Anna Herring

Anna Herring - Texas
Nomination & Photography by Angie Read Photography
Issue 96 of Inspiring Teens Magazine
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​Nomination: Anna is one of the most determined and hard-working young women I know. She approaches everything she does with intelligence, confidence, and heart. Anna gives her all and inspires those around her with her dedication and drive. She doesn’t wait for opportunities, she creates them. Her strong work ethic, kindness, and beautiful spirit shine through in everything she does. I am so proud of the smart, compassionate, and resilient young woman she’s become, beautiful inside and out.

Photography by Angie Read Photography
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What inspiring qualities or accomplishments weren’t highlighted in your nomination?
My civil engineering internship gave me hands-on experience working on real projects, where I learned about design, problem-solving, and teamwork in a professional setting. It helped me develop practical skills and a deeper understanding of the field. Being part of both the Spanish National Honor Society and the English National Honor Society reflects my passion for languages and academic excellence. These experiences highlight my hard work, ambition, and versatility across different areas.

What else would you like to talk about?
Currently, I am working on my college applications to pursue my dream of becoming a civil engineer. I have always been passionate about going to college and making my parents proud, so I am looking forward to taking this next step towards becoming a young adult. My biggest goal at the moment is to finish all of my classes strong, and set a good example for my younger siblings, Makenna and Luke.

What do you feel passionate about or could talk about forever?
One of my biggest passions at the moment would have to be investing in the stock market. With my parents’ help, I am able to go on the stock market and assess the line charts in order to see which stocks I may want to buy or sell. I think this is a great way for young people to get first hand experience with the global economy while also establishing savings.

What first sparked your interest in civil engineering, and how did you know it was the right career path for you?
My interest in civil engineering actually started from watching videos from software programs like Solidworks and AutoCad online. I thought the way engineers were able to design structures and make them become a reality was very alluring. I took particular interest in civil engineering because the field is not only focused on the economy, but also fundamentals of engineering that play into politics and the natural environment. 

Can you share a memorable project or challenge from your civil engineering internship that taught you something valuable?
My favorite engineering project that I participated in during my internship had to be when the group helped the engineers at Bleyl (Conroe, Texas) to calculate elevations needed to for drainage at a storage facility. This was my favorite part of my internship because it highlighted the importance of collaboration needed for projects. This was also a great experience because it allowed the interns to evaluate real work that we could be doing in the future.

You mentioned being in both the Spanish and English National Honor Societies — how has your love of languages influenced the way you think or communicate?
I think being well versed in two languages would be very helpful to anyone. Living in Texas, there is a lot of Hispanic- American influence around me, so it has been useful to sort of adapt to a different culture while it is also associated with my own. I find it interesting to learn about new cultures and especially study languages that make communication with people more effective. Participating in these groups allows me to communicate with a multitude of people from different backgrounds, and I value that because I believe we should always be open to learning new things.

What do you enjoy most about the process of setting goals and working hard to achieve them?
The thing that is most valuable to me when I achieve a goal would probably be the feeling I get when my parents tell me they are proud of me. Being successful in something is rewarding in itself but when it is recognized by the two people in the world whose opinion matters most to you, it feels like the greatest accomplishment ever.

How do you balance your academic goals, extracurricular commitments, and time with family and friends?
The main thing that I would say helps me maintain a balance between work, school, family and friends, and extracurricular activities would definitely be the idea of time and place. I do my best to do all of my classwork and homework if I have it in school, although having a rigorous and demanding workload does make that challenging. I also try to set a good balance of how many hours a week I work in order to make time for other things in my life such as family, friends, and school activities. 

You said you want to set a good example for your younger siblings — what lessons or values do you hope they learn from watching you?
The most important lesson that I hope my siblings learn from me would be the value of their minds. One thing that I personally struggle with is being too competitive when someone understands or knows how to do something that I don’t. In the past, this has made me upset and compare my abilities to others, but now I feel more comfortable being wrong or not being able to do some things. I hope my siblings learn from me that everyone is unique in their own way, and that their skills and personalities are valued, appreciated, and loved.
 
What have you learned about yourself through the college application process so far?
I would say the main thing I have learned about myself throughout the college application process so far is that Houston will always be home to me, but also that I should be more geographically optimistic. I feel as though Houston could offer me any opportunity and can give me the chance to succeed in whatever I put my mind to. When I first started applying, I had schools set all over the world from Arizona to New York. Throughout the application process, I became more optimistic to go about more experiences and places. I learned I want to experience may even be something outside of Houston.

Your interest in investing is so impressive! What drew you to the stock market, and what advice would you give to other teens who might want to start learning about it? 
I was first introduced to the stock market in my 8th grade business class. My teacher had us use a simulation program to learn how the stock market works. I learned how to estimate when to buy and sell a stock and which stocks will do well considering current social and political conditions. 

Who or what inspires your strong work ethic and drive to create your own opportunities?
Something that inspires my work ethic would probably be the idea my future family would have of me. When I have children, I want them to know their mom does whatever she can to give them everything they want and need. I want them to know that their mom is hardworking, resilient, and educated. I also want them to know that doing whatever it takes to set yourself apart from peers will never be a bad thing. When you are passionate about something, it is shown through your actions and your willingness to do hard things.

Looking ahead, how do you hope to use your education and experiences in civil engineering to make a difference in your community or the world?
Once I become a civil engineer, I plan to use my degree to make a difference in my community by making extraction of oil and gas safer and more efficient. This would be beneficial not only for companies, but also for the environment. 

What is your ideal dream job if it were offered to you today?
My dream job would definitely be to work as a civil engineer with my PE (professional engineering license) in the oil and gas industry. I have always been interested in engineering, specifically offshore and oil and gas principles because I grew up around it , and I am still passionate about someday pursuing a career in that. A big part of why that is probably has to do with my dad, I look up to him and I think the work he does is helpful to the economy and is very interesting. 

How did you find your photographer and what did you love most about the experience?
I found my photographer, Angie, on Instagram. Throughout my junior year, I would see posts from girls from my school who worked with Angie. Immediately, I fell in love with her work. When the time came to apply for her team, I had no hesitation. When I work with Angie, I feel confident, relaxed, and natural. She makes the whole experience amazing while also building a relationship with each of her clients.

Tell us about the program you are in at Angie Read Photography. Why did you join, what experiences have you had, and what are you looking forward to next?
The program that I am in with Angie is called Power Team 2026. This is essentially a group of high school senior girls who get together to take pictures, do volunteering, and participate in group activities. Not only is this group for modeling, but it also is great in helping the community by building a healthy environment and fostering good social skills in young adults. I love being in this group because it has allowed me to meet new people, visit new places, and be able to express myself through modeling.

What is a favorite memory with or thoughts of the person who nominated you?
My favorite memory with the person who nominated me, my mom, would probably have to be the nights when we just sit out on our porch and talk about anything. We can talk about good things, funny things, and sometimes even bad things. She might not know how much I enjoy those nights, but it truly does make my heart happy. I admire my mom’s kindness, and ambition and I hope to be a sliver of what she is one day.
 
Why do you want to be in Inspiring Teens Magazine?
I want to be in Inspiring Teens Magazine because I believe it would be a great way for me to express my passions, share my platform, and reach out to others. Being in this magazine would be an amazing opportunity for me to connect with other young adults who share similar passions, while also highlighting how I am an inspiring teen.
 
If you win a scholarship, what will you do with the money?
If I do win the scholarship, I will definitely put the money towards school. College is expensive and this money would be a huge blessing for me and would help tremendously with my dream of becoming an engineer.
 
Is there anyone you'd like to thank for helping you to get where you are today?
I would like to thank my family for helping me get to where I am today. Thank you to my mom, Ashley, for teaching me how to be strong in every aspect and to try again even when I fail. Thank you to my dad, Brad, for showing me how to make the best of any situation and teaching me that it’s okay to be wrong. To my sister, Makenna, for treating me with unconditional loyalty. My brother, Luke, for inspiring me to be more outgoing and kind. 
 
 Look for Anna in issue 96 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!
*Interviews are not edited after received from our inspiring teens - what you read is who they genuinely are!

click here for more information on issue 96

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