Inspiring Teens Magazine Features

Kennedy Perez

8/5/2021

Kennedy Perez - Alabama
Nomination by RaShika Christian-Perez
Photography by Scottie Jones Photography
Issue 48 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Nomination: Kennedy Alexys is inspiring because of how she treats everyone that she encounters. Her favorite quote is “In a world where you can be anything, be kind.” It is amazing to see her stand firm on her beliefs. Her genuine, kind and supportive spirit uplifts everyone that she encounters. She is an advocate against bullying at her school and a part of the academic scholars program. Kennedy fell in love with dance as a toddler and has been dancing ever since. She is tenacious, dedicated and determined. Because of her hard work, she has received several awards from dance competitions.

Photography by Scottie Jones Photography

What should we definitely know about you?
I am the kid who likes to make everyone feel like they belong. I am a big believer in acceptance and always being genuine with everyone that I meet. I believe that everyone is special and beautiful in their own way.

Tell us more about your dance career. What do you study and what is your favorite thing about it?
I have been dancing since I was 4 years old. I dance at 3D Dance studio in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Our team travels to several competitions a year all over the US. I study all genres of dance but my main focus is Ballet, Contemporary, Tap, Jazz, and Hip Hop. The thing that I love most about dance is that I am able to use my body as an instrument to tell a story.

What is a favorite memory and/or accomplishment in dance?
My favorite dance memory was when I was awarded a National Finals Scholarship at a competition. I had been working very hard to show growth during that dance season. The scholarship that I was awarded indicated that I had been chosen as a stand-out performer in every style of dance.

What do you love most about math and sciences?
I love math because it challenges me to use my mind and it can be utilized in so many ways. Math may seem very black and white because your answer is either right or wrong, but there are multiple ways to arrive at the solution. For that same reason, I love science and the opportunities it provides for questioning, testing, and problem-solving in a variety of ways.

Share with us your favorite place you've traveled and a cherished memory from there.
My favorite place that I have traveled to is Disneyland in Florida. I am a big Disney fan and I always have an awesome time when I go because there is so much to do. Disneyland is where I experienced my first roller coaster ride. It is such a magical place.

Photography by Scottie Jones Photography

Tell us more about your volleyball experiences and team.
Making the Volleyball team at my school was an awesome experience for me. When I tried out I was stepping outside of my comfort zone and trying something new. Volleyball is very fast-paced and you have to make decisions quickly. But what I love the most is working as a unit with my team.

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
I take time out to give back to the community by working with elderly veterans. Many of them do not have very much support from their families or interact with them often. They enjoy spending time talking, laughing, and sometimes watching TV with me and I enjoy spending time with them as well.

What do you love most about assisting elderly veterans?
What I love the most about working with veterans is I am able to spend quality time with them so that they don’t feel lonely. I enjoy listening to their life experiences and learning from them.

What have you learned from them?
I have learned it is important to work hard to make my dreams come true. They always tell me that I can accomplish anything if I never give up on achieving my goals. They share their life experiences and challenges they have faced with me.

If you were to present a topic to a group of your peers, what would it be and why?
I would speak to my peers about celebrating their individuality. I feel that a lot of teens today do things just to fit in with the crowd. I believe that individuality is beautiful. Because everyone brings something unique and wonderful to the table.

Photography by Scottie Jones Photography

What is the hardest thing you have ever accomplished, and how did you do it?
The hardest thing that I have ever accomplished was getting honor roll while doing online learning during the pandemic. Being in the Academic Scholars Program means you have a large amount of advanced work to complete. It was very hard to do that without a teacher's guidance. I worked many late nights but I was able to stay on track.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to be where you are today?
I would advise the person to work hard at everything they do. But most importantly have fun while doing it.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years/what are your plans?
In five years I will be going off to College. I would like to double major in Pre-Med and Dance.

What is your favorite activity or pastime that was not in your nomination?
I enjoy making beaded jewelry for my family and friends.

Do you have a hidden talent?
Yes - I am great at playing darts!

Photography by RaShika Christian-Perez

3 Things on your bucket list:
Traveling the World for a year, Dancing on Broadway, Dancing in a music video.

Who do you find inspiring?
Misty Copeland is definitely an inspiration to me because she was able to break barriers in the dance world with a lot of hard work and dedication.

What about you inspires others/why do you think you are inspiring?
People often tell me that I am the sweetest person that they have ever met. I believe that my kindness is inspirational and unique.

Look for Kennedy in issue 48 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

click here for more information on issue 48

click here to nominate an inspiring teen

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Laylah Griggs

6/24/2021

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Laylah Griggs - Alabama
Nomination and Photography by Sawsan Williams Photography
Issue 47 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Nomination: Laylah wears kindness on her sleeve. She is compassionate, understanding, and always available to lend a hand. Since she was a little girl, she has loved to sing, dance, and dress up like her favorite characters from books or television shows. This passion developed into a creative soul, sensitive to all those around her, generously giving her time to whoever needs it. Our entire extended family are extremely proud of Laylah and excited to see how she can make a significant impact for her community.

Photography by Sawsan Williams Photography

What would you most like to be interviewed about?
I love to sing and draw! It’s my favorite way of self-expression that really allows me to relax and let loose.

What type of music do you like to sing and what is your favorite song to sing?
I love listening to all kinds of music! I love the art pop genre because of how mystical it sounds. My favorite song I’m listening to right now is Soft Universe by Aurora. She’s always my go to when I feel like unwinding!

Tell us about a favorite drawing of yours.
I don’t have any pictures of my drawings that I could give, but I have a painting! My favorite one I’ve done is my daffodil painting. I think we tend to forget that art isn’t always about improving but done for the sake of creating it!

"This painting was done during quarantine by me because I missed going out in the fields with my friends. I couldn’t wait to be outside again!" - Laylah

What are your plans for the future?
I’m passionate about going into the medical field and becoming an osteologist, especially because a lot of my family is in the medical field and is currently serving our community during the pandemic. It helped me understand that my true passion is helping others and that I want to join them in their passion!

What else should we know about you?
Throughout my high school career, I have excelled in academics. I graduated Summa Cum Laude from James Clements High School in Madison, AL this year.
Currently I’m working as a medical technician at Madison hospital where I will spend a year serving my community, gaining knowledge and preparing for her college career. Following that experience, I will attend the University of Alabama, Birmingham where I will study osteology! I’m very thankful to have a supportive family who loves me!

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
I love to garden! I once went to a community garden with peers from my school to go rake weeds from their garden areas. Seeing the plants flourish puts the biggest smile on my face! It’s also just a great way to bond with friends and family by working together and seeing, the fruits of your labor, literally!

If you were to present a topic to a group of your peers, what would it be on and why?
I think we should start community compost bins! They are a great way to reduce waste and help the environment. I persist in doing so because it takes topsoil up to a thousand years to create a new layer, so this is a great way to make your own soil instead! It also helps bring a community together by: working to make the compost bin, maintain it properly, and using the soil for gardening or planting. It helps the earth by helping yourself!

Look for Laylah in issue 47 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

click here for more information on issue 47

click here to nominate an inspiring teen

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Quincy Wilson

6/10/2021

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Quincy Wilson - Alabama
Nomination by Tracey Wilson
Photography by Providence Photography & others
Issue 47 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Nomination: Quincy Wilson turned a brief moment in her dance education into an opportunity to help others. She felt so empowered when given the chance to dance on her high school's dance team in flesh toned tights, that she wanted other brown dancers to experience the same. She therefore formed "Variation En Hue," a project dedicated to allowing brown dancers to show their true colors on stage. She has collected over 500 costumes as well as new flesh-toned tights and shoes and has distributed them across the U.S. and internationally to Guatemala, Ghana and Nigeria. How inspiring!

Tell us about your dance career.
I started dancing when I was 3 years old so I am starting my 13th year of dance. I practice all genres of dance but my studio focuses on mainly Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, and Hip-Hop. Despite that, I like to spend my free time learning other styles of dance like taking modern classes, ballroom classes, etc. Typically, I dance somewhere around 12-15 hours a week including weekends, sometimes more or less, depending on rehearsals or competitions.

What is your favorite memory or accomplishment from dance?
My favorite memories/accomplishments from dance were the 2 weeks that I spent in Chicago at Hubbard Street Dance Intermediate-Advanced Intensive. Exploring the city, making new friends, and learning new styles of dance from accomplished instructors was such an amazing experience that still impacts me and my dancing today. That opportunity definitely solidified my aspirations to pursue dance as a career and gave me the confidence to return back to my studio better than ever and share what I learned with my friends and teachers.

How are you giving back through dance?
My project Variation En Hue is dedicated to collecting and donating ballet costumes, as well as flesh-toned tights and shoes to studios and dancers in need. My goal is to promote diversity and inclusion in the dance world.

How did you get started with this?
I created this project during the pandemic, looking to donate some of my dancewear to the supply closet at Brown Girls Do Ballet®. I started thinking that I could do better, knowing that every girl feels amazing in a ballet costume, tights, and shoes that complement her skin tone. I was lucky to work with Mrs. Takiyah Wallace, the owner of Brown Girls Do Ballet® to kickstart my project by hosting costume drives, Instagram takeovers, and news interviews to spread the word about Variation en Hue™. I have since collected over 500 costumes and have shipped many nationally and internationally.

Why is it so important to you?
Being uncomfortable in my costumes because they don’t match my skin should be the least of my worries. I truly cannot express the feeling that I had when I put on my first pair of brown tights and shoes, and I hope that I am able to give that same feeling to another little brown girl. Seeing the smiles of the girls that I help is priceless, and it makes me feel purposeful. I also hope that brown dancers of the next generation are cultivated in an environment that makes them feel welcomed and accepted instead of alienated and rejected.

How else do you inspire other dancers?
Apart from my Variation en Hue™ project, another inspiring thing about me is that I spend my free time assisting/teaching dance classes, tumbling classes, and strength & conditioning classes to younger students. Through this opportunity, I can share with kids the importance of exercise and assist them in finding their own passions and ambitions regardless of their background or appearance.

What else are you involved in?
I'm also active in a club at my school that works with special needs students and have been able to serve as secretary of the club for the past year. Within this club, I help plan activities intended to promote inclusivity and acceptance at my school and spend time with my special needs friends throughout the school day.

What do you feel passionate about or could talk forever about?
I could talk forever about my love for big cities. I've always been obsessed with big cities, bright lights, and skylines because to me they represent people who are dedicated to working hard and accomplishing their goals. I’m an ambitious and driven person with big dreams! Places such as New York and LA remind me of others like me, who go out of their comfort zones and chase their dreams until they become realities. Cities symbolize commitment, passion, and hard work, all qualities I possess; and, I hope to join other people like me in a city, hustling to succeed.

What's next for you?
I'm excited for college and hoping to pursue a career in commercial dance after high school, but my options are open and I am excited for whatever is to come. I'd love to attend college in California and I’m hoping to be able to get an agent sooner or later! No matter what, I definitely see dance in my future and I’m taking in everything that I can during these last two years of high school that I have left!

What advice would you give to someone who wants to be where you are today?
I would tell them to put the work in even when they least feel like it and know that nobody else can get them to where they want to be, it’s all about self-dedication and your own hard work!

Where do you see yourself in 5 years/what are your plans?
Five years from now I see myself attending college in a big city such as New York, LA, or Chicago and pursuing my career in commercial dance by having an agent and booking jobs.

What is your favorite activity or pastime that was not in your nomination?
My favorite pastime is definitely obsessing over music, I love discovering new artists, making playlists, talking about music with friends, and going to concerts.

Do you have a hidden talent? What is it?
My hidden talent is that I can wiggle my ears without touching them:)

Who do you find inspiring?’
I find anyone who doesn’t just have dreams and aspirations but puts in the work to make them happen inspiring.

Look for Quincy in issue 47 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

click here for more information on issue 47

click here to nominate an inspiring teen

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Kyndal Jolley

1/7/2021

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Kyndal Jolley – Alabama
Interview by Inspiring Teens
Nomination and Photography by Heather Drummond Photography
Issue 42 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

The Nomination: Kyndal is known for her willingness to serve others. She serves others through peer helpers, a program that helps students with disabilities, and church programs such as teaching Vacation Bible School, being a camp counselor, and serving food to the homeless. Kyndal has been part of her school volleyball team for six years. As a Senior, she worked hard to inspire her team to play as a team versus working toward individual goals. Kyndal has done all these things while achieving academic success. She plans to further her education by pursuing a degree as a speech pathologist.

Photography by Heather Drummond Photography

Tell us more about your volunteer services.
My volunteer services included my role at my church’s kids camp. I volunteered as a youth leader to help with anything that needed to be done including taking care of the kids, serving lunch, helping the kids complete different crafts, and assisting in anything else that needed to be done. My volunteer work in one of my school clubs, FCCLA, included serving food to people that come to The Foundry, which is a food bank. I also help organize, package, and deliver the food to the people who come to The Foundry.

When did you start volunteering and what do you love most about it?
I would like to think volunteering has always been a part of my life. I have always helped at my church whenever I was needed. In the 9th grade, however, I started school clubs such as FCCLA and Peer Helper. These school clubs helped gave me many opportunities for volunteering.

Photography by Heather Drummond Photography

Please share a favorite memory from volunteering with us.
In all the years i’ve volunteered, my favorite memories are made while volunteering for Peer Helper. This school club has done many activities such as track, basketball, bowling, and a special needs Prom. In all of these I have made so many of the same, precious memories. These memories include spending time with the kids or teens and being able to bring joy to them by helping them do things they might not be able to do on their own.

If you were to present a topic to a group of your peers, what would it be on and why?
If I were to present a topic to a group of my peers, I would express how important it is to help others and to always think about others. Through my experience in being a peer helper, I learned how kids with disabilities need one on one guidance. In my experience with this, I helped them learn how to bowl, play basketball, and participate in a track meet. I also attended, as a volunteer, to Tim Tebows Night To Shine, which is a prom experience for people with special needs ages 14 and older.

Photography by Heather Drummond Photography

How did you maintain such a high gpa while dealing with covid restrictions?
During the first semester of my Senior year, I was a remote student. This helped a lot with being able to get my schoolwork done because I had more time to spend on my class work. I have had a good GPA every year of high school but to make sure I kept it up during covid, I worked harder to make sure I got my work done and to make good grades. I used Covid restrictions to my advantage and pushed myself harder than I would have during a normal high school year. I was determined to not let my grades or Senior year be ruined by Covid-19.

What was your district like during covid? How much restrictions have you had on school activities like volleyball?
Our district implemented several Covid restrictions for volleyball like wearing masks, sitting 6 feet apart, and cleaning volleyballs during the game. I represented our volleyball team in a school video with other fall sports leaders to inform students, parents, and fans of school Covid restrictions. Our team finished our season with a winning record. Unfortunately, we were unable to go the second round of playoffs due to a Covid outbreak on our team.

Look for Kyndal in issue 42 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

Click here for more information on issue 42

Click here to nominate an inspiring teen

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Kennedy Perez

Kennedy Perez - Alabama
Nomination by RaShika Christian-Perez
Photography by Scottie Jones Photography
Issue 48 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Laylah Griggs

Laylah Griggs - Alabama
Nomination and Photography by Sawsan Williams Photography
Issue 47 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Quincy Wilson

Quincy Wilson - Alabama
Nomination by Tracey Wilson
Photography by Providence Photography & others
Issue 47 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Kyndal Jolley

Kyndal Jolley – Alabama
Interview by Inspiring Teens
Nomination and Photography by Heather Drummond Photography
Issue 42 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

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Kennedy Perez

Kennedy Perez - AlabamaNomination by RaShika Christian-PerezPhotography by Scottie Jones PhotographyIssue 48 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Laylah Griggs

Laylah Griggs - AlabamaNomination and Photography by Sawsan Williams PhotographyIssue 47 of Inspiring Teens Magazine​

Quincy Wilson

Quincy Wilson - AlabamaNomination by Tracey WilsonPhotography by Providence Photography & othersIssue 47 of Inspiring Teens Magazine​

Kyndal Jolley

Kyndal Jolley – AlabamaInterview by Inspiring TeensNomination and Photography by Heather Drummond PhotographyIssue 42 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Featured

Archives

Categories

Kennedy Perez - Alabama
Nomination by RaShika Christian-Perez
Photography by Scottie Jones Photography
Issue 48 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Laylah Griggs - Alabama
Nomination and Photography by Sawsan Williams Photography
Issue 47 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Quincy Wilson - Alabama
Nomination by Tracey Wilson
Photography by Providence Photography & others
Issue 47 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Kyndal Jolley – Alabama
Interview by Inspiring Teens
Nomination and Photography by Heather Drummond Photography
Issue 42 of Inspiring Teens Magazine