Nomination: Sidney Mercer is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. When she was 3 1/2 she became a big sister. Not just a normal sister, but one to her special needs brother Noah. Because of Dr. appointments, hospital visits, therapy sessions, etc. she had to become very adaptable to any circumstances that came our way. Through those 14 years she has excelled in sports, multiple clubs, youth group, and working part time. She has inspired me by doing these things with love and dignity even though our situations weren’t always ideal.

What should we definitely know about you?
I believe that I am a very independent and strong girl. I strive to have a good work ethic and I strive to be the best version of myself possible. Having a special needs brother has also taught me so much over the past 14 years and I believe he has taught me more than I’ve taught him. He is a very happy person and loves everyone just as Jesus did and I long to be as good as he is one day. He inspires me more than he will ever know.

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
I am pretty exceptional in school. I strive to do the best I can and to make good grades and I study hard. I have played tennis for what is about to be my 6th year and it is my passion. I can always rely on the tennis court to take away all my worries.

If you were to present a topic to a group of your peers, what would it be on and why?
I could definitely talk a lot about the effects that social media has on young women and even young men and well. We are given this unrealistic standard of what our appearance should be or what our life should look like, and it really leads to the downfall of a lot of peoples mental health.

Look for Sidney in issue 49 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

Nomination: Sheriden Wichman has maintained above a 4.0 GPA all 4 years, she is ranked top 10 % of her class at Washburn Rural High School. She is also actively involved in WR Student Council for 4 years National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, WR soccer team, Varsity Tennis Player all 4 years and City Champion in doubles her freshman year and City Champion in singles the last 2 years. Sheriden has been actively involved at Washburn Rural academically, athletically, and with school clubs, she closed to be a leader and role model in all. In her spare time, WR does have some tennis camps and soccer camps for the youth, she has volunteered her time to help younger athletes improve their skills and strengthen their love of the game. At home she actively helps her 2 siblings with their skills in soccer and tennis, she is a great role model for them on technique, hardworking, goal setting, good sportsmanship and instilling a love of the game.

What should we definitely know about you?
I love playing tennis and taking pictures. I also love my family and dogs!

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
I take rigorous classes and always work hard for my grades, and I have never had below a 4.0 GPA

If you were to present a topic to a group of your peers, what would it be on and why
Honestly it would be about dogs and how different dogs are treated poorly because of their breed.
Or about challenging people to get out and play unique or less played sports such as tennis.

Look for Sheriden in issue 49 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

Nomination: Becca is so refreshing in that she has no idea how truly beautiful she is inside and out! A lot of people could say that but she is one of the very few girls her age that I need to help with posing! She's not all about herself and taking selfies, which is obvious! Becca is passionate about animals! Especially horses! Even though she lives in town, her favorite part time jobs are working for local farmers milking cows and pollinating corn (previously)!!! She is a hard, hard worker who is not afraid to get dirty and smell the stink! Lol! Becca has shared with me that she aspires to be a pharmacist. I can't say enough good things about this small town girl!

What should we definitely know about you?
Talking about myself does not come easy for me, I do not want things to always be all about me. Although, I do have many great qualities, I am very passionate about farm work, sports, and pretty much anything to do with chemistry. Chemistry is by far my favorite subject in school.

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
I have always enjoyed playing both basketball and softball. Because of my love for both sports I have made many friends. I have also learned great skills in and outside of games. I have overcome obstacles, such as multiple concussions, which has taught me to never give up and work my hardest for what I want.

If you were to present a topic to a group of your peers, what would it be on and why?
The importance of friendship and family. I believe that family is greatly important, I have a very strong bond with my grandparents and also my brother. They have taught me how important it is to be a true friend and loving family member, and I love spending time with my friends and family.

Look for Rebecca in issue 49 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

Nomination: Maya is an extremely talented dancer that excels academically and manages a rigorous dance schedule at The School for Creative and Performing Arts and Midwest Elite Dance Center. I love seeing her confidence and maturity captured by Maria at 12.9 Dance Photography. Maya makes me proud every single day; by pushing herself, not allowing her race to define her technical ballet skills and staying true to who she is. She is paving the way for even more diversity in dance, and I love being her biggest cheerleader.

What would you like to talk about?
My mom, support system, how long I have been dancing and why I love it.

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
My mom is a single mom that has made it possible for me to follow my dreams of dancing. I started dancing at age 2 and have danced competitively since I was 6. In addition to dancing competitively, I have attended the School for Creative and Performing Arts since Kindergarten. I have always wanted to be on stage, so we moved to the CPS school district so I could get the best ballet instruction. I love dance and have the best support system from my family.

If you were to present a topic to a group of your peers, what would it be on and why? 
Be true to yourself. I would talk about growing up as one of a few black dancers at my studio and being surrounded by more black dancers at my school in Cincinnati. I wish we saw more black dancers at competitions and on stages for professional ballet. I do not let my race effect my dance or the styles I perform. Find your style and strengths; but work hard to do all styles so you grow.

Look for Maya in issue 49 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

Nomination: Macy Moore is inspiring because she is not only beautiful and talented she is also very smart with a 4.14 grade point average and involved in the honors classes. She has been cheering since 4th grade. She has been modeling for me the past 13 years. She is a natural in front of the camera. In elementary she has won several citizenship awards for being a peacemaker. I am proud to be her photographer even more proud to be her mother.

What should we definitely know about you in 100 words or less?
I don’t give up. I made the freshmen cheer and the timeout squad for cheerleading at the WCHS, and the practices got harder and pushed me to do better. Along with honors class which challenged me to work harder. I am also doing tumbling so I can improve my cheer skills throughout high school. And no matter how hard I struggle with all the intensity of cheer, school, and the effects of COVID I will always do my best and not give up because I have made a commitment to it.

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
When I was little I had a speech impediment and it made me really insecure about the way I talked, so I became very shy. I also got anxiety from it because I would get anxious around crowds or during projects always scared that I might have to talk. It took me seven to eight years of speech therapy to over come my impediment and I still have the effects of it today. I’m still afraid to get called on and to speak to the class during presentations but when I recite Exodus 14:14 (The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still) it makes me feel better knowing the Lord is there for me even when I’m scared.

If you were to present a topic to a group of your peers, what would it be on and why?
I could talk about my faith and how it has helped me with my struggles in life and how it helps me with my strengths and weaknesses. But I would rather listen about other people’s life and try to encourage and support them through their struggles.

Look for Macy in issue 49 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

Nomination: Katie is a brilliant young woman who has worked diligently to understand the impact of anxiety in her life and the lives of her peers. Katie is a skilled soccer and lacrosse player and a talented artist in addition to taking college classes while in high school. Katie has shared her story of recognizing anxiety as a personal issue at local elementary schools and is building a skill set to help her continue to thrive. Katie works as a tutor for younger children and volunteers with a local child development center and horse rescue.


What else should we definitely know about you?
A big thing to know about me is that I am big on volunteering. I love helping people out, especially those that are less fortunate and may not have the same opportunities as I do. I am also very open about my struggles with mental health and how my chronic illness has affected me. It took me a very long time to be at the point I am now, and I am proud of myself for how far I have come.

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
My nomination does not cover how my chronic illness has affected me the last five years. Managing extended school absences while taking AP classes and being enrolled in college while simultaneously going through numerous treatments and getting no answers took a massive toll on both my physical and mental health, as well as my social life. As a young teen, it was a lot to try and handle all at once while starting high school.

If you were to present a topic to a group of your peers, what would it be and why?
I would talk about mental illnesses and how the narrative surrounding the topic has greatly improved, it still needs to change in order to increase the number of teens and young adults that reach out for help. I have struggled with severe mental illness, and due to the stigma surrounding it, I was afraid to reach out. I believe that if everyone could be more open with their struggles, people would not have to fight alone, and they could receive the help they need.

Look for Katie in issue 49 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!​

Nomination: Kassidy is an honor student at Haralson County High School where she serves as a leader in many clubs and organizations resulting in an abundance of awards and accomplishments.
She has served as a state officer for Georgia CTI, a career and technical student organization, for the past 2 years. While serving as president last year she is very proud to have had a hand in moving the program to a virtual platform so Georgia CTI could continue to serve students with disabilities and get them ready to enter the workforce.
While still exploring her career path, she is leaning toward the field of therapeutic medicine as she prepares to attend college after graduation. She loves spending time with family, friends and her dog Stella.
Kassidy's heart is as big as her smile which is evident in her many accomplishments and her dedication to serving others. It has been a pleasure getting to know her as she serves as one my Class of 2022 Senior Model Team!

What should we definitely know about you?
I am very passionate about mental health and people with “unseen” disabilities getting the accommodations they need without fear of embarrassment or being ashamed.

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
Georgia CTI, the student organization I am a state office of, is an organization for students with learning disabilities to have a place to belong and learn.

If you were to present a topic to a group of your peers, what would it be on and why?
That learning disabilities don’t make you less than or stupid.


Look for Kassidy in issue 49 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

Nomination: Gracie Hartley is such a positive role model! She proves that being an athlete and an honor student go hand in hand. She's played basketball all 4 years, and she has proved that she is just as dedicated to the classroom as she is on the court. She is currently obtaining her CNA license through health science education this year. Gracie is beautiful both inside and out, and her laughter and personality can put a smile on anyone's face!

What would you like to talk about?
I would like to talk about my career choice in the healthcare field, I am one of 6 children in a blended family. I am taking advantage of a health science education program at my high school to get a head start on my career as well as early college classes. I will be able to obtain my cna license this school year. I participated in rotary club my sophomore year. Yearbook sophomore and junior year. Have participated three years with decorating our homecoming floats, four years on the high school basketball team. Junior year national honors, freshmen, and sophomore year on honors.

If you were to present a topic to a group of your peers, what would it be and why?
Healthcare field and the importance of taking advantage of anything offered early to be able to reach your education goals prior to college.

Look for Gracie in issue 49 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

Nomination: I had the privilege of teaching Ethan for one year in U.S. History and have seen his work and his potential. Ethan quickly made a great first impression on me at the beginning of the school year, when he was making sure that his teammates were following the class rules and completing their work. There are few students who give a teacher as much respect as Ethan has and he gets the highest respect from his teachers in return. He is a student leader. He is a student ambassador and has completed many service hours. He has also received the accounting award for the 20-21 school year. He is a friend to everyone. I love his heart! He is respected by his classmates, teachers and coaches because he has learned to be a young man of respect an integrity. He has excelled in the classroom while being a part of our varsity football and soccer team. His parents have instilled in him the values of integrity and hard work ethic. You will find that he is prepared for the next level of education, and he will be a student that will completely engage in your community. In this spirit, it is my honor to recommend, Ethan Perepichay, a student who will contribute to your extraordinary success as a leader in athletics, academics, and the school community. I appreciate your willingness to review his application. If there is any further information you need, please feel free to contact me.

What else should we know about you?
One thing that I think that is important about me is my faith in God. Anytime I am put in a difficult situation, I have been taught to pause and pray. I would say some of my coaches through the years have helped my faith become strong. They have taught me that it is no all about the sport but to show the God given abilities that we are given. They have taught me to pray during tough situations. Pre covid, coaches would have a speaker come in and preach a Bible story to the team, and some of those Bible lessons are the ones that have stuck with me.

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
I am a member of the leadership council and also a team captain of the high school football team. I strive to push my teammates hard every day. It is not all about winning or losing but the friendships and relationships that you make on the football team that will last forever. For my senior year on the football team I have become close with all of the younger kids because when I was in their position, none of the older guys took me under their wing or built a relationship with me.

If you were to present a topic to a group of your peers, what would it be and why?
The topic I would talk about is leadership. I find myself to be a servant leader on both my football and soccer team. As a leader, I like to assess with others the good things that we have done but also assess the bad things and how we can make them better. A leader is sometimes but in position to make big decision's and I feel like I am capable of making that big decision and inspire other people to get the job done. Being on a football teams you hear players say "I can't do that" or "that's not possible," but I have found myself telling them give it your best and it will all work out.

Look for Ethan in issue 49 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

Nomination: Chaise is inspiring because she has worked hard to maintain good grades through her high school career. Chaise has started and lettered in varsity softball playing centerfield and second base since her 9th grade year. Chaise was able to balance school, softball, and work for the last 2 years even during the difficult times of COVID. Chaise has volunteered her time in many kids’ functions over the last 6 years at a local Sportsman's Club. Chaise self-taught herself how to play the guitar, and enjoys playing and singing for her friends and family.

What should we definitely know about you?
To start off, one thing you should definitely know about me is that I am very determined and hardworking. I am very strong-willed when it comes to the activities I love, and you will not ever catch me not giving my all. Something else you should know about me is I love making people smile, whether it is me cracking a joke or me singing and playing guitar seeing the people around me happy makes me happy.

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
One inspiring thing that my nomination does not cover about me is, over the last few years not only have I been juggling school, sports, and work but mental illness also. Around six months ago after being scared to talk to someone for years, I was diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder. Depression is not just being overwhelmed in sadness, at times it makes the simplest tasks seem impossible. With the support of my amazing friends and family I was able to overcome the hardships and become a happier me.

If you were to present a topic to a group of your peers, what would it be on and why?
The topic that I would be able to most efficiently present to a group of peers would doubtlessly be softball. I grew up watching my dad play and I have played since I was about 10 years old. I have seen what it takes, mentally and physically, on and off the field.


Look for Chaise in issue 49 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

Nomination: Carter has participated in football for 11 years, claiming Defensive MVP of the Year, First Team All Conference Linebacker, and Butler Eagle Nomination for Sweet 16- Defense for Linebacker. Carter also participates in basketball and baseball. On top of all this, Carter works for a residential contractor, working as much as possible in his free time. Carter takes pride in saving his money, and he pays for the majority of his needs himself. Carter manages to lift weights five times a week after work and holds a very determined mindset.

What would you most like to be interviewed about?
I would definitely like to be interviewed about my leadership in football. I have a drive to win and push others to become better athletes. Both on the field and in the weight room, I act as a role model, and that pushes me to do the best I can. Even playing football when I was younger, leadership came easily to me. Now, as a senior, I am excited to see what this season holds, and I am looking forward to making an impact on others. I am very determined, and I thrive when it comes to being a leader.

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
My nomination does not cover my hard work in school. I strive to achieve either Principal’s List or Honor Roll. I have spent many long nights finishing homework and studying for tests after a long day of either sports or work. I ensure my grades do not fall, and I put in extra time and effort to do my best. I have a very strong will to learn both in school and outside of school at my job. I am one of the top in my class, and I even take advanced classes to increase my knowledge.

If you were to present a topic to a group of your peers, what would it be on and why?
To my peers, I would talk about hard work and determination in general. I put in a lot of hours at my job, and I take pride in saving my money. I am very proud that I pay for the majority of my needs on my own, as not many kids my age can claim that same title. For example, I pay monthly insurance on my truck, and I pay for the expenses to fix it when something goes wrong. Also, when I want tools for work, I pay for it and buy items to increase my overall work ability.

Look for Carter in issue 49 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

​Nomination: Brooklynn Lowe is an Inspiring Teen because she is truly such a ray of sunshine! She has such an infectiously warm, bubbly personality and is just a joy to be around, with the best giggle!! Brooklynn is involved in both school and competitive cheer. She is very involved with her church and works with special needs children. Brooklyn enjoys art, going to the lake with her family, and spending time hanging out with her friends. Brooklynn is inspiring to me, and I know she's going to make such a positive impact on our world!

What else should we know about you?
Like they mentioned in my nomination I am very busy with competitive cheer and school cheer as well as volunteering at church with special needs children. With all that being said I have had to learn to balance having such a busy life. I believe that the guidance I have received not only from my parents but also my friends and family have taught me the skills need to balance my busy lifestyle and have prepared me for my future.

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover? (100 words or less)
I also participate in NHS for my school, which gives me abundant opportunities to help and volunteer in the community and in my school.

If you were to present a topic to a group of your peers, what would it be and why?
I honestly think that being the age we are, we have become comfortable with the friends that we have and groups we associate with, I am really passionate about putting myself out there. It hasn’t always come naturally to me since I used to be the shy girl with only a few friends, which is why I feel like I could talk forever about the importance of including people and creating safe, no-judgment spaces, where kids can not only make new friends but also go out of their comfort zone and branch out to bigger and better things.

Look for Brooklynn in issue 49 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

Nomination: Avery Reynolds is a kind hearted, beautiful soul that loves God, her family and her friends. She gives her all in everything she does. She has a soft spot for animals and people with disabilities or people with special needs. She will take up for others when they have no voice. She is a strong advocate against anti bullying. She loves going to church, spending time with family and friends. Going on mission retreats for her Augusta Christian high school and participating in community service acts around the community. Avery has cheered for her school and competitively since elementary school, She truly is an outstanding teen.

What else should we know about you?
I’m a strong advocate against bullying and cyber bullying. My story is one of many that happens every single day. I was lucky my school stepped in with their zero tolerance on bullying. But not every school has this zero tolerance policy in place. That should be a standard policy in all schools starting in elementary school through high school.

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
I met this beautiful girl named Meredith, she has special needs. She truly changed my life because of the love I have for her, I want to become a special education teacher. We have the sweetest bond. She’s non verbal but she communicates with you through sign language and hand gestures. You know when she cares for you because she gives you the most important things that mean a lot to her, her iPad and her Disney bracelets. She is the funniest person I know. She has brought so much joy into my life, and for that I am internally grateful!

If you were to present a topic to a group of your peers, what would it be on and why?
I would definitely talk about bullying and especially cyber bullying. People can be so cruel behind a computer screen. I know, I was severely bullied, I would never want anyone to experience that. I didn’t smile for a very long time. I was truly broken but the support of my family and my faith in God I finally began to smile again. I know this form should be joyous but we must recognize the lasting affects on bullying on children and teens as this is the number one cause of teen suicides. No one should ever make you feel unimportant. Inferior or less than anyone else. Always talk to that person no one wants to talk to, sit with that person at lunch that sits by themselves. Anyone can stand up and against bullying it just takes one voice. One person to make them feel whole, important, valued and seen. Because you truly matter!

Look for Avery in issue 49 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

​Nomination: Alex has a heart of gold and inspires me to want to be a better mom daily. She has overcome many obstacles in her life and continues to see the good in others.
Alex aspires to become an elementary teacher. She is currently dual enrolled in college and assists a local first grade teacher.

What else should we know about you?
I own an art business call Watered with Wisdom. I love all things painted. I love Jesus and he is the reason I live each day full of joy, love and so much more. I have the sweetest little sister named Charlotte. She is 8 years old, and I adore being her big sister. She is my world. I try to always be the best role model for her.

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
I have a passion for helping children. I believe it is one of my biggest callings in life. And one day I would love to pursue teaching. The biggest thing I have had to overcome is anxiety. It was and still is a huge part of my life. I have learned how to not let anxiety hold me back from living my life. Anxiety doesn’t control my life anymore. I overcame my anxiety through Jesus. I owe everything to him.

If you were to present a topic to a group of your peers, what would it be and why?
My topic would be teaching and helping children. I have a 1st grade class that I help each day. It is my absolute favorite. Creating a bond with a child, is so special to have. Every morning I’m greeted with a big hug from each of them. And when I leave each of them give me a hug goodbye. It’s makes my day every day. They are sweet, fun, loving, silly, and amazing kids. I enjoy each day watching the growth in each of them. It’s so beyond amazing to see the how some of the kids didn’t know how to read that much at the beginning of the year and now can read lots of books with no help. It’s a true blessing to be able to touch and shape and child’s life. That is the sole reason why I would love to become a teacher.

Look for Alexandria in issue 49 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

​Nomination: Chloe Camomile was fun to work with during her senior portrait session. She wanted to incorporate her family farm, as well as gymnastics, her dog, and her camera, which made her session very unique and allowed for lots of creativity. She competes as a gymnast for Huntington North High School and has won numerous awards throughout her career. She is also a member of the National Honor Society. After high school, she plans to attend college majoring in photography and visual arts.

​What would you most like to be interviewed about?
I would like to be interviewed about gymnastics and why I chose to have my pictures at my family farm.

Share with us your gymnastics career. When did you get started, what are your favorite things to do, and what is one of your biggest accomplishments?
I started gymnastics almost 15 years ago, when I was 3. My favorite things to do are front walkovers on the beam and bars. My biggest accomplishment is receiving a 9.125 on vault.

Tell us about your photoshoot with Custom Portraits by Tiffany. What was your favorite part and what did you love so much about it?
My favorite part of my photo shoot was when Tiffany found the old pickup truck and said, “OH MY GOSH CAN WE USE THAT!!”
​
What is one of the best things about living on a farm in Indiana?
I do not live on the farm, but I try to spend as much time at the farm as my schedule will allow. I love walking the lane and in the muddy fields after it rains. The farm is beautiful and extremely peaceful. I am still waiting for the day that I learn to drive a tractor.

We would love for you to share a favorite picture you've taken.
My favorite picture was one that I took with my dog and the tractor. I was petting him, and his face just looked so fun and goofy.
​
What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
I do a lot of volunteer work. I mostly focus on serving at the local meal ministry where I live.

​
What is your role in the National Honor Society and what is a favorite memory from it?
I am a regular member of national honor society. This is my first year, but my favorite memory is volunteering for a JROTC Raider competition.

Look for Chloe in issue 49 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

​Nomination: Addison Decker inspires all who know her. She has a heart for serving others which shows through her kind and thoughtful personality. During her younger years, Addison experienced cancer in her leg but has overcome it and is a survivor. In fact, she currently high jumps competitively and dances through local charities to raise funds for those in need. Miss Decker enjoys volunteering at local nursing homes and throughout her community. She also loves mentoring young women through sharing her testimony. She consistently puts others first, strives to be her best, and is an all around inspiring young woman.

​What would you most like to be interviewed about?
I would most like to be interviewed about how important it is to "pay it forward." In the third grade, I was diagnosed with malignant melanoma. They performed surgery to remove a portion of my thigh, and I underwent numerous procedures and tests including chemotherapy. During this time, my hometown came together, and people helped raise money for my medical expenses. It inspired me to do the same, and I have organized fundraisers for people who have had cancer and rare medical conditions. I want everyone to know how important it is to help others during their time of need.

Tell us about the fundraisers you've created in general.
Two of the fundraisers I’ve created were “beaded bracelet” fundraisers. Every year my hometown puts on an event called “Cruisin’ the Brazos,” and for the last couple of years, I have set up a booth for kids to come and make beaded bracelets. Recently, I organized a dance fundraiser at our local fitness center and used social media to spread the word about the event. I taught a dance to a song called “You’re Worth More Than Gold” and we videoed it, along with positive messages from the girls that attended and sent them to the little girl who has leukemia. I also talked to them about how important it is to be a good friend when the little girl returns to school!

Which was your favorite fundraiser and why?
My favorite and most recent fundraiser was for a 3rd grader in my community who is newly diagnosed with leukemia. I organized a dance fundraiser event and raised money to help with the family’s medical expenses. It was my favorite fundraiser because I was able to help a little girl with cancer through my love of dance, who was in the same grade I was in when I was diagnosed with melanoma.

Tell us a favorite memory from paying it forward.
When I first started my treatments at Cook Children’s Hospital, I stayed at the Ronald McDonald House for a month. They had a playroom that my sister and I would play in together, and also this was the place where volunteers would come in and interact with us. For example, they would bring their therapy dogs to the house for a time of show off and playtime. A couple of years ago during Christmas, I returned to this same playroom and had the honor of reading to the children staying in the house! This is definitely my most favorite memory of paying it forward!

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
I'm a three-time cross country state qualifier, a one-time track regional qualifier, and have played JV/varsity basketball for three years. I've been dancing since I was three years old and was part of a competitive dance team for four years. I'm also co-captain of my varsity cheer team and voted the friendliest girl of my senior class! I am a member of the National Honor Society, Student Council, and take dual credit college classes. My summer job consists of working at our local snow cone stand. I love hanging out with friends, traveling, and spending time at church and with my family.

Tell us about your photo shoot with Carli Layton Photography. What was your favorite part?
Carli Layton is such a talented photographer and I love her creativity for “thinking outside of the box.” I told her what my vision was for the picture for this particular shoot, and she jumped in headfirst to make it come to life! Of course, my favorite part was the end product – the photo was exactly what I had imagined in my head.

Share your dance career with us.
I started taking dance when I was three years old, learning ballet and tap. As I got older, jazz, hip hop, and cheer were added into the mix. In the 7th grade, I was invited to be a part of the competition dance group where I also began to learn lyrical, contemporary, and other dance styles. The part of dance I love the most is the performance! It provides an avenue to express myself through movement and emotion to tell a story without words.

Tell us about your dance instructor who nominated you.
My dance instructor is kind, encouraging, beautiful, intelligent, giving, and so incredibly talented. She is the best role model and has always pushed me to be the best version of myself and has expressed to me that I have the power to influence others positively. I have grown into a confident young woman because of her nurturing and encouraging ways and for that I am thankful.

Tell us a favorite memory from one of your sports.
One of my favorite memories from my sports is getting to run two years in a row at the State XC meet with my big sister. Having your sibling standing at the finish line, routing for you is a great feeling!

What is one of your greatest accomplishments from one of them?
My greatest accomplishment from my sporting events is qualifying for the State XC meet three years in a row!

What do you love best about being on the Student Council?
What I love best about being on the Student Council are the opportunities it provides to do good for others. For example, we collect and deliver toys for children during the holidays, sing to the nursing home residents, and decorate their doors during Christmas time.

Where is your favorite place to travel to and why?
My favorite place to travel is to wherever my church camp group is going! Church camp plays a significant role in my faith and allows time for spiritual focus and growth. It’s also a great time to meet new friends and experience unique adventures.

If you were to present a topic to a group of your peers, what would it be and why?
I would want to talk to my peers about how important it is to be kind to others. For example, after my leg healed from cancer surgery, I was not invited to a swim birthday party because I was told my leg would be "messed up" and I would not be able to keep up and swim with my friends. My feelings were hurt, and my peers did not show kindness or compassion to me on that day. People encounter stressful situations that others know nothing about every day, and it is important always to be kind.

Look for Addison in issue 49 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

​Nomination: Elli Kate inspires me daily with her loving, caring heart. Her dedication to all things dance. Her work ethic. Her life goals. Her passion for life. Her kindness towards others. Her ability to handle the stress of the pandemic, while keeping her grades intact. Life has thrown her some bumps in the road, but she keeps putting one foot in front of the other, with her head held high. You’re on your way sweet girl.

What would you most like to be interviewed about?
My life goals. I am currently enrolled in my school’s Early Child Education program (ECE). This program gives me the opportunity to work in classrooms as an assistant teacher in my district. Currently I am working with a preschool class for this semester, and I am loving it! This program is furthering my joy for working with kids and is preparing me for my future! I am very excited to grow through this program and continue this path into college!


What do you love most about working with preschool kids?
I love how open the kids are. The 3-5 year olds have only known a life in the pandemic. This means going to school is an even bigger deal than ever. Most of them didn't know what life was like around other people, so getting to be a new figure in their life is so amazing. Most of them have no filter which honestly is so funny because they just tell you things very straight up. Even thought my school system has only been in the 2021-11 school year for about a month, the growth and progress made by these kids is insane. There is one specific kid who is very reserved and quiet, but this week he has conquered many challenges. Even simple tasks such as: putting his backpack on the hook, putting his folder away in the folder bin, and writing his name on the white board. He walked into class this week very confident and got all his tasks done. Another thing I love about these kids is their personalities. They are all different, but they complement each other very well. Most of them walk into class with the biggest smile on their face and keep such a great attitude throughout class. One girl, that I have built such a great relationship with, always says "Always stand back up when you fall, because why stay sitting?". I love that quote because she lives by that motto that her parents taught her and she shares it with the other students.


What age kids would you like to work with in the future and why?
I would like to work with 7-8 year olds because I feel like that age group is very smart and they are so open to learning new things.


What dance company are you a part of? Tell us about it.
While I am not part of my school's dance team, I am a part of The Centerville Dance Company. Company gives me the opportunity to still be part of the school’s dance curriculum! This is my 3rd year in the dance program, and I love everyone involved! Because I am a Junior, I get the opportunity to create my own group piece this year that will be performed for one of our semester concerts! Overall, this program has been such a growing experience and is the reason I have many of the friends I have today!

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
During the week while I’m dancing, working, and doing school, I student assist at my dance studio! I go to Joyce Dalton Davidson dance studio and they are my second family! I have grown up there and I will always find comfort being at the studio. I student assist because just like the Early Child Education program I am in with my school, it gives me the opportunity to learn from the teachers perspective. This is currently my 4th year and I have enjoyed working with the kids very much!

Tell us about the dance conventions you've attended.
Along with student assisting, I spend some of my weekends out of town at dance conventions! These events challenge me and help me grow as a dancer!
Some dance conventions I have attended include: Nuvo, Radix, Dance Makers, and 24/7. What I love about them the most is that I get to meet and learn from professional teachers who have worked with outstanding performers and who are outstanding themselves! Every teacher has a different teaching style and perspective on the way the body can move. These experiences stretch the way I perform and create movements. Conventions also broaden my experience in different dance styles. Conventions give me the opportunity to experience what it’s like to be at an audition as well! I have been recognized at almost all the conventions I have been to and I have been awarded scholarships to different dance experiences in California! Conventions overall are such fun, educational opportunities for me to grow as a dancer!

What is it like to be a model for 12.9 Dance? What do you love most about working with them and what has been your favorite photo shoot so far?
I actually joined 12.9 through 2 of my close friends from school! Maria Kirkland is very open and she gives us many opportunities to do group sessions to get close with the other ambassadors! I love the community of dancers and the different representation of body types! The most recent photo shoot I did was a powder photo shoot that was taken at night. That was such a fun experience, and we got some really cool photos from that session!

If you were to present a topic to a group of your peers, what would it be and why?
Because of the past year and a half with the virus, I became very quiet around others. When school started earlier in August, I made the decision I was going to change that. On about the third day of school, I was told there was an opportunity to become the Dance representative for the Junior class in the dance program I am a part of at Centerville. My class was told that if we wanted, we could give a speech to the class the next day. All I could think about was that this was a great opportunity to achieve that promise to myself that I was putting myself out there and be more outgoing. I decided to audio record my speech and create a dance to perform in front of the class. This felt like a bold move, but I felt so strong about the idea that I went through with it. The day of the speech, I went first. I got up, played my speech on the speakers, and started dancing. I finished the performance and everyone loved it! Now, because I made that promise to myself about being more outgoing, I am the Junior representative for The Centerville Dance Company!

What is the hardest thing you have ever accomplished, and how did you do it?
One of the toughest physical and mental things I have every done and accomplished was becoming a lifeguard. You wouldn't think it would be that hard, but even the pre-skills was a challenge. I have never been a long distance swimmer or a swim team swimmer, so even the 300m swim warm up was difficult. My instructor, who I was lucky enough to know well, helped me with extra swim lessons and was the main reason I gained confidence to take the course and the tests. I am very appreciative of my instructor and the experience of being a lifeguard.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to be where you are today?
As my mom always told me, "Keep putting one foot in front of the other". Sometimes in life you won't be where you want to be and it can be hard to imagine getting through a tough spot in life, but all you can do is be yourself and put your best self forward. What happens a lot of times for me is that I will wish for the time to pass past a rough spot, but then I will regret not seeing the positives in the negatives afterwards.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years/what are your plans?
Hopefully 5 years from now I will be in my 3rd year of college, studying Early Child Education and Dance. I see myself being in good health mentally and physically. I hope to be continuing my good academics and spending my time well. I see myself enjoying the moment and creating new relationships with others!

What is your favorite activity or pastime that was not in your nomination?
I enjoy spending my time with my family and friends. My mom and I have a very strong relationship and I love getting to spend my extra time with her! I also really genuinely enjoy going to a cafe with friends or just by myself and doing schoolwork. Something about getting my work done with time and effort is really rewarding to me.

Do you have a hidden talent? What is it?
The only hidden talent I have is crossing my eyes, but with only one side. (lol).

3 Things on your bucket list
1. Travel out of the US
2. Raise kids
3. Get a job I will never loose a passion for.

Who do you find inspiring?
My parents. Especially my mom because she is very inspiring to me because she has been through so many unimaginable experiences in her life and yet she is here every day for me and my family. At one point in my life, she worked 3 jobs, and still took care of my siblings and I. Her mom sadly isn't here with us today and I she misses her every day. She inspires me to enjoy every moment I have. I didn't get to meet my grandma, but I know my mom works hard to make her proud (which she does). I believe my mom is in many ways like her mother, so in a way I do get to know some of what she was like. You never know when your last moment will be, so you might as well make the most of what you got and live your life to the fullest potential.

What about you inspires others/why do you think you are inspiring?
I think I am inspiring because I have never been the best at what I do, but I put so much effort into everything. A lot of people go for the straight ahead path, where I tend to see things differently.

Look for Elli Kate in issue 49 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

​Tell us how you got involved with Soles4Souls. What is it and why is it so important to you?
When I was 8 years old, I decided to start collecting gently used shoes for Soles4Souls, instead of receiving birthday gifts. I was inspired by my older brother, Kelton, to accept donations instead of gifts because he started this trend in my family by collecting food for the food bank when he was 10. The idea for me to collect shoes came from researching local charities that I could be involved in, with my mom's help. I immediately fell in love with Soles4Souls and their mission. "At S4S, we turn unwanted shoes and clothing into opportunity, by keeping them from going to waste and putting them to good use – providing relief, creating jobs and empowering people to break the cycle of poverty."

How do you host your shoe drives? Where? Who gets involved? How long does it last? Those sorts of things.
I started by hosting shoe drives for my birthday every year. Then I started hosting shoe drives at my schools, for Beta Club, with my cheer teams, various churches, at pageants, 5Ks, girl scout troops, local businesses, my neighborhood, college sororities, sports teams, etc. I use social media, flyers, posters, announcements, community events, and word of mouth to get the word out about my shoe drives. It takes a lot of organization, commitment, and time to pull these drives off, but it has been so worth it.

What do you love about having such a big leadership role in your community?
What I love most about having such a big leadership role in my community is inspiring other kids and young adults to also make the choice to better the world.

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
My nomination was so sweet! It covers my love of being an ambassador for Soles4Souls, my love of going on mission trips, my academics, and my leadership role on my competitive cheer team. I love to host community events to help others. I love to encourage others to be their best.

Tell us about your favorite mission trip you've been on so far.
My favorite mission trip was to Haiti. It was a life changing experience for me. Going to the local schools, orphanages, and villages to size the sweet kids for their brand-new pairs of shoes and spend time playing with them was a feeling that I will never forget. The happiness on all their faces is forever with me. Also, getting to meet 2 local women who participate in the Microenterprise program moved me to tears. This was one of the best experiences of my life.

What is your competitive cheer life like?
I have been a competitive cheerleader for 7 years now, both All Star Cheer and school cheer. I have loved it so much for several reasons. The first being the feeling I get when my team and I are about to step on the mat to give our best performance. The second being the relationships formed with teammates and coaches that will truly last a lifetime. I also love the aspect of setting team goals that we are working together to achieve. We practice 3-5 days a week, have games, tumble clinics, and competitions. My favorite accomplishment as a team was my freshman year when my team placed 6th in the nation at Nationals in Orlando. This was such an amazing experience, especially because we were a brand-new school, brand new team, and the very first time this team competed at Nationals. So, to place 6th out of close to 70 teams in the nation was a huge accomplishment.

If you were to present a topic to a group of your peers, what would it be and why?
I would present the topic of Microenterprise. I could talk for a long time about how Microenterprise can change people’s lives for the better. I am passionate about the economic wellbeing of families all over the world.

Tell us more about Microenterprise. What is it and how can it change people's lives for the better?
Soles4Souls says, "Women are earth-shakers, change-makers, and wrong-righters. But all too often, their contributions are overlooked or underappreciated. And in many parts of the world, women simply don’t get a chance to fulfill their potential. Through our micro-enterprise program, we empower women in developing countries to start and sustain small businesses through the sale of shoes." For women around the world to get the opportunity to provide sustainable income for their families by selling the used shoes that were donated, provides a huge economic impact for that family and their community. In turn, shoe companies donate brand new pairs of shoes to Soles4Souls, who then distribute the new shoes to children in need. It's just a wonderful program.

What was your photoshoot like with Carla Lynn Photography and what did you love most about it?
My photo shoot with Carla Lynn was a dream! Carla Lynn is one of the most genuine people I've ever met. She is all about instilling confidence in the teens that she works with. I especially loved that she set up a time to meet with me and get to know me before the actual day of the photo shoot. That made the shoot so much more fun.

Is there anything else you would like to tell us?
One of the best experiences in my life was getting flown out to New York City with my family to be on Good Morning America when they heard about my brother and I collecting shoes for Soles4Souls. At the time we were at 44,000 pairs collected and were trying to reach 50,000. When we were on the show DSW surprised us with not only donating 6,000 more pairs to help us reach our goal, but they also donated another 50,000 pairs of brand-new shoes! We were shocked and so excited!

Look for Layken in issue 49 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

​Nomination: Paige is a beautiful teen inside and out. She is a faithful teen who inspires girls on the Cabot High School Softball team, which she is a member of, to reach their full potential and search for their own meaning of faith. She leads her team and guides her teammates on and off of the field. By leading the way through her dedication to National Honor Society, Future Christian Athlete club, Sports Medicine Club, and as a member of New Life youth group and as an intern, she models how to be resilient and inspire others. Paige models daily the true meaning of inspiration and internal beauty.

​What would you most like to be interviewed about?
What I would most want to be interviewed about is being a child to someone in the Military. My dad has been serving in the Air Force for over 18 years now, and is still currently active. No one really talks about the struggle of having a family member serving. One of the hardest things is moving. Saying goodbye to old friends and going into a new school to make new ones. One thing that you should definitely know about me is how I have had to adapt to these situations. Coming into a new school where others have known each other since kindergarten is hard. However, this has made me grow as an individual and has made me stronger. I am thankful that I am able to say I have lifelong friends in multiple states because of this.

What tips would you give to teens struggling through the move? What has helped you?
The tips I would give to struggling teens going through the moving process is not being afraid to stand out. Many of us worry about what others will think, it is best to let who you really are show through, and the individuals who really accept that are your friends. Some things that have helped me while going through a move is knowing how many new people I will meet and the many new relationships and memories I will create.

Where have you gotten to live as a military child?
All the places I have lived are Alaska, Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, and Arkansas.

What has made you most proud of your circumstances?
What has made me most proud of my circumstances is that I have always made the best out of a new move. Even though it is hard I have always thought to myself all the people I will meet and the lives I will impact!

​What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
One inspiring thing that my nomination does not cover is playing a sport with an injury. For 6 years now I have been dealing with a chronic back injury. I have had countless MRIs, steroid injections, physical therapy appointments, and two nerve ablations, and through all that nothing has helped. Even through all this I still decide to push through the pain to play my favorite sport, softball. In doing so I hope I inspire others that injuries do not have to define them, and they can accomplish anything they want. I hope I inspire others that may be going through something similar and to push through and not give up. My injury has inspired me to enter the medical field.

If you were to present a topic to a group of your peers, what would it be and why?
If I were to present a topic to a group of my peers it would be about being respectful to one another, despite what someone else's opinion may be. I would present this topic because today many things revolve around politics, but most individuals cannot respect one's opinion surrounding that. Even individuals my age will turn their shoulders to someone they have known forever. I feel it is very important for us to respect others' opinions and that people's opinions should not affect how we treat one another.

​What was your photo shoot like with Kristina Eisenhower Photography and what did you love most about it?
The photo shoot with Kristina was amazing. We went to many different locations and worked with a few props. She had me getting out of my comfort zone and made me feel so confident. What I loved the most about the shoot was Kristina's energy. She makes me feel like a rockstar out there!

Where do you see yourself in 5 years/what are your plans?
In 5 years I will be finishing up my senior year in college. I want to pursue a career in Radiation Therapy. I would like to focus that career more toward children who are diagnosed with cancer.

Tell us about your softball career. When did you get started, what position/s you play and what you love most about it.
I first started playing softball when I was 7 years old, and I have played it ever since. Of course I have played other sports in between, but softball is the one I have loved all my life. One of the positions I play is the pitcher. I have been pitching since I was 9 years old. What I love about pitching is that I am in control of the game. The other position I play is left field. What I love about playing there is being the last known defense for the ball and also getting to make diving plays.

What is a favorite memory you've had in softball?
My favorite memory that I have had in softball in winning the 2019 6a State Championship.
What advice would you give to other recovering athletes?
The advice I would give to recovering athletes is to never be discouraged during an injury, just know you will always come back better and stronger than before.

Look for Paige in issue 49 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

​Nomination: Brielle is an amazing girl. She continues to work hard and hopes to go to college to study criminal justice.

​
​What else should we know about you?
I’m super excited about starting my senior year. I want to enjoy all the experiences that senior year brings before starting a new chapter with college.

What are you most excited about for senior year?
Going to games and dances with my friends knowing this is our last year. Also, I love the classes I’m taking and will have the opportunity to do community service this year.

What is one senior tradition that your school does that everyone rallies around?
Senior sunrise

What are your college plans?
I plan to go to college for criminal justice.

​Tell us about your senior portrait shoot with Eve Taverne Photography. Why did you choose her as a photographer and what did you love most about your photo shoot with her?
It was an amazing experience. Eve was so much fun to work with. I couldn’t imagine having anyone else do my senior pictures.
I chose her because I have seen pictures she has done for other seniors. I loved that I was able to do my pictures exactly how I wanted and Eve had so many great ideas.

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
I deal and struggle with ADHD and try to overcome all the obstacles from it, especially with all the responsibilities and pressures of being a teenager.

What are your ways of overcoming obstacles from ADHD / what advice do you have for others who struggle?
I try to be very aware of what I say, how I think and my actions. My advice would be to ask for help when needed and when you’re feeling ‘out of sorts’, take a time out.

What do you feel is the biggest pressure of being a teenager in 2021?
A huge pressure is feeling like you have to be in competition with each other whether is sports, grades, who you are friends with.

If you were to present a topic to a group of your peers, what would it be and why?
Soccer. I have played soccer since I was 4, ayso, league and high school. I’m currently not playing due to covid but I love soccer.

Tell us more about your soccer career as well as a favorite memory and accomplishment.
My soccer career did start when I was 4 and I slowly moved up to more higher level with harder competition. My favorite memory is my 3v3 tournaments. There was only a few of us for the team but in that tournament but we bonded and it was just so much fun. The biggest accomplishment would be winning that tournament actually. It was just so much fun.

Look for Brielle in issue 49 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

​Nomination: Kiersten’s father and I believe her to be a perfect fit to represent as an inspiring teen. Kiersten is a Junior at Crystal River High School where she is enrolled in all accelerated academic classes with a current GPA of 3.714. Although Kiersten does not have a college in mind at this time, she carries a strong interest in becoming a Veterinarian as her career path. Kiersten’s passion outside of teen modeling is Volleyball, she is an outside hitter in her third-year on varsity and is known by all of her team mates and coaches to be a huge motivator both on and off the court. Kiersten has been working at Publix for a little over a year and was recently promoted to a cashier. Although she has a lot on her plate, she is able to balance academics, school volleyball, travel volleyball, beach volleyball, work and family time. Kiersten has taken a strong interest in modeling and influencing, she is on a Model team for both Dan Duren Photography and Curtiss Bryant Photography along with an upcoming influencer following for LikeToKnowIt on Instagram. Kiersten is selfless, caring, motivating and has the biggest heart, she is always willing to put others first and will light up any room she walks into and she continues to make us beyond proud of her journey through life.

What would you most like to be interviewed about?
I would want to be interviewed about family, friends, and just my personal life. I am very big on family, and I love spending time with them. When it comes to friends, I think of most of them as family and my personal life tells a pretty good story of who I am!

Tell us more about your family and friends and what you like to do with them.
Family and Friends are very important to me. I love spending time with them and creating valuable memories.
We don't live close to our family. One thing that sticks out the most is Thanksgiving. Each year we travel down south and spend the week together. On my dads' side of the family, I have 7 cousins and we are all very close. We enjoy going out on the boat hanging out at the sand bar and going fishing in Stuart, Florida.
Friendships for me are about quality not quantity. It is important to have a close group of friends that will be there for you to support you and encourage you to grow. They say you are a product of your surroundings. I am blessed to have a great group of friends and I am confident they are friendships that will continue after high school. We are all football fans so we are spending a lot of our time attending school football games and college games when we can.

What is it like being on the Dan Duren Photography Model Team & the Curtiss Bryant Photography Team?
Dan Duren is a fantastic photographer! I ran into Dan at a beach volleyball tournament last summer. I found him on social media following a tournament and my mom inquired about having photos captured during our tournament. I have many photos from volleyball, but Dans are one of a kind! We all stayed in touch through social media. Dan notified us of an opportunity to be a part of his model team and I immediately applied and was accepted. There are a few partner discounts as well as discounts on any photography with Dan. Most importantly we help Dan with advertising and getting his name out there. I will be signing up next year for the Under the Boardwalk Model Team. I am so glad that our paths crossed with Dan. Hoping to sign up for more beach tournaments this year before it gets cold and have Dan capture them!

I am also on the Curtiss Bryant Photography Team. I am a social influencer for CJ. CJ has known my parents for a long time. He too is an amazing and talented photographer. CJ has helped me with some basic training on modeling. CJ is who initially got me interested in modeling. We live in a small town, so the model team helps to get CJ's name out in the community and in return we get discounts on images he captures for us. CJ offers senior trip opportunities at a reasonable price anywhere in the country. I am hoping for my senior year I can pick Italy!

​What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
I am an only child born and raised in Crystal River, Florida. In my spare time I love doing outdoor activities such as going on the boat and or the jet ski. Traveling is my passion; I love seeing new places and experiencing new things.

What is a favorite memory or adventure you have been on your boat or jetski?
Each year my family and I take the boat down to Marathon, Florida for Lobster Mini Season in July. I love going out days before mini season and scouting the best locations and planning for opening day. Opening day, we are out on the boat at sunrise going to the best spots until we get our limit!

​
Where is your favorite place you have traveled to and why?
New York City. The city that never sleeps! I have been there quite a few times over the years. A few years ago, my parents and I went to New York City and we went to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. Touring the museum is an experience I encourage everyone to do. My Uncle was a rescue firefighter for 9/11. The museum was filled shoulder to shoulder with people and you could hear a pin drop. As you would through the museum it tells the story as to how things unfolded on that tragic day. It was very emotional walking through.
Christmas is the best time to go to New York City. If you're lucky you will be there when it snows! I love all the Christmas decorations, Christmas music and most importantly the Christmas tree that is set up in Rockefeller Center! Each winter we try to make a trip to visit.

If you were to present a topic to a group of your peers, what would it be and why?
If I was to present a topic to my peers, it would be about volleyball. I dream about being a Florida Gator star volleyball player. I could talk about volleyball forever. Not only do I love the sport, I love how different aspects of playing volleyball prepares me for the future such as working with others, setting short term and long-term goals, and building relationships.

Tell us about your volleyball career. How did you get started, how long have you played, tell us about your team - everything!
I started volleyball when I was 12 years old. It all started when I went with my parents to a work event at their boss's house. Their daughter played volleyball for both high school and college, so they had a beach volleyball court set up in their back yard. While my parents were talking to adults, I went over to watch some girls that were my age playing. They invited me to play with them and I told them I had never played before. They were helpful, encouraging and fun! After hours of playing their mom Wanda told me she was the owner of Citrus Fusion Volleyball and if I found myself interested in the sport, I should come try out for their travel ball team. I went to tryouts and I made the same team as Wanda's two daughters. To this day we are still on the same travel ball team and Wanda's daughters are my best friends. Thankful that I went to that work event with my parents so I could be introduced to a sport that I love!

What are some short and long term goals you currently have with volleyball?
Short term goals for Volleyball is to become a starter for our high school team. I am a junior in high school, and this is my third year on varsity however I am not a starter. I was once told that if you put in the work the results will come. I never miss a practice and I always leave feeling accomplished.
Long term goals for Volleyball is to play for the Florida Gators. It is very hard to get into the University of Florida and into the volleyball program. I attend their summer camps each year and would love to play for Coach Mary Wise.

Look for Kiersten in issue 49 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

​Nomination: The moment you meet Paige, you are welcomed with a genuine, radiant smile which perfectly complements her warm, sweet, bubbly personality. I feel Paige is an inspiring teen because of the way she makes others feel about themselves, always sharing sincere compliments to make others feel special, beautiful, and important. She is one of the kindest young ladies I’ve ever met, truly beautiful inside and out. In school, Paige is a Varsity football cheerleader, she’s also a member of the national honor society, spiritual life, student ambassador, annual blood drive, and more! She hopes to pursue a career as a veterinarian.

What do you love best about being a part of the NHS?
What I love best about being part of the National Honor Society is that I get to represent my school and community in a positive way. I get to help in the community and make an impact on my peers!

What does it mean to be a member of Spiritual Life?
Being a member of Spiritual Life means that you are a devoted person who gives their free time to Lake Catholic. Spiritual Life helps with field trips, mass, planning pep rallies, and even doing mission trips.

​What do your duties as Student Ambassador entail?
As a Student Ambassador I help out around the school, go to open houses, talk to incoming freshman families, and get to show new students around the school!

Why did you choose Sharon Holy Photography for your senior portraits and what did you love best about your photo shoot experience?
I chose Sharon Holy Photography because you hear nothing but good things about this company. The photos always turn out amazing. What I love best about my photo shoot experience with Sharon is that she makes you feel so comfortable. I never fail to have a smile on my face when I am with her because she makes the experience a lot of fun.

What inspired you to get this blood drive up and running?
What inspired me to start my own blood drive was helping with one at my school. Seeing that you can save three people’s lives really inspired me. I wanted to make a difference in the world, and this is a step in the right direction. Overall, the blood drive was a success, and I will definitely be running one again soon!

What was the most difficult part of it and how did you overcome it?
One of the most difficult parts of the blood drive was finding donors. It is very hard these days to find people to donate blood. I overcame this by making flyers and posting them! I also posted the flyers on my social media which helped!

What are you doing now to help you on your path to becoming a veterinarian?
To become a veterinarian, you truly need to have a love for animals which I do. I love going up to the shelters to see the animals and even have three dogs of my own! Not to mention, a bunny and a hamster. I have always had a love for animals and know that being a veterinarian would be very beneficial in my future.

Look for Paige in issue 49 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

​Nomination: Lauren Allen is an amazing young woman. She spends weekends and free time volunteering with her church through an outreach program, by mentoring under privileged youths and helps serve dinners to cancer patients and care givers at a local nonprofit lodge. All while keeping her grade point above a 4.0 and plays soccer and volleyball.

​What else should we know about you?
I love to spend a lot of my time doing volunteer work for different organizations. For over 2 years now, I have been working with an outreach program through my church where I spend time with little kids and families in an underprivileged area of Little Rock. I love getting to play with the kids and teach them more about God while doing so.

What is your favorite thing to do with the kids?
I really enjoy painting the little girls’ nails and playing football with the boys. I also love getting to teach them about the Lord and see them start to get to know God more and more.

What is a favorite memory from working with this outreach program?
I will always remember this one little girl named Myla who was there my very first-day volunteering. We quickly hit it off and became friends and she decided to give me her mom’s phone number so that she could reach me whenever she wanted. One day I was doing homework at my house, and I got a call from a random number and thankfully I decided to answer it. It was Myla calling to ask what I was doing and to tell me that she missed me so much. This made me realize just how important I was to these little kids because they saw me as a best friend and someone that would always take care of them.

​What was your portrait experience like with Photography by Melisa and what was one thing you'll always remember from it?
My experiences with Melisa have always been wonderful. She is a kind, hard-working, and very talented photographer. I will always remember this photoshoot with my guitar because my friends and I thought it was so funny when everyone would be watching me while I was pretending to play for everyone.

​What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
I am very dedicated to my schoolwork and I maintain a GPA above 4.0 every year. I take multiple AP classes, including an honors foreign language class, and I have been inducted into the National Honors Society and the National Hispanic Honors Society at school.

Why is having such a strong work ethic so important to you?
My parents have always instilled in me the importance of education to be able to get a good job doing what I love when I am older to support my family and help those in need.

What has your favorite AP class been and why?
My favorite AP class has been AP Physics 1 because it is challenging to understand, but once you figure it out it is actually enjoyable. I also love my teacher in this class!

What honors foreign language are you taking, and do you have any plans to visit that country?
I am taking Honors Spanish 4 and I would love to visit a Spanish-speaking country one day and be able to communicate with the locals!

What do you do in the National Hispanic Honors Society?
I was recently inducted into it and I was called on-stage at the school ceremony to be awarded a certificate for my academic excellence in my previous Spanish classes.

​If you were to present a topic to a group of your peers, what would it be and why?
I feel passionate about volunteer work, as previously stated in my nomination. It is something that I devote a lot of my time to, and I believe that all teenagers should be a part of at some point in their lives. It is extremely rewarding to directly see how you are impacting other people's lives that need it the most.

What tips do you have for teens interested in getting into volunteer work but aren't sure how to get started?
I would advise all teens to start local. If you are involved in a church, then ask your pastor or youth pastor if there are any outreach programs that you could be involved in. You could also start by signing up to volunteer at a nearby food bank or animal shelter. However, my most important piece of advice would be to find some kind of volunteer work that would allow you to work first-hand with people because there is nothing better than the rewarding feeling of directly seeing who you are helping and how it improves their lives.

​What is the hardest thing you have ever accomplished, and how did you do it?
I would say teaching myself to play guitar was very challenging and I accomplished it by frequent practice and watching YouTube videos to learn.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to be where you are today?
My advice would be to always give your best effort in school because it really pays off in the end and to find a group of friends that will always have your back and support you through thick and thin.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years/what are your plans?
As of right now, I see myself going into the medical field and attending the University of Arkansas.

What is your favorite activity or pastime that was not in your nomination?
I love to go shopping with my mom and my friends!

Do you have a hidden talent? What is it?
I can wakeboard, waterski, and wake surf on the lake.

3 Things on your bucket list
I want to go to Bora Bora and stay in one of the huts on the water, visit Santorini, Greece, and swim with dolphins.

Who do you find inspiring?
My mom inspires me because of her strong love for others and how willing she is to help anyone that needs it.

What about you inspires others/why do you think you are inspiring?
I think that my dedication to volunteering could possibly inspire others to begin volunteer work too.

Look for Lauren in issue 49 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

What was your underwater photoshoot with Valerie Jirik at VJ Photography like? They're so cool and different. What was the hardest thing about it?
The underwater photo shoot was a lot of fun! It’s my favorite shoot that I’ve done so far, just because of how bizarre it was. By far the most difficult part was getting my hair and dress to cooperate under the water long enough to get a good picture!
​
Tell us about being section leader of Colorguard. What does that job entail and what do you love most about it?
My job as a section leader means that I have my own group of girls in the colorguard who are almost like my students. It is my responsibility to take care of them and make sure they are always prepared by giving them the proper information to be successful. My favorite part of the job is that my section is like my own little family, and we all take care of each other.

What is the student leadership team and what do you do there?
Student leadership team is a group of students that work together to run the band program. We function much like a student council or a staff in a sense that we take care of events, uniforms, rehearsal sectionals, and in practice procedures.

What have you learned being on that team?
I’ve learned that nothing brings a group of people closer together than having a shared goal. It doesn’t matter where everyone comes from because we all have the same goal in mind.

What good thing came out of covid for you?
For me a good thing that came out of Covid would be all the time I got to spend practicing my drawing skills. Before, I would have considered myself an average artist, but after being able to spend so much dedicated time to a skill I’m really interested in I could confidently say I am a great artist!

​Please share a favorite piece of artwork. 
My favorite art piece I have done is Menagerie. I took a picture of a group of pumpkins and some glass jars, then sketched them on a grid and colored them in. This is my favorite piece because it is completely done on black paper, and all the shading is done in purple, not black!
​

What was your favorite badge to get in girl scouts and why?
My favorite Girl Scout badge that I earned was my woodworking badge. My troop and I came together and we built and painted a little library for the CEC.

What do you do when you volunteer at the food pantries?
When I volunteer at the food pantry, I usually work with a small team, and we take a shopping cart around the pantry and load it up with the groceries that the customer needs. It’s a lot of fun because it almost feels like a shopping spree, as well as a scavenger hunt for specific items!

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
I am openly Bisexual and my family was extremely supportive, and made me very proud of myself. My photos are more delicate and whimsical, but they do not highlight the more loud and alternative/ punk side of me. I think it is very important to be true to who you are no matter what others want you to be like!

Tell us more about:
Music: my favorite type of music is 80s and 90s rock music, as well as early 2000s alternative music. My favorite bands are Green Day, All American Rejects, My Chemical Romance, and Sub Urban!
Entertainment: I love to watch horror movies and anime in my spare time because of the adrenaline rush I get from them. My current favorite anime is Jujutsu Kaisen, and my favorite movies are The Conjuring series!
Activities: I like to draw, animate, write, and play story based games to help inspire my creative side!
Zodiac: I’m a water sign, a march Pisces to be exact.
​
Where are your favorite places to go?
A few years ago I took a trip with my family to Costa Rica and it was the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen! I saw animals just roaming the town that I’d only ever seen in zoos or on television! One day I’d really like to go back and get to experience the beauty of the rainforest and beaches all over again!

Who and what inspires you?
It’s hard to say just one person inspires me, because everyone is so unique in the way they view the world. I like to take in multiple perspectives of those around me to craft something new. My family and friends are always so supportive of me and they really carry me through life with open arms and loving hearts, and I am so grateful for that.

If you were to present a topic to a group of your peers, what would it be and why?
I would probably talk about self confidence. I used to really struggle with my confidence and I didn’t really know who I was which made me really unhappy with myself. I think it is really important to not let others dictate who you are and I could talk about it for hours.

What are your college plans? What do you plan on doing after college?
I am currently applying to multiple in-state universities for art and animation. My plan is to get a four year degree in fine arts and then immediately go into work for an animation company. I will major in animation and minor in business.
After college I want to build a career as an animator and work on either background design, character design, or the storyboarding team. Long-term my goal is to one day write, animate, and produce my own animated series and have it air on TV.

Look for Avery in issue 49 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

What should we definitely know about you?
The amount of fight I have in me and how I do not let things dent my determination for the future I want for myself. The amount of courage I have to be different and not try to fit in with the so-called normal.

Being a teen during a pandemic is especially courageous. How did you get through the hard days, and how did you help others get through when they were down?
My time during the pandemic was difficult but I just had to keep my mind in the future. How the hard work would pay off in the end. If my friends were feeling down we would find a way to have an online face to face talk.

What is your favorite part of college life and what surprised you most on your first day?
My favorite part of college life is just being able to be on campus and go to in person classes. I was shocked with how social and excited everyone was.

​What are you studying and what activities are planning on participating in at college?
I am currently studying psychology and I am planning on joining a Christian club called Reach and to try to study abroad.

What is the biggest dream you are chasing, and what were/are your steps to achieving?
The biggest one I am chasing is to become a psychotherapist and deal with hard core mental health problems and attempt to help those people.

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
I will always stand up for what I believe and not be silent because someone wants me to. I respect other people's wishes and dreams. I will always encourage people to chase their dreams no matter the costs.

​If you were to present a topic to a group of your peers, what would it be and why?
The topic would be mental health and how important it is to identify. I have experience in my own fight with mental health and everyone's story is different. Some cases may be worse than others but that doesn't make it easier for that specific person everyone needs help sometimes.

How do you feel the pandemic impacted this issue and what advice would you give to teens still struggling?
It has definitely made it more of a trend type situation, people are not meant to be alone for so long. Mental health has increased within teens since the pandemic. To the ones struggling I suggest getting the help and care you deserve.

What was your photoshoot like with Christine Robers and what did you love most about it?
It was a very fun and eventful experience. We went to a bunch of different locations with different backgrounds. I loved the weather that day, it couldn’t have been more perfect.

What's the most exciting thing up next for you, Destiny?
The next thing is definitely working on getting my college degree to work professionally in my field of interest.

Look for Destiny in issue 49 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!