Bailey L’Hommedieu

Bailey L’Hommedieu - Florida
Nomination by Laurel Barber
Photography by Alyssa Chappell Photography
Issue 98 of Inspiring Teens Magazine
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​Nomination: Bailey is a senior at Newberry High School in Newberry, Florida. She’s been a K-pop fan since before it was cool (her love of BTS started in 1st grade!) She’s always had a passion for exploring creativity through dance and drawing. With plans to attend Santa Fe College for her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Bailey’s goal is to touch the lives of as many children as possible in their most formative years, and inspire them to dance through their own challenges in life.

Photography by Alyssa Chappell Photography

​What role do dance and drawing play in how you express emotions or work through challenges?
Dance and movement helps me lift my mood when I am feeling anxious or stressed or even mad. I can always turn music on, move to it, and immediately feel better. When I draw, it relaxes me and helps me find focus in my every day life. Both of these activities help center me on a stressful or especially hard day.

What inspiring qualities or accomplishments weren’t highlighted in your nomination?
I moved in with my aunt and uncle when I was 12, and learning how to navigate life in a new home and new city as a young child is a challenge I’ll always be proud of thriving through. Getting my license and purchasing my first car was also huge for me. I started working and saving money at 16 because financial responsibility is important to me, and I’m very proud of that. My next big milestone I’m excited about is graduating from high school. I’m so close!

You’ve navigated a major life change by moving to a new home and city at 12. What did that experience teach you about resilience and adapting to change?
I learned that change is going to happen in life no matter what, whether that’s when you’re 12, 22, or 60. Somehow, you have to find the right mindset and try and find the positives in your situation. I also learned that it’s really important for adults to be 100% honest with kids about what is going on in their lives. You’d be amazed at how smart children really are and what they pick up on, so finding age-appropriate ways to tell them the truth is something all adults should continue to strive to do.

You started working and saving at 16 and even bought your first car. How has financial responsibility influenced the way you approach your future goals?
It makes my goals possible, because if the money is not there I’m really just dreaming, not setting goals. Financial instability is scary, and not a place I ever want to be. When I am saving money, I can see the visual growth and that motivates me to keep going. When I see the savings climb, I know I am closer and closer to the goal I want to achieve, and that feeling is really motivating.

What else would you like to talk about?
Becoming an educator for young kids is something that I love to talk about, because it’s a huge focus for me right now. I also love to travel. I’m going to Greece this summer. It will be my first European adventure, and I am so excited! Lastly, moving into student housing this summer and navigating life on my own is something I’m really looking forward to and proud of achieving.

What inspired your decision to pursue Early Childhood Education, and what kind of educator do you hope to be for young children?
For as far back as I can remember, when I was in school I always wanted to be on the other side. I thought it would be so cool to be in the teacher’s chair and loved playing “school!” I was always also the babysitter at family events, and it seems like kids have always gravitated toward me, so it just felt natural to be a role model for them. I hope to work with young kids ages 1-4, maybe as a preschool director or head teacher.

As someone who wants to impact children during their most formative years, what values or lessons do you hope they remember most from you?
I want them to know that you’re not going to get everything on the first try, and that’s ok. I want them to own their mistakes and learn to grow from them. I really want kids to know that it is always ok to ask for help. I want them to always feel safe with and be curious all the time.

Traveling to Greece will be your first European adventure. What are you most excited to experience, and how do you think travel shapes personal growth?
I am excited about experiencing a whole different culture and seeing how others live outside the US. I honestly don’t know much about Greece, so getting educated as we prepare is a huge part of the excitement. I am really looking forward to just walking around and soaking everything up. I think travel shapes personal growth by opening your eyes to other ways of life, and it helps you be a more open-minded person. It can also be scary to travel, so it always feels like overcoming a challenge and facing your fears in a way.

Moving into student housing and becoming more independent is a big step. What are you most proud of as you prepare for this next chapter?
Being able to afford it is a huge point of pride for me. I have the option to stay home because my college is local, but I really wanted the college experience of living with my friends near campus. I’m also really proud of making lasting friendships with my roommates, too. It’s really special to have good friends to go on this journey with.

If you could give one piece of advice to other teens who are navigating big transitions in life, what would you tell them?
Find something that you really love, whether it be music, art, movies, or whatever your thing is, and turn to it to help you through the tough times. As teens, we go through so many changes and challenges, and sometimes it can feel so overwhelming. Try not to give into the peer pressure just because “everyone else is doing it.” Stay focused on your goals and what’s important to you, keep working at it, and it will happen!

What do you feel passionate about or could talk about forever?
I feel passionate about music, and I could DEFINITELY talk about it forever! Whether I’m just listening to it, going to concerts, or analyzing it like crazy, music has played a huge role in my life since I was a baby. It has been there for me through everything, and it never fails to put a smile on my face. You can always count on music to help you through anything. It helps me feel like I have complete control over a situation too, and I find that fascinating.

Music has clearly been a constant in your life. Can you describe a moment when music helped you through a difficult situation or gave you a sense of control?
I can’t think of one specific moment right now, but as an only child, I felt lonely at times. When I felt that loneliness, I turned on music and it always made me feel so seen and understood. I feel like I have more control over the situation because I can use it to escape to whatever world I want to at that moment.

How did discovering K-pop at such a young age shape your creativity and confidence as you grew up?
It helped me learn so much about a whole new culture, and it was so different than anything I’d ever heard which really fascinated me. When K-pop first came out, a lot of kids at my school made fun of it. Choosing to love it anyway and not care what others thought about me helped me gain confidence and just like what I like, regardless of what others think. When those songs come on, I automatically feel more confident and ready to take on my day.

How did you find your photographer and what did you love most about the experience?
We found Alyssa Chappell by googling senior photographers in our area. We knew the experience we were looking for, saw her page, and knew immediately she was the woman for the job. It’s hard to say what I love most because from the first consultation to the image reveal, my entire experience was amazing. Alyssa made me feel so confident, and we had the best day ever at my photo-shoot. My jaw dropped to the floor when I saw my photos. Alyssa is incredible at her job...she really knows how to work it!

What is a favorite memory with or thoughts of the person who nominated you?
My favorite memory with my Aunt Laurel is being a bridesmaid in her wedding. I was so excited when she asked me to be part of it, because that was my first time being in a wedding party. She was such a beautiful bride, and everything was just magical. We danced the night away and there was so much happiness in the air. I was definitely taking notes for my future wedding someday!

Why do you want to be in Inspiring Teens Magazine?
I want to be someone who teens can look up to. I want girls like me to see that they can be themselves. I want them to know they can have fun and achieve their goals at the same time, even if life has thrown them challenges that feel impossible. As a child I really needed that person, so being that for someone else who may feel lost or is seeking someone to look up to is something I’m really passionate about.

If you win a scholarship, what will you do with the money?
If I win a scholarship, the funds will be used to support my goal of obtaining my Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. I am relying solely on financial aid, scholarships, and my own income from Chili’s to pay my way through college, so every penny helps!

Are you a part of a model team with your photographer, and if so, tell us about it.
No, I am not part of a model team, but I certainly felt like a model on the day of my photo-shoot!

What is your ideal dream job if it were offered to you today?
I think I would say a traveling makeup artist, because it would combine my love of art and travel. I’ve considered doing that one day in the future too, but for now I am focusing on my calling, which is educating the kids!

Is there anyone you'd like to thank for helping you to get where you are today?
My Aunt Laurel. I moved in with her and my Uncle when I was 12 and was really confused as to what was going on. She’s helped guide and support me when I felt like no one else was able to do that. She is helping me navigate adulthood and doing everything to ensure I can always take care of myself, and I will always be so appreciative of her for that.

Is there anything else you’d like to tell us?

Just that I’m really excited for this next chapter in my life, and I am so grateful for this opportunity. Good luck to all of the contestants!

If you had nothing to do and all day to do it, where would we find you?
Shopping, with a Chick-Fil-A pit stop!

What is up next for you that you are super excited about?
Graduation, Europe, Moving out, and College!

Where do you see yourself in 5 years/what are your plans?
Finished with college and starting my career with the youth.

What is your favorite activity or pastime that was not in your nomination?
Shopping for cute clothes at a great price. I love a good thrift store!

Do you have a hidden talent? What is it?
If I do, it's still hiding!

3 Things on your bucket list
1) Go to Paris
2) Grow my savings to one million dollars
3) Finding the love of my life and settling down (waaayyyyy in the future!)

Who do you find inspiring?
Powerful, hard working women who use their voices to create positive change in the world.

What about you inspires others/why do you think you are inspiring?
I think I’m inspiring because I’m a really hard worker. When I want something, I give it my all to make it happen. I definitely get knocked down, but I always get back up.

Look for Bailey in issue 98 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!
*Interviews are not edited after received from our inspiring teens - what you read is who they genuinely are!

click here for more information on issue 98

click here to nominate an inspiring teen