Autumn Parker

Autumn Parker – Indiana
Nomination & Photography by April Moore Creations LLC
Issue 101 of Inspiring Teens Magazine
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​Nomination: Autumn Parker is an inspiring person in many ways. She has worked tirelessly to achieve her goals, whether related to academics, sports, or personal growth. She never lets anybody out of her sight without leaving with a smile from her strong compassion. Autumn has been, and continues to be a good role model for younger generations by being a good citizen, helping others, and having a moral compass that is an inspiration to myself and others.

Photography by April Moore Creations LLC

​What inspiring qualities, achievements, or experiences about you were not mentioned in your nomination that you'd like readers to know about?
Some inspiring experiences I have went through is when I was crowned "Miss Akron 2025" for my town's pageant! I love the chance to be an inspiration and role model to my community as the town's Queen. I love the chance to share love and kindness to the kids and adults around me in events I partake in to help the community. Also when my varsity volleyball team at TVHS won our 2024 conference championship, I loved playing this sport for the past 9 years through the hardships, and successes, I can feel the way it has built me more as a strong leader.

Being crowned Miss Akron 2025 is a big deal — but what does the title actually require of you day to day that people might not expect?
Being crowned Miss Akron 2025 was a moment so very special to me, I earned the title of being a role model to my community. It is more than just winning on stage, but attending town events like the Christmas event, or the Easter egg hunt, or even just shooting that encouragement to a girl I see in town. It’s being the best part of yourself every day to show the people around you that they have a Queen leading their town they know they can put their trust in.

Your volleyball team won the 2024 conference championship. What was the moment right after that win that you'll never forget?
The moment right after we won that conference championship is something that I will always hold in my heart, jumping with my teammates as tears stream our face because this was what all the hard work really paid off for. We laughed together and it really felt like we made a huge accomplishment as we were the first team at Valley to win the conference champions title!

What goals, dreams, or projects are you currently working toward right now?
The goals and dreams I am working towards right now is graduating college, followed by law school to pursue my dream career of becoming a Defense Attorney as I believe all people deserve a fair shot in life for their mistakes don't define them. Another goal I am working towards, is getting closer in my relationship with God. I believe he is the foundation in all I do, and he is the way of my life.

Defense attorneys are often misunderstood — people assume the worst. Where does your conviction that everyone deserves a fair shot come from?
I have always had a passion and interest in crime, and why people would do the things they do. Some cases just don’t sit right with me because they got sentences I don’t believe are right. I have a family member that made a mistake, and I wish everyday that I could’ve been the one to fight for them. I want to stand up for the people that feel they don’t have a chance, I want to be the one on their side to fight for them.

How does your faith inform the kind of attorney you want to be?
My faith informs the kind of attorney I want to be because God forgives every single of one of us for our sins. So why should we not forgive others for their mistakes in life too? I want to be an attorney people fight to have because they know that I will not have judgement and be on their side the same way God is for all of us. It is who he called me to be.

Nine years of volleyball is a serious commitment. What kept you coming back every single season, especially during the hard ones?
A couple things that keep me coming back every season, even the hard ones, is the love for my volleyball family, and the game it self. Growing up playing with everyone I did, I grew a strong bond to the people around me, and I have fought hard to get to the position I am at in volleyball, and I was not going to let anything at all bring me down.

What is something you feel passionate about or could talk about for hours, and why does it matter so much to you?
Something I feel passionate about is the sports I have participated in my whole life. I have played volleyball the past 9 years school season, 3 years club season. I also took part in soccer, swimming, and tennis. It matters a lot to me as I get to be a part of helping younger athletes grow and leading my community as best as I can. I have gained a huge family, many memories, and qualities to help shape my future as a role model and leader through these sports.

You've played volleyball, soccer, swimming, and tennis. Which sport taught you the most unexpected lesson about yourself?
Tennis is the sport that taught me the most unexpected lesson about myself because I just started playing my senior year, and I really knew in my mind I wanted the spot to play. So I worked hard in practice and even stayed after practice to get where I am right now, and I am playing. I thought I would be in doubles as it’s easier, but I was put in singles, making it more challenging, but I knew I could do it. I have grown braver through this sport.

What is something you have learned about yourself as a leader or person in the past year?
Something I have learned about myself as a leader the past year, is that being a leader means more than giving orders, but to listen and understand others, and to inspire a team. I have had to step up as a senior leader in volleyball this year, and it has shown me that your voice can mean a lot, but so can hearing out theirs by bringing in collaboration and trust to bring out the best in not only a leader but those that they lead.

You described leadership as listening as much as speaking. Was there a specific moment this year where staying quiet and listening changed the outcome for your team?
I feel like I always grew up thinking that by being a leader, it means you are the only one calling shots for the team, but by hearing out others in roles where I was leading, I found ideas that made our outcome even better, and I am glad to know that my peers feel comfortable stepping up to help with me.

As Miss Akron and a senior captain, you carry a lot of roles at once. How do you decide which version of yourself to lead with in any given moment?
I honestly just be my self, I love to be social and be friends with everyone around me. I feel a lot of empathy and love for my community and team so I know just by showing up for those around me, I can be the leader they want me to be.

When you're in law school someday and it gets hard — and it will — what is the thing about yourself that you'll come back to that reminds you why you started?
When I am in law school and it gets hard the thing I will come back to is that I never got when I am today by giving up. I know that I would regret later down the road, not sticking with it and that I can get through anything if I push through and get to the place I know I want to be.

If you could say one thing directly to a young girl in your community who doesn't yet believe she is capable of becoming a leader, what would it be?
If I could say one thing directly to a young girl who doesn’t yet believe she’s capable of becoming a leader, I would tell her never know what you can be capable of if you don’t at least try. Anyone can be a leader if they step up even once. I would be on their side to help them at any given moment until they were ready on their own to be a young leader.

What is one of your favorite memories with the person who nominated you, or something about them that means a lot to you?
One of my favorite memories with April Moore was when we rushed to get hot chocolate to warm our cold hands from a chilly shoot! My nerves were instantly faded as she always made me feel like a good friend rather than just a client. That moment meant a lot to me because the stress instantly vanished with a good laugh with April.

Tell us about the photographer or person who took your photo — how did you connect, and what was that experience like?
April Moore is a beautiful person inside and out, she always has a smile on her face and a go getter attitude no matter what hardship she is going through. You can see the passion and care she puts into every photo, outfit, and person which makes every experience more than just a photoshoot, but rather a great time to have fun. She is so bright, fun, creative, and self-less.
 
Are you part of a model team with April? If so, tell us about it.
I am part of a model team with April, she makes it such an amazing experience as we get to go to such beautiful places with a wonderful group of girls. I made new friends and got to be apart of such a fun group people, getting our makeup and hair done by wonderful stylists, we always had so much fun.

How did you first hear about Inspiring Teens Magazine? Why does being part of Inspiring Teens Magazine matter to you?
I first heard about Inspiring Teens Magazine through April Moore when she told me about the amazing opportunities in store for me through it! It matters a lot to me being part of Inspiring Teens Magazine as I can be a more well known inspiration and role model to the people around me and to be apart of something so special that will make my friends and family proud. I want to be an inspiration to other girls through this magazine by showing them they’re not alone in any struggles they face.

If you win a scholarship through Inspiring Teens Magazine, how would you plan to use it and what goals would it help support?
If I win a scholarship through Inspiring Teens Magazine, I plan to put it towards my college funds, making it easier on my parents and I for me to reach my goal of becoming a Defense Attorney. This is a very important goal of mine as I can continue my passion of helping others receive the fair trial in life they deserve.

Is there anyone you'd like to thank for helping you to get where you are today?
I want to thank April Moore, as she has saw the potential in me to nominate me for this wonderful experience. She is such a wonderful woman. I would also thank my mom for always supporting me and helping me through all of this and everything ever, I couldn’t do it without her. I would also thank my sister for always being my best friend and supporting me. Also Thank you to my dad who has been my #1 fan through it all!
 
Is there anything else you’d like to tell us?
Just thank you for this wonderful opportunity you give to these seniors!

Look for Laney in issue 101 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!
* Each interview is shared in the teen’s own words, so their authentic voice shines through.

click here for more information on issue 101

click here to nominate an inspiring teen