Bucks County Teen Portraits Senior Pictures

Metal Wire Sculpture made by Shaina Zaccagnino
- Pennsylvania
Issue 16 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Angela Santalo - Florida
Interview by Zoe D'Angelo
Nomination by Carmen M. Santalo
Photography by Cesar Santalo
Issue 19 of Inspiring Teens Magazine - Volunteer/Entrepreneur

Angela Santalo is a talented and excellent scholar, but she is especially committed to giving back to her community. In 8th grade, she & her brothers formed an art appreciation club & in 2016 created a non-profit organization, Art for Others. They bring art supplies and conduct workshops for needy children.
www.angelasantalo.wixsite.com/artforothers

Tell me about your non-profit organization y and your brothers created together, Art for Others?
Art for Others has become a mission for us. My family and I had a large fire when I was in second grade. It was a difficult time for all of us. We were out of our home for a year and half. My mom and dad made sure to keep our lives as normal as possible. Ballet classes, and Spanish dance for me and baseball and art for my brothers…. everything continued. My parents reminded us of everything we still had. We didn’t have things, but we had each other. The walls of the rental house were bare because we lost my dad's artwork among many things. My mom made it our mission to fill those walls with all Santalo originals! And that's what my brothers and I did.

My older brother and I realized how important this was for us. We knew we needed to share this with others. We first started an Art Appreciation Club in the summer of my eighth grade. A lot of our friends didn't even know about all the great art venues throughout Miami. We later realized that there would be kids who would not be able to join us and were the ones who needed art the most. We formed Art For Others to bring art and art supplies to needy and sick children from my community. All three of us are passionate and committed to bringing art to others.

Our nonprofit has several goals. The first is to let young people know about all the great art that is available in Miami. My father is an artist, so we have been surrounded by art our entire lives. Every month, I plan an outing. I research the events and coordinate the time and place and communicate it to the students. We have kids from all over Miami. We have even included exchanges students from Italy and Spain in many of our functions. We have visited different art venues including Art Basel, Wynwood Walls, Coconut Grove, Coral Gables Theater, the PAMM. We have even done a bike tour around our city to see the Art in Public Places.
The second and most important goal is to bring art to the children who need it the most. We work with many of the sick children at the Ronald McDonald house and their families. We also work with the children at Centro Mater, a low income after school care.
The last goal is to collect art supplies for them so they can continue to create something beautiful even when we are no longer there.

What do you love most about art and why?
I love the arts. It has been a huge part of my growing up. My father is an artist and we have been around exhibitions and museums always. Music, dance, and art were also infused in my grammar school curriculum. I have danced and performed since I was four years old. I enjoy singing and love being on stage. I have discovered a love for musical theater at St. Brendan. I enjoy creating and working with others. I am a very dedicated and committed student, but the arts complete me.
I have always been at the top of my class. I take my studies very seriously and put forth maximum effort. I have always been driven and have a commitment to do things well. I have had great teachers and have done well in my classes, but I have learned a great deal about myself in drama in high school. I gained confidence and many wonderful friends. I have been dancing since I was 4, but in drama I found my voice. I really did not know that I could sing, but more importantly, I learned that my voice was powerful, and my ideas were meant to be shared.

Why do you think you are inspiring?
I am so fortunate that so many people believe in my vision and have supported me. Helping others brings me joy. I think since I am happy, that may be contagious.

What are some of the ways you keep yourself organized?
I have always been very involved in many activities, so from a young age I learned to prioritize.

What are your plans for the future?
My entire life, I thought I was going to study something in medicine. I graduated from high school with 37 college credits. After my first semester, I realized that it was not what I had envisioned. I did well in my classes, but it did not complete me in the way I thought it would. I have switched to Communications Art. It is still a lot of work since I am in the Honors College at Florida International University, but I am enjoying my classes and what I am learning. I hope to be able to help Art for Others continue to grow with all my new skills.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to be where you are today?
My advice to any young person is to become involved in anything and everything. These years go by too quickly. I also would tell them not let set backs get you down. I have been dancing my entire life and did not make my high school dance team, but it was because of this set back that I discovered that I can sing, and that I love theater. It is because of this, that I met some amazing people and learned so much about myself. I didn’t even know I could sing! Because of this setback, I was able to form the first high school Dance Honor Society for my Conservatory of the Arts where I have danced since I was four.

Be open to possibilities. Sometimes the plan is even bigger than just us. Take chances, be open, and don't give up.

What is your favorite pastime?
My favorite activity in addition to Art for Others, includes singing with my friends. I also enjoy traveling, and I love going to the theater!

Any hidden talents?
My hidden talent, which is not so hidden any more, is that I can sing. I am also very funny.

Who inspires you?
My mom is inspiring because she always puts the needs of others before herself. My parents both always look at the positive side of everything. They inspire me to be better.

Pizza or tacos? Soda or Water? Dogs or Cats?
Tacos, always tacos! I love soda, but I will drink water. Dogs are great!

Three things on your bucket list?
I would love to travel the world, swim with the pigs in the Exuma, Bahamas, and be on Saturday Night Live!

Anything else you want to add?
I am very grateful and honored to have been selected among so many amazing teens.
Angela will be featured in Issue 19 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

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Ally Wickware

2/9/2019

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Interview by Shaina Zaccagnino
Nomination by Shannon Wickware
Photography by Brooklynn Alexander Photography
Oklahoma

The Nomination: Ally Wickware just released her first original song “Mean to Me” on iTunes, Spotify, etc. She plays piano & ukulele and is learning guitar. She does dance, theatre, art & kickboxing. She was chosen for the High Plains Leadership Team, volunteers in the nursery and works at a boutique where she does styling, modeling & social media.

How did you become interested in being a performer and how did you start?

I’ve been singing for longer than I even remember. We have home movies of me as a toddler singing country songs into a toy microphone at the top of my lungs. I then got into dance and discovered my love for being on stage! I’ve done everything from dance competitions & vocal performances to talent shows, pageants & a Broadway Revue.

How were you able to write and record your first original song, Mean to Me?

I co-wrote the song “Mean to Me” with my vocal coach, Bobbi Holliday. She helped me put my feelings into words and form it into a song that I am so very proud of. I wanted it to have a retro-pop, 80’s vibe and I love how dreamy it turned out. I recorded it with her husband, Nathan, who is a producer. I also got to shoot a music video for it that will be coming out soon!

Click here to listen to "Mean to Me"

Who has been your biggest influence in the music industry and why?

I’m so thankful for the opportunities I’ve had working with Bobbi over the years. I love her! She is definitely my biggest influence and mentor. I’ve also loved getting to know & sing with Jilian Linklater from Nashville. She is the sweetest person and a soulful singer/songwriter. I’ve been a huge Taylor Swift fan from the beginning. Her music really inspires me. I also love Halsey & Ariana Grande. They are so talented.

Tell me a little bit about the Student Leadership Team you were chosen for.

Besides homeschooling, I’m a student in the Multimedia Production Program at High Plains Technology Center. As a member of their Superintendent’s Leadership Class I’ve gotten to take field trips and hear from professionals in many different careers. These experiences cover things like leadership skills, goal-setting, business & professional etiquette and entrepreneurship. I’ve learned so much and had fun too. I’m excited for our visit to the Oklahoma Capital this month.

What do you like most about the nursery you volunteer at?

I volunteer in the nursery at Lincoln Avenue Baptist Church. I love getting to be around all of those babies! I’ve always enjoyed taking care of little ones. It’s so much fun to play with them and a great way to help out at my church. I also love my youth group and singing with the Worship Team.

Tell me a little about your job.

I work for a boutique The Hotpink Daisy and I absolutely love it! I get to style outfits, learn marketing and model things for social media. It is so much fun! I’ve always been interested in the fashion industry and I get to work with the coolest people. It is a dream job for me.

Anything else we should know about you?

I’m passionate about expressing myself and telling a story. I love all things art, travel and adventure. I’ve always been a dreamer and a creator. I have so much I want to share with the world and am just excited to see what God has planned for me.

Ally will be featured in Issue 17, coming out soon!

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Diella Valla: Teen Fashion Illustrator

9/7/2018

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Interview by Emma Dickinson
Images and article submitted by Diella Valla

Please tell us about your background.

My name is Diella Valla and I live in Republic of Kosova, city of Prishtina.
I live in a family where we are six familiars (both of my grandparents, my mother, father, brother and me.) I am 15 years old and in the first grade of high school. I am really interested in fashion, painting, and designing.

What or who was your inspiration to become a fashion artist? How old were you when you started?

y inspiration of being a fashion artist is the place where I live: seasons, fashion trends, and style. New and different styles from a place to another, exhibitions, fabrics of clothes, fashion industries. I’m a very curious person and always like to find a new inspiration so my fashion sketches would be supported and liked by other people. I started painting when I was 5 years old and fashion illustrator when I was just 10 years old.

Do you take any art classes? If not, how did you learn?

I don't take Art classes in school. I have learned to paint from my grandfather who is a famous painter in Kosova, my father who is also a painter, and from my mother who is also a graphic designer.

Would you like to turn this into a career? If yes, what would you like to do?

Yes, I would like to turn this work into my career. I would like to be a fashion designer as well (including the fashion designer of clothes).

Have you turned any of your illustrations into clothing?

I have not turned any of my illustrations into designs but there's more to come. In the future I plan on doing this. Even though I have not started yet, I am the winner of 6 competitions. I also have a little work experience working with Samira Ebrahimi.

Have any clothing designers inspired your designs?

There are many famous fashion designers who have been such a big inspiration to me. I am personally so happy and proud that in all over the world there are many designers including fashion industries like: Chanel, Prada, Gucci, Versace, Fendi, Dior, Zuhair Murad, Elie Saab, etc. who have interesting jobs. I’m always excited waiting for new collections, I can be inspired to sketch some more.

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Council Rock Freshman Photo Shoot: Sierra Zaccagnino

1/14/2018

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Welcome to the Team, Sierra!

Hi everyone!

I'd like to introduce you to Sierra Zaccagnino. She's a freshman in Council Rock School District and one of the newest members on our Leadership Team. Sierra jumped right in to be a Co-Chair of the Party Planning Committee to help plan our next big event!

Some of Sierra's hobbies include different forms of art - such as drawing, painting, interior design, and fashion. She also enjoys playing/composing music on the piano and acoustic guitar. In her free time, sometimes she does creative writing and poetry. Sierra also loves playing volleyball both in school, and travel with Princeton Volleyball Club. In her school she is actively involved in FBLA club (Future Business Leaders of America).

I loved photographing Sierra and getting to know her better because she brought amazing props that helped to tell the story of her, including her guitar:

...and her camera.
I LOVE girls who love to take pictures!

We also did some pictures without props of course...

At the end of the shoot we headed outside into the beautiful (although freezing)
aftermath of a recent snowstorm. The results were stunning!

After spending all this time with Sierra in both the Tuesday night Leadership Academy and during her photo shoot, I would describe her as creative, fun, and a natural leader. I am so excited to get to know her better and am so happy to have her on our team!

Click here to schedule your own photo shoot and/or join our team!

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Art/Music

12/15/2017

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Art and Music submission by Amanda Wisner

Inspiring Teens Member Amanda Wisner loves Imagine Dragons and her flute. Music flows through her so beautifully!

Click here for more information on our photo shoots

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Metal Wire Sculpture

Metal Wire Sculpture made by Shaina Zaccagnino
- Pennsylvania
Issue 16 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Angela Santalo

Angela Santalo - Florida
Interview by Zoe D'Angelo
Nomination by Carmen M. Santalo
Photography by Cesar Santalo
Issue 19 of Inspiring Teens Magazine - Volunteer/Entrepreneur

Ally Wickware

Interview by Shaina Zaccagnino
Nomination by Shannon Wickware
Photography by Brooklynn Alexander Photography
Oklahoma

Diella Valla: Teen Fashion Illustrator

Interview by Emma Dickinson
Images and article submitted by Diella Valla

Council Rock Freshman Photo Shoot: Sierra Zaccagnino

Welcome to the Team, Sierra!

Art/Music

Art and Music submission by Amanda Wisner

Featured

Archives

Categories

Metal Wire Sculpture

Metal Wire Sculpture made by Shaina Zaccagnino​- Pennsylvania​Issue 16 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Angela Santalo

​Angela Santalo - FloridaInterview by Zoe D'AngeloNomination by Carmen M. SantaloPhotography by Cesar SantaloIssue 19 of Inspiring Teens Magazine - Volunteer/Entrepreneur​

Ally Wickware

Interview by Shaina ZaccagninoNomination by Shannon WickwarePhotography by Brooklynn Alexander Photography​Oklahoma

Diella Valla: Teen Fashion Illustrator

​Interview by Emma DickinsonImages and article submitted by Diella Valla

Council Rock Freshman Photo Shoot: Sierra Zaccagnino

Welcome to the Team, Sierra!

Art/Music

Art and Music submission by Amanda Wisner

Featured

Archives

Categories

Metal Wire Sculpture made by Shaina Zaccagnino
- Pennsylvania
Issue 16 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Angela Santalo - Florida
Interview by Zoe D'Angelo
Nomination by Carmen M. Santalo
Photography by Cesar Santalo
Issue 19 of Inspiring Teens Magazine - Volunteer/Entrepreneur

Interview by Shaina Zaccagnino
Nomination by Shannon Wickware
Photography by Brooklynn Alexander Photography
Oklahoma

Interview by Emma Dickinson
Images and article submitted by Diella Valla