Inspiring Teens Magazine Features

Meredith Addington

11/30/2019

Meredith Addington - Kentucky
Interview by Clara Soler
Nomination by Ana Macchiavelli
Photography by Powell Photography
Issue 28 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

The Nomination: Saying that she is as beautiful inside as she is on the outside is an understatement. She is such a bright, intelligent, encouraging and sweet girl. She shows that in everything she does. When my oldest son had a bad day at school, she talked with him about it and helped him out. Although she is a very busy girl, she always makes sure to check on the kids and tries to share their activities. She would take time to come to recitals or birthday parties. And she is always working for her school, her dance team or the community to improve the lives of the people. She is a caring soul and an inspiring teen that deserves a chance to show up and lead by example!
She is a loving daughter that takes care and includes her family in her life, and she is very honest. She deserves recognition and encouragement to keep being the way she is and keep inspiring us all!!

Photography by Powell Photography

Why did you first start volunteering and helping others?
I have always been raised with parents who have giving hearts. Ever since I can remember my family has been a part of missions in the church and organizations that serve. It has been built into who I am that I should serve with nothing expected in return. I cannot remember the first time I volunteered but I do remember an experience of volunteering that has left the biggest impression in my life. I went to a rural part of West Virginia called Oceana on a mission trip with my church to set up a Vacation Bible School. The church we served was called Lighthouse Baptist but the community knew it as the children’s church. It was a little church where most of the members were children from the community who came without their parents. The church was owned and run by an older couple and another older lady who had two church vans to pick up the children for church on Sundays. We went for one week in the summer and it seemed to be the happiest thing that has ever happened in these children’s lives. We worked from early mornings to late nights setting up, running around with the kids, and tearing down just to do it all again the next day. I built real relationships with these children and every year that we went back they remembered every one of our names. With that volunteering experience I did not expect to receive anything, but I believe I have received a stronger heart for volunteering. Since then, volunteering has become more to me than a good deed, but it is a character builder and something that I enjoy doing with a smile on my face.

What would you say is your favorite part of volunteering?
I do not want to be cliché but my favorite part about volunteering truly is the joy I can bring to others' lives. I had their opportunity to visit babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and their families. In a rough time in their life, I was able to help them out a little bit by bringing them care baskets. It was a small gesture, but I am sure it made all the difference to receive some help. I was also able to go to a nursing home and paint the lady’s fingernails and talk to them. Some of them don't have a lot of visitors or someone to pamper them. It gave me joy to see them smile!

Photography by Powell Photography

Has volunteering helped you to discover your career path in any way?
    Volunteering has been a big part in what I see myself doing in the future. I want to have my own practice as a Speech and Language Pathologist for children. I have always had a connection with building relationships with children. And volunteering at my church in the children’s department, reading to kids in the preschool at Russell Primary, working in the mission field, and babysitting has made me realize that working with young children is my calling. Although, getting paid to babysit is a nice reward, something even greater is when you have kids who are so excited to see you and who look up to you and having that strong bond with them. Where I am the youngest child in my family, babysitting is like having younger siblings. I get to support them in recitals, preschool graduations, and celebrate every birthday with them. Being a Speech Pathologist I would be able to build relationships with children and help them develop life skills such as communicating thoroughly and performing necessary tasks.

How has volunteering shaped you into who you are today?
    I have had the opportunity to volunteer many times with several organizations and it has become a second nature for me. It brings me joy and happiness to be able to bring joy and happiness to those in need. Volunteering has become my stress reliever. It helps me to redirect my focus from my life to others lives. When I’m volunteering, I’m not being selfish and thinking of the next thing I need to get done but I am able to focus on the moment and all that I should be thankful for.

Photography by Powell Photography

What advice would you give to someone who wants to start volunteering?
I would tell them to start by finding a passion for something that has affected them or something that they want to help change. You have to be passionate about something in order to give everything you have to help it. Then, I would tell them to start looking into organizations that firmly help their cause and start reaching out to people about being a part of it. Do not be afraid of stepping out of your comfort zone and asking for help or advice. And finally, the most important step is to share the blessing. Encourage your friends, peers, and others to be involved and help them open to a new passion for serving and blessing others.

3 Things on your bucket list
1.Travel the world like the Bucket List Family. My top two places I want to visit are Australia and Africa.
2. Build camper from a school bus and go camping out west.
3. I want to ride an elephant in the African Safari

Photography by Powell Photography

What advice would you give to someone who wants to be where you are today?
I have a few things that I have learned. Don’t be afraid to reach out to people you are not comfortable around. Stepping out of your comfort zone is a big part of growing. Also, do not be afraid to ask for help because you do not know all the answers to everything and sometimes you need an extra hand.
You cannot grow unless you fail a couple times because we learn the most by our mistakes.

Meredith will be featured in Issue 28 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

Click here for more information on issue 28

Click here to nominate an inspiring teen

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Aiden Kennedy

11/1/2019

2 Comments

Aiden Kennedy - Tennessee
Interview by Zoe D'Angelo
Nomination by Angel Kennedy
Photography by JB Brookman Photography
Issue 27 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

The Nomination: Aiden belongs among the amazing teens featured in your magazine because he is a driven leader determined to succeed through hard work. He bought his first car when he was 15 by working at Sonic. He worked his way up to Manager and started an IRA for himself. Aiden is a captain of the football team and mentor to a group of underclassmen teammates. He is considering continuing his football career after high school and has multiple offers. He has accumulated over 100 hours of volunteer time throughout his high school career, helping everyone from Veterans to Special Needs groups.

Photography by JB Brookman Photography

What is the football program like at your school?
It is intensive, and year-round. It is a Brotherhood. BHS football players need to be committed to work for something bigger than themselves. Dedication & perseverance are required to succeed. I am thankful to have been a part of the program for 4 years.

Tell us about some of your volunteer work in the community.
I am blessed to live in an excellent, supportive community. My football coaches encourage us to really give back and be a positive influence throughout our city and to represent our school and program well. I took that message to heart and have worked with special needs children at school and throughout the community, packed meals for veterans and taken care of animals. I’ve volunteered to keep the river by my house and school clean and worked for a church nearby to keep the trees trimmed. I enjoy helping however I can!

Photography by JB Brookman Photography

What was it like working with Veterans? They are very special people!
Very interesting; they have amazing stories. I could listen to them forever. I really like history, so I like to hear their take current events and how things have changed. The brotherhood between veterans is similar to the football team brotherhood so I connect with them in that way as well. I see myself continuing to support Veterans through volunteer work for a very long time.

What is something you love about mentoring underclassmen?
I love letting them know that they can talk to someone older than them and confide in an upperclassman because I've been in their shoes too. They like knowing they have someone experienced to rely on in case they need help with bullies, navigating the school, homework or really anything!

What are some easy ways to keep a conversation going with someone who may be on the shy side?
Listen and respond. Smile. When I am polite to people they open up. I also like to ask basic questions to get them talking. I am used to talking to people I don’t know and getting awkward conversations started because of my management job at Sonic. I have gotten to experience conversations with happy, grateful customers and had to calm down angry ones!

Photography by JB Brookman Photography

Where do you see yourself in 5 years/what are your plans for the future?
I see myself in a post-graduate law program. I’m planning to major in Criminal Justice and then go to law school because I want to help others who cannot help themselves.

How do you keep yourself organized with everything you have on your plate?
Repetition & routine. My weeks are scheduled, and I know what to expect at this point! I have practice at the same times & I’ve been working the same shifts at Sonic for several years. It just works.

Aiden will be featured in Issue 27 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

Click here to purchase Issue 27

Click here to nominate an inspiring teen

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Meredith Addington

Meredith Addington - Kentucky
Interview by Clara Soler
Nomination by Ana Macchiavelli
Photography by Powell Photography
Issue 28 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Aiden Kennedy

Aiden Kennedy - Tennessee
Interview by Zoe D'Angelo
Nomination by Angel Kennedy
Photography by JB Brookman Photography
Issue 27 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

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Meredith Addington

​Meredith Addington - KentuckyInterview by Clara SolerNomination by Ana MacchiavelliPhotography by Powell PhotographyIssue 28 of Inspiring Teens Magazine​

Aiden Kennedy

Aiden Kennedy - TennesseeInterview by Zoe D'AngeloNomination by Angel KennedyPhotography by JB Brookman PhotographyIssue 27 of Inspiring Teens Magazine​

Featured

Archives

Categories

Meredith Addington - Kentucky
Interview by Clara Soler
Nomination by Ana Macchiavelli
Photography by Powell Photography
Issue 28 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Aiden Kennedy - Tennessee
Interview by Zoe D'Angelo
Nomination by Angel Kennedy
Photography by JB Brookman Photography
Issue 27 of Inspiring Teens Magazine