Arya Cavender

Arya Cavender - Montana
Nomination by Katie Newgaard
Photography by Leanna Joy Photography
​Issue 71 of Inspiring Teens Magazine
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Nomination: Arya is a busy teen like any other but does an amazing job of connecting with others and making them feel special and valued in the time she spends with them. She goes above and beyond in all she does-AP classes in school, work and her friendships. Arya has battled health challenges and injuries along the way but always manages to come out on top with a smile on her face while providing strength for others through their challenges as well.
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Photography by Leanna Joy Photography

​What are you most looking forward to at school this year?
This year I am looking forward to helping others feel more comfortable and connected to our community through extracurricular activities. I am also looking forward to senior bonding especially because it is my last year in high school with my friends and my teammates. I am looking forward to making more memories that will last a lifetime.

What is the most interesting AP class you have taken and why?
The most interesting AP class that I have taken is Spanish because there are so many benefits to learning a new language. There is an unspoken importance to being able to connect with the world.

Tell us about your work/job and what you've learned about the general public as a result.
I have used the experience of working in a hospital as a platform for building skills of compassion, empathy and communication. Patients and family may act out in frustration in times of weakness.

What is your strongest leadership quality?
One of my strongest leadership qualities is resilience. Resilient leaders have the ability to cope with disruptive changes and adapt.

What are your friends like?
It is hard to remember what it was like before I met my best friend but now I could never imagine doing life without her. She loves me at my worst and supports me at my best and we can do everything or nothing and it feels the same.

What do you and your friends like to do together?
The simple things.

Photography by Leanna Joy Photography

How would your friends describe you?
My friends would describe me as altruistic because I lead with my heart with the best intentions to make others around me happy.

Tell us about your family and what you enjoy doing together.
We are a small family of four and the oldest of two. My little brother and I are two years apart. We are inseparable and we do everything together. My grandpa passed away a few years ago, and I have definitely been able to carry on his legacy. I look just like him.

What is your favorite family memory you will never forget?
Growing up I was definitely a papa's girl. My grandpa took every chance that he could to spend it with me. I was very fortunate to have two hardworking parents. In turn I spent a lot of time with my grandpa. Our favorite things to do were ride the horse, go to Claires and eat lunch together. My grandpa raised me to be a confident young lady who would grow up to be a self-reliant young woman. I really wanted a pink purse from Claires, but it wasn't cheap. No one wanted to buy me this purse, but my grandpa wasn't going to let me go home without it.

What do you want others to know about your health challenges and injuries?
My disorders affect me negatively every day, although it may seem like I function at 100% ability. I think that it is important to keep in mind that despite the challenges I have faced I am excelling above and beyond what most people would expect. In result of missing a lot of school, one of the biggest challenges that others like me face is being able to stay in school. It has been proven that over 40% of pots POTS and EDS patients drop out of school each year due to the toll that it takes on your body. I am defying standards.

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
It would be an understatement to say that I have become quite familiar with the hospital, I did not know anything else. It wasn’t long before I got used to the beeping of my own monitors at such a young age. I have found ways to guide others that are struggling with the same things I have been through. It is safe to say that each player must accept the cards life deals him or her, but once they are in their hand, he or she alone, must decide how to play the cards in order to win the game.

Photography by Leanna Joy Photography

​What else would you like to talk about?
Being a very hardworking and dedicated individual, I strive to be the best at everything I do. I have taken on the leadership role in numerous school activities including HOSA, National Honors Society, and Spanish Honors Society. It is evident that school is very important to me, although so are the relationships I have built with fellow community members.

What do you feel passionate about or could talk about forever?
Although I have many passions, I am most passionate about the relationships I have with my family and friends. I could talk forever about how they have impacted my life. Foremost, my best friend Maddy changed my life completely. My best friend is one of the most selfless people I have ever met, and she will do anything to make someone else happy. On the other hand, I don’t know what I would do without my brother. He is my shoulder to cry on. He has been and forever will be there for me.

How did you find your photographer, Leanna Joy Photography? What was your experience like? What did you love most about it?
I found Leanna because she was willing to think out of the box. She is able to capture each individual's personality through their photos. When working with Leanna, I was blown away by how bubbly and enthusiastic she is. I loved that she was willing to jump right in with no questions asked.

If you had nothing to do and all day to do it, where would we find you?
You would most likely find me at a baseball field.

What is up next for you that you are super excited about?
I am super excited to make a lot of new memories this year before I graduate high school. I would like time to slow down so I could cherish all of the moments that I get with my family and friends before it will be too late.

Photography by Shiela Cavender

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​What is the hardest thing you have ever accomplished, and how did you do it?
I would not say that one of the hardest things that I have ever had to overcome was losing my cousin at a young age. He was killed in a car accident the day after he turned 17. John reminded me a lot of my brother.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to be where you are today?
I have been blessed to have a supportive family who have encouraged me to reach my dreams and go after what I want. I would tell you that hard work rewards opportunity.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years/what are your plans?
In 5 years I see myself living in Colorado to pursue the job of my dreams. I would like to be an athletic trainer for a major sports organization.

Who do you find inspiring?
I find my mom inspiring because she is the best example of someone who pushes through the hardest times. She is my biggest inspiration and my toughest critique.

What about you inspires others/why do you think you are inspiring?
I think that I am inspiring because I have overcome things that most young women will never understand.

Look for Arya in issue 71 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

click here for more information on issue 71

click here to nominate an inspiring teen