Inspiring Teens Magazine Features

Leila Patel

4/30/2019

Leila Patel - Texas
Interview by Michelle Sicard
Nomination by Lily Crane
Photography by Christina White & Barry Blalock
Issue 20 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

The Nomination: Leila Patel isn't just an incredible basketball player, she is an incredible person. She made Varsity last year as a Freshman, won the Newcomer of the Year award in our district, and this year she leads the team in scoring and definitely our MVP. She made the girls Under Armor team and is an amazing person with a huge heart. She cares about everyone around her and will help anyone in need. She inspires everyone around her to not only try harder in practice but to be a better person. I couldn't have made it the last two years without her and I have a feeling a lot of people in her life think that same way!

Explain the role basketball plays in your life and what it means to you.
Basketball has been in my life for a long time because of my little brother. I watched him play countless games and then decided to give it a try myself. It is a pretty recent passion of mine as I started my first skills class when I was in 6th grade - I was more of a competitive swimmer and dancer when I was younger.

Basketball has allowed me to meet and work with new people and people who are different from me. It plays a huge role in my life as I work most everything in my life around basketball. Basketball has allowed me to make new friends, be a part of a team and has pushed me out of my shell as I have always tended to be a shy person. I have gained confidence on and off the court. I love the feeling of being on the court with the basketball in my hands!

How did it feel to receive varsity status as a freshman? Were there any moments in the process where you thought it wouldn't have been possible?
It was awesome! It had been a goal for me to play varsity basketball in high school. I put the work in and made varsity, though, I didn’t know how much playing time I would receive. I made up my mind to arrive early each day before practice to get my shots up and do the work. I’m happy to say that I started every game of my freshman year and became the leading scorer for our team.

Tell us a little bit about the Girls Under Armour team and early college recruitment. (That's so exciting!!)
This year Under Armour launched its national girls’ basketball circuit to showcase young athletes across the country. It’s really exciting to be part of it. There are three showcases this season where I will play with my team in front of college coaches from all over the country who are looking to recruit for their teams. It’s cool to see what my future may hold as I pursue my passion.

Tell me a time when you were expected/asked to become a leader on your team (during a practice, game, etc.)
I arrived to each practice early for my high school team, normally being the first on the court in the morning. Because of this, my coach gave me the opportunity to lead and encourage my teammates to arrive early to practice. I was also expected to be a leader on both sides of the court by talking on defense and scoring on offense.

Who are some interesting figures you look up to?
One of my role models is Ana Llanusa from Oklahoma Women's Basketball. She is a shooting guard just like me. She can shoot the ball well and is an all-around great player. She has overcome adversity with her injuries but continues to keep working hard. She embodies the qualities I strive to possess.

Leila will be featured in Issue 20 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

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Allison Moreau

3/12/2019

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Allison Moreau – 17 – New York
Interview by Zoe D’Angelo
Nominated and Photography by Eve Taverne Photography
Issue 17 | Athlete

The Nomination: Allison is currently at 2266 career points, 3rd place in NYS Section III for Girls Basketball, all-time scoring record for her school. She is the NYS Section III Soccer Career Shutout Leader for 2018 and received a Div II college soccer scholarship from Lemoyne.
She mentors, volunteers and raised $2300 for Think Pink in memory of her coach and his daughter who passed within 6 weeks of each other last year.

Update since her nomination! Allison finished her basketball career with total of 2286 points. 3rd behind Breanna Stewart (WNBA MVP) and Iowa State Star Emily Durr!

How did your interest of basketball and soccer start?

My hometown provides many opportunities for older athletes to volunteer their time mentoring young and upcoming players. Growing up participating in these programs at a young age, I looked up to these role models and began to develop a love of both soccer and basketball. The inspiration I gained encouraged me to always work to improve my skills. I now enjoy being the older athlete teaching a younger generation how to play and embrace the sports I love.

Tell me about the NYS Section III Soccer Career Shutout Leader for 2018.

I am very humbled to have reached this milestone. I was fortunate through the years to have very strong teammates that helped me get to this record. With a coach who had a philosophy of “defense first”, I did my best to keep the ball out of the net each and every time. Throughout my high school career, I was able to do this in 61 games to break the shut-out record held in Section III in NY State.

What is Think Pink and how are you involved?

Our soccer and basketball teams were coached by Tim Clive and his son Devin. Tim’s daughter and Devin’s sister, Kari, lost her battle with breast cancer in late December last year. Coach Tim Clive passed away unexpectedly 6 weeks later from cancer as well. As a 3-year Captain of both teams, I helped organize events at our games to raise money for cancer research in memory of Kari and Tim Clive. Our events included bakes sales, donations, raffles and were strongly supported by our community and other schools in our area. Our last event was a “Shoot for a Cure” basketball game and the opposing team’s coaches wore pink and their players donned pink shoelaces in support.

If you weren’t involved with basketball and soccer, what do you think you would be doing and why?

If I were not involved with soccer and basketball, I would most likely be involved with activities helping young kids. I know how much I admired and looked up to older students and how much they helped me over the years, I would try to do even more mentoring, tutoring or whatever helped kids to grow and reach their full potential.

What are your plans for the future?

I will be attending LeMoyne College in the fall. I will be playing soccer for the Dolphins as a Goalie and working toward an academic degree that allows me to continue helping children.

Allison will be featured in Issue 17 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

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Justin Graciano

12/4/2018

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Interview by Zoe D'Angelo
Nomination & Images by Alexis Graciano - Graciano Photography
Indiana

The Nomination: Justin is a great guy loves to travel has been in sports all his life. In middle school he decided to take on only basketball and has had many achievements from it. He was a sectional champion this year and received MVP and many other awards. He's starting to teach himself guitar and just started at IUN for business with a basketball scholarship. Anything he puts his mind to he does with his whole heart

What are your favorite places to travel to with your friends/family?
My favorite place to travel with my family is probably Texas because then we’re surrounded by more family that live down there.

Tell me a little bit about receiving the MVP award for basketball.
Receiving the MVP award was awesome for me, because my dream growing up was to be good enough to earn something that big.

If you weren’t playing basketball, what other sport would you want to progress in?
If I wasn’t playing basketball I would probably look to excel in body building because I love working out and lifting weights.

What are 2 pieces of advice that you would give to a beginning basketball player wanting to play in the NBA one day?
Advice I’d give to someone just starting out is, work really hard and set goals, don’t give up if you’re struggling because pushing through the frustration will lead you to your goal.

What are your plans for after you graduate college?
After I graduate college I’m going to start looking for a full time job that relates to my diploma.

Images by Graciano Photography

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Leila Patel

Leila Patel - Texas
Interview by Michelle Sicard
Nomination by Lily Crane
Photography by Christina White & Barry Blalock
Issue 20 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Allison Moreau

Allison Moreau – 17 – New York
Interview by Zoe D’Angelo
Nominated and Photography by Eve Taverne Photography
Issue 17 | Athlete

Justin Graciano

Interview by Zoe D'Angelo
Nomination & Images by Alexis Graciano - Graciano Photography
Indiana

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Leila Patel

Leila Patel - TexasInterview by Michelle SicardNomination by Lily CranePhotography by Christina White & Barry Blalock​Issue 20 of Inspiring Teens Magazine​​

Allison Moreau

​Allison Moreau – 17 – New YorkInterview by Zoe D’AngeloNominated and Photography by Eve Taverne PhotographyIssue 17 | Athlete​

Justin Graciano

Interview by Zoe D'AngeloNomination & Images by Alexis Graciano - Graciano PhotographyIndiana

Featured

Archives

Categories

Leila Patel - Texas
Interview by Michelle Sicard
Nomination by Lily Crane
Photography by Christina White & Barry Blalock
Issue 20 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Allison Moreau – 17 – New York
Interview by Zoe D’Angelo
Nominated and Photography by Eve Taverne Photography
Issue 17 | Athlete

Interview by Zoe D'Angelo
Nomination & Images by Alexis Graciano - Graciano Photography
Indiana