Annabel Young

Annabel Young – Kentucky
Nomination by Shannon Young
Photography by Jim Tincher Photography
Issue 75 of Inspiring Teens Magazine
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Nomination: Annabel Young is a soft spoken, kind and compassionate young lady. She is known for being quiet off the pitch, but once she steps onto the soccer field, a powerful and aggressive warrior emerges. She tore her ACL at the end of her junior soccer season, which required surgery. She missed half of her senior season, but she worked hard and came back strong and has now signed her letter of intent to play at Midway University, securing both athletic and academic scholarships. She maintains a 3.4 gpa and is also a starter on the varsity softball team and is actively involved behind the scenes in drama club.
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Photography by Jim Tincher Photography

Tell us about your soccer career.
I've been playing soccer for 15 years and club for 7. I traveled a lot during the 7 years of club soccer, going to all of the surrounding states to play every weekend and at one point my home field was in Ohio ( I live in central Kentucky). During my high school career, I have won awards including the 2020 The Frankfort State Journal Traditional Bank Athlete of the Week, 2020 golden boot award, 2021 most assists, 2022 Capital City Classic All tournament team, and 2023 District All tournament team.

What is a favorite memory with your soccer team?
My favorite memory with my soccer team is all the bus rides we had going to away games, and then going out to eat after. Another one of my favorite memories is a team sleepover we had after we had won the Capital City Classic Championship. Everyone is like a family on the soccer team and that is one of the best parts about it.

What position do you play and why does this suit you?
I am a strong, aggressive player with great field vision and foot skills and that is why I play midfield. I am a great distributor, which is a key component if you play in the midfield. I have also played as a forward, but midfield is my natural position.

What are you most looking forward to playing for Midway University?
One of the things I am most excited for is getting to know all of the girls and being able to compete at a high level.

Photography by Jim Tincher Photography

What do you feel passionate about or could talk about forever?
One thing that I am very passionate about is soccer. I have been playing soccer for 15 years and have played club for 7. Playing soccer has taught me leadership, communication, teamwork, and it has also helped me develop friendships. I tore my ACL my junior year and missed half of my senior season, but I strived to get back to normal and did physical therapy for 11 months. The thought of getting to play soccer again really helped me push through all the struggles. I came back from my injury early and have now signed with Midway University.

How do you balance your social life, athletic life, and still keep a 3.4?
I balance my social and athletic life by trying to get as much homework done as possible during the school day so I will not have to worry about it at home. I am taking 4 dual credits this year, so it’s definitely harder to get everything done during the day, so when that happens I will have to prioritize my academics over social life.

Photography by Jim Tincher Photography

What do you love most about playing softball?
One of the things I enjoy most about softball is being able to play it with some of my best friends. Having good coaches is very important in order to excel and enjoy a sport, and thankfully I have the opportunity to play for great coaches.

What is a favorite softball accomplishment?
My favorite softball accomplishment is when I was 1st in runs and 2nd in stolen bases out of my whole team my sophomore year. Unfortunately I was unable to play my junior year because of an injury, but I am super excited to be back this season!

What role do you play in the drama club? Where do you fit in, and where do you stand Out?
In the drama club I am a part of the tech crew, so I help out backstage, move props, and also help build props when necessary. I enjoy helping out behind the scenes and also hanging out with two of my best friends who are also a part of the drama club. I love being able to be involved even if I am not out on the stage.

What is a favorite memory with this group?
This is my first year of being a part of the drama club, but my favorite memory so far is when we did The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, and getting to be around my friends while also putting on a good show.

Photography by Jim Tincher Photography

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What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
Another inspiring thing about me is that as a senior in high school, I have taken and passed the state exam to become a CNA (certified nursing assistant). In order to achieve that I had to pass all of my exams, check off on many skills, and work in a nursing home for clinical hours. In the spring, as one of my classes, I plan on taking phlebotomy in which I will earn my certification.

What else would you like to talk about?
I am a member of the traveling panthers with my school. My sophomore year I went on a trip to Italy, Greece, and Crete. We visited so many cool places including the Colosseum, Pompeii, the Vatican, St. Peter’s Basilica, St. Paul’s basilica, the Trevi fountain, the Pantheon and more. We took a Ferry across the Sea to get to Greece, and during the night we went through a big storm. In Greece we went to Mycenae, the Epidaurus, Olympia, the Acropolis, and more. The flight to Europe was my first time flying ever, and it was over 9 hours!

How did you find your photographer, Jim Tincher Photography? What was your experience like? What did you love most about it?
I was picked by my photographer to be a senior model. We started our shoots in March of this year and it will continue into 2024. We have lots of photo shoots that he sets up, and we can also set up our own. We have a lot of creative input, so if we have an idea he is always up for it. In June, we went to Charleston as a destination shoot and it was so much fun! We did sunrise, sunset, downtown shoots, iconic looks, beach barbie, and also did a photoshoot at Magnolia Gardens and Charleston college.

If you had nothing to do and all day to do it, where would we find you?
If I had nothing to do and all day to do it, I would probably be hanging out with my friends. I love spending time with my friends and getting to make great memories with them.

Look for Annabel in issue 75 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

click here for more information on issue 75

click here to nominate an inspiring teen