Inspiring Teens Magazine Features

AnnMarie Brumley

8/29/2020

AnnMarie Brumley – Louisiana
Interview by Claire Plath.
Nomination by Mindy Rose.
Photography by Luckett Portrait Studios.
Issue 37 of Inspiring Teens Magazine.

The Nomination: AnnMarie Brumley is a teen dancer with multiple rare disabilities. Some are visible; some invisible she hasn’t let this get in the way of her reaching her dreams, and she keeps dancing to the best of her abilities. Even after having spinal surgery it truly amazing that she has the passion for it.

Photography by Luckett Portrait Studios

What do you love most about dance, and how has it impacted your daily life?
What I love most about dance is that we are all a big family. We all take care of one another, and I think that is an essential part of being a team. When I first started back with dance, I ended up in the hospital, and the girls visited me, then I had surgery a few months later. They have all been there to help me and get through my battles. Dance has also taught me how to be part of a team and sew a little bit.

How have you overcome having multiple rare disabilities by keeping a positive outlook and continuing to pursue your passion in dance?
Overcoming rare disabilities by keeping a positive outlook and pursuing my passion for dance hasn't been easy, but I keep a goal in mind and reached for the stars. What I learned through dealing with everything I have gone through is all you need is a little patience and some chocolate cake.

Photography by Luckett Portrait Studios

How has dance become an outlet for you to express yourself in a different way?
It's indeed become my way to take whatever is going on that day and put it into my dancing. It can make it fun, and it can make it serious, make it sad, and think of it as Disney's Inside Out but dancing style.

How have you managed being involved in many different activities while also dedicating your time to dance?
I've managed to be involved in different activities while dedicating my time to dance because I attend a virtual public school. So, I do all my schoolwork from home. As soon as my work is done for the day I get to go to dance or do anything else I need to get done.

Photography by Luckett Portrait Studios

Tell me about the program 2020 class of the St. Jude Leadership society you are a part of and being State Officer for Louisiana DECA. What responsibilities does it come with?
St. Jude Leadership Society is a leadership experience for high school students who like to give back to their community by promoting and supporting the mission of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in high schools and colleges around the world. As a State Officer, my position makes me responsible for initial member recruitment, branding, promotions, correspondence, and social media.

Photography by Luckett Portrait Studios

What advice would you give to other teens to encourage them to stay true to who they are and to never be afraid to show the real them?
The one thing I could say is, don’t copy anyone. We always want to look like the popular kids at school, but we do not realize that there is someone out there wanting to be like us. Be yourself, don't be someone else, don't be someone you're not. You're beautiful or handsome, just the way you are!

AnnMarie will be published in issue 37 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

Click here for more information on issue 37 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

click here to nominate an inspiring teen

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Isabella Daspit

8/20/2020

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Isabella Daspit - Louisiana
Interview by Olivia Bush
Nomination and Photography by Lasting Impressions by Josette
Issue 37 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

The Nomination: Isabella lives in Erath, Louisiana and is a senior this year at Christian Home School. She has maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout her high school years. She is active in 4-H. This will be her 9th year as a member. She has also been active in the National Beta Club for the past three years. She is active in her on campus Student Ministries Team. She is a member of The National Society of High School Scholars. She was chosen by her peers as the Captain for her cheer squad. This is her 4th year cheering with Acadiana Christian Athletics. Isabella holds a state title and is continuing her reign through 2021 as the 2019 Teen Alligator Festival Queen. The Alligator Festival is based out of St. Charles Parish in Luling, LA. Jesus is at the center of Isabella’s life! Her favorite thing to do is spend time with her family and her pet chicken!

Photography by Lasting Impressions by Josette

How did you get involved in cheer? What is your favorite memory you have made with your team?
Someone told my mom about an athletics program that offers athletics to students whose schools don’t offer it. So, my mom signed me up and the rest is history! My favorite memory is when I was given the opportunity to go with my team and compete at FCC Nationals. We ended up winning! The entire weekend is one I will never forget! It was the opportunity of a life time, and I am so grateful to have been given such an opportunity!!

How do you balance your various clubs, dance, cheer, softball and your schoolwork?
Time management!! When I am at school, I use all of the time I have to finish my work and study for any tests coming up! It also requires me to be organized and prepared ahead of time!

Photography by Ashley Hanks

Tell me about the Alligator festival? What is the process like to be chosen as the Alligator Queen?
The Alligator Festival is put on by the Rotary Club of St. Charles Parish to raise money for scholarships. The scholarships are given out to local students. To be chosen as the 2019 Teen Alligator Queen, I had to compete in a pageant. The pageant included: an interview, a themed outfit, and a formal dress.

Photography by Lasting Impressions by Josette

What does it mean to you that you get to continue your 2019 Alligator Queen reign into 2021 and that so many young people look up to you?
When I was asked to reign another year because of COVID-19, I was so excited! Being able to reign another whole year, representing something I love, I took that opportunity in a heartbeat! When a little girl notices your crown and banner at a queen event, their eyes light up, and it is the absolute best feeling in the world! It means the world to me that so many young people look up to me! I try my hardest to set the best example I can for young girls!

Photography by Isabella

What are some goals that you have for your future?
I would like to finish high school, then graduate from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette with a degree in international business. After that my future is wide open to do anything I set my mind to!

Isabella will be featured in issue 37 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

click here for more info on issue 37

click here to nominate an inspiring teen

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Abigail Strickland

6/6/2019

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Abigail Strickland - Colorado
Interview by Shaina Zaccagnino
Nomination and Photography by Carol Dunnigan Photography
Issue 22 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

The Nomination: I consider Abigail Strickland to be an inspiring teen for all the amazing things that she does for her community. Besides being the Varsity Co-Captain of her school's cheerleading team, she's part of the National Honor Society, the A-team which is a tutoring program and part of 4-H. Outside of school she fundraises for Honor Flight Veterans and makes Valentines for local teachers, bus drivers and doctors. She's helped with canned food drives and donating supplies to shelters. Now, she is starting a job as a program aide at the YMCA! I'm proud to have such an amazing young woman on my model rep team!

How long have you been involved in cheer and what do you love most about it?
I have been involved in cheer since I was a freshman so about 4 years. I love tumbling and cheering at football games under the Friday night lights!

Tell us about Carol Dunnigan's Model Rep Team and your involvement.

I recently joined Carol Dunnigan’s Model Rep Team. So far, I have done two photography sessions. We will be doing more sessions and completing community service. I love taking pictures with some of my classmates and making new friends who are also a part of the team!

Image by Corina Strickland

How did you learn about 4-H? Why did you decide to join?

I learned about 4-H from my mom. She was actively involved in her 4-H club when she was young. A student that my mom had in her 5th grade class was part of the local club. He had told us about the cloverbud program for the younger kids.

Once we found out about a club that was located near us, I joined it to follow my mom’s footsteps. I was seven years old when my 4-H journey started in cloverbuds.

Image by Corina Strickland

What have you learned as being a member of 4-H?

I have learned a lot from being a 4-H member. I have learned about citizenship and government, how to be a leader, how to help my community, and how to become a better person. Through one of the projects that I did over a three-year period, I learned about citizenship and government. At the end of the project, I traveled to Washington D.C. to experience these things in person. The workshops there focused on being a better citizen and leader. Government was exhibited by a mock trial to create new laws and bills. I have learned how to be a better leader by the multiple leadership conferences that I have attended. Also, with being a previous president for my club and the current vice president, I have been able to lead meetings and manage large groups of people. I have learned how to help my community by all the community service that 4-H is involved with. Whether it be donating to shelters or just making someone’s life a little easier. All of these have helped shape me into the person that I am today.

Image by Abigail Strickland

Do you think other people should join 4-H?
Of course, other people should join 4-H! It offers so many amazing opportunities and teaches so many applicable life skills. It makes people become their best versions of themselves. And though, most people believe you need livestock to be a 4-H member, this is not true. All my projects have been without livestock. My first 4-H project was baking. In addition to baking I entered the scrapbooking project for several years. In more recent years, I have added painting and sketching for visual arts. There are hundreds of different types of projects to choose from. These are just a few of my favorites.

What do you plan to do with 4-H in the future?
Even though my 4-H experience will be done when I turn nineteen, I can apply my leadership skills that I have learned to a future career. In these last couple of years, I plan on being even more involved in 4-H by becoming a district representative. It is the next level from my current county club, and it is more state focused. I’m excited to see where these last few years take me!

Abigail will be featured in Issue 22 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

Click here to nominate an inspiring teen

click here to purchase inspiring teens magazine

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AnnMarie Brumley

AnnMarie Brumley – Louisiana
Interview by Claire Plath.
Nomination by Mindy Rose.
Photography by Luckett Portrait Studios.
Issue 37 of Inspiring Teens Magazine.

Isabella Daspit

Isabella Daspit - Louisiana
Interview by Olivia Bush
Nomination and Photography by Lasting Impressions by Josette
Issue 37 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Abigail Strickland

Abigail Strickland - Colorado
Interview by Shaina Zaccagnino
Nomination and Photography by Carol Dunnigan Photography
Issue 22 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Featured

Archives

Categories

AnnMarie Brumley

AnnMarie Brumley – LouisianaInterview by Claire Plath.Nomination by Mindy Rose.Photography by Luckett Portrait Studios.Issue 37 of Inspiring Teens Magazine.

Isabella Daspit

Isabella Daspit - LouisianaInterview by Olivia BushNomination and Photography by Lasting Impressions by JosetteIssue 37 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Abigail Strickland

Abigail Strickland - ColoradoInterview by Shaina ZaccagninoNomination and Photography by Carol Dunnigan PhotographyIssue 22 of Inspiring Teens Magazine​

Featured

Archives

Categories

AnnMarie Brumley – Louisiana
Interview by Claire Plath.
Nomination by Mindy Rose.
Photography by Luckett Portrait Studios.
Issue 37 of Inspiring Teens Magazine.

Isabella Daspit - Louisiana
Interview by Olivia Bush
Nomination and Photography by Lasting Impressions by Josette
Issue 37 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Abigail Strickland - Colorado
Interview by Shaina Zaccagnino
Nomination and Photography by Carol Dunnigan Photography
Issue 22 of Inspiring Teens Magazine