​Nomination: Malayna McBride is an inspiring teen in and out of the classroom. She excels academically, in sports and as a leader, having a GPA of 4.0. She is a member of National Honors Society and peer leaders. She is caption of the volleyball team being a 4 year letterman and Co-Captain of the cheer team being a 3 year letterman. She participated in the Distinguished Young Woman program and was on the 2024 Homecoming Court for Mohawk High School.

Tell us about your high school and what you love most about it.
 
Mohawk High School is a place full of energy, school spirit, and a strong sense of community. I love the sports programs here, where athletes and fans alike come together to cheer on our teams with pride. The pep rallies are one of my favorite traditions, bringing everyone together to celebrate our school and show our Mohawk pride. Most importantly, what sets Mohawk apart is how supportive and encouraging everyone is, creating a welcoming environment where we all feel like family.
 
What is your favorite class this year and what is the most interesting thing you've learned? 
My favorite class this year is psychology, even though it’s a lot of work. I love the teacher because he makes the lessons engaging and encourage us to think deeply about human behavior. The most interesting thing I’ve learned so far is how the brain processes emotions and how that influences our decision-making.
 
What has been your favorite activity in the NHS? 
My favorite activity in the NHS has been the opportunities to give back to our community. I love being involved in the programs we support, whether it’s organizing events or lending a hand to those in need. Tutoring younger students has also been incredibly rewarding, as it allows us to make a difference in their learning and growth.
 
What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover? 
- I volunteer at my church’s Bible school as a helper and leader for kids.
- I mentor kids in the elementary school helping them on their homework or anything they need extra help on.
- I’m a very healthy and athletic person.I like being active and always motivated to be better and make myself better.
 
What do you feel passionate about or could talk about forever?
As a caption for both my volleyball and cheer school team, I’m incredibly passionate about leading and supporting my teammates. I strive to set a positive example on and off the court. Building such a great bond with my teammates is one of the most rewarding aspects of being a leader. It creates trust and motivates us to work together towards our goals. I take pride in leading my teams and helping us overcome challenges as a determined and motivated group.
 
What is a favorite memory with your cheer team? 
One of my favorite memories with my cheer team is performing at the pep rallies and getting the whole school excited for our teams. This year was especially memorable because we got to compete in cheer competitions for the first time, which was such an exciting experience. These moments brought us closer as a team, creating bonds that make all the hard work worth it.
 
What are your roles and responsibilities as co-captain? 
As co-captain, my role is to make sure everyone on the team is having fun, getting along, and always trying their best. I focus on encouraging my teammates and creating a positive atmosphere where we can all succeed together. It’s amazing to help lead such a talented group and watch us grow stronger as a team.
 
What is your favorite accomplishment with volleyball? 
My favorite accomplishment with volleyball was making the playoffs this year for the first time since 2016. It was an incredible feeling to be part of such a historic moment for our team and school. Being the captain during this time made it even more special, as I got to help lead and support my team through such an exciting season.
 
What position do you play and why does it suit you? 
I play as a middle hitter, which is the perfect position for me because it matches my strengths. I’m strong, aggressive, and athletic, which helps me dominate at the net and make big plays for my team. This role allows me to use my energy and skills to contribute both offensively and defensively.
 
What is your best leadership quality? 
My best leadership quality is my ability to balance having fun with staying determined and driven. I believe in creating a positive and enjoyable environment while still staying focused on our goals. This balance helps motivate those around me and keeps everyone working hard while enjoying what we do.
 
Describe an opportunity you had as a leader and nailed it. 
One opportunity I had as a leader was getting to lead workouts and stretching for my team. It was a great chance to take charge, help everyone stay focused, and ensure we were all prepared for practice. Being able to talk to my team as a leader and set the tone for the session was something I really enjoyed and felt I nailed.

How did you find your photographer? What was your experience like? What did you love most?
My photographer is one of the best in our area, and my experience with him was wonderful. He took all the time I needed and brought my ideas to life with his creativity. I loved the vision he had for my photos, perfecting every pose and detail. His work made me feel confident and like a model, something I’ve always dreamed of.

What is a favorite memory with or thoughts of the person who nominated you?
My nominator was my photographer. I love taking amazing pictures with him. He saw something in me that made me feel so confident. My favorite times with him is the confidence boost I get when getting my pictures done with him and the creativity he puts into his work.
 
Why do you want to be in Inspiring Teens Magazine?
It would be an incredible honor to be in the magazine , allowing me to share my story and inspire others. I want to show people that by putting your best effort into everything and doing good in the world, positive outcomes will follow. It’s important to lead by example, stay determined, and embrace every challenge with a positive mindset. This opportunity would let me encourage others to believe in themselves, work hard, and understand that their actions and dedication can create meaningful rewards and inspire change.
 
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, you’d find me hanging out with my family, enjoying quality time together. I’d also be staying active, whether that’s playing sports outdoors or doing a workout indoors. I love keeping busy and making the most of my time, whether it’s with my loved ones or staying active.
 
What is up next for you that you are super excited about?
What’s up next for me that I’m super excited about is the possibility of playing volleyball in college. I’m looking forward to continuing my volleyball journey while studying education as my major. My goal is to eventually become a teacher, and I can’t wait to start this next chapter of my life!

Look for Malayna in issue 86 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!
*Interviews are not edited after received from our inspiring teens - what you read is who they genuinely are!
 

Tell us about your dance career. When did you get started and where are you at with it now?
I took my first dance class when I was 18 months old at Tippy Toes . This started as a mommy and me ballet class and now I’m a company dancer at Corpus Christi Ballet and am currently enrolled at Munro Ballet Studios.

What do you love most about dancing?
I love being able to express myself through movements and demonstrate my love for the art of dancing.

What dances do you study? Which is your favorite and why?
I currently study ballet jazz, and lyrical. Overall, my favorite is lyrical. I love how I’m able to show more emotion and expressions through this art of dance.

What is Triumph Over Kid Cancer and what are your roles and responsibilities as a member?
TOKC is dedicated to improve the lives of children with cancer by helping raise their spirits and help support and fund research. As a member it is my responsibility to raise awareness and help raise funds to contribute this wonderful foundation.
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What does it mean to you to be an Elevated Faith Ambassador?
I am able to spread Jesus to my friends and try my best to make the world a better place.

What do you love most about school and learning?
I love being given the opportunity to gain knowledge in every aspect. There is always something new to learn and explore. Knowledge is power and I firmly believe this can make us unstoppable.

What fascinates you most?
I enjoy the opportunities provided to learn amongst other students. I enjoy being able to make new friends and sharing others thoughts and ideas about the learning process.

What are you doing to prepare for the New Year's Day Parade in London?
I am practicing our routine and getting prepared for the exciting scheduled events.

What are you looking forward to most about visiting London?
I am looking forward to being able to tour london with my friend and being able to gain new friends during this wonderful experience.

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
I am actively working toward my goal of performing as Clara in The Nutcracker, while also serving on the core team at Church Unlimited. Throughout the school year, I engage in various charitable initiatives, such as participating in Fish for Life, where we help provide clothing for underprivileged children, and contributing to Goodwill drives. Additionally, I take pride in sponsoring Angels through the Salvation Army, ensuring that I can bring joy to others by purchasing Christmas gifts for those in need.

What have you learned about yourself as a leader?
I have learned that you have to listen to others to be able to be a leader. You cannot just expect others to respect you if you can’t respect them.

What else would you like to talk about?
Upon graduation, my dream is to become a Neonatal intensive care unit nurse. Tending to critically ill babies and nursing them to good health is my dream. I have always had such a love for babies, they are a beautiful gift of life. I feel it would be a blessing to be able to keep families and their precious babies united.
 
What do you feel passionate about or could talk about forever?
Family is the foundation of who I am and has played a central role in shaping the person I’ve become. They are my constant source of support, always there to uplift my spirits during difficult times. I am deeply grateful to be part of such an incredible family, whose love and care for me mirrors the love and care I have for them.

What is a favorite memory with your family?
I love spendinng time with my family and being able to gain a closer bond with them each time we see each other

What is a favorite family tradition you hope never ends?
I hope Christmas eve at my grandma’s house never ends. Each year we gather together, play christmas games, bake cookies, and get matching Christmas pajamas.

How did you find your photographer? What was your experience like? What did you love most?
My photographer, Taylor Molano, was discovered through social media. My mother first came across her work and was immediately impressed by the quality and creativity of her photography. After speaking with her, we found her to be not only highly knowledgeable but also incredibly understanding, which convinced us she was the ideal choice for our inspirational photos. We worked with her a few years ago and were thoroughly impressed with the results. This recent photo session exceeded our expectations, and we truly enjoyed collaborating with her once again.
 
Why do you want to be in Inspiring Teens Magazine?
It would be an honor to inspire other teens my age to keep doing the things they love, working hard in all they doing, and knowing anything is always possible. Everyone has their own passions and I want to encourage them to try their best in everything they do.
 
What is a favorite memory with or thoughts of the person who nominated you?
One of my most cherished memories with my uncle is the special bond we shared as part of our family's favorite trio. Whenever my uncle visited from Dallas, he and I were always among my Gigi's favorites, and we would spend quality time together. A standout memory is when we went to a restaurant in Alice, TX, where we shared laughter and created an unforgettable connection. The moments spent with my uncle and Gigi are deeply meaningful to me, and I will always treasure the time we spent together.

If you had nothing to do and all day to do it, where would we find you?
I would be at the aquarium! I have an incredible love for the aquarium and the animals, especially the sea turtles. Being able to learn more about them and educate people about it is one of my favorite things to do.

Look for her in issue 86 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!
*Interviews are not edited after received from our inspiring teens - what you read is who they genuinely are!

Nomination: Ella is such a kind and compassionate young lady. Her quiet, confident leadership is easily seen in her dance and cheer commitments, as well as on our W2W Senior Ambassador Team, making her a role model for kids and peers alike. She is always willing to take on a challenge with positivity and enthusiasm and inspires us to do the same.

What do you feel passionate about or could talk about forever?
I feel most passionate about my love for dance. At the age of three I took my first dance class and now I'm going into my fifteenth year. I started competitive dance at the age of four and have been competing ever since. Another reason I'm so passionate about dance is that now I'm able to teach younger students my love of dance and watch them grow just like I did. I have studied all genres of dance and I'm most passionate about Lyrical because it allows me to bring out my feelings.

What do you love most about dancing?
There are several things I love most about dancing but one thing that has always stuck with me in my love for dancing is the friendships and support I have at my studio. My teachers are some of the most supportive people in my life. They never fail to congratulate me on any of my accomplishments even if it isn’t in dance. I have also made so many friendships along my dancing journey and made some of my best friends from dance, which has brought me so much love.

What has dancing taught you?
Dancing has taught me how to have determination, confidence and a great work ethic. It has made me who I am today. Being a competitive dancer takes dedication, determination, and confidence. In today's world being who you are is hard because of social media but at a young age I learned how to be confident and not listen to other people's opinions.

If you could dance on any tv dance show, which one would it be and why?
If I could be on any tv dance show I would want to be on “So You Think You Can Dance”. I have always watched this show since I was a little girl and I have watched so many people go so far in life because of their opportunity to showcase their art of dance. The tv show is also such a positive influence for the art of dance. Personally it would just be an honor to dance for the judges.

Describe your favorite cheer moment.
My favorite cheer moment is when my cheer team took a three day trip to a UCA cheer camp in August 2024. We got to learn from some of the kindest, most talented instructors. Cheer camp helped to expand the friendships between each other. We also got to stay in hotel rooms which was such a fun experience. I will forever remember and cherish the memories that were made at UCA cheer camp.

What is your cheer team like? Where do you fit in and where do you stand out?
My cheer team is a hard working, determined and collaborative team. We are always trying new things at practice whether it be stunts, cheers, or dances. I fit in with my team because of my leadership and hard work. I stand out because of my ability to tumble, my strength to be a base, and my leadership to be a captain.

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
My love for volleyball. I have been playing competitive volleyball for seven years both school and travel and was the captain of the team for the past two years. Being a captain brought my confidence up, my leadership and taught me many things.

What position do you dominate in volleyball and why does it suit you?
I used to play setter on my volleyball team which made me a leader and stand out because you can’t do much without a setter setting up the ball to score a point. Being a setter shows that you are a hard working leader that wants the best for your team. This suits me because it brings me joy to be a leader for someone, and lead others to victory.

What were your roles and responsibilities as captain?
My roles were to be a leader for the team and make sure we stay as one and work hard to win. As my dad says “be a scarper for the team” every time before I play a game has taken me to the leadership role of my past volleyball teams. He also always tells me to have a positive attitude because how you act reflects everyone else's attitude. From my past coaches they always tell me I have that leadership role in me and to work hard and be a leader for the team because they know I am.

How would you describe your leadership style?
My leadership style is to always be kind to your teammates. I have always been told to be kind to everyone and as a leader you have to be kind to your teammates if you want to be a successful team.

What is your strongest leadership quality?
My strongest leadership quality is how I’m a quiet teammate but if something needs to be changed or fixed I will speak up to benefit the team. I have been told I have good judgement which has put me at where I am today with being a leader for my cheer team as well as my dance studio.

What else would you like to talk about?
My biggest goal in life is to be an inspiration and role model for young children. I have always dreamed of becoming an elementary school teacher because of the teachers who have made an impact on my life. My love for teaching, mentoring, and inspiring young children is something that is so fulfilling to my life.

What has working with children taught you about yourself?
Working with little kids has taught me so much about myself. It has taught me what I want to do in life and that's to be a second grade teacher. Teaching children has also taught me to be a role model for younger kids because I had a role model that I looked up to and I want to be that for someone.

How did you find your photographer? What was your experience like? What did you love most?
I found my photographer through social media as well as visiting my school during sport events. My experience with them was a fun, creative, and relaxing experience. They are so kind and are always open to suggestions and willing to work with me. They have made my senior year exciting because I'm always looking forward to taking pictures with them because of my ambassador spot I have with them. I loved their positive, encouraging, and professional attitudes. My photographer is so friendly and made me feel comfortable.

Why do you want to be in Inspiring Teens Magazine?
Being featured in Inspiring Teens Magazine would be life changing. I have always wanted to be a model but never fulfilled that dream. Being featured would make my dreams come true. I also want to have an impact on people's lives and would love to be a role model for other teens. I also feel that my photographer deserves this amazing opportunity. It would just be an honor.

What is a favorite memory with or thoughts of the person who nominated you?
My favorite memory with Misty who nominated me would have to be my first photo session with her. Going into my session I was super nervous and didn't know what to expect. Throughout the whole photo session she made me feel comfortable, relaxed, and confident. By the end of the session I felt like we were best friends and had known each other for years.

Tell us more about the W2W Senior Ambassador Team and why you love to be a part of it.
Being a W2W Senior Ambassador is such an honor. I have never met two people who are more dedicated to their job. Being an ambassador has allowed so many opportunities for senior year pictures. They care so much about their ambassador team and allow us to have a group picture session almost every month. I love the friends I have made and the senior year experiences I have already had.

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 you would probably find me shopping. I love to shop for new clothes, shoes, and accessories. I also love to shop for other people because it brings me so much joy to get someone else something that they like, and see their reaction.

What is up next for you that you are super excited about?
I plan to attend Appalachian State University where I will be studying elementary education. My goal is to get certified to teach second grade in my hometown. I also plan on continuing to teach dance throughout my college experience.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years/what are your plans?
I see myself working in my local elementary school as a second grade teacher while still teaching dance classes. I also see myself with a small average house with a golden retriever dog.

3 Things on your bucket list
Visit Bora Bora, attend Appalachian State, and dance for a NFL football team.

Who do you find inspiring?
I find my mom and dad inspiring because they are extremely hard working. They also have provided more than enough for me and I hope I can be just like them one day.

What about you inspires others/why do you think you are inspiring?
I think I’m inspiring because of my willingness to help whenever there is a need whether it be my dance studio, cheer team, my parents restaurant and community.

Look for Ella in issue 86 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!
*Interviews are not edited after received from our inspiring teens - what you read is who they genuinely are!

​Nomination: Desi is an exceptional young lady whose faith and determination set her apart. I’ve had the privilege of photographing her milestones, witnessing her growth with grace and purpose. Her commitment shines in all she does—from her studies to sports and community involvement. Desi’s love for God is evident, inspiring those around her to live with intention. Hardworking and kind, she consistently puts others before herself. Desi is not only a role model for her peers but a genuine light to everyone she meets. She truly embodies the spirit of an inspiring teen, making her deserving of this honor.

What sports do you play
I play soccer for Catawba College!

Which is your favorite and why?
My favorite activity would probably be attending church on Sundays. It allows me to reset from the week before and helps sets the tone for the next week! and Obviously, to give praise to the Man that made it happen!

What is a favorite accomplishment in sports?
My favorite accomplishment would probably be, being captain of my highschool team. I loved the girls I played with and i’m hoping that I was able to be a good role model to each of them.

What is a favorite memory with one of your sports teams?
My favorite memory would have to be the first game in college. I was super nervous but I played really well and gave it all I got. I got to start, which was an honor at this level. I was also just happy to be apart of our first win and being able to make a contribution to my team.

What do you like to do in your community?
I like to go out and be apart of something bigger. Meaning, any event that is has plans to make a change, I want to be apart of. In past cases, I loved participating in the Walk for Hunger at my Local high school. Here in Salisbury, I loved being apart of Day of Giving which is a day to do community service. I had the chance to work with young boys in our community who play football and who are chasing a relationship with God.

What leadership opportunities have you had?
I was SGA president of my class from 2022-2024, Which was my graduation year. I also created and was the president of a Bible Study club at my High School called L.I.F.E. I was also captain of my high school team for 2 years.
 
How would you describe your leadership style?
I would say that I like to lead by example. I’d rather show someone how to do something the right way rather than telling them.

What will you miss most about high school?
I miss being apart of Clubs and trying to make a difference at my school.

What is a favorite family tradition?
Every Christmas my family and I watch the Grinch while decorating our christmas tree!

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
I would travel to Spain. My dad’s side of the family immigrated from right outside of Barcelona, so I’d like the experience the culture and become closer to my roots.

Give an example of how you've been a role model to your peers.
I believe i’ve been a role model by beginning my walk with Christ. As teenagers, it is very hard to have a relationship with God because we’re constantly fighting worldly behavior. But I believe as I expressed my walk with God and didn’t hide my mistakes and failures, it gave those around me the strength to start their own.

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
Something inspiring about me is, I grew up in a military household. Though it was a blessing for my family, it decreased a lot of time with my father. I believe very strongly, that I work so hard because of him. Within this life, I want to be able to give my parents the beautiful life they gave me from all our stolen time.

What else would you like to talk about?
I'd like to say, to the teens out there, to keep striving and accomplishing those goals. Though many might fight the first time, all will succeed if you keep trying. Never let anyone tell you how much you're worth or what you're capable of.

What do you feel passionate about or could talk about forever?
I feel extremely passionate about God and soccer. These are two topics that I could talk about forever. God has created many "miracles" (I see them as planned blessings), in everyone's life and deserves the praise. As far as soccer, I've been playing since I was 11, and It has made a huge impact on me through creating family and improving my leadership qualities.

How did you find your photographer? What was your experience like? What did you love most?
We met via my father who previously served in the military with Rob, as well as became close friends. Our experience was amazing, and what I loved most was, we just clicked. There was never an awkward moment, photographing for Flo is like watching a magician do a magic trick, natural and unbelievable.

Why do you want to be in Inspiring Teens Magazine?
I want to be in the magazine to show other kids, much like myself that anything is possible. Especially when you're met against all odds and believe that you are alone. It is extremely important to have someone to turn to or relate to.

What is a favorite memory with or thoughts of the person who nominated you?
If I picked just one moment with Rob, it would be an understatement. Rob has been photographing me since I was 16, and I am now 18. He has been apart of so many huge memories, like My sweet 16, Prom, Graduation and more. Not only has he been apart of them, but his talent of capturing them, has been worth more than I could ever explain, I couldn't imagine my biggest memories without him there.

If you had nothing to do and all day to do it, where would we find you?
Probably shopping at Goodwill or on a soccer field!

What is up next for you that you are super excited about?
I am currently a first year college student but I just finished my extra credits making me an academic sophomore! I’m so excited to be ahead of my plan and coming back next year as a Junior, rather than sophomore.

Look for her in issue 86 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!
*Interviews are not edited after received from our inspiring teens - what you read is who they genuinely are!

Nomination: Lexi Edwards is kindhearted and driven. She has been dancing for 15 years and enjoys dancing with the competitive team at her studio. She also teaches dance when possible. She assists in choreographing for area middle schools and her high school’s musicals. Lexi is a Legacy League member, and her favorite philanthropies are preparing kids' meals or calling Bingo! She is a member of the National Honor Society, National English Honor Society, Health Occupation Students of America, National Dance Honor Society, and student council. She loves to help people, and, in the spring, she will graduate with her Emergency Medical Technician-B certification and plans to major in Biology and study medicine.

What do you love most about dancing?
I love how it allows me to express myself and releases my negative emotions.

What is your studio like?
My studio is a second home, my dance family. It is a safe space and where I can go to clear my head.

What has been your favorite dance competition and why?
My favorite dance competition is Precision Arts Challenge for the “PAC Attack Challenge”. The judges will nominate group routines based on the entertainment value. When the dance is complete, the lights and sirens will sound and it is exciting for the dancers on stage, and the dance families in the audience. Those group routines will be awarded and recognized at the regional level, and at the end of the year for public votes and an opportunity to win cash.

If you could dance on any tv show, which one would it be and why?
So You Think You Can Dance. Lyrical, a light pink gown, Grand Amour.

What has teaching the art of dance taught you?
More about dance and how dance is an art form for everyone.

What musical have you most enjoyed choreographing dance for?
I enjoyed choreographing for High School Musical Jr. because High School Musical is one of my childhood favorites.

What Legacy League service project has meant the most to you and why?
Calling Bingo at a senior living community. This is my 4th year volunteering for the same community, and I have gotten to know some of the residents and the intricacies of the community. I like spending time with them.

What National Honor Society project have you loved working on the most and why?
The School Beautification Project. I enjoy putting effort into my school and I take pride in the completed work. I like the buildings and the grounds at my school.

What leadership roles has you had in National English Honor Society?
None. I am a general member who enjoys helping within the community.

What are your responsibilities in Health Occupation Students of America?
I am responsible for learning the curriculum I compete in, but also for becoming a healthcare professional.

What role in Klein Oak Dance Company has meant the most to you?
Being a principal dancer. Assisting students in choreography, working directly with the dance teacher taking direction, having discussions about the program, the opportunity to offer input, and being recognized for my effort and talents.

What is the EMT-B certification and what has been the most interesting thing you've learned?
The Emergency Medical Technician B certification will allow me to work as an EMT with other medical professionals in the field of emergency medicine. The purpose is to stabilize patients in an emergency setting and to transport the patient/s to the proper care facility if needed.

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
I am reliable, dependable, organized, and able to rise to a challenge, and I value the opportunity to be productive, and for others to be able to rely on me. In addition to the many Honor Societies, Student Council, Legacy League, and Health Students of America, I am a Principal Dancer for Klein Oak Dance Company, and a member of the competitive dance company at my studio, Progressions Elite Dance Co. I dance 15+ hours on average each week while balancing my school schedule and extracurriculars successfully.

What else would you like to talk about?
Throughout my years of dance, I have sustained multiple injuries that I have had to work through and overcome. My love for dance helped me to persevere through my dance education and training while dealing with these injuries.

What do you feel passionate about or could talk about forever?
I am very passionate about dance and emergency medicine. I could talk about both topics forever and I love to answer questions about both subjects.

How did you find your photographer? What was your experience like? What did you love most?
I found my photographer through Instagram and by referral from friends. My experience with Mrs. Angie has required me to reflect on myself and step out of my comfort zone. I love working with her because she makes me feel comfortable in front of a camera and she always offers positive feedback.

Why do you want to be in Inspiring Teens Magazine?
I want to be part of Inspiring Teens Magazine to help me share my story and for the opportunity to win scholarships to help me continue my story through education.

What is a favorite memory with or thoughts of the person who nominated you?
I think Mrs. Angie is a very kind and compassionate individual who is helping people in her community by creating lasting memories, helping them to grow as individuals and gain confidence in themselves.

If you had nothing to do and all day to do it, where would we find you?
Reading a good book – non-fiction and fiction, or watching a good movie – classics, sci-fi, and romantic comedies

What is up next for you that you are super excited about?
I was accepted into the Honors College at the University of Houston where I will study psychology and biology.

What is the hardest thing you have ever accomplished, and how did you do it?
Recovering from multiple injuries with a positive outlook. Lots of determination, love and support from my family, friends, dance family, and the healthcare community, specifically in sports rehabilitation.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to be where you are today?
Never give up and believe in who you are. Other people’s opinions do not dictate your future.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years/what are your plans?
In 5 years, I hope to be in Medical School

What is your favorite activity or pastime that was not in your nomination?
I love to read. I can transcend into the story and leave everything else behind. It brings me peace and calms my mind.

Do you have a hidden talent? What is it?
Yes, I can wiggle my ears.

3 Things on your bucket list
1. Visit Scotland 2. Go Skydiving 3. Tour a Castle

Look for her in issue 86 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!
*Interviews are not edited after received from our inspiring teens - what you read is who they genuinely are!

Tell us about your friend group and what you like to do together.
Recently one of my teachers said that your friend is a “group” when there is welcoming and inclusion, and a “clique” when the group of people is not open to adding others into the group. I have found senior year that I have made the greatest friendships by being open to grow in relationships with new people as well as flourishing in old ones. I have close friends who I usually get together with and do fun things like blueberry picking, going to pumpkin patches, eating meals together, and just be goofy and hanging out.
 
What is a favorite memory with your friends?
One particular memory with my friends that I’ll always cherish was when we slept on my friend Annie’s trampoline. We hung sheets, fairy lights and draped blankets over the jumping surface to make a cozy and cute outdoor sleepover setting. We made videos answering questions such as who we thought we would become, what our favorite memories have been, and what we look forward to our last year at the same school. We decided we will watch them for the first time when we graduate from high school!
 
What is your family like? Where do you fit in and where do you stand out?
I am the second of four kids, raised by two loving parents. My older sister Lauren is competitive and goal-driven. My younger sister Jacqueline is my go-to for outfit advice or an honest opinion, and the “baby”, Caleb, is very into athletics and is one of the most amiable people I know. Our parents raised us to be disciplined in our schooling and sports, to have compassion for all, and to give our all and whatever the outcome, give God the glory. I would consider myself extremely determined and the best cookie baker. 
 
What is a favorite family tradition you hope never ends?
My parents met in college at Kansas State University, as did the majority of my other aunts and uncles on my dad’s side, so naturally our family bleeds purple. There are thirteen of us grandchildren on my dad’s side of the family, and we have grown up going to a home game or two as a family all dressed in our Wildcats gear, tailgating before the game, cheering on our team, and sometimes even playing catch or racing our cousins on the field after the games. As we grow older, I hope that this tradition will stay alive.
 
How has your faith helped shape you as a teen?
My faith has been such a gift for me in my life, especially as a teen. The noise of the world will present the message that I am and will never be enough; I am the sum of my past mistakes. But through my faith in Jesus I can know that my identity does not rest in who I am as a broken human in a world of chaos, but that I can find my peace in Him. As a teen, believing the truths that God tells me instead of worldly deceptions are what has helped shape me.
 
What do you enjoy learning most about your religion?
This semester, I have been taking a religion and philosophy based class called Apologetics. I have enjoyed being a sponge in that class as nearly every time I step foot into the door, I leave with a mind-boggling realization about the truths of Christ, my Catholic faith, and Jesus in Himself. There is always more to learn about Catholicism, and I love to embrace all aspects of what we believe in and the truth that is revealed through the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
I love to serve in the community. G.R.A.C.E. (Girls Respond Actively to Christ's Example), is a girls youth group I am involved in through my school, and the junior and senior girls have the opportunity to partake in a local mission trip over the summer. Whether it was filling up jugs for Uplift vans to hand out to homeless people, or dancing with adults at Willow Tree who have developmental disorders, I loved getting to help make a difference in the lives of those around me whether big or small.

What have you learned about yourself through serving others?
Through serving others, I have realized that it truly is in giving that we receive. Being able to help others, either through direct acts of service or behind-the-scenes acts of kindness has given me the hope that I can make a difference in the lives of others. “Make a difference”, is a phrase instilled in me since I was young as my Nana and Papa always taught me and my cousins to live by. Through serving others, I can see Christ in each of them and recognize that we are alike through our identity as Children of God.

What have you learned about the world around you?
Being only eighteen years old, I am still navigating the world around me and always will be. One thing I have learned though, is that some of the happiest people are the ones who have the least. Two of my close friends in high school have gone through and overcome pediatric cancer, and their witness to joy and hope in times when I would expect the most despair has changed my outlook on life. The world will always have trials and tribulations, but if I take courage and trust in God, I will find joy in all things.
 
What would you most like to talk about in your interview?
I am a captain for St. Gianna Molla Community at my school, a position voted for by the community at the end of my junior year. At St. James Academy, there are eight communities named after canonized Saints. Within each community are typically six houses. Every day, there is built-in time for prayer and announcements within our community, and time to break into houses and play games with the intention of growing in relationship with peers at school. I get to jump into houses, plan competitions amongst the communities, and ensure members of Gianna Molla feel known, seen, and loved.
 
What leadership opportunities have you had through fellowship?
I am on the  Leadership Team for Draw Near, a faith-related monthly night of praise and worship as well as Adoration of Jesus being exposed in the monstrance, with the opportunity for the sacrament of Reconciliation. I was a Coordinator for G.R.A.C.E. Summer Mission Trip this year, and led a night with two other girls focusing on “sweetness”. I was a Board Member for KAY Thunder Service Club my sophomore and junior years, and was a member of the Student Advancement Committee my sophomore and junior year as well.
 
What is your strongest leadership quality?
My strongest leadership quality is empathy. I am able to make connections with others and get to know them which enables them to count on me because I can relate to them. Being able to relate to others and feel what they are feeling, or read into what someone may be going through is a quality which allows me to build a relationship with them and in turn, they want to help too because they know I care and want the best for them. 
 
What do you feel passionate about or could talk about forever?
I could talk about Italy forever. Last year I saved up to go on a pilgrimage to visit Rome and Assisi over Spring Break. Going on that pilgrimage had to be one of the best decisions I have made. Being immersed in the culture of Italy and taking in the architecture and food was amazing, but most of all I loved getting to step foot in the Basilicas and Cathedrals. The extravagance and beauty to behold in them is only a fraction of the beauty that the Lord has for us in Heaven.
 
If you could go anywhere next in the world, where would it be and why?
I would love to visit Austria next. The movie, The Sound of Music, was filmed there and I think the scenery and culture would be a very peaceful yet adventurous atmosphere. It would be so fun to run up the open, grassy hills singing songs from the movie! 
 
How did you find your photographer? What was your experience like? What did you love most?
I found my photographer through my school. Eddie worked at St. James doing lots of media coverage and would incorporate me into some school event photos or promotional videos! He reached out to us and was eager to help us get senior photos taken. I loved his “dad” jokes to get the raw photos that captured the giggles and fun pictures. He’s an awesome photographer, and an even better person!
 
Why do you want to be in Inspiring Teens Magazine?
I want to be in Inspiring Teens Magazine because it is a great opportunity to display the gifts that God has given me and to remind others that they can showcase theirs as well! Being on Inspiring Teens Magazine would be a delight to see that others have taken interest in what I have worked hard for and who I have grown to become. The opportunity to earn a scholarship is an added bonus!
 
What is a favorite memory you have with the person who nominated you?
Katelyn Menghini and I met the summer going into our freshmen year at a basketball get together, and the joy and faith that has stemmed from our friendship is something I will always cherish. Our friendship has flourished in many ways throughout high school, with the highs and lows of life and our love for the Lord and each other has gotten us through hurdles life has thrown at us. I am forever grateful to God for the many fruits of a competitive, freeing, and wholesome relationship which Katelyn and I have been blessed to receive.
  
If you had nothing to do and all day to do it, where would we find you?
I would be taking a nice day off from extracurriculars and schoolwork. Daily Mass would be my only pitstop for the morning, then I would come home and get back in bed with my heated blanket. I would read a book for a while, then browse Pinterest for baking inspiration. A hobby I really enjoy but struggle to make time for is baking, so I would concoct sweet treats in the kitchen, and have my family taste-test. To end the day, I’d make myself a big batch of popcorn and watch a romantic-comedy movie. 
 
What is up next for you that you are super excited about?
I am super excited for the rest of my time at St. James Academy, and for the last memories I will make in high school. While I have not discerned where God is calling me to attend college, I desire to double major in Catholic Studies as well as either business or education. I am looking forward to fostering new friendships at college in addition to sustaining friendships with those I have encountered in high school, and the teachers I have gotten to know along the way.
  
What advice would you give to someone who wants to be where you are today?
Start by building a foundation of trust in the Lord, and you will find Him in all things! Journaling at the beginning or end of every day, reading the Word of God in the Bible, and striving to love others in the same way Christ loves each of us is a great place to start-whether that is through a sport, activity, club, or community of people you can love. 
 
What is your favorite activity or pastime that was not in your nomination?
I enjoy being a manager for the girls basketball team at my high school. I have been involved on the team since freshman year and have formed close friendships with the coaches, as well as gotten to know the girls on the team and the other managers.
 
Is there anything else you would like to tell us? 
I just want to thank my parents, grandparents, siblings and cousins, as well as my friends for helping me become the person I am today, I love you! Thanks be to God for blessing me with these people in my life, and for this opportunity to be in Inspiring Teens Magazine.

Look for Madison in issue 86 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!
*Interviews are not edited after received from our inspiring teens - what you read is who they genuinely are!
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Nomination: Marlie Wesolowksi inspires me with her quiet strength and genuine kindness. She has a way of making everyone around her feel seen and valued, often putting others’ needs before her own. Her thoughtfulness shines in the little things she does—like remembering what makes someone smile or offering support when it’s needed most. Despite her soft-spoken nature, she exudes a quiet confidence that’s truly admirable. She reminds me that compassion and humility are powerful traits, and her unwavering desire to bring out the best in others motivates me to do the same. Her sweet, selfless heart is a gift to everyone she meets.

Nomination: Marlie Wesolowksi inspires me with her quiet strength and genuine kindness. She has a way of making everyone around her feel seen and valued, often putting others’ needs before her own. Her thoughtfulness shines in the little things she does—like remembering what makes someone smile or offering support when it’s needed most. Despite her soft-spoken nature, she exudes a quiet confidence that’s truly admirable. She reminds me that compassion and humility are powerful traits, and her unwavering desire to bring out the best in others motivates me to do the same. Her sweet, selfless heart is a gift to everyone she meets.

What do you feel passionate about or could talk about forever?
I am very passionate about my close friends who always have my back no matter what and are always there for me. I have always thought that having many friends would be better than a few, but I have a great group of girls in my corner, and I’ve learned the valuable lesson that it’s all about quality, not quantity. We have so many great memories that I love to look back and think about every day.

What is your friend group like? Where do you fit in and where do you stand out?
My friend group is interesting because my best friends are not that close with each other, mostly because they don’t cross paths that often. I love my friends because of how they are always understanding and there for me. I try to be there for everyone too no matter what, and I think that is where I fit in. Although we get along so well, we all have different interests. For example, I am the only one who plays softball.

Where would we find you and your friends on any given day off from school?
I love going on walks and bike rides around town. My friends and I like to go find funny treasures at our local thrift store. There’s even an ice cream store in the plaza, and we usually stop there as well.

What do you love most about your school?
I love all the opportunities to do different things. There are many clubs and groups, and it’s very fun. I am currently in Pep Club, and we do things like decorate the hallways, and plan spirit weeks and pep rallies.

What is your favorite class this year and what is the most interesting thing you've learned?
My favorite class this year is art. I initially picked the class because I wanted to do photography as a class in the future. It has been going really well so far, and I enjoy everything we’ve done in class. My favorite project we have done was using black paper, white chalk, and black charcoal. It was interesting learning how to blend with those materials, and my flower ended up looking pretty good.

What surprised you most about high school this year?
It was surprising to see how each of the different grade levels interact so often. There are so many different clubs, groups, and sports, that have led me to many friendships.

What else would you like to talk about?
I enjoy playing softball and participating in one of our high school show choirs. Outside of school and sports, I love to spend time with family, friends, and my dog.

Tell us about your softball career.
I first started playing softball when I was 8 years old. I’ve played on rec, middle school, and different travel teams. I recently started practicing with my new travel team in Twinsburg.

What position do you play and how does it suit you?
I have played many positions, but I mostly like playing in left field. Now that the teams are more advanced, there is a lot of action in the outfield, and I seem to do a good job at getting to the ball and getting it in.

What is a favorite accomplishment in softball?
Last summer I tried pitching again after many years, and I ended up doing really well. That season my team won the championship game.

Which show choir did you participate in and what did you love most about it?
Last year I was in my middle schools show choir, RBC Singers. I loved spending time with my friends, and my cousin doing something that I love. I now participate in Blue Harmony, and I am making many new friends and looking forward to our upcoming performances.

What is a favorite memory with your show choir friends?
My favorite memory with my friends in show choir would be the dance party with many different schools at the end of one of our competitions. It was so fun after competing all day to have all the groups be combined, having fun together.
What is a family tradition you hope never ends?
A family tradition that I hope never ends is seeing all my family on Christmas. We always find a way to see everyone whether its Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

What family trip will you never forget and why?
The family trip that I will never forget is going to Pink Shell Resort in Fort Myers, Florida. I enjoy spending time with my family there and seeing beautiful sunsets.

Tell us about your dog.
My dog’s name is Winston, he is a 3-year-old Australian labradoodle. We got him as a Christmas present when he was a puppy in 2021. He is a very good dog, and he knows many tricks.

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
I hope it is inspiring to some that I try to make the most out of every day. I’ve been working on pushing myself out of my comfort zone and trying new and exciting things.

How did you find your photographer? What was your experience like? What did you love most?
My photographer is my sweet, loving aunt. My experience was very nice. My favorite part was wearing my grandfather’s Army jacket. This was a special shoot for both of us because he was her father.

Why do you want to be in Inspiring Teens Magazine?
I want to be in inspiring teens magazine because it’s a great opportunity and it seems like an amazing community that rewards teens and their accomplishments. I’m excited to see the feature and read about the other inspiring teens.

What is a favorite memory with or thoughts of the person who nominated you?
It’s so hard to pick a favorite memory because she’s like a second mom to me and she’s been with me my whole life. With that said, I would like to say that my aunt/photographer is the kindest person, and she is always there for everyone, especially me. She always shows up no matter what and is the most caring person, putting everyone else before herself every day.

If you had nothing to do and all day to do it, where would we find you?
If I had absolutely nothing to do with no practices, or other priorities, I really love playing videogames with my friends.

What is up next for you that you are super excited about?
I am super excited for a few upcoming volunteer opportunities. Within the next few weeks, I will be helping deliver toys to kids around our city on the firetruck with Santa. I will also be helping at Parents’ Night Out. This is a special night our show choir puts on for the younger kids in our school system, playing games, and teaching them songs and dances. In the summer I will be volunteering at our youth summer camp, and I am looking forward to it.

What is the hardest thing you have ever accomplished, and how did you do it?
Last year, I was given the citizenship award. Only two 8th grade students are selected each year. I think it’s important to be nice and include everybody, and staying true to that paid off when I received this award.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to be where you are today?
I would say to stick with the people who make you feel good, stop caring about what everyone else thinks, and just be yourself.

Look for Marlie in issue 86 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!
*Interviews are not edited after received from our inspiring teens - what you read is who they genuinely are!

​Nomination: Hannah is an extremely motivated and well-rounded individual in her interests. She is a hard worker and takes her academics very seriously, receiving many awards and acknowledgements. She is a talented musician involved in all school music programs while making District 3 on clarinet all four years and Allstate on bass clarinet her junior and senior year. She does internships in her area teaching music to elementary and high school bands as well as teaching her own piano lessons. Hannah volunteers as much as possible and always shows up to be her best.

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
I am thrilled to go to the University of Maine at Orono for a music education degree to teach music to young children. Throughout my school career, I had to teach myself the clarinet, and it was a frustrating experience. I want to give aspiring musicians like me the opportunity and the support to thrive in the musical community.
 
What else would you like to talk about?
I was a lobster delegate contestant this past summer. I worked in the community volunteering to represent the lobster industry and the great state of Maine. It was a wonderful experience where I met new people, different perspectives and learned how to speak in public settings very well.

What do you feel passionate about or could talk about forever?
I could passionately talk about my music all day long. Music is something I do everyday. Whether that’s sitting down and playing my clarinet or picking up a trumpet, or going and playing piano or violin and being taught how to get even better. The opportunities I’ve gotten from my musical abilities have been amazing. I’ve been a part of Allstate 1st chair on bass clarinet, District 3 all four years on clarinet, local bands, school bands, school choirs, small ensembles, private lessons that have shaped my musical abilities to make me who I am today.

How did you find your photographer? What was your experience like? What did you love most?
My brother did some modeling when he was younger, and Stewart Smith was who my mom found for modeling photography. He did a wonderful job, and we ended up using him for my senior pictures. Once again, the pictures came out fabulous. He was so fun and supportive to make the experience the best it could be. Stewart is truly a nice human being who is generous and kind.

What is a favorite memory with or thoughts of the person who nominated you?
When I did my senior pictures, Stewart made me feel so comfortable and happy with how it went. The pictures came out amazing, and he was so fun to work with. He made me feel confident and like I belonged. Stewart’s confidence in his direction made me realize how good he is at his job while making it a fun experience on top of that.
 
Why do you want to be in Inspiring Teens Magazine?
I am a very hard worker and I find that inspiring. Not only do I involve myself in the community, my school, and my music to promote and advocate, but I’ve got my regular jobs as well. I maintain gardens landscaping full time in the summer and part time during the year, while waitressing part time throughout the year. I am extremely mature, and make sure I am setup for my future while having very good role models.

Anything else you’d like to tell us ?
I have been a part of the Olympia Snowe Leadership Institute and have taught music in both piano lessons and elementary kids. I will be interning this year at the high school level as well. I was a varsity soccer player all four years, making 2nd team KVAC and I volunteer throughout the community in many ways. I’m in the liberal arts academy at my school as well as national honors society and gotten instrumentalist of the year award my sophomore year.

Look for her in issue 86 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!
*Interviews are not edited after received from our inspiring teens - what you read is who they genuinely are!

Nomination: Olivia is a senior at Glacier High School in Kalispell, MT. She is a volleyball player for GHS, and also a member of club volleyball. Olivia is a friend to every one. Always smiling and always there for her friends. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her in a bad mood. Olivia’s up beat attitude and always finding the best in every situation is why I think she should be this issue's, Inspiring Teen.

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
My peers and adults tend to remind me how I have a pure soul, my kindness and sincerity present in every action. They also say my genuine smile and warm heart make everyone feel valued and loved. I listen with empathy and offer support without hesitation. I strive to have positive energy that is contagious, lifting spirits and inspiring others to be their best selves. Through small acts of kindness and a caring nature, I want to leave a lasting impact on those who have done so for me.

What else would you like to talk about?
I would like to acknowledge the recognition! It is very cool to have been nominated for something like this! I am happy to have received an opportunity!

What do you feel passionate about or could talk about forever?
What immediately comes to mind is determination and perseverance. I could go on to talk forever about what they have done for me in my life. I have first hand experience of being involved in activities or other things that have not brought me joy. However, I appreciate what each has taught me. I learned valuable lessons and gained tools that will benefit me in my future. I encourage anyone who is in a similar situation to think of how it could make your life easier down the road.

How did you find your photographer? What was your experience like? What did you love most?
I have had a connection with Molly (photographer) for a long time. However, I came very close to her once I was in highschool. She is a highly admired adult in my life who I have a great relationship with. Her contagious humor, outgoingness, and kind self is a brief expression of her many characteristics. I, amongst others, deeply admire her personality, during sessions but outside as well. I see her connections with others and how she establishes relationships with the kids and parents, which is very special. Specifically talking about my session, it couldn’t have gone better! I felt comfortable in everything I was doing. It is important to feel good about yourself and Molly makes sure that is how each kid feels. I was able to see the extent she goes to, to get that perfect shot, or behind the scenes of editing. It is clear she is passionate about her business and wants each kid to feel confident and special. I see the time and effort that gets put in to her photos. The knowledge of colors, angles, and editing is amazing. Her talent is unmatched, and widely known around our community, but it is clearly demonstrated and reflected in her work. I couldn’t pick one thing I love most, but I deeply admire her passion, personality, and ability to make every kid feel confident. Molly is truly amazing at what she does and I am very thankful to have such a positive relationship with her.

What is a favorite memory with or thoughts of the person who nominated you?
A memory that comes to mind is during my session with my mom and Mollys son (my boyfriend) who came with us. We were in Glacier National Park, so we brought bear spray. Her son, sprayed the bear spray to see if it worked. Fortunately, it was barely any, and away from us. But later on it followed us as we were walking. It got in our throats and eyes. We were instantly coughing and tears streamed down our faces. Thankfully it wasn’t super strong so we were fine, but it affected us in the moment. Now we look back and laugh about it!
 
Why do you want to be in Inspiring Teens Magazine?
I would love to be in the inspiring teen magazine, because other teens can relate to me. I have shared many things above that is commonly experienced among others as well. However, Molly deserves the recognition more than I do. This is her last year in the photography business and it would be amazing to give her the recognition she deserves!

Look for Olivia in issue 86 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!
*Interviews are not edited after received from our inspiring teens - what you read is who they genuinely are!
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Nomination: Sydney Dawson truly deserves this nomination because her warmth and kindness shine through in everything she does. She has a heart of gold and brings light to everyone around her. Whether she's in the pool with the swim team or out on the lacrosse field, she’s an incredible inspiration to her teammates. Sydney supports each and every one of them wholeheartedly, always lifting them up and making them feel valued. Being around her, you can’t help but feel happier—her spirit is contagious. There are many remarkable teens out there, but Sydney is truly one of a kind. She stands out for all the right reasons, and no one could be more deserving of this honor.
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What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
I think my nomination does not cover my determination. I have worked very hard for what I have accomplished and I am very proud of the work I have put into my accomplishments. I work very hard at school, sports, and at home and am proud of what I do in each area of my life.

What else would you like to talk about?
I would like to recognize all the other amazing teens that have not been nominated for this opportunity. There are so many others that work just as hard, if not harder, than me and I want to give them recognition for their accomplishments as well.

What do you feel passionate about or could talk about forever?
I am very passionate about reading outside of school. My favorite kind of self care is when I find a book I like and can relax and just read. I want to really encourage others to try and read outside of school because it is an amazing experience when you find a book that you can not put down.

How did you find your photographer? What was your experience like? What did you love most?
My photographer is a friend of my moms. My experience while working with her for my senior photo shoot was great. She is an amazing photographer and made me very comfortable during the whole process. I loved her thought process of finding the best pose, lighting, and expression for each photo and how they turned out great every time.

Why do you want to be in Inspiring Teens Magazine?
I want to be in Inspiring Teen Magazine because I want to inspire others and show that hard work does pay off. I also think this is a way that I have proven to myself that my own hard work has payed off. This is an amazing opportunity that gives me the chance to show other teens that they can inspire others.

What is a favorite memory with or thoughts of the person who nominated you?
My favorite memory with Melissa, my photographer, was during my photo shoot for my senior photos. She made the whole experience so enjoyable. She made me laugh through the whole shoot and took amazing photos that I love.

Look for Sydney in issue 86 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!
*Interviews are not edited after received from our inspiring teens - what you read is who they genuinely are!

​Nomination: Brenna Murphy inspires me every day. Brenna is a cheerleader and constantly inspires those around her. When cheering she dedicates her performance to little girls in the stands as she strives to be someone that they can look up to. Brenna is naturally a positive and bubbly person. She is always smiling. Brenna also spends her time helping animal rescues. She dreams one day every animal will have a loving and warm space that they can call home. She is optimistic, determined and kind. Brenna is not only beautiful on the outside but even more beautiful on the inside.

Tell us about your cheer career.
I have been a cheerleader for two years. I started cheering during my Freshman year of high school. After my first year, I wanted to focus more on my academics and theatre. Now, in my Senior year, I am back cheering on the sidelines. I couldn't be happier to be back on the field and court.

What has cheer taught you?
Cheer has taught me the valuable lesson of being positive. The responsibilities of a cheerleader are to pep people up, work as a team, and remain positive while winning or losing. My ability to stay positive has blossomed each year. I want the crowd to feel my energy through my movements. I want to make the crowd smile. No matter where I am on the court I am always smiling because I am doing what I love.

What is a favorite memory with your cheer team?
My favorite memory with my cheer team was the UCA cheer camp in June 2024. Cheer camp helped everyone to get out of their box. That's where friendships blossomed. Cheer camp was so fun because everyone there was so positive. It was also amazing to be able to stay in the athletic dorms on a college campus. I will forever cherish these memories made at UCA cheer camp.

What is your cheer team like? Where do you fit in, and where do you stand out?
My cheer team is a group of very determined teenagers and young adults. At practices we are always trying new stunts, making new routines, and training to be our best selves. I fit in with our team because of my determination. I stand out with how positive my attitude is. I will always be smiling and cheering up others. I help out as much as I can and always try to make those around me feel comfortable and loved.

What are your favorite animals to work with at the rescue and why?
My favorite animals to work with are small dogs. My whole life I have only ever had small dogs as pets. My childhood dog was a wiener dog named Toby. He was my big brother when I was a baby. I truly believe my love for small dogs started with him. He was such a kind, giving, and smart dog. I have a huge heart for these rescue animals. And I love to help all animals no matter what type.

What have you learned about animals working at the shelter?
Working at the shelter I have learned every animal is different and every animal has a story. Some animals need less attention, some need more attention, some have anxiety, and some need space. When animals go into the shelter no matter their story it's a new place and is always scary. It is important to always stay patient with the animals. The animals all have different responses to the surrounding area. It is important to show respect to the animal.

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
I love to create and inspire people through art. I have done theatre for ten years. Performing brings me so much joy because I am inspiring people through the work of Theatre and storytelling. I am also a screenwriter who writes about topics that need to be brought to people's attention and inspire people to be their best selves, through the art of story making. Though I am unsure of what the future holds for me I know whatever I do I will always be creating for those to see and be inspired.

What has been your favorite production to work in and why?
My favorite production to work in was Mean Girls. It was my favorite because it was when my dreams came true. I have always wanted a lead in a musical. This has been my dream since I was 8 and with hard work, determination, and a positive outlook I was able to achieve it. Mean Girls is also my all-time favorite movie and musical. I learned so much through that production. I am forever grateful for that opportunity.

What character has been the hardest for you to play and why?
One of my first roles in my theater journey was a security guard in Elf Jr the musical. The security guard role was a very small part but to eight-year-old me it was a huge role. It was my hardest role because of how inexperienced with theater I was. I was always so nervous to go on stage. It's funny to think back to that and see how much I have grown in theater.

What topics do you enjoy writing about the most?
I like to write relatable films, something someone could relate to. The movies I watch the ones that stick with me the most are ones that I can relate to. My favorite to write is coming-of-age movies. Coming-of-age movies are set based on high school students, which is something I can relate to. I would love for one of my films to be someone's comfort show. Being a writer you can change someone's life with the power of creativity. One day I will achieve my dream of directing and writing movies.

If you could cast any actor/actress in one of your plays, who would it be and what would the play be about?
This is a hard one, but my all-time dream actress to work with is Lindsay Lohan. The screenplay would be a holiday-themed movie. I first saw Lindsay in Mean Girls. As a fellow ginger at the time, I looked up to her a lot. Recently she's been acting in more Christmas movies. She has been doing an amazing job!

What do you feel passionate about or could talk about forever?
Truly believing in yourself is the key. Throughout my life, I have discovered if I believe in myself I can do whatever I put my mind to. My biggest dream since I was six is to be a lead in a musical. After eleven musicals I was able to achieve that dream. Through determination, perseverance, and faith in myself I, Brenna Murphy was able to achieve that dream that the young girl inside me has always dreamed about as theatre was truly my first love. I was Cady Heron in Mean Girls, the musical in my local theatre group.

What else would you like to talk about?
To all the little girls out there I want to say dream as big as you possibly can. No matter how big the dream is, chase it. My mom always taught me to follow my heart and that is what I did and will continue to do throughout my life. I have full faith that all of us from our smallest dreams to the biggest dreams we have will all accomplish our dreams as long as we follow our hearts.

How did you find your photographer? What was your experience like? What did you love most?
I found Cailyn Mccormick, my senior photographer I found through a Google search. I came across her website and fell in love with her work. She was absolutely amazing to work with. Cailyn was able to turn my senior session into a beautiful memory for me. What I loved about Cailyn was how pure and happy she was. Her eyes lit up when she was taking my photos how much she truly loved what she was doing. I am so blessed to have met and worked with Cailyn.

Why do you want to be in Inspiring Teens Magazine?
I would be honored to be in Inspiring Teens Magazine because I believe my life purpose is to create art that inspires others. I want to give the gift of inspiration to whoever I can. Inspiring Teens Magazine allows teens to reach out and inspire each other. This magazine is such a beautiful opportunity for those who are in the magazine and for those who read it. Uplifting and inspiring others is the key to happiness and this magazine does just that!

What is a favorite memory with or thoughts of the person who nominated you?
My favorite memory with my mother is when she would do my hair and makeup for dance performances. My mom and I are incredibly close, and we become closer daily. She has taught me everything I know. She taught me that through the power of following my heart, I can achieve anything I put my mind to. My mother has the most gorgeous smile. She is the strongest, most emphatic, and most beautiful woman I know. I am proud to call her not only my mother but also my best friend.

What is a favorite memory with your mom that you will never forget?
My favorite moments with my mom is everytime ive been performing with cheerleading, dance, theater, or gymnastics, I will always look for her. She has the most beautiful smile so she's very easy to find in the crowd. All my performances I do for her.
If you had nothing to do and all day to do it, where would we find you?
You would find me at some type of winter resort. I would be surrounded by snow. At the resort, there would be activities like snow tubing, ice skating, the Polar Express, an indoor swimming pool, and rock climbing. I would be in a warm cabin with a fuzzy blanket, and Christmas music.

What is up next for you that you are super excited about?
I plan to attend college in August of 2025. I will be studying the science of film and television at Trevecca Nazarene University. With this degree you will see me screenwriting, directing, producing and acting with and in films. I also plan to get my cosmetology degree so I can do hair and makeup on film sets. With my cosmetology degree on film sets I can also be certified to be an art director.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to be where you are today?
No matter where you are in life, always believe in yourself. Believing in yourself is the key to success.

What is your favorite activity or pastime that was not in your nomination?
Spending time with my best friend, Dolly. She is a five year old chihuahua and we do everything together.

3 Things on your bucket list
Model for a company, Live in a New York City apartment during christmas time, and one of my scripts to become a real onscreen film.

Who do you find inspiring?
I find the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders inspiring. The documentary on Netflix really gave a great look into their lives and what they have to deal with day to day but no matter the trail at the end of the day they always perform and smile.

What about you inspires others/why do you think you are inspiring?
I am inspiring because I always try my very best at everything I do, with a positive attitude and a great mindset.

Look for Brenna in issue 86 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!
*Interviews are not edited after received from our inspiring teens - what you read is who they genuinely are!

​Nomination: Mia Pitts is kind hearted and a hard worker. She dances on her studio’s competition teams, is a member of her high school Pom squad and is currently pursuing her Pharmacy Technician certification while in school with plans to attend pharmacy school in the future.

Tell us about your dance career.
Dancing has always been a part of my life. I started dancing at three years old. I've been at my current studio, The Dance Gallery, since kindergarten. Currently, I am in the senior level class and also a member of the high school competition team, Arise Company.

What is the biggest lesson you've learned through dance?
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is to take criticism well. When taking criticism I try to remember my dance teachers only want me to do my very best, and there is always room for improvement.

What is the hardest thing about being on the competition team - vs the easiest?
Even though I love everyone on my team, we are together a lot. Sometimes we can get a little too competitive. The easiest thing about being on the team is that we always find a way to make each other laugh.

What is your team like? Where do you fit in and where do you stand out?
My team is made up of high school members, freshman to seniors. The competition team consists of four separate dance teams, contemporary, jazz, hip hop, and tap. I've been a member of all four teams all four years of high school. I seek to be a positive influence on the younger members, and I do my best to give 100% in class to set a good example.

How does your Pom squad differ from your competition team?
I participate in my Pom squad through my high school. We perform at football games and basketball games during the fall and winter. In the spring, we attend competitions throughout the state. My dance team only competes once a year in the summer, and we also perform at an end of year recital in May.

What is a favorite memory with your Pom squad?
I have had a lot of good memories with my squad over the last four years. One memory that stands out the most is the year our girls basketball team made it to the state finals in San Antonio. I had so much fun spending a few days in San Antonio with my teammates.

What is a favorite accomplishment with dance?
I attended a dance clinic over the summer at McLennan Community College in Waco. I received an invitation to come back to a future clinic. It was really exciting to earn that certificate and recognition from the coaches.

What does it entail to achieve your Pharmacy Technician certification while still in High School?
I attend a Pharmacy Technician class during the day at my high school. Some days we have clinicals, meaning I work at a retail pharmacy during the class period. In January, I will begin working at a hospital pharmacy to get clinical hours. At the end of the school year, I will take the exam to receive my Pharmacy Technician certification.

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
School hasn't always been easy for me. Math was a really difficult subject for me until a couple years ago, I had a teacher that taught me to love math. With her help and other teachers, they've given me the confidence to want to become a pharmacist.

What else would you like to talk about?
I’m passionate about helping people. I see this as a way to serve God and is also a reason I want to be a pharmacist, to help people. We live in a world that is very divided, and if I can do one thing, it’s to show people the kindness God has to me.

What do you feel passionate about or could talk about forever?
One thing I feel like I could talk about forever is the love that God has for us, and how that can be used in our lives daily. I think it's very important to have a positive attitude and implement good habits so the Lord can shine through us.

How did you find your photographer? What was your experience like? What did you love most?
I discovered Hayly Hext after seeing some photos she took of some friends posted on Instagram. I loved her colorful, fun styled shoots. Hayly was very helpful in planning before the shoots, and she has such a fun personality. She made the shoots feel effortless and enjoyable.

Why do you want to be in Inspiring Teens Magazine?
It’s fun to be featured and I love to be able to share Hayly’s beautiful photos. She is a very talented photographer, and her work deserves to be featured.

What is a favorite memory with or thoughts of the person who nominated you?
My mom is very supportive of me; she is my biggest cheerleader. I know that she wants me to succeed in life and wants me to know how much she loves and supports me.

What is a favorite family tradition you hope never ends?
My favorite family tradition is when the whole family comes over on Christmas day and we play cards all afternoon. Even though we’re all really competitive, we have so much fun every year.

What family vacation will you never forget and why?
My family and our best friends took a trip to Corpus Christi a few years ago. We rented a beach house and stayed right on the water. We had fun going to the beach and riding the waves on our boogie boards. That was my first time going out into the ocean and I never realized how much I loved the water.

If you had nothing to do and all day to do it, where would we find you?
If I have nothing to do all day, you will find me cuddled up on my sofa under a blanket watching a movie.

What is up next for you that you are super excited about?
I am looking forward to graduation, and I'm excited about trying out for a college dance team. I am hoping to continue my dance career in college, and work towards attending Pharmacy school in the future.

Look for Mia in issue 86 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!
*Interviews are not edited after received from our inspiring teens - what you read is who they genuinely are!

Nomination: Isabelle is an incredibly inspiring teen, balancing leadership, athletics and academics with grace and dedication. As Student Council President, a National Honor Society Member, and committed Big Brothers Big Sisters volunteer, she consistently gives back to her community. Isabelle's athleticism is equally impressive-she excels in basketball, tennis and softball. Her drive, kindness and passion for both her peers and pursuits make her a true role model for those around her. Isabelle's ability to lead, inspire and achieve at such a high level is truly remarkable!

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What has your favorite leadership opportunity been and why?
My favorite leadership opportunity has been leading the student council through homecoming. Homecoming for my school is a very stressful and jammed-packed time. In past years I followed and learned from the other presidents before me.

How would you describe your leadership style?
I describe my leadership style as transformational. I focus on continuous improvement and encouraging my teammates to step out and think of something different. Leaders who use this style are described as energetic, passionate, and motivated. I feel as if the description of this leader describes me.

What is your strongest leadership quality?
My strongest leadership quality is having an open mind. I will hear everyone out and listen to what they have to say. In the moments that I can not listen, I will do what I feel is best.

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
In my leadership role as student council president, I do many things for the school. I help with assemblies including announcing what we are planning, setting up games, and getting students to participate. I read off the morning announcements, help plan dress-up days, participate in the can-a-thon that helps the Salvation Army, and participate in adopt-a-highway every summer.

What has your favorite activity been in the NHS?
My favorite activity in NHS has been helping out with the Gus Maker. The Gus Maker is a three-on-three basketball tournament. I was able to watch some intense games while running a check-in booth.

What has been your most rewarding experience as Student Council President?
The most rewarding experience I had in becoming student council president is when everyone’s hard work pays off. My student council works as a team, everyone has to work together for our activities to go as planned. For homecoming, we head over to the elementary school to put temporary tattoos on the younger kids. We split up into groups and made sure that no kid was left out in getting a tattoo. If one group forgets a classroom then we all mess up.

What is a memory from being in Big Brothers Big Sisters that you will never forget?
A memory I will never forget is when my little and I became true friends. In the first couple of weeks, we were just getting to know each other and doing group activities. After some one on one time, we realized we had more in common. We can just talk, joke around, and get each other. I look forward every week to talk to my friend.

What else would you like to talk about?
I am very involved in sports. I have been on varsity basketball and tennis for four years and varsity softball for three. In basketball, I hold the record of most three-pointers in a game with 8 made. This year in tennis I achieved all-state for one doubles. Lastly, for softball, I got first team for second base. I am fully committed to the sports I play and appreciate the hard work I have to put in.

Tell us about your basketball career.
In third grade, I started basketball. In my first game ever I scored my first points, a layup, looked up to my mom in the bleachers, I was waving my hands, and loudly asked her if she saw me. I now am more modest when it comes to making a layup. I am a varsity player for my high school.

What position do you play in basketball and how does it suit you?
In basketball, I am a shooting guard. I feel most comfortable shooting and can drive when an opportunity arises. I can also play in the post if needed. I enjoy working in the post to get a well-earned two points.

How did you get started in tennis?
The assistant coach is a middle school teacher. When I was in eighth grade he convinced me to try it out. After I went to a tennis camp I was hooked.

What do you love most about tennis?
Growing up all I did was team sports. Tennis is much more individual. I do play doubles so I have someone with me but it’s not like basketball where there are four other players by my side. I get to work through the ups and downs of my matches by myself. I have learned so much emotionally from tennis.

What is your softball team like and what do you love most about being a part of it?
My softball team is like a family. When someone hits a good hit or gets someone out in a play everyone is up and cheering. I never feel judged when making a mistake or striking out. Being part of that kind of team makes you feel good about yourself, that’s what I love most.

What do you feel passionate about or could talk about forever?
Something I could talk about for hours is human emotion. It is fascinating that many people could go through the same experience and feel differently about it. My sisters and I have memories of when we were growing up that all sound different because of the emotions we were feeling at the time.

How did you find your photographer? What was your experience like? What did you love most?
Jennifer at Jasper Hill Photography is wonderful. I found her because she did my sister’s and my friend’s senior photos. The experience with her was comfortable and exciting. She made me feel like I was born to be in front of a camera. She made an effort in getting to know me and planned out poses and locations based off my interests. What I love most is because it is so personal, not one person who goes through Jasper Hill Photography has the same pictures. I love all of my photos and had an amazing time!

Why do you want to be in Inspiring Teens Magazine?
I want to be in Inspiring Teens Magazine because I would love to be a part of such a positive experience for teens and photographers. I would love for teens like me to know that they should embrace everything about themselves no matter what.

What is a favorite memory with or thoughts of the person who nominated you?
My favorite thing about Jennifer is her positivity and creativity. When having my pictures taken if something didn’t work out she tried something different. We did poses that made me laugh and poses that made me feel confident. The couple hours I was with her flew by because it was such a blast.

If you had nothing to do and all day to do it, where would we find you?
You would find me with friends. I love being with people and connecting.

What is up next for you that you are super excited about?
Next year I will be in college. I am so excited to start my life as a young adult. I’m excited to learn independence and for a challenge.

Look for Isabelle in issue 86 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!
*Interviews are not edited after received from our inspiring teens - what you read is who they genuinely are!

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
During the period of time when I was participating in ongoing tests, I worked very hard to focus on the things that were in my control. I tried to take one day at a time and not obsess about my health and what I could/could not possibly be dealing with for the long term. It was then that my passion for reading exploded. Instead of focusing on what was happening in my life, I was able to get lost in the characters' lives in the books I was reading.

What do you want people to know about your autoimmune disease?
When I was 15, I was diagnosed with Grave’s Disease which is an autoimmune disease that affects the thyroid. Before I was diagnosed, I was dealing with an extremely high heart rate, trouble sleeping, trouble concentrating, dizzy spells, severe weight loss, and more. I was seeing a cardiologist and an endocrinologist several times a week going through numerous tests until we figured out what was wrong and the best way to approach it. Needless to say, it was a very stressful time.

How has it shaped your future?
Since my diagnosis, I am more aware of what steps I need to take to stay healthy. I have changed my lifestyle choices by making healthier decisions on what I eat, taking time to work out to stay fit, and paying more attention to changes in my body. I am more appreciative of what it takes to live a healthy lifestyle so I can stay in remission for as long as possible.

What is a favorite family tradition you hope never ends?
Christmas Eve dinner at my nana’s house. It brings all of our relatives together who we don’t see as often and it is always fun. We have lots of delicious food, play games and enjoy laughter and cheer throughout the evening. I look forward to it every year.

What is a family trip memory you will never forget?
For my grandparents 50th wedding anniversary, my entire family went to Rome, Italy to celebrate. It was such a memorable experience traveling to a foreign country with my grandparents, aunt, uncle, and cousins. We explored all of the sights Rome had to offer and even made a day trip to the Ferrari Factory which began my love for Formula One. Traveling with my extended family was such a special adventure that will always hold a special place in my heart.

What do you feel passionate about or could talk about forever?
Formula One racing! It has become a passion of mine ever since visiting the Ferrari Factory in Italy several years ago with my family. At the time, I knew nothing about racing and after visiting, I dove into the world of Formula One. Now my family builds its weekend activities around the races so we can watch them together and celebrate my passion. It has brought me such joy and has created a new family tradition which is so much fun.

What was your favorite book to read this year and why?
Binding 13 by Chloe Walsh is my favorite book I’ve read this year. The story follows Shannon Lynch and her difficult homelife. Throughout the book Shannon finds strength in her relationships with friends and her boyfriend, overcoming the hardships she endures at home. It made me very appreciative of the stable homelife I have and the family that supports me.

What are your responsibilities on the yearbook committee?
I’ve been on the yearbook committee since seventh grade, so this is my sixth and final year. Over the years, I have taken on a more significant role on the team, and this year I am responsible for more than 30 pages, covering everything from sports to Senior portraits. I enjoy working with the team and creating a snapshot of our year in school.

What is Link Crew and what activities do you participate in?
Link Crew is a select group of upperclassmen responsible for Freshman orientation. It includes team meetings over the summer to prepare for orientation day. We lead ice breakers, games, and tours of the high school throughout the day. During the school year we check in with the Freshman to discuss their experience in high school and answer any questions they may have. Members of Link Crew are selected by teachers after students apply for the position.

What else would you like to talk about?
I also found a lot of strength and comfort in my family and friends throughout my journey. It was so comforting to know that I had people to lean on and talk to when I was visiting doctors on a regular basis. My parents and brother were able to help me talk through it when I wanted to, but also able to help me take my mind off of it, if I needed to. My friends helped me keep the laughter and joy in my life all while supporting me.

How did you find your photographer? What was your experience like? What did you love most?
Rachel, the owner of Hosh Posh photography is local to my area and I have been following her for quite a while. She has a very unique style to her photos and really seems to capture what's important to an individual- she doesn't do cookie cutter pictures. She really listened to my vision for my photos and brought them to life. It was so much fun working with her. She made me feel so at ease and I couldn't be more pleased with the results.

Why do you want to be in Inspiring Teens Magazine?
I think it is an opportunity to shine a light on all of the amazing teens in the world. I know I am not the only person who has experienced the unknown, but I hope someone sees my story and it inspires them to work through whatever difficulties they may be facing in their own life.

What is a favorite memory with or thoughts of the person who nominated you?
The entire day we took pictures at the library really stands out. Rachel put me at ease right away and really made the process so much fun. I had trouble keeping a straight face at times, because we were laughing and giggling throughout the shoot. She really saw me as a person and helped me capture my passion for reading in such a beautiful way.

What is up next for you that you are super excited about?
I am extremely excited to finalize my path to college and major in Hospitality Management. The idea of living on a college campus, meeting new people, and experiencing life away from home is a little scary, but also very exciting. I am looking forward to where this major can take me and the opportunities it offers.

Look for Lily in issue 86 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!
*Interviews are not edited after received from our inspiring teens - what you read is who they genuinely are!
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​Nomination: Aubrey Kramer, is a constant source of inspiration. Her determination and resilience in the face of challenges amaze me daily. Whether tackling being editor of her school’s yearbook or learning a new skill for cheerleading, she approaches everything with focus and enthusiasm. More importantly, it’s her kindness and empathy that stands out. She always goes out of her way to help others, making the world a much better place while not judging anyone. While coaching the 8th grade cheer team, maintaining her GPA, and competing on multiple teams, she continues to inspire us all!

Tell us about being editor of your school's yearbook and what that entails on your end.
Being editor and chief of my schools yearbook is something very special at my school because there is only two. I do the graphic design portion of the yearbook. I create templates, mods, spreads, end sheets, the cover, and many more things so the staff of the yearbook can create their pages. With all that comes a great responsibility of making sure we are meeting our deadlines and making sure the staff is following the theme and creating their pages correctly.

What have you learned in the process of being the editor?
I have learned how to think out side of the box and be as creative I can be. As well as I have learned the importance of time management and how to distribute my time and to be a better leader.

What leadership style describes you best?
The leadership style that I believe describes me best is shared leadership. Often I do not like having all the authority I like to share it with a partner. I believe I highlight my staff and teammates strengths while helping them and suggesting corrections.

What do you love most about this position?
Getting to take my creative ideas and bring them to life by designing everything. Seeing my fellow staff be excited about their work and seeing the yearbook succeed is what I love most about my position.

What has cheerleading taught you about working with others?
Cheerleading has taught me to always build others up and not break them down. Working with others has helped me become a better person and athlete as well.

What is your cheer team like and how is it successful?
My cheer team is the defection of blood, sweat, and tears. Whether it is coming back from an injury, the very hot summer practices where you are dripping sweat, or even the emotional practices your team is always there for each other. My team is a family with a bond that cannot be broken. We are successful by getting better each and every practice and showing off our hard work at our competitions.

What is a favorite memory with your cheer team?
My favorite memory with my cheer team is The Cheerleading Worlds. At worlds my team and I had a celebration dinner and all got to hang out around Disney Springs in Orlando Florida and created lifelong memories and an even stronger bond.

What is the hardest part about coaching younger cheerleaders vs what is the easiest part?
The hardest part about coaching younger cheerleaders is remembering they do not understand the sport like I do. They are learning about the sport and the basics of it so it often is harder to explain corrections to them in a less complex “cheer term” way. On the other hand keeping the girls entertained is the easiest part. The younger girls are so eager to learn and get better so their full attention is on what skills they are doing.

What is your favorite class this year and what is the most interesting thing you've learned?
My favorite class this year has been Zoology. The most interesting thing I have learned this year has been all the vocabulary of what makes up the animals and how each part of it works.

What are you looking forward to next as a senior?
Figuring out where I will be going to college attending and trying out for college cheer teams is what I am looking forward to next.

What will you miss most about high school?
I will miss being in the same city and living ten minutes away from all my friends the most. My friends and I all live within ten minutes of each other so if we have homework to do we can do it together or if we all just want to go to dinner we can. So, not living close to my friends is what I am going to miss most from high school.

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
Over the years I have coached the cheer abilities team, 8th grade sideline team, and this year coaching 4-6 year olds in cheerleading. Getting to help and be a leader to others is some of my biggest passions.

What else would you like to talk about?
Being the editor in chief of my schools yearbook and one of my cheerleading team captains has taught me more than I would have ever expected. It has made me a better teammate, athlete, person, leader, and so much more.

What do you feel passionate about or could talk about forever?
I am beyond passionate about All-Star Cheerleading. I started All-Star Cheerleading when I was 7 years old and I wish I could do it forever. Being passionate about cheerleading is an understatement, it is my life and some of my greatest accomplishments.

How did you find your photographer? What was your experience like? What did you love most?
I found Natalia Jones through River Ridge sideline cheerleading. Freshmen year squad photos Natalia was my photographer and from then she was always my photographer. I love how willing and creative Natalia is to try new poses and locations. All my experiences with Natalia have been nothing short of amazing and fun!

Why do you want to be in Inspiring Teens Magazine?
I want to be in Inspiring Teens Magazine to be a great representation of Natalia Jones’s amazing creativity and photography. Along with being a young woman with many hobbies and passions yet still being able to help others and make a difference in lives

What is a favorite memory with or thoughts of the person who nominated you?
My favorite memories with my dad is taking our father daughter trips to Miami on my fall breaks. Growing up we have always bonded over our love for football. Not just any football though, Miami football. On fall breaks we take a week trip down to Miami to go watch a Miami Hurricanes football game on Saturday then Sunday we go see the Miami Dolphins play. We find unique new restaurants to try every time we go down.

Look for Aubrey in issue 86 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!
*Interviews are not edited after received from our inspiring teens - what you read is who they genuinely are!

Nomination: Cambri has proven that if you love something & work hard, nothing is impossible. At 11 she started experiencing pain in her feet. It steadily got worse & by 14 it was unbearable. Coincidentally, Cambri loves running & had a goal to run all 4 years of high school with her cross country team. She saw a specialist & learned her feet were fractured from rapid growth. She underwent two complex surgeries. Immediately after being cleared, she got back to running. Despite having residual pain & swelling, she completed every race & has proven you can rise above any challenge.

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What do you love most about running?
My favorite thing about running is how I feel after I run. I get so happy and energetic after I run and I absolutely love it. I love the feeling of knowing that I completed a challenge and that I can do hard things. 
 
What is the longest distance you have ran vs the longest distance you hope to run soon?
The longest distance I have run is about 10 miles. I would love to be able to complete the half marathon my community hosts this summer. The half marathon is 13.1 miles. It will take a lot of training, but I believe I can do it if I work hard and take care of my body. 
 
If you could run in any marathon anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
I would love to run a marathon on a Hawaiian beach. I think it would be so cool to run on a beach where it feels like you could run forever.
 
What was the hardest part about your surgeries and how did you get past it?
I think the hardest part about my surgeries was missing out on everything. It was hard to see my teammates do amazing things without me. But it gave me so much more motivation to work hard to get back in shape and be able to perform in my sports properly.
 
What is up next for you in the world of running?
The next thing I hope to do this year is to run for my track team this season. 
 
What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover? 
In cross country, there would be many times where the pain in my feet would be so bad that I would question myself and be tempted to just walk off the course and give up. But then I would remember the goal I have set. I needed to prove to myself that nothing is impossible when you set your mind to it. 
 
What is one of your proudest moments in running?
With my perseverance throughout the years (or maybe just plain stubbornness), I am proud to announce that I have recently completed my last race in State Cross Country at Sugar House Park in Salt Lake City, Utah.

What else would you like to talk about?
Along with cross country, I have done track, cheer, and served as a part time waitress. Competitive cheer has taken more time and dedication than anything I’ve done. To me, all of that hard work has paid off. I am blessed with amazing coaches, teammates, and friends who have helped me grow throughout the seasons. Although my feet brought on difficulties keeping up with everyone, it made it so much more worth it to continue to work hard and become better. With that motivation, I have helped my team do really well in placing in state competitions.
 
What is your cheer team like? Where do you fit in and where do you stand out?
My cheer team has always been very close. As an oldest child, my cheer team is the closest thing to older sisters I’ve ever had. There is not a practice where we aren’t giggling or giving each other advice. We all work so well together and because of that dynamic, we do well in our competitions. I know that we will always have each other’s backs. It’s easy to fit in a team like that. I would like to say that I stand out with my kindness. I like to include everyone and not make anyone feel less than. 
 
What is a favorite memory with your cheer team?
I have so many great memories with my cheer team. A favorite of mine would be my sophomore year when we went up to cheer for state baseball and got to stay the night at an Airbnb. We went swimming, played games, watched “How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days”, and stayed up most of the night just talking and laughing. It was one of those times when I realized I had found where I belong. It was so fun and it made me so grateful for those friendships I had built that year with my team. 
 
What has cheer taught you?
Cheer has taught me so many things. It mainly has brought me out of my shell. I used to be very closed off, shy, and insecure. Cheer has pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me be able to be confident in myself. It has inspired me to do the same. My goal in life is to help everyone feel included and confident in themselves. 
 
What will you miss most about high school?
I think I will miss my sports teams the most. I have had so many good times and memories with them and I will be sad to let them go. They have taught me so much and have helped me become a better person. 

What senior activity has meant the most to you so far?
Honestly just stepping up and being a leader as a senior has meant the most to me so far. I love being able to help lead my teams and even just younger students. It meant a lot to me having a senior to look up to and get advice from as a younger student; and now I get to carry on the favor. I love helping people in anyway that I can! 
 
What legacy do you hope to leave behind?
I hope to leave a legacy that inspires people to never give up on the things they love. I hope to inspire them to know that nothing is impossible through faith, dedication, and hard work. I also hope to inspire people to be kind. You never know what someone is going through. It always pays to be kind. 

What do you feel passionate about or could talk about forever?
Something that I am very passionate about is hair. It is something I have always had an interest in. The career I aspire to specialize in is Trichology. Trichology is the study of the hair and scalp. I discovered this career when my grandpa was diagnosed with cancer. Due to his treatments, he had lost his beloved hair. Seeing him slowly lose his confidence like that ignited a passion in me that never wanted anyone to have to go through that. I want to help people feel confident in their own skin.

How did you find your photographer? What was your experience like? What did you love most?
My photographer is my mom. She has been with me my whole life and is my best friend. She is the most amazing and hardworking woman I know. My mom has always been my biggest supporter and is the reason I am who I am today. She has taught me to always turn to the Lord and that through hard work, nothing is impossible. What I love most about my mom is her ability to adapt to change. She is so amazing at working through challenges. I love that she can find joy and beauty in even the littlest things.

What is a favorite memory with or thoughts of the person who nominated you?
A favorite memory with my mom/photographer who nominated me, is the time she took my best friend and I to do a photo shoot in a field of sunflowers. In the moment, we laughed at the poses she had us try to do. She told us that we may feel weird now, but the product will be amazing in the end. And she was right. We had the most amazing pictures and those poses we laughed at ended up being the best ones. It taught us that seeing the big picture is the most beautiful thing in life.
  
Why do you want to be in Inspiring Teens Magazine?
I would love to be in Inspiring Teens Magazine because I hope to inspire not only teens, but anyone to do the things they love. I hope that I can show people to not let physical and mental difficulties to get in the way of achieving their goals. It may be hard and scary, but I know that through faith and hard work, we can achieve anything we set our minds to. If there is something we “can’t” do, let it be giving up. I hope that I can inspire all to find joy in the bumpy course of life.
 
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, you would find me on the road. I would be traveling the world and seeing new places. I absolutely love traveling, seeing and experiencing new things, and learning all that I can about everything. I find it so exhilarating being around new environments and all things new!
 
What is up next for you that you are super excited about?
Next year, I will be graduating high school, moving to a new place, and beginning to pursue my dream career. I will be starting out at Evans Hairstyling College in the fall and I am so excited to begin perusing something I have loved doing all my life! I cannot wait to learn new things, meet new people, and have so much fun! 

Look for Cambri in issue 86 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!
*Interviews are not edited after received from our inspiring teens - what you read is who they genuinely are!

​Nomination: Oliver started his first business at age 14 by turning a hobby into a serious venture. Early days consisted of hard work and determination. He used social media platforms to market himself and build trust with prospective buyers. He learned about market value. He honed sales and leadership skills to successfully sell digital items to game players across the nation. His inspiring reputation for honesty, trustworthiness, and leadership also serves his fellow students. He’s often found leading collaborative work in AP classes and his high school’s Engineering Academy. Oliver’s leadership, kindness, and generosity in business and school life are refreshing.

Nomination: Oliver started his first business at age 14 by turning a hobby into a serious venture. Early days consisted of hard work and determination. He used social media platforms to market himself and build trust with prospective buyers. He learned about market value. He honed sales and leadership skills to successfully sell digital items to game players across the nation. His inspiring reputation for honesty, trustworthiness, and leadership also serves his fellow students. He’s often found leading collaborative work in AP classes and his high school’s Engineering Academy. Oliver’s leadership, kindness, and generosity in business and school life are refreshing.

Tell us about your business. What is it exactly and what inspired you to start it?
My business started in the vibrant world of Rocket League, which I fell in love with at age 12 because of its unique mix of soccer and cars. I never imagined it would become a business, but in January 2019, I saw an opportunity to sell valuable in-game items I had collected. Some items are worth a lot, while others are not. To build my inventory, I began trading with other players, always striving to trade up. For example, I would swap a $2 hat for a $3 wheel, gradually creating an inventory to sell and turning my passion into a business.

What was the hardest part about starting your business?
At 14, gaining trust in the trading scene was tough. My first buyers only made small transactions ($2) to build confidence. Frustrated, I devised a social media strategy using Discord, TikTok, and Instagram to showcase my trustworthiness. Buyers could leave positive reviews, and I posted “proofs”—videos of successful transactions, a rare practice that boosted credibility. Over time, I discovered TikTok and Discord were most effective, so I dropped Instagram. These efforts established me as a trusted seller, expanded my customer base, and grew my reputation in the community, allowing me to turn hard work into a thriving business.

What is the most rewarding part?
With experience, making money in the game became easier. At 16, I sold a rare Alpha Cap for $900 after days of negotiation. Only 100 of these items existed, awarded to early game testers, making it a coveted status symbol. My reputation as a trusted seller grew, leading an entrepreneur to recruit me as a supplier and price negotiator for his website. This partnership allowed me to sell over 300,000 Rocket League items, earning significant income and further boosting my credibility. These milestones highlighted my progress and solidified my position as a respected figure in the gaming community.

What advice do you have to give to other teens who want to start their own business?
My advice to teens starting a business is simple: just start. Even if you feel too young or inexperienced, take that first step. It takes bravery, but starting now means you'll gain valuable experience early. Be persistent—challenges will arise, but don’t let them discourage you. Instead, view them as opportunities to learn and grow. Solving problems will strengthen your skills and help your business evolve. Every obstacle you overcome makes you a better entrepreneur. Remember, success doesn’t happen overnight, but with dedication and hard work, you can build something amazing while growing into a confident, capable business leader.

What is your leadership style?
My leadership style is centered on building strong relationships. I ensure all team members feel valued by engaging them in discussions and reaching a consensus on task assignments. Along the way, I check in, offer encouragement, and help keep everyone on track. However, when someone drops the ball, I step in to prevent the team from failing. Whether it’s asking another team member to take over or taking on the extra workload myself, I prioritize the team’s success.

What is your strongest leadership quality?
My strongest leadership quality is consensus building. This means bringing people together, encouraging open discussions, and finding solutions that everyone can agree on. I strive to make sure each team member feels heard and valued when decisions are made. By doing this, I create a sense of ownership and commitment within the group.

What do you love most about sales?
Sales is my favorite part of business because it allows me to connect with others and create value. I’ve discovered that I’m a natural negotiator, finding ways to make both me and the buyer happy. There’s no better feeling than closing a sale—it’s an amazing rush! Knowing that I’ve successfully satisfied someone while achieving my business goals gives me a sense of accomplishment. The excitement of making a deal and the satisfaction that comes with it keep me motivated in my entrepreneurial journey.

What is your favorite AP class this year and why?
My favorite AP class this year is AP Statistics. Just like I enjoy justifying value during the sales process, I’m fascinated by how statistics can be used to argue a case. Using data to identify trends, answer questions, and prove hypotheses is both challenging and intriguing. The ability to analyze and interpret numbers opens up new ways to make informed decisions. Now that I understand statistics better, I’ve added another valuable tool to my business-building and sales skills. This knowledge helps me approach problems with a data-driven mindset, improving my ability to make strategic, informed choices in my business ventures.

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
What’s inspiring about me is my generous spirit and how I show up for others. I help take care of my grandfather, who has Parkinson’s, and I do it with patience, love, and a lot of dedication. I also enjoy giving back. To my community. I coached a kindergarten soccer team, where I taught them about teamwork and the joy of playing together. In class projects, I naturally take on leadership roles, not to control, but to guide and make sure everyone feels included. I strive to balance my intelligence with compassion, hoping to make a positive impact on the world around me.

What do you feel passionate about or could talk about forever?
I’m passionate about building businesses. I’ve already created one small, profitable business, and I’m always thinking about new ideas. In my job, I not only work hard but also take time to listen and learn about the ins and outs of running a business. I pay close attention to what works and what doesn’t, so I can apply those lessons to my future ventures. I have big dreams for my business career and know that it will involve creating my own successful businesses. I’m excited to continue uncovering more about my passion for entrepreneurship.

How did you find your photographer? What was your experience like? What did you love most?
We found our photographer through a neighbor’s recommendation. She was fantastic! Her instructions were clear, making it easy to meet and get started. She had creative ideas for photo locations—sometimes I’d think, "Here?!?" but they turned out to be some of my favorite shots. Most importantly, she made me feel confident throughout the process. Working with her was enjoyable, and I was really happy with the experience. Her approach made the entire session fun and relaxed, resulting in beautiful photos. I’m so glad we chose her!

Why do you want to be in Inspiring Teens Magazine?
Inspiring Teens Magazine is always fun to read, especially stories about other teens. However, I’ve noticed there aren't many features on teens who have already found success in business. I thought others might enjoy reading about that kind of example, too. Seeing how teens are making an impact in the business world could be motivating for those of us with entrepreneurial dreams. It’s inspiring to read about young people who are already taking steps toward success and building their own businesses.

What is a favorite memory with or thoughts of the person who nominated you?
I have so many wonderful memories with my mom, but one stands out. When I was an assistant coach for a kindergarten soccer team, my mom was the head coach—even though she’d never played soccer! Since I was too young to be head coach, she agreed to take on the role. It was pretty funny—she’d print lesson plans online and didn’t always understand the terms or drills. I’d demonstrate everything while she described what I was doing to the kids. We’d split the team into small groups, and honestly, the kids learned more from me! But I loved being with my mom.

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, you’d find me making sales! I love talking with buyers, building relationships, and negotiating deals. Whether it’s procuring digital assets or finding the best offers, I could easily spend the entire day immersed in the sales process. The excitement of closing deals, finding win-win solutions, and helping others get what they need is something I’m passionate about. Sales is where I thrive, and I truly enjoy every aspect of it, from the initial conversation to the final transaction. It’s not just work—it’s what I love doing.

What is up next for you that you are super excited about?
What’s next for me is college—business school! I can hardly wait to be surrounded by others who share my passion for business-building. I’m excited to learn from successful business professionals and fellow students who are just as driven as I am. There’s so much knowledge to gain, and I’m eager to dive in. I’m also looking forward to the possibility of meeting a business partner while I’m there. Who knows what business ventures lie ahead?

Where do you see yourself in 5 years/what are your plans?
Launching a successful business where I can highlight my skills in sales combined with everything I learn about business in college. I can hardly wait to enter the entrepreneurship competitions.

Do you have a hidden talent? What is it?
I do have a hidden talent—I’m a black belt in TaeKwonDo. I worked so hard for the achievement and I loved every second of it.

Look for Oliver in issue 86 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!
*Interviews are not edited after received from our inspiring teens - what you read is who they genuinely are!

How have your hardships turned you into a stronger person?
Through my hardships, I have learned to never give up. Losing my dad, I learned what it meant to be strong. This loss has turned out to be a motivation to be there for others. If I notice someone having a bad day, I will always make sure to see if they need a listening ear.

What did you learn about the world around you during the pandemic?
When the world shut down, everything was online. This has made many reliant on technology. With that being said, although there are some issues that technology can cause, it has also been a huge asset to many employees, schools, and businesses. Since no one could meet in person, everyone became acclimated to Zoom meetings and working from home. This has since benefitted many because it has allowed more flexibility in work schedules. However, it has also caused us to lose touch with being able to talk to each other in person.

What do you miss most about your dad?
The adventures that we always went on together with the work for the farm and our family’s drainage tile business for fields. I also miss spending fair with him because of all that he did as a Fair Board member. He would teach me all of the ropes of how to work with others and was such an inspiration to me with his determination and grit to always get things done.

What inspired you to create a junior board for the area youth fair?
My dad was my biggest advocate for starting the Junior Fair Board. We both worked for years on trying to persuade the Main Fair Board that this group would be a beneficial addition. The goal for this group was to inspire area youth to be “Builders of Good Citizenship.” Another goal we wanted was to consider other youth’s ideas and be a voice for them.

What roles and responsibilities do you have with it now?
As of right now, I am currently sitting as the President for my second term. I also manage our social media accounts, including Facebook and Instagram. As a board we also got some fundraising events started; our most successful being Line Dancing. Another responsibility has been different projects on our fairgrounds. We’ve painted grandstand bleachers in 90 degrees and volunteered at the fair’s fundraising events, including the annual car show and our biannual Mom2Mom sale. This gets us out in the community and teaches us responsibilities that we could have if we continue on to the main Fair Board.

What did it entail to become a community queen for the Blossomtime Festival and what does that role mean to you?
To become a community queen, there is more to it than being in a pageant. The contest starts about a month prior where we learn hair and makeup skills, an opening dance (not judged), interview skills, and on-stage presence. The most important part of this was the interview. It is three judges' opinions on one day, and it just depends on their criteria. However, this also means that first impressions are crucial. Just being yourself is so important because they want to see how you will represent your community. The role is important because youth look up to community queens.

What do you love most about volunteering at the Lions group?
The Lions strive to help with opportunities to ensure eyesight health and do different glass drives, vision screenings, and some fundraising events. My favorite event is their pancake breakfast because I love getting out into the community. A lot of this generation has lost touch with getting out in their community and one of my goals is to bring back that motivation. Although I am not yet a Lion member, I have always helped as my mom has been a member for numerous years.

Which organization that you volunteer for gave you the biggest surprise and why?
The Blossomtime Pageant, which can be participated in once crowned as a community queen. When awards were being given out, they had one of the most prestigious awards; the Bob Braamse Award. This award is given out after queens fill out a form with all of their volunteer activities from high school. My list ended up being nearly 80 different volunteer activities. Never have I thought of my volunteer work as getting recognition, but as a way to give back, and hearing my name called for this award was one of the most shocking moments in my life.

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
Growing up as the 6th generation on my family farm has been such an empowering thing. Especially with the field being so heavily male, taking on a leadership role on the farm has helped me move forward with my passion and future endeavors of becoming an agricultural lawyer.

What do you love most about living a farm life?
Life on the farm is no game. But knowing that with the family farm, we are feeding families, brings my heart so much gratitude and joy. It teaches so many life lessons. The most important is responsibility. Even at a young age, I was taught to care for the animals attentively. Along with this, I learned skills like running equipment, welding, and most recently how to operate a combine. Farming is very much a thinking outside-of-the-box job because there are so many problems farmers run into. If you love the job, nothing can stop your passion.

What do you wish others knew about agriculture?
Farmers arguably have one of the most important jobs, as we feed the world. A lot of people go into stores but what they don’t realize is that if there were no farmers, there wouldn’t be any food. With that being said, I feel that it is important to appreciate our farmers. If you know of any located near you, try your best to support them to the best of your ability because it is so crucial that we become more close-knit in a world where people have forgotten the importance.

What do you hope to achieve as an agricultural lawyer?
Currently, my goal as an agricultural lawyer is to advocate for the farmers. With so many new laws to abide by with agriculture, I feel that it is crucial the farmers have a voice and someone willing to stand up for them. Many say farmers are a dying breed. This has to do with so much new land development. One of the hardest things to watch is fields of farmers you knew being put up for sale and turned into housing. Building relationships with these farmers is crucial because it helps to make connections once I have gone through college.

What else would you like to talk about?
Always get involved, and if you can't think of a way, find someone who may have those opportunities. If you see a need, you should always fill it because that is what being a role model is. Always trying to help improve in all aspects of life.

What do you feel passionate about or could talk about forever?
My passion is definitely volunteering. This is something that I have grown up learning to love. Being so involved with everything my mom does in the community has always taught me service over self. I feel that so much of our youth has lost touch with this. Finding even small things to do can be so beneficial because every job is important. We should show our youth of tomorrow why it is so important to be as involved as possible! However, also show them that if you are to get involved in a lot, don't spread yourself too thin.

How did you find your photographer? What was your experience like? What did you love most?
My photographer has taken my sports pictures since elementary school. I had heard from social media that they were looking for people interested in becoming a part of their senior model team and so I decided to go and see what it was all about! I have truly enjoyed working with the Harringtons as they know how to tell each aspect of my story. Probably my favorite thing so far has been being able to let loose and be myself!

What do you do with the senior model team and how has it helped shape you as a person?
With the senior model team, the group has done studio shoots and beach shoots. We have even traveled all the way up to Mackinac Island and Chicago with most of the team. Harrington Photography’s main goal is to tell each model's story. He finds our passion and tries to make that the focus of each of the photos taken. Having this opportunity has opened up so many doors for me. The confidence I have gained working with the team has been such a blessing. Working together to come up with creative ideas, allows me to think outside of the box.

Why do you want to be in Inspiring Teens Magazine?
This is an opportunity of a lifetime and with it, I would promote the Inspiring Teens Magazine to others locally. I feel that it is so empowering knowing that people see what you do. However, you should just try to be perfect on paper, you have to be willing to put in the work. Finding out I was nominated was probably one of the most amazing moments ever and I would love to see others have the same experience!

What is a favorite memory with or thoughts of the person who nominated you?
After talking with my mom, I found out that she nominated me. I truly can't choose just one memory. However, some of my favorite moments with her have been spent on Mackinac Island. We have had countless family adventures here and go almost every year for our family vacation. I am grateful for all of the lessons my mom has taught me in life. Anything from learning how to get out in the community to facing your biggest challenges. She is my definition of a role model.

If you had nothing to do and all day to do it, where would we find you?
I think it is safe to say that I would either be out in our woods fishing in our pond or doing work on different pieces of equipment in the shop. Fishing is peaceful and allows me to take a moment and slow down. It also teaches a lot of patience. Working on equipment also takes patience because it may take a while to determine what needs work. That being said, it also allows for problem-solving and understanding the concepts of our equipment.

What is up next for you that you are super excited about?
Currently, being a senior means a lot of lasts. However, it also means a lot of new beginnings. My hope is to continue my volunteerism and also to attend college. I want to leave a lasting impression on underclassmen and help them understand the importance of working hard and being involved.

What is the hardest thing you have ever accomplished, and how did you do it?
Starting the Junior Fair Board took a lot of determination and dedication. The idea started about 8 years ago when I realized that the fair is a youth fair and I wanted to have a voice.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to be where you are today?
Just be yourself! You must believe you can do it to accomplish your goals and ambitions.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years/what are your plans?
Currently, I plan to be running the family farm and working on completing my degree in agricultural law.

What is your favorite activity or pastime that was not in your nomination?
Running is a pastime that maybe isn’t my favorite thing to do sometimes. However, running is a good habit and allows me to let go of anything going on in my life.

Do you have a hidden talent? What is it?
Welding is one of my greatest talents because it allows me to express my creativity. I have welded for 7 years; since I started at the age of 10.

3 Things on your bucket list
Traveling, joining the main Fair Board, and going to Michigan State University

Who do you find inspiring?
My mom is one of my biggest inspirations as she has taught me so much throughout life. She is able to balance being a mom of two, her job, and all of the volunteering she does.

What about you inspires others/why do you think you are inspiring?
My heart to serve when I see a need. Not because of the attention or recognition, but because of the passion and dedication instilled through it.

Is there anything else you would like to tell us?
I hope that by being able to share my passions and how my life has shaped me, I will inspire at least one person. I also hope to inspire the younger generation and teach them about why agriculture is so important.

Look for Marissa in issue 86 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!
*Interviews are not edited after received from our inspiring teens - what you read is who they genuinely are!

Nomination: Marley Bain is a senior at Flathead High School, committed to academic achievements and dedication to helping others. With a 4.0 GPA and class rank of 1 out of 290, she excels in both academics and athletics, earning varsity letters in both cross country and track. Beyond her personal accomplishments, Marley demonstrates strong leadership as a cross country co-team captain, executive leader in Brave Mentoring, and a key participant in Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Her volunteer work shows her commitment to making a positive impact. Marley’s integrity, perseverance, and passion for service make her a true role model.

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What do you love most about learning? What excites you?
What I love most about learning is the experience I get from it. I am continuously making mistakes which is what causes you to learn. This applies to all aspects of life as a person has to make mistakes in order to grow. What excites me are the various opportunities to learn that I encounter every day. From the lessons I learn in class about math, to the lessons I learn from my friends, family, and the experiences I go through.

How do you balance everything and still rank 1 in your class?
There is a lot of struggle when it comes to balancing everything going on in my life and maintaining my gpa. I balance it all by thinking of what my priorities are. My top priorities include my spiritual life, my family, and my friends because they are all huge influences that got me to where I am today. School, athletics, and clubs is what comes next because my education is very important and valuable to me, staying in shape and finding an activity that I enjoy and am passionate about.

What are your roles and responsibilities as co-team captain?
My roles and responsibilities include helping lead the team in general. I helped with leading the runs, warmups, and cool down runs with the other captains. We would help encourage the team and would teach the underclassman what to do as athletes on the cross country team. I would try to connect with as many people as I could so that the cross country team felt like a bonded team and so that it was a positive experience for everyone.

How would you describe your leadership style?
My leadership style is more of the affiliative leadership style. This is the leadership style that focuses more on the connection of the group, and relationships within the group more than the objective. I believe that for a team or group to work well together and get a job done they need to have that personal connection and grow as a team first. I believe that personal relationships are very important in every aspect in life, and that is what creates that positive environment that everyone should have.

What is Brave Mentoring and why is it important to you?
Brave Mentoring is a program where upperclassmen help integrate incoming freshmen into high school. The transition can be very hard, but this program is to help with that. It gives freshman resources so they can have someone to talk to, as well as advice to help them have a good high school experience. It’s important to me because I want to help as many people as I can to have a positive experience in high school. Also I believe that everyone should have someone they can talk to if they are going through something, and this program provides that connection.

What is a favorite memory with Fellowship of Christian Athletes?
My favorite memory with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes program was going to their summer camp in Idaho my 8th grade year with my best friend. When we went, our phones were taken away for the whole week. I was so nervous but ended up growing so much in my faith, created new friendships, played the sport I loved every day while learning something from it, and every night we would have worship nights with a sermon afterwards. It was truly so moving and I grew so much in my faith through it.

Tell us about one of your volunteer experiences.
My favorite volunteering experience was when I volunteered at Fair-Mont Egan School. I helped Ms. Pettit and her 5th grade class at the time. There wasn’t one time I went to volunteer and didn’t want to be there. The kids were all so kind and I got to see my little cousin because she was in that class. I would help all the students learn how to write paragraphs, grade their work, help them in whatever ways needed, and get to play with them outside. I volunteered with two of my friends here and it was a completely positive experience.

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
My sophomore year, I didn’t make the volleyball team, this was very hard for me and took me a while to adjust. I knew that there was another path planned for me, I just had to figure it out. Running had never been my favorite activity, but after being asked to join the cross country team, I decided I at least had to give it a shot. After a lot of hard work and perseverance I was an alternate for state, and my junior and senior year I raced varsity and competed at state as well.

What is your favorite accomplishment with running?
My favorite accomplishment with running is making varsity my Junior and Senior year. I’m not going to lie, running JV was a lot of fun my sophomore year and I couldn’t have asked for a better experience, but being on varsity truly pushed me to do my absolute best. Cross country not only built me as an athlete, but it built me as a person. I wouldn’t choose a different path for me, even if it wasn’t the one I planned on.
If you could run any marathon anywhere in the world, which one would it be and why?
If I were to run any marathon in the world I would choose the Honolulu Marathon because I absolutely love the beach and Hawaii, and have been wanting an excuse to go there anyways. But if I’m being completely honest, I would run wherever as long as I had my Coach Rumsey there with me. She is such an amazing coach, and I know I could run whatever distance if she were the one there pushing, encouraging, and supporting me through it. I am so grateful that she got me into the sport in the first place.

What else would you like to talk about?
If I could talk about anything else it would be the support I've received to get me where I am. My parents and sisters have supported me in everything I do. My cross country coaches have been there for me, supported me, encouraged me, and pushed me to do my very best in every aspect of life. Without them I wouldn't be where I am at right now.

What have you learned from your coaches that you hope to pass down to younger runners?
What I have learned from my coaches that I would like to pass down is that it’s not just the fastest runners that are important. Every single runner has a role on the team, and is running their own race, but we’re all there to support each other because it is equally hard for everyone. I’ve learned the importance of a team, that support and encouragement from one another is what pushes us to do our best and finish that race no matter how hard because we are all going through the same conditions and facing our own battles.

What do you feel passionate about or could talk about forever?
Something I could talk about forever is my siblings. I have 4 younger siblings, who mean everything to me. 2 of them are currently in high school with me and I don't know what I would do without them. My youngest sister who is 6 and my brother who is about 8 months are truly the sweetest things. Without my siblings my life would be completely different, they helped build me into who I am and I hope to continue to build so many good memories and be a part of each other's lives.

What is a favorite family tradition you hope never ends?
My favorite family tradition I hope never ends is our big family getting together on Christmas. We all go to my Grandma's house and have our cousin's gift exchange, family dinner, family games, and a lot more. This day brings so much joy to me and my family, it’s a time that all of us get to be together which doesn’t happen a lot during the school year. It is always such a great experience being able to spend that time with my cousins and family. So many memories come from that singular day, and I love it so much.

What do you like to do with your siblings?
The last couple years, my sisters Anna and Madilyn and I have been doing photoshoots, and have such a great time with each other doing whatever we end up doing. With my little sister Evelyn, she and I have had movie nights and sleepovers together which are always very fun. With my brother Luke, he is not even 1 yet, so I just enjoy taking care of him and finding ways to make him laugh. Anytime I’m doing things with my siblings I realize I have these built in best friends that I couldn’t be more grateful for.

How did you find your photographer? What was your experience like? What did you love most?
I found my photographer through past seniors and friends who had decided to have her be their photographer. It was a very positive and fun experience for me. Mrs. Barnes was able to make me feel comfortable and have a good time even when I felt pretty nervous and awkward. I loved how she was able to get me to laugh and smile genuinely throughout the session. The way she was so invested in getting the right shot and her excitement to try new things, it made me feel excited like you’re supposed to while taking senior photos.

Why do you want to be in Inspiring Teens Magazine?
I would want to be in the inspiring teens magazine because it allows me to get scholarships to help me in the future for college. Also because the whole thing seems like it could be a cool experience.

What is a favorite memory with or thoughts of the person who nominated you?
My favorite memory with Mrs. Tara Barnes was the senior shoot, as it was the only time I had spent with her. But just in that short time she was truly a kind, caring, and sweet person in general. She knew just how to make me feel excited and calm during the session, and was such a hype woman. She hyped me up and just made the whole experience such a memorable and positive one. I'm so grateful for the experience I got and couldn't have asked for a better one.

If you had nothing to do and all day to do it, where would we find you?
If I had nothing to do all day and all day to do it, you could find me on a vacation somewhere tropical with my friends. I love places where it’s sunny and warm, with a beach, and having my friends there would just make the experience even better. Whenever I’m with them I have the greatest time, and being somewhere that I would love to be would be just a great experience, and one filled with so many memories.

What is up next for you that you are super excited about?
Up next for me that I’m super excited about is graduating. This year I am graduating and although it is going to be hard to let go of this part of my life, I’m excited to step into the next part. I’m not exactly sure what life I am going to be living after high school but I’m excited to find out. I am planning on going to college which I think will be a great experience overall, and after that, I am not sure, but I’m very excited to see what the future holds.

Look for Marley in issue 86 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!
*Interviews are not edited after received from our inspiring teens - what you read is who they genuinely are!