

What do you wish others knew about dance?
I wish others knew dance requires a lot of hard work and determination, as well as mental and physical strength. It is not all glamorous, dancers spend hours upon hours in the studio perfecting every small detail. Our art form takes years of dedication just for it to look effortless when we take the stage.

What is your favorite accomplishment with dance?
My favorite accomplishment with dance is being accepted into the Joffrey Academy of Dance Chicago for their summer intensive. Joffrey has been my dream company ever since I began dancing, and getting the opportunity to study with their world renowned faculty for the past two summers has been a surreal experience.

Photography by Portraits by Alex

What are you most looking forward to during your senior year?
I am looking forward to being able to make lifelong memories with my friends and family. They have been my biggest supporters throughout my entire journey whether it be in dance or school. I can not wait to be able to enjoy all of my performances and events with them one last time.

What does your job entail as Editor in Chief of your school's yearbook and why are you a perfect fit?
My job as Editor in Chief entails working alongside my advisor and my other Co-Editor to oversee the entire creation of our school’s yearbook. We choose all of the design elements, create deadlines, and communicate with our printing company to keep everything running smoothly. We also correct and perfect every detail on each spread to ensure the book is perfect by the time it reaches the hands of the student body.

What are your favorite things to write about your school newspaper?
My favorite things to write about in my schools newspaper is information that typically most high school students do not know. For example, one time I wrote a whole article on the effects of eating disorders on athletes. I love being able to spread awareness on topics that could possibly affect anyone in the student body that may not be covered in other aspects within the school.

Photography by Portraits by Alex

What do your duties entail as VP of SM for your DECA chapter?
My duties as VP of SM in DECA include sharing every aspect of our chapter on all of our social media accounts. I create graphics to spread information as well as most pictures from events, competitions, or even just every day activities around the classroom. I bridge the gap between the school and the community for our DECA chapter.

What do you love most about being in DECA?
I love being able to participate in all of our community events. Our chapter is heavily involved in helping our community grow and thrive and it is very rewarding to be apart of the change. I also enjoy being able to apply what I learn in the marketing classroom to the real world.

What has your favorite service project been for the NHS?
My favorite service project for NHS is the current canned food drive we are doing to help those in need during this Thanksgiving and Christmas season.

What do you love most about being a PR Officer for your NHS?
Similar to DECA, I love being able to bridge the gap between our school and our community. Social media and public relations are the main way of getting news across to the public, and I am honored to be the person who gets to be responsible for this source of information.

If you had nothing to do and all day to do it, where would we find you?
Honestly I would probably be in my dance studio. There is something so freeing about being able to work on your art form alone on your own time. It reminds me of why I started dance in the first place: To enjoy myself.

Photography by Portraits by Alex

What is up next for you that you are super excited about?
At the moment I am auditioning for ballet trainee positions and colleges. I am excited to see all of the opportunities that will be presented and plan out where I will be at this time next year.

What is the hardest thing you have ever accomplished, and how did you do it?
The hardest thing I have ever accomplished was balancing my freshman year of high school on zoom and my freshman year dance schedule. I accomplished this by looking to those around me for support and working hard to stay focused.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to be where you are today?
I would simply say never give up, no matter what anyone else says. If you can dream it, you can do it.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years/what are your plans?
I hopefully see myself working with a professional company for dance.

What is your favorite activity or pastime that was not in your nomination?
During my downtime I really enjoy reading.

Do you have a hidden talent? What is it?
On top of dance I did gymnastics for 5 years. I like to randomly throw skills that I used to work on when the opportunity arises.

3 Things on your bucket list
I would like to travel the world, work up the ranks of a ballet company, and own a Pomeranian puppy!

Who do you find inspiring?
My mom. She works two jobs along with taking care of me and the rest of my family, all while still being supportive and present for every single milestone throughout my life.

Look for Taylor in issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

click here for more information on issue 73

click here to nominate an inspiring teen

Emma Jacobs

11/8/2023

Emma Jacobs – Arkansas
Nomination & Photography by Photography by Jeremiah PLLC
Issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Nomination: Emma is a remarkable young lady. Diagnosed with social anxiety, it takes a lot to trust a stranger, especially during a photo shoot. Going from a quiet anxiety filled young girl, to a strong confident young lady, Emma now enjoys high school basketball and never meets a stranger.

Photography by Photography by Jeremiah PLLC

Tell us about your basketball career.
I started in 4th grade. My friends encouraged me because I was the tallest girl in the grade. I played ball for 8 years total. I decided my senior year I would retire my jersey and focus on my academics.

What is your basketball team like and what is a favorite memory with them?
Our team was very supportive of each other. We all pretty much grew up together so we all got along. The seniors were great leaders and influences for us. My favorite memory would be the tournament we played in December. All the girls worked so hard and we eventually beat an amazing team we never thought possible.

What is your favorite accomplishment with basketball?
I gained a lot of determination and patience along the years. It also helped me branch out into new friendships. Learning how to work as a team was the greatest takeaway from my career.

What are you most looking forward to during your senior year?
This year I’m trying to soak it all in. My school is very small and like a family so it’s hard to believe I’ll be leaving soon. I’m planning to go to all the games and cheer and make my last year memorable.

What will you miss most about high school?
I’m going to miss the environment and people. We are all spreading out and moving onto new chapters in our lives.

What is the most interesting thing you've learned so far this year?
I’ve learned a lot about self discipline when it comes to studying. In years past it was easy to float through the year but now I’m working to build good habits for college.

What is your family like? Where do you fit in and where do you stand out?
My family is all very close. We joke to one another and tell each other about our day. With our family of four, mom, dad, brother and me, there is never a dull moment. I’m the youngest and the only girl on both sides so I definitely tend to get the family’s attention.

What is a favorite family memory you will never forget?
Summers at the beach together are always unforgettable, but are never complete without our 84 year old grandmother. We lay out by the water during the day and go for dinner every night.

Photography by Photography by Jeremiah PLLC

What is a favorite family tradition you hope never ends?
We always stop at Buc-ee’s on the way to the beach and drop hundreds on snacks for the rest of the trip.

Where is the most interesting place you have traveled to and why?
My favorite was visiting Niagara Falls this past May on junior trip. My whole class and I were drenched by the end of the boat ride and couldn’t stop laughing the whole time.

What else would you like to talk about?
I would like to mention my teachers who helped guide me to the Lord when I needed Him most. I thank God He brought them into my life and taught me about the Bible and how to dig into His word. I thank Ms. Clark, our Senora, who always put a smile to everyone’s face and was a constant encouragement and disciple for the Lord. “I will bless the Lord at times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Psalm 34:1

What do you feel passionate about or could talk about forever?
I could talk about my God forever. He has brought me through so many tough times in my life. All my anxieties and worries faded away when I fully placed my trust in Him and His plan for my life. I’ve learned to not dwell on the things of the earth but to look forward to my Heavenly Father whose love endures forever. “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you.”
John 14:27

If you had nothing to do and all day to do it, where would we find you?
I would be spending all day out with my mom and grandma. Saturdays are spent either shopping for the perfect outfit or sitting in Barns and Noble with a Starbucks drink.

What is up next for you that you are super excited about?
I’m looking forward to graduating and starting a new chapter in my life. I’m excited to see where the Lord leads me and His plans for my life.

What is the hardest thing you have ever accomplished, and how did you do it?
I wrote a letter to a senior boy I liked last year asking him out on a date. I thought nothing would come of it but turns out he would say yes. Now we’ve been dating for a little over a year and couldn’t be happier.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to be where you are today?
Do not let anxiety hold you back in life or prohibit you. Prayer is powerful. Small accomplishments still count in the long run. It’s best to take it one day at a time and stay focused on the Lord.

Photography by Photography by Jeremiah PLLC

Where do you see yourself in 5 years/what are your plans?
Hopefully I’ll be done with college and one day buy a home and settle down. I’m looking forward to some day being married with children and maybe some land to cultivate. I want to raise my kids in the Word and with as much love as my parents did.

What is your favorite activity or pastime that was not in your nomination?
I enjoying watching movies when I have time. I like every genre but mainly classic and iconic films.

Do you have a hidden talent? What is it?
I’ve always had an affinity for impressions. They vary a lot but I’m most notable for my Yoshi and Jennifer Coolidge impressions.

What are 3 Things on your bucket list?
I want to travel to Italy and sight see. I hope to eventually travel to all 50 states, and some day find a job I’m passionate about and love.

Who do you find inspiring?
I find my mom and grandma the most inspiring. They’ve taught me to be generous and kind. They’re both strong women I adore and look up to for their confidence and strength in all they do.

What about you inspires others/why do you think you are inspiring?
I hope that people can hear my story and see that there is light. Life is beautiful and anxiety does not have to control you. You can conquer anxiety and you can gain your life back.

Is there anything else you would like to tell us?
You are fearfully and wonderfully made. You have a creator who loves you. He loves you so much in fact that He sacrificed His son to take on our sins and redeem us. He bore our punishment of death so that we may live and have eternal life with Him. I believe I conquered my anxiety through praying and faith in the Lord. I found my value in Him and found peace.

Look for Emma in issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

click here for more information on issue 73

click here to nominate an inspiring teen

Michael Randazzo

11/8/2023

Michael Randazzo – Missouri
Nomination by Mike Randazzo
Photography by Carman Bryant Photography
Issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Nomination: Michael Randazzo Jr. is inspiring because he is a senior in high school but will be graduating from Mineral Area College with an Associate of Arts Degree before he graduates from high school. Michael has maintained an above A average in high school and will graduate Summa Cum Laude from college. While in high school and college and maintaining that grade point average he also plays Varsity baseball and basketball.

Photography by Carman Bryant Photography

What are you most excited for during your senior year?
Being a senior is exciting. I am excited to get one final chance to chase the elusive District Championship in baseball. I am also excited to be a college graduate before I graduate high school. I am excited about my future and the chance to make a difference by serving underserved areas of Missouri with competent medical care.

What legacy do you hope to leave behind?
I hope my legacy is one of hard-work and discipline. It is my sincere hope to show younger students and my thirteen-year-old that you can have fun but remain committed to being a high-achieving student.

What will you miss most about high school?
I am going to miss everything about high school. My class is very tight knit. Most of us started kindergarten together and we will be graduating together in May. My friends, my teachers, and sports are notable things I will miss. I will miss the banter with teachers and their encouraging words.

Where would we most likely find you and your friends and what would you be doing?
You would find us on a baseball field, a basketball court, a game lobby or Lady Queene. (Lady Queene is a local ice cream and burger place that is right next to the school.) We would be playing baseball, basketball, online gaming, or eating.

How did you find your senior photographer, Carman Bryant? What was your experience like? What did you love most about it?
My photographer was my cousin. I have not spent a lot of time with her specifically, but I knew that she had taken some other phenomenal photos and I was able to convince her to take my Senior pictures. I had no idea what to expect, but I trusted Carman. Her eye for framing the perfect shot, location, and background are incomparable. She knew exactly what would compliment my features. Carman was a true professional.

Photography by Carman Bryant Photography

What is like doing "dual" schooling? What does an average day look like for you?
Being dually enrolled in school is the hardest thing I have ever had to do. Spring semester, 2023, I had 18 credit hours of college classes as well as my regular five high school classes. It was a crazy time. I also played baseball and basketball that semester. I have no idea how I got through it. A normal day would begin with a high school class. Next, I would have my college hours. Then, I would return to class with my high school peers. As soon as school was out, I would go to practice or a game. Finally, I would get home and do the hours of homework I had for the day. I would be lucky to get five or six hours of sleep.

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
Rural America is severely underserved with basic health care and services. I plan to attend medical school to become a physician with the plan to provide these much needed services to fellow rural Americans.

Tell us about your baseball career.
I started playing baseball when I five years old. I have played every year since then. I have been coached by a lot of different coaches, but have been lucky enough to be coached by my dad for some of those years. When I was 13 and 14 years old, my team won the Missouri State Championship. I have been a Varsity starter in baseball all four years of high school. I am missing a High School District Championship to finish my career.

What is a favorite memory with your baseball team?
My favorite memory regarding baseball actually is the things that take place off of the field. I enjoyed getting to stay in hotels with my teammates, going swimming, playing wiffleball games, and playing video games in the hotel rooms.

Photography by Carman Bryant Photography

What else would you like to talk about?
I love being on the baseball field. There is nothing quite like that feeling, the feeling that your individual effort has contributed to a great collective accomplishment.

Where has been your favorite place to travel so far and why?
I enjoyed a family trip we took to Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah. We started at Zion National Park. Which was my favorite place I have ever been. We climbed Angel’s Landing (a mountain in the park) and hiked the Narrows (a slot canyon). It was beautiful!

What do you feel passionate about or could talk about forever?
I believe I could talk about sports and gaming forever.

If you had nothing to do and all day to do it, where would we find you?
It would depend upon the weather. Most likely on the baseball field, playing roller hockey, or at my computer playing video games.

What is up next for you that you are super excited about?
I am applying to colleges and trying to determine where I will finish my Bachelor’s Degree and then attend Medical School. It is extremely gratifying to continue my academic career, get to help people, and make my family proud.

What is the hardest thing you have ever accomplished, and how did you do it?
The spring 2023 semester of school where I took 18 credit hours of college work and five hours of high school. I was focused, determine, and a bit crazy.

Photography by Carman Bryant Photography

What advice would you give to someone who wants to be where you are today?
Don’t take your time for granted and be grateful for any help you get.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years/what are your plans?
I expect to be in Medical School, hopefully working toward becoming a physician.

What is your favorite activity or pastime that was not in your nomination?
I really enjoyed playing roller hockey.

Do you have a hidden talent? What is it?
I am an excellent gamer.

3 Things on your bucket list
Skydive, travel to Italy and see my family’s hometown of Randazzo, and learn to become an airplane pilot.

Who do you find inspiring?
My dad.

What about you inspires others/why do you think you are inspiring?
I think being happy, humble, and determined is the key to inspiring others. You should accept criticism and also show appreciation.

Look for Michael in issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

click here for more information on issue 73

click here to nominate an inspiring teen

Evelyn Kramer

10/17/2023

Evelyn Kramer – Iowa
Nomination by Andreau Kramer
Photography by Emily Hildreth Photography
Issue 72 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Nomination: Evelyn Kramer has been inspiring girls to try wrestling for the last six years. When she started, she was one of five girls to wrestle in the school district. Her first four years were spent wrestling boys, with an occasional match with another female. The odds were hardly ever in her favor. She won only one match in her first year but didn't quit. She is now ranked within Iowa and is helping grow the sport and her school team. She encourages all girls to at least try wrestling once. For Evelyn, wrestling brought strength both physically and mentally.

Photography by Emily Hildreth Photography

Tell us about your wrestling career.
I started in the seventh grade with four other girls. I am now a senior and planning on wrestling for the Buena Vista University after I graduate.

What is your wrestling team like? Where do you fit in, and where do you stand out?
My team is a good mix of new wrestlers and some with more experience. I feel I am one of the leaders on the team because I have more experience. I do off season wrestling, which helps build my abilities and meet more people.

What do you wish other non-wrestling girls knew about wrestling?
That it's not just about wrestling. It's about being a part of a team and building bonds between other athletes. You are able to experience some high energy situations and grow from them as a team.

What is a favorite accomplishment from wrestling?
That more girls are trying the sport and the support for the team continues to grow.

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
That until my senior year I was a four-sport athlete. I ran cross country, track, and played softball along with wrestling year-round. I am also volunteer for community events whenever I can.

What else would you like to talk about?
Besides wrestling in college, I plan to major in Physical Therapy. I did my own PT and feel in love with the type of patient care I received.

What do you feel passionate about or could talk about forever?
Wrestling, my family, and my dog Briggs.

How did you find your senior photographer, Emily Hildreth Photography? What was your experience like? What did you love most about it?
Emily Hildreth has taken pictures of my family for the last couple of years. I didn't want anyone else to take my pictures. She made it fun and made sure I was comfortable during my session. I had a lot of fun when we got into the wrestling complex.

Photography by Emily Hildreth Photography

What are you most looking forward to in your senior year?
Wrestling season and the new team we have. We are joining with another school and will double our team size. It should be a very exciting year.

What will you miss most about high school?
I have some really great teachers. I will miss the familiarity of my school and having the support they give.

What is a favorite family tradition you hope never ends?
Every year we each pick out a new ornament at Christmas time. We are close to needing two trees. We also have a tradition where we hide an ornament that looks like a pickle and the first one to find it gets to open their gift first.

What do you and your friends like to do together?
Go to football games, go for ice cream, make TikToks, and just hang out.

What is your best leadership skill?
I'm honest, a good listener, and coachable. I find something to learn from even the worse situations.

If you had nothing to do and all day to do it, where would we find you?
Most likely at my house or hanging out with friends.

What is up next for you that you are super excited about?
Wrestling season and having a new team.

What is the hardest thing you have ever accomplished, and how did you do it?
I had to earn my way to state wrestling. It took a lot of practice and me making a choice to stay focused on my goal.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to be where you are today?
Never give up. I may suck and hurt but you will never regret it.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years/what are your plans?
I hope to be graduated and moving on to my final years of PT school. Hopefully I will be coaching a wrestling team by then.

What is your favorite activity or pastime that was not in your nomination?
I go on vacation with my family to Idaho and Oregon every other summer to see my moms side of the family.

Photography by Emily Hildreth Photography

Do you have a hidden talent? What is it?
I can make a clover shape with my tongue.

3 Things on your bucket list
Graduate college, go to Hawaii, and go to Rome.

Who do you find inspiring?
My mom. She is a surgical nurse and loves her job. It's a tough job somedays but she manages to always find the good in it.

What about you inspires others/why do you think you are inspiring?
I think I'm inspiring because I joined a sport that didn't have many females and didn't change how they practices because I was there. I had to accept what it was and either be apart of it or not. Once I made my choice, there was no stopping me. I wanted to be the best version I could be.

Look for Evelyn in issue 72 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

click here for more information on issue 72

click here to nominate an inspiring teen

Hayden Lawrence

10/17/2023

Hayden Lawrence - Virginia
Nomination by Sarah
Photography by Melissa Waller Photography
Issue 72 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Nomination: Hayden is the true meaning of compassion for all. She keeps a special place in her heart for special needs kids, elderly, and animals. Since elementary school, Hayden would always take time from her own tasks to make sure she helped those in class that needed it. Most recently she volunteered her time to help local kids with disabilities learn to play baseball. She also loves to teach little girls the sport of cheerleading. Along with being a cheerleader, Hayden has volunteered her time at a farm that provides counseling services to the community. She leads her peers by example.

Photography by Melissa Waller Photography

What are your favorite things to do with children?
Recently I have been asked to do a lot of babysitting. When I spend time with little kids, I enjoy baking with them the most. I also like to take them for walks and point out interesting things to them. We play sports outside. And when are all done and tired, I like to sit with them in my lap and watch a movie.

What do you love most about spending time with the elderly?
I enjoy meeting new people, especially the elderly. I think they are so cute. I love hearing stories about their lives and looking at old pictures. I just think the elderly population is so interesting. The events they have witnessed or things they lived through. They have a lot of knowledge and I think there is a lot to learn if we just take the time to listen.

What is your favorite animal and why?
My favorite animal is a horse. I have grown up riding horses all my life. Horses are gentle and caring animals, and they are so smart. They make great companions. My favorite style of riding is western. I have competed in a few shows and had a great time doing that. I hope to one day own my own horse.

Tell us about your volunteer time with kids with disabilities.
In my hometown, little league has a team just for kids with disabilities called the sunshine league. As a senior softball player, I will team up with one kid from the sunshine league and help them play a game. I encourage my player to swing and hit the ball the best they can, and then we hold hands and run the bases. The kids are usually scared so it takes a lot of encouragement to get them up to the plate. I help them get over their fears. Usually after the first inning, the kids really start enjoying the game.

What has your cheer career been like?
I cheered a little over the years, but over the past year I really started to invest a lot of time and energy into the sport of cheerleading. I am currently on two cheer teams. I am on a competition cheer team called USA all stars. We will travel all over the nation this coming year to compete against other teams. It will be my first season and I am very excited. I am also on my high school’s football sideline cheer team. Though they are very different styles of cheerleading, I love them both.

What is your favorite memory helping little girls with cheer?
Most little girls love cheerleading and look up to cheerleaders. I like to teach little girls that I babysit a few chants from sideline cheer. My favorite memory is having friends over and teaching their little sisters how to stunt in the pool. Sometimes my mom will help and be a base, that’s really fun. My high school is supposed to host a cheer camp this year for kids. I am really looking forward to volunteering for that.

What do you do when you volunteer at the farm?
I have volunteered for summer horse camps. Usually getting horses ready for lessons and cleaning stalls. Sometimes I will lead horses for kids during lessons for beginning riders. I have also volunteered at farms during Christmas time for special events. We set up stations for horseback rides, coloring, and other fun activities. I’m hoping I get the chance to do that again this year.

What is a favorite family memory you will never forget?
We make a lot of good memories as a family. I think my favorite family memory is going on a big cruise ship. It was just me, my parents, and my brother. We were celebrating my 13th birthday. The ship had so many fun things to do. It had games, shows, waterslides, and so much more. The food was delicious, and you could get desert at any time of the day. We visited some cool islands in other countries like Bahamas, San Juan, and St. Marteen. I definitely cannot wait to do that again.

Where have you most loved to travel to?
I love to go to the beach, any beach. My favorite beach is the Outer Banks. We get to go a few times a year in our camper with friends. It’s so much fun. We hang out on the beach all day and swim. There are so many other teenagers there. My brother and I always make new friends, and we get to drive our golfcart all around the campground. I also get to take my 3 dogs along with us, they like the beach too.

Photography by Melissa Waller Photography

What are you most looking forward to in school this year?
This is my first year in high school. I am most looking forward to all the new clubs, sports, and activities. The year so far, I have joined DECA, Turning Point USA, Future Farmers of America, and Rooted. I am also looking forward to the formal events, like homecoming. I am really enjoying high school so far. I got to choose classes that really interest me, like small animal care and strength and conditioning. It's also been fun meeting different people and making new friends.

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
I never give up on things I may struggle with at first, like schoolwork or sports. I have also been working really hard on diet, nutrition, and physical fitness. I love to make others laugh and smile. I always try to be happy, even on rough days.

What else would you like to talk about?
Fashion is also something that I am really into. I love shopping rather in person or online for clothes, accessories, and shoes. That is another reason that I love being on a teen modeling team, I get to put outfits together and see how it all goes together in photos. I also love doing my own hair and makeup. Right now, I am most into western style clothes, and prints. Almost anything looks good with a cute pair of boots! I think one day I would like to be a professional model.

How did you find your photographer, Melissa Waller Photography? What was your experience like? What did you love most about it?
I am on the teen modeling team for my photographer, Melissa Waller. This is my second year being an ambassador for her. We have so much fun doing different shoots throughout the year. I love working with Melissa and feel really comfortable in front of the camera with her. Melissa is really good at putting together inspiration boards for the team and finding new places to shoot. She has helped me build confidence, buy taking amazing photos and always telling me how beautiful I am inside and out. I plan to stay on her team through my senior year of high school.

If you had nothing to do and all day to do it, where would we find you?
You would probably find me in my room relaxing. I do not get a lot of downtime right now. So, when I do I like to catch up with friends on social media, see what’s new on IG or TikTok, and maybe take in a good movie. And just be at home with my parents, they do not get much downtime either.

What is up next for you that you are super excited about?
My competition cheer team is starting in November. I am really excited to travel and experience that. So far, we have competitions in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, North Carolina, Las Vegas, and maybe Florida. My family is also going to take a cruise in December for Christmas, and I am really excited to go to Aruba for the first time. After that, I will start preparing for my first high school softball season.

What is the hardest thing you have ever accomplished, and how did you do it?
I was really struggling with my health and weight over the past few years. Over the past year I have lost over 60 pounds. With the help of my mom, I really focused on fitness and nutrition. We spent a lot of time looking up new recipes and prepping healthy food. I learned that I love working out and going to the gym. I feel so much better in my own skin.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to be where you are today?
Just never give up on things that are important to you. Even when you feel like you can’t do something, I promise you can. Not everything comes natural to everyone, but with practice and patience, you can achieve anything you set your mind to.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years/what are your plans?
In 5 years, I see myself attending my dream college Florida State University, and hopefully playing softball for them. I want to be a dental hygienist when I grow up. I am going to work really hard on my grades while in high school so I can get into FSU. I would love to attend school and relax on the Florida beaches when I am able to.

What is your favorite activity or pastime that was not in your nomination?
I love to bake. I look and find different desert recipes to make for my family. I also enjoy cake decorating. I try to make a cake for each holiday. I have collected so many baking accessories over the years, I enjoy getting everything out and seeing what I can come up with.

3 Things on your bucket list
Attend Florida State University
Travel to the Maldives
Meet Dolly Parton

Who do you find inspiring?
My mom is the most inspiring person to me. She teaches and helps me so much with anything that I need. She is the one that has taught me to never give up. My mom is always there for me and my brother, even when she is tired.

Is there anything else you would like to tell us?
I have really enjoyed this experience so much. Thank you for the opportunity.

Look for Hayden in issue 72 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

click here for more information on issue 72

click here to nominate an inspiring teen

<<Previous

Mackenzye Knopp – IndianaNomination by Liza KnoppPhotography by Melissa Presnell PhotographyIssue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine​

Carter Smith - MissouriNomination & Photography by Sycamore Creek Photo and Design​Issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine​

Evan Brownsberger – ColoradoNomination & Photography by Everyday Moments PhotographyIssue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine​

Skylar Campbell – IndianaNomination by Michelle CampbellPhotography by April Moore CreationsIssue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Sophie Gass - PennsylvaniaNomination & Photography by Photography by AlessaIssue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine​

Kylee Spring – MissouriNomination by Jenni DinePhotography by NKG ImageryIssue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine​

Eryka Hackney – PennsylvaniaNomination & Photography by Jessica HackneyIssue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine​

Cody Fuselier – TexasNomination by Angela WinfreePhotography by LK Anderson photographyIssue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine​

Rebecca Lackey - IllinoisNomination & Photography by B.Marie PhotographyIssue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine​

Baylee Nuttall – UtahNomination by Haley LintPhotography by Jamie BroderickIssue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Harlie Roth – MontanaNomination & Photography by TBarnes PhotographyIssue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Kendell Wilcox – MichiganNomination by Shannon WilcoxPhotography by Randy Jones PhotographyIssue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine​

Ayden Richardson - TexasNomination by Racheal RichardsonPhotography by Cheryl Taylor photographyIssue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine​

Jessie Pointer – TexasNomination & Photography by Angie Read PhotographyIssue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Isabella Vega - New YorkNomination & Photography by Kristy Tasca Photography​Issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine​

Andra Smith – WashingtonNomination by Yanni RobelPhotography by Jean Johnson PortraitsIssue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine​

Mackenzie McWhorter – IowaNomination & Photography by Eleanor KathrynIssue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine​

Alyssa Connell – IllinoisNomination by Nicole ConnellPhotography by @Kimlewis_photographyIssue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine​

Casey Winchester - North CarolinaNomination & Photography by Words & Pictures by Jeannie DeSenaIssue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine​

Preston Eleck Stone – New MexicoNomination by Kimberly StonePhotography by Ranch Raised KidsIssue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine​

Taylor Johnson – MichiganNomination & Photography by Portraits by AlexIssue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine​

Emma Jacobs – ArkansasNomination & Photography by Photography by Jeremiah PLLCIssue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine​

Michael Randazzo – MissouriNomination by Mike RandazzoPhotography by Carman Bryant PhotographyIssue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine​

Evelyn Kramer – IowaNomination by Andreau KramerPhotography by Emily Hildreth PhotographyIssue 72 of Inspiring Teens Magazine​

Hayden Lawrence - VirginiaNomination by SarahPhotography by Melissa Waller PhotographyIssue 72 of Inspiring Teens Magazine​

Featured

Archives

Categories

Mackenzye Knopp – Indiana
Nomination by Liza Knopp
Photography by Melissa Presnell Photography
Issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Carter Smith - Missouri
Nomination & Photography by Sycamore Creek Photo and Design
Issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Evan Brownsberger – Colorado
Nomination & Photography by Everyday Moments Photography
Issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Skylar Campbell – Indiana
Nomination by Michelle Campbell
Photography by April Moore Creations
Issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Sophie Gass - Pennsylvania
Nomination & Photography by Photography by Alessa
Issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Kylee Spring – Missouri
Nomination by Jenni Dine
Photography by NKG Imagery
Issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Eryka Hackney – Pennsylvania
Nomination & Photography by Jessica Hackney
Issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Cody Fuselier – Texas
Nomination by Angela Winfree
Photography by LK Anderson photography
Issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Rebecca Lackey - Illinois
Nomination & Photography by B.Marie Photography
Issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Baylee Nuttall – Utah
Nomination by Haley Lint
Photography by Jamie Broderick
Issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Harlie Roth – Montana
Nomination & Photography by TBarnes Photography
Issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Kendell Wilcox – Michigan
Nomination by Shannon Wilcox
Photography by Randy Jones Photography
Issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Ayden Richardson - Texas
Nomination by Racheal Richardson
Photography by Cheryl Taylor photography
Issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Jessie Pointer – Texas
Nomination & Photography by Angie Read Photography
Issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Isabella Vega - New York
Nomination & Photography by Kristy Tasca Photography
Issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Andra Smith – Washington
Nomination by Yanni Robel
Photography by Jean Johnson Portraits
Issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Mackenzie McWhorter – Iowa
Nomination & Photography by Eleanor Kathryn
Issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Alyssa Connell – Illinois
Nomination by Nicole Connell
Photography by @Kimlewis_photography
Issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Casey Winchester - North Carolina
Nomination & Photography by Words & Pictures by Jeannie DeSena
Issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Preston Eleck Stone – New Mexico
Nomination by Kimberly Stone
Photography by Ranch Raised Kids
Issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Taylor Johnson – Michigan
Nomination & Photography by Portraits by Alex
Issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Emma Jacobs – Arkansas
Nomination & Photography by Photography by Jeremiah PLLC
Issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Michael Randazzo – Missouri
Nomination by Mike Randazzo
Photography by Carman Bryant Photography
Issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Evelyn Kramer – Iowa
Nomination by Andreau Kramer
Photography by Emily Hildreth Photography
Issue 72 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Hayden Lawrence - Virginia
Nomination by Sarah
Photography by Melissa Waller Photography
Issue 72 of Inspiring Teens Magazine