Brenna Murphy

Brenna Murphy – Tennessee
Nomination by Jennifer Shirk
Photography by Cailyn Mccormick
Issue 86 of Inspiring Teens Magazine
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​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.

Photography by Cailyn Mccormick
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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!

click here for more information on issue 86

click here to nominate an inspiring teen