Alina Parikh

Alina Parikh - Maryland
Nomination by Divya Parikh
Photography by Erica Land Photography
Issue 51 of Inspiring Teens Magazine
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Nomination: Alina Parikh is an inspiring teen. Besides being a good student and an athlete, she showed a lot of her talent and strength during the first year of the pandemic. She learned to cook, train a puppy, and tons of DIY while attending and adjusting to virtual school in quarantine. She’s innately funny and exudes a kind smile for everyone. Most importantly she is a trusted and loyal friend. She includes everyone and avoids groups who do not. She embraces being a young Indian American teen balancing her Indian culture -connecting many generations of family - and through celebrating the myriad of cultures in her community.
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Photography by Erica Land Photography

What sport/s do you participate in? What is your favorite and why? What is a favorite memory or accomplishment from that sport?
I have been playing sports since I was 4 years old. I swam and dove, played basketball in the winter, did karate, and played tennis. The one sport I stuck with through all these years is soccer. What I enjoy most is the friends I’ve made along the way. A favorite memory I have was winning our first tournament a few years ago. We were all so excited and happy. My love for soccer has opened me up to trying new sports in the future.

What is your favorite thing to cook and why?
I love to bake! Over quarantine, we couldn’t go out so one of my favorite activities was learning to make foods we like to eat from scratch, and I discovered baking is my favorite. I make all kinds of cakes and find new ways to decorate them. I look for new recipes on Pinterest and like trying them out. I enjoy making chocolate chip, sugar, and snickerdoodle cookies.

How was puppy training? Tell us more about that - and your puppy!
Like many families, my family rescued a black lab mix. We named her Princess Leia because our family has always enjoyed watching Star Wars. Unlike a lot of other dogs, my puppy is a little crazy. She jumps and wants to chase a ball constantly, and her bark makes the walls shake. Even with months of training, she seems to have her own mind. She listens to my mom the most but there are some tricks I’ve taught her that she does really well. I love her and cannot imagine my life without her anymore.

What was your favorite ‘Do It Yourself’ project during COVID?
I learned how to make a lot of things naturally and from scratch that are good for my health and easy to do. I made scented bath scrub free of chemicals and dyes with coconut oil, cane sugar and dehydrated fruit. I made make-up setting spray, learned how to do nail designs on myself and others and a bunch of art projects.
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Photography by Erica Land Photography

What is a tradition or celebration in your Indian culture that means a lot to you and why?
Being part of traditional Indian weddings is one of my favorite celebrations. They are colorful, big, loud and fun for everyone. There’s tons of food and dancing! The whole family is involved, and the guests are like family. There are so many different days of celebrations, by the end you feel so close to everyone. Everything is so different from other cultural celebrations that it feels so special to be a part of something like this.

What else would you like to talk about?
I would want to be asked 'at your age what is beauty?' There are specific beauty standards that everyone is trying to meet. But I think beauty is in our differences. It's what makes you who you are and how you acknowledge and express it is what I find beautiful. It goes beyond skin color, hair texture, and other physical traits. It's those qualities that aren't always obvious to the eye, but you find it in how someone makes you laugh or feel. Everyone's natural beauty is expressed in their own unique way.

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
Pre-COVID, I was trying really hard to keep up with my friends who hoped to become popular even if it hurt others. I know what it feels like to be excluded. It's taught me to aspire to be who I believe I should be instead of what society might be telling me to become. Instead of worrying about how much everyone likes me I hope that by making a few deep friendships with core friends and by supporting them I inspire others to find their own way and not just worry about what a few think is the way to be.
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If you were to present a topic to a group of your peers, what would it be and why?
The title would be "why are you racing through the final years of your childhood?" When you're 13, you want to be 16. When you're 16, you want to be 21. When you're over 21, you're trying to go back to those carefree years where you didn't have to worry about as many responsibilities and the lost opportunity of spending those years racing to be an adult. Make the most of each age. Instead of worrying about what impresses everyone, enjoy your teen years at each age you are.

Photography by Erica Land Photography

Tell us about being on Erica Land Photography's model team and why you joined. What has your experience been like? What do you love most about it?
I wanted to join the teen ambassadors because the girls on the team represent qualities I believe in. When I saw Erica’s pictures on Instagram, I felt like they showed an important personal trait of each girl. Some dance, others play sports or are artists, and each girl could express who they are at this moment captured in the way they would like to be represented. I also appreciate the community service opportunities we’ve had as a group to help those in need, cancer charities, and other ways to support our city.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to be where you are today?
Don’t let people’s opinions influence you. People may try to bring you down to make themselves feel better. Don’t take their flattery too seriously either. Your worth is not equal to the number of likes on social media. Do what you want think is best for you despite what others may think because that will only make you stronger and more confident. Be yourself and make the best out of any situation.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years/what are your plans?
In 5 years, I will be 18 and be looking into getting accepted in a good college and study something I love. I would like to continue modeling and study to become something that allows me to work with people (not at a computer all day). I might go into nursing or healthcare because I want what I do to help others in a positive way.

3 Things on your bucket list:
I would love to travel all over the world and experience other cultures. I hope to travel to every continent (except Antarctica because I’m not a fan of extreme cold).
I would like to learn sign-language.
I would like to scuba dive in clear waters with no sharks.

Who do you find inspiring?
I find my mom inspiring because I would not be who I am without her. She’s my friend and someone who is there for me no matter what. My mom inspires me because she is smart, pretty, organized, funny, she knows how to solve problems and she’s there for everyone. I aspire to be like her one day.

Look for Alina in issue 51 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

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click here for more information on issue 51

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