Inspiring Teens Magazine Features

Ayreanna Pawlicki

1/30/2019

Interview by Caroline Alegado
Nomination and Photography by Rather B Photography
Michigan

The Nomination: Ayreanna is very positive and looks at the good in every situation. She is friendly and goes above & beyond with everything she does.

She is part of my Rather B Photography model team, where we not only take pictures, but we do service projects and try to be a positive influence in our community. We have done things such as awareness campaigns and volunteered at several nonprofits including helping at our local homeless shelter. Giving back is another one of her specialties. She is very involved with Young Life, a youth group where she oversees the clubs. They have meetings, talk about God, and do projects that that teach teens it is ok “to mess up”. She tries to get other tween and teens involved so they know that everyone has a place and feels welcome.

How did you get started with the Rather B Photography Model Team?

My mom and I were talking about getting my senior pictures and trying to figure out who could do them. She sent me a link to Rather B Photography, where I saw an application to the team. I filled it out, so I could get my senior pictures done and be part of the team too! After the meeting and getting to know the others, I stuck with it and it has been amazing ever since.

Can you describe which service project was most rewarding for you and why?

For God Works, we serve dinner once or twice a month on Fridays at St. Mary’s church. We prep and cook the meals, hand out drinks, serve the people, clean up after them, and to finish off we serve dessert. This simple little project that I have been a part of for quite some time has always had a special place in my heart. I got into it when I was very little and have continued to help ever since. It opens my eyes up and I now see just how fortunate and lucky I am. Being able to share a smile and help someone out gives me the warmest feeling inside that just is not replaceable and makes me want to continue to help since I am able to and I could brighten up someone’s day.

Describe your experiences at Young Life.

Young Life has impacted my life so much and has changed me as a person for the good. My leaders are a big part of my life; they have been my “substitute teachers” since God cannot actually be in person form and stand next to me helping with my worries or concerns. Fall Weekend and Camp during the summer are the two main parts of young life! They both consist of going away with your Young Life group and preparing to see the World and God in a whole new way. My first time going was last year and after both Camp and Fall Weekend, my life was changed forever.

How do you think your work with Rather B Photography, Young Life, and the various service projects you do might impact your future career plans?

This has all pushed me to help others and do good things for the community and in general as well. I will be going into the Health Field for my career and I want to be a nurse which will let me talk to people and help them as much as I possibly can. From all my experiences and learning I have now just shows how much good I have in my heart and that I want to share that with others, I do not want to watch people suffer. I want to help, so a nursing position is the best place for me.

With all your involvement, you are a role model for many. Who inspires you?

My sister Maycee has inspires me. May is what I like to call her. She is younger than me but every day she has a smile on her face pushes me to do better even if I’m not feeling good or if I’m just lazy. I can always count on her to have my back and watch out for me. I am so lucky that God gave me a sister so I have someone to always be there for me.

Ayreanna is published in Issue 15.

click here to buy issue 15

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Abigail Fugina

1/23/2019

3 Comments

Interviewed by Larissa Chelius
Nomination and Photography by Amber Reynolds
Texas

The Nomination: I believe she is a great inspiration to others who may be fighting epilepsy as she does. She is fully active with cheer, showing her pig in the school’s AG program and many other activities in school. She is a beautiful young lady both inside and out. Her story is definitely one to be shared!

What inspires you to do the things you love while fighting epilepsy?

I think my faith with God has helped me a lot. Living with a disability can be difficult and at times, people don’t always understand some of the impacts, and that can be hurtful. I try to keep a positive attitude and when I am involved in something, give 100%. One thing we do is an annual car wash to raise money for Epilepsy Awareness. What we donate goes to camps for people with epilepsy, research and other things for Epilepsy. It’s great for people to volunteer and a way for me to give back, especially because I have had a lot of people support me over the years. I have a very supportive family that loves me a lot.

What advice would you give to other battling epilepsy?

It is important to live your life for who you are. I want to inspire others and show them epilepsy is just a part of me. I feel this could go for any teen dealing with epilepsy or any condition. Sometimes others can’t understand what you are going through and treat you differently- and that can be very hard. But don’t let that take away from what you want to do. I like to set goals, and many times it takes me extra work, or tutoring, or whatever that others don’t have to do, to achieve them. Don’t let disabilities take away from your dreams.

Image by Stephanie Fugina

What is the Ag program?

The AG program I am involved in at Centennial High School is FFA- Future Farmers of America. This involves learning about animals, machinery, plants and other things. I have raised pigs for four years and shown them at various rodeos through FFA. The program not only teaches you about American farming but provides leadership and life skills. I have been a member for 4 years and an officer for 2 years.

How did you become interested in cheerleading?

I joined a cheer team when I was 5 through the local football program. I loved it right away. It is great to be part of a team, making others smile and get excited about what is going on in the game. I use cheer to express myself and share my personality with others. My brothers played lots of sports and I saw how it was a positive impact for them in games.

What is your favorite part of cheer?

I love being part of a team and when we get the crowd up and crazy. Win or lose, the team and fans need to know we are there for them. I enjoy the stunts, the chants, and whatever it takes to get the crowd fired up and reacting.

What other activities do you participate in?

Cheerleading, being an FFA officer and raising a pig take a lot of my time right now. I also do volunteering through these groups. But I also like to participate in Young Life, a Christian organization. It has been a big help and influence in my life.

Abigail will be featured in Issue 16.

Click here to vote for Abigail for the Cover of Issue 16

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3 Comments

Tyler Graciano

1/22/2019

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Interview by Michelle Sicard
Nomination and Photography by Alexis Graciano of Graciano Photography
Indiana

The Nomination: Tyler is a loving person. He enjoys singing in his free time and is in his school choir. He plays on his school basketball team as well as the AAU basketball team for our town. He was in private school most his life where they taught him Spanish and how to sign. At a young age he found his love for singing and theater at his private school but is very happy to now be in public school playing basketball and his school choir.

How did you become interested in singing in the first place? Is there a specific artist/band you are inspired by?

Well it all started with the old originals like Taylor Swift and Justin Bieber but now it is more like Khalid, Halsey, Post Malone, Lil Uzi Vert, Nicki Minaj, and Juice World. To be honest it was just a feeling, that I just loved to do it, it made me happy and feel like I could be a part of something greater than myself.

How did you feel during your transition from private to public school? Was it that much different, and if so, how?

I loved it. My old school wasn’t really the right fit for me and some of the kids were not what I needed, plus all my friends went to the public school. It is different but coming from that to this is a transition I wouldn’t change for the world. I’m so much happier I get to be with my real friends. Shoutout to The 6 Amigos, Griffin, and Cassidy.

Tell me a little bit about your AAU Basketball Team. Was there any experience where you had to be a leader or show leadership skills in the team?

So my AAU team is really hyper and were like a family to be honest. We have support for each other and have each other’s backs. There was a few times when I had to step up especially on my School team but we all worked together and we got second in conference.

What are some of your favorite pieces you have sang in choir and does your school have choir concerts or other activities?

Well my favorite piece in choir was singing Believe from the polar express, and yes we have a Winter, Spring, and ISMA pre-concert. My favorite musical I have ever done was at my old school and we did High School Musical.

With all your amazing extra-curriculars, how do you keep yourself organized and keep your grades up?
I have to stay organized or I get stressed. It’s weird and helpful at the same time, but I just try my best to get good grades just like I do.

What do you plan on doing after high school?
Well for college I was either thinking about staying local like IU Bloomington or Purdue but, I really wanted to go somewhere where its nicer like AADA which is an acting in school in California, or somewhere in Texas or Florida. And if neither of my passions work out, I would try to be an Interior Designer or Architect.

Tyler will be featured in Issue 16.

Click here to vote for Tyler for the Cover of Issue 16

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Conner Sparks

1/21/2019

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Interview by Larissa Chelius
Photography and Nomination by Shawn Habermehl Photography
California

The Nomination: Conner began competitive weightlifting his Freshman year in high school. The football coach at that time brought the sport to Whitney High School. Conner took to it immediately and started competing at a high level. He has attended a number of National competitions placing 4th in his first National in Michigan. Conner works out 3-4 hours a day six days a week. He is now gearing up for National Juniors in Chicago this month. On top of all of this he is an exceptional student very academic. Yet best of all he is kind and polite and very engaging. A wonderful young man. He would represent your brand perfectly!

How did you become interested in competitive weightlifting and how did you start?

I began Olympic weightlifting the summer before my freshman year of high school in preparation for football as that was my main sport at the time. Our varsity football program was getting a new head coach, Paul Doherty, who was coming over from Sacramento High School. He brought over the weightlifting program that he had implemented there. I went through my freshman year of high school football while participating in Olympic weightlifting workouts along with the rest of the team.

I didn’t think much about the sport of Olympic weightlifting until Coach Doherty mentioned to the football program that the 2016 Youth National Championships would be hosted in Austin, Texas that year and that he wanted as many people there as possible. I had been enjoying the Olympic lifting workouts immensely at this point and was really excited by the prospect of competing on a national stage in a sport that I had only just learned about. Despite my excitement, my parents were understandably hesitant about flying to Texas to compete in a sport that none of us knew very much about. They made me a deal, saying that if I could hit a clean and jerk, one of the competition movements, at 90 kg then my mom and I would fly out to Austin for me to compete. I spent hours in the gym trying to reach this goal and once I did, it was off to Austin to compete. From there, my love for the sport has only grown from year to year.

Tell me a little bit about all of your National competitions.

I’ve competed in quite a few national competitions. The most noteworthy being my first Youth Nationals in Austin, Texas where I competed as a 62 kg lifter, placing fifth and my third and final Youth Nationals in 2018 where I competed as a 77 kg lifter in Grand Rapids, Michigan where I took second with a 106 kg snatch and a 139 kg clean and jerk. I also competed at the 2017 Youth Nationals as a 69 kg lifter in Atlanta, Georgia and the 2018 Junior Nationals as a 77 kg lifter in Spokane, Washington where I took third in the youth age category.

How do you prepare for your competitions?

Preparing for competitions is something that I’m always doing. Whether it’s training or just eating right and getting enough sleep, preparing for a competition is something that’s always on my mind. As competitions get closer, my training schedule is modified, such as reducing workloads so that I can get enough practice with the competition lifts in.

As a student at Whitney High School, what do you do in order to maintain good grades?

It’s a lot of late nights and studying to maintain high marks. My workouts can take anywhere from two to three hours a night, so I typically get home pretty late. I have to use whatever free time I have to get assignments done so that I can get enough sleep to get through my long training sessions. I also spend a lot of time going over concepts with friends to make sure that I understand it fully before tests come around.

Conner will be featured in Issue 16, scheduled to be released on March 1, 2019.

Click here to vote for Conner for the cover of Issue 16

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Jaelyn Snyder

1/21/2019

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Interview by Zoe D'Angelo | Photography by Simply Time Photography
New York

How did you become interested in art?
I became interested in art because I can express myself in a more visual way. It led me to try different medium which is an adventure to me. I am currently trying out new mediums every week to push myself to get better.

Who is your biggest inspiration when it comes to art? I don't have any one artist in particular. I like to follow different artist for variety. I am currently interest in artist, Octavio Ocampo. His artwork is in the metamorphic style which is many images that make up one large image. I find his work intriguing and for a school project I am working on a piece with this style.

Why do you like watercolor more than other mediums you usually work with?
I think I like watercolor because I can mix the color more evenly and I am drawn to the gradient look. I enjoy the different techniques and certain materials that have chemical reactions to the pigment in watercolor. I can use this to make some really fun designs to implement in my work.

How do you try to be inspiring?
I hope that I can inspire people that may feel insecure in certain areas to try and pursue something they are passionate about. If they practice and learn all they can about it, you just never know what it can lead to. I knew I loved art, but there are so many mediums and styles that I really had to find what I enjoyed the most. I didn't think I was necessarily a painter, but once I discovered watercolor I fell in love!

Do you plan on continuing your career in art as you get older?
Yes, I will always continue with my art wherever that path leads me. I have been interested in Animation, but I want to always enjoy my art and not feel pressure to draw on a deadline, so most likely it will always be a side career for me.

How do you feel once you have finished a project?
I enjoy the feeling of accomplishment at the end of each project. I usually get really excited when I finish a project and can't wait to hang it up in my room/studio. I often surprise myself with the end result because as I am doing step by step, I am not always certain how the final outcome will be.

What do you enjoy painting or drawing the most?
I almost always choose to paint or draw people. I enjoy the details in creating their emotions, features (skin, hair, eyes), body position, and incorporating different fashion types. I feel it draws people in more than inanimate objects.

Jaelyn interview and artwork will be published in Issue 16.

Click here to vote for Jaelyn for the cover of issue 16

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Lily Crane

1/21/2019

2 Comments

Interview by Zoe D'Angelo
Nomination by Joyce Crane | Photography by Dawn Brosie & Kelly Averett
Texas

The Nomination: Lily is profoundly deaf but has not let that stop her from accomplishing anything. She is a great basketball player, barrel racer, and has won numerous pageants (current title is Miss Rodeo for a Reason 2019). We were told she would never talk, she talks pretty clearly and she “hears” by reading lips. She does not want to be treated any different that anyone else. She is absolutely beautiful but has not clue, is extremely funny and outgoing, and has a huge heart. She’s pretty much perfect.

Image Taken By Coach

1. Tell me about your illness and how you deal with it throughout everyday life.

I try not to let my disability effect my life. I play basketball, I ride horses and barrel race, I compete in pageants, and I work as a host at a restaurant! I wear hearing aids which helps me hear loud noises so I am not in complete silence when they are on, however I do turn them off a lot because silence isn't always bad. =) This is the life God blessed me with and I don't know anything different so I can't really complain.

2. What was competing in Miss Rodeo for a Reason like and how was it winning the pageant?

Competing in the Miss Rodeo for a Reason pageant was probably my best life experience to date! I was first picked to be in the top 10 and then we all traveled to Vegas during the NFR to compete in different challenges. We had to do impromptu interviews with vendors, make runway outfits out of feedbags, etc. I made 10 friends for life and was completing shocked when I won because the other girls were all so perfect! Truly an honor to be apart of such a great team of people!

Was it difficult learning how to read lips?

I really have been doing it for longer then I can even remember. I do know when I was in kindergarten they had interpreters there signing for me but I didn't want to watch them. I wanted to watch the teachers lips. I think I have been practicing it so long it just seems natural. I only really have difficulty when men have beards or people are mumblers and don't move lips a lot!

What advice would you give a child who is dealing with the same disability as you?

You can do anything you set your mind to do, just try it. It might be hard but trying is worth it in the end. Don't worry about what other people think or say about you, their opinion doesn't matter. You are who you are because God made you that way and wanted you that way so love yourself!

What are your plans for the future?

I plan to go to college, major in equine science and live on a farm with my horses. I would like to have a rescue farm for horses and dogs and eventually have clinics for disabled kids to come and ride!

Lily will be published in Issue 16, scheduled to be released 3.1.2019

click here to nominate an inspiring teen you know

2 Comments

Ayreanna Pawlicki

Interview by Caroline Alegado
Nomination and Photography by Rather B Photography
Michigan

Abigail Fugina

Interviewed by Larissa Chelius
Nomination and Photography by Amber Reynolds
Texas

Tyler Graciano

Interview by Michelle Sicard
Nomination and Photography by Alexis Graciano of Graciano Photography
Indiana

Conner Sparks

Interview by Larissa Chelius
Photography and Nomination by Shawn Habermehl Photography
California

Jaelyn Snyder

Interview by Zoe D'Angelo | Photography by Simply Time Photography
New York

Lily Crane

Interview by Zoe D'Angelo
Nomination by Joyce Crane | Photography by Dawn Brosie & Kelly Averett
Texas

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Ayreanna Pawlicki

Interview by Caroline AlegadoNomination and Photography by Rather B PhotographyMichigan

Abigail Fugina

​Interviewed by Larissa CheliusNomination and Photography by Amber ReynoldsTexas

Tyler Graciano

Interview by Michelle Sicard Nomination and Photography by Alexis Graciano of Graciano PhotographyIndiana ​

Conner Sparks

Interview by Larissa CheliusPhotography and Nomination by Shawn Habermehl Photography​California

Jaelyn Snyder

Interview by Zoe D'Angelo | Photography by Simply Time PhotographyNew York

Lily Crane

Interview by Zoe D'AngeloNomination by Joyce Crane | Photography by Dawn Brosie & Kelly Averett​Texas

Featured

Archives

Categories

Interview by Caroline Alegado
Nomination and Photography by Rather B Photography
Michigan

Interviewed by Larissa Chelius
Nomination and Photography by Amber Reynolds
Texas

Interview by Michelle Sicard
Nomination and Photography by Alexis Graciano of Graciano Photography
Indiana

Interview by Larissa Chelius
Photography and Nomination by Shawn Habermehl Photography
California

Interview by Zoe D'Angelo | Photography by Simply Time Photography
New York

Interview by Zoe D'Angelo
Nomination by Joyce Crane | Photography by Dawn Brosie & Kelly Averett
Texas