Inspiring Teens Magazine Features

Isabel Konz

2/17/2021

Isabel Konz – California
Nomination by Wendy Streyle
from Showstoppers Dance Studio
Photography by Glitter and Sand Photography
Issue 43 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

The Nomination: Isabel Konz is a 13-year-old with a passion for dance and entrepreneurship. She has been dancing for most of her life, taking classes 4- 5 days a week and being part of a competitive team. Isabel always pushes herself to be her best. Shortly after COVID-19 happened she started her own Instagram apparel company called Second Image Tie-dye. Keeping herself busy and motivated during the shutdown was extremely inspiring. Isabel found a way to make staying home fun, but productive. It was so positive to see this young lady find an outlet to express herself and bring happiness to so many through her fun and bright creations. Can’t wait to see what her future holds!

Photography by Glitter and Sand Photography

Tell us how you got started in dance, about your dance studio, what genres you are studying - everything about your dance journey so far!
I started dancing when I was 3 at a dance studio doing mainly ballet! When I was 6, I transferred to Showstoppers Dance Studio, where I am today! I have come a long way in my dance skill! I never thought that I would be competing on the stage! I take classes 4-5 days a week in the genres of ballet/pointe, jazz, lyrical/contemporary, and hip hop! My favorite is contemporary! My solo this year is contemporary, and I am so excited for competition where I can compete it! I have come so far from dancing in tutus at two years old to now competing my solo at competition 11 years later!

We see you get to do photoshoots as part of your dance experience. Tell us about that.
I recently just started doing dance photo shoots and I love them! I think it is a great way to showcase a dancer’s skill and really capture the moment! Dance is such an amazing art and when you combine it with amazing photography, you can get some breathtaking photos! I am so lucky to get to work with Juanita from glitter and sand photography! She is amazing!

This image was taken by Juanita at Glitter and Sand Photography! It is from one of my favorite dance photoshoots!

What is something positive that came from the pandemic that you never expected.
Something positive is that I spent so much time dancing that I really improved! When I got back in the studio, I was so much more skilled than I was before! I had grown so much because I was practicing so much at home! I think it was a great thing that I had so much time to focus on my dancing!

What is the hardest thing you have ever accomplished, and how did you do it?
The hardest thing I’ve ever accomplished was getting on pointe. This was hard because it took lots of physical strength and I had to be prepared mentally! It was difficult but I am glad that I pushed through because I love dancing on pointe.

Share with us how you got started with your own business ~ your tie dye company, where it’s at now, and what your 2021 plans are for it.
During lock down, I needed something creative to keep going! I started my own small business doing tie dye! It has come a long way! I was scared at first that I wasn’t going to make profit. But now, it is thriving! I am so glad that I can make others happy with my colorful tie die pieces too! In 2021 I hope my business can continue to grow and I can find ways I can serve my community through my business and donate to charities!

This photo was taken by my mom! I am working hard on packaging orders for my small business!

What advice would you give to someone who wants to be where you are today?
I would tell someone that they shouldn’t let what others think stop them. You should continue pushing yourself and working hard for yourself despite what others say. If you let what others think bother you, you are going to miss out on so many amazing opportunities!

Where do you see yourself in 5 years/what are your plans?
In 5 years I will be 18 and graduating high school! I hope that I will get into a good college that can help me turn my passion for dance into a career! Since I will be 18, I hope that from now to then, I will accomplish so many things and get offered more opportunities and that can decide what my future holds!

Who do you find inspiring?
I find many other accomplished dancers inspiring! I always hope that someday I can be like them! I also look up to the older dancers at my studio! Every time I watch them, I always think how crazy it is that someday I could be in their place!

This is me and my kitten that we adopted during lock down! Her name is poppy!

What else should we know about you?
I also enjoy music! I think music is an amazing art and is great to help express a story with your dancing. I also love animals! During lock down we adopted a new kitten, and she is so cute! I love animals, and one day I hope that I can put some of my small business earnings towards a charity for animals in need.

Look for Isabel in issue 43 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

click here for more information on issue 43

click here to nominate an inspiring teen

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Bella Reis

1/21/2021

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Bella Reis – California
Nomination by Wendy Streyle
Photography by Glitter and Sand Photography
Issue 42 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

The Nomination: Bella Reis is a talented and dedicated young lady to her passion of dance. Unfortunately, her senior year has not been what she expected, but she has found a new passion for teaching and spreading her love of dance to the next generation. She works hard choreographing, instructing and inspiring her students to give everything they have. She is giving them a foundation that will be carried on into their future. She has grown as an instructor and a person. Bella is always there when needed. Bella continues to push herself academically as well, even through distance learning her grades remain high and she is excited for her next chapter of attending a four-year university.

Photography by Glitter and Sand Photography

When did you start dancing and what has your journey been like since?
I took my first ballet class when I was just three years old and loved it. Soon after my mom enrolled me at studio where I began taking jazz, tap, lyrical and hip hop. I started competing when I was six and have been doing it ever since. Dance has been such a big part of my life and has taught me so much. I was a pretty shy kid, but dance gave me the confidence to be myself. I’ve had the opportunity to learn from amazing choreographers, meet people from all over and be a part of a team. I truly believe that dance has shaped me to be the person I am today.

Photography by Glitter and Sand Photography

2020 was a lot of missed opportunities for you. How did you keep busy and stay involved in dance?
2020 was not the Senior year I was expecting. Being on distant learning and not getting to go to school was hard. I missed seeing my friends and having a typical Senior experience that I had hoped for. I was so lucky I still had dance. At the start of quarantine my studio had to close for in person classes but continued virtually through Zoom. Although it wasn’t the same as in person, we could still see each other and connect.
I also did many virtual classes with well known choreographers, and even a virtual competition. We returned to in-person classes in early August with modifications. Since returning to the studio, I have kept very busy not only teaching but taking my own classes. Although we can't be close together and have to stay in our socially distanced squares,
I still am able to share my passion with each and every one of my students which brings me joy every day. Many people did not have the outlet I had which was going out and having the ability to practice my passion with not only my teammates but with the next generation as well and that is something that I will forever be grateful for.

Photography by her dad

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
I have been involved with Link crew at my school for the past two years and I have loved so many amazing leadership opportunities it has brought me as well as being the main outlet for at least 20 freshman as they merge into the new world of high school, teaching them the ropes on how to make these next four year the best years for them. I also participated in A Night to Shine the organization that Tim Tebow created to celebrate people with special needs by giving them a prom created just for them. I was a "buddy" and the boy I was paired up with was very inspirational. I love being able to help and bring joy to others.

Photography by Glitter and Sand Photography

Tell us more about your leadership opportunities. Which has been your favorite and why?
I have had many leadership opportunities over the years such as joining link crew, teaching at my dance studio, going to a night to shine and many more. If I were to pick one of my favorite leadership opportunities it would be joining link crew these past two years because it has been an eye-opening opportunity, getting to work with the freshmen who are new to this world, they don’t know what high schools like, and I am there guiding them through this transition is such a rewarding experience. In my past year I would check in with about 18 new freshmen each week, go into their class and check in with them. We would ask about their grades, if they needed any help with classes etc. I would not only check in with my freshman each week but in the mornings I would go to the library and tutor some of my freshman who needed my help with certain classes. To be honest most freshmen would have a hard time transitioning because high school is nothing like middle school and if you need help your link crew leaders are the ones who are always going to be there for you. I had about a handful of kids who would always check in weekly and let me know how they’re doing, if they needed anything, I was always there for them. But, of course this year is a little different and we can’t see our freshman in person, we still check in every week through email. Although this year has been very difficult trying to reach out to freshmen and seeing how they’re feeling with classes without talking to them in person, those few freshmen who do email me back and let me know that they’re appreciating my emails and telling me how their classes are going is more rewarding as ever. Knowing that I’m making a difference for someone who’s new to high school and helping them through the year is an experience I will never forget.

How would your friends describe your leadership style and what is most important to you about being a good leader?
I believe that my friends would describe my leadership style as caring and going above and beyond because of my willingness to go to the moon for people I'm leading. Every person whether they’re in my dance class that I teach, my freshman that I guide or anyone in general that I’m trying to lead is always in a positive and caring way. I care for each and every person that I’m teaching, guiding and leading through whatever journey they are going on because I’ve been there, I’ve been the new freshman confused and scared, I’ve been the girl in dance class who sometimes needs that leadership role to reach their goals. The most important thing to being a good leader is the ability to always be there for someone who needs your guidance and putting their needs first . Being a leader is helping someone to become their best, not only do you need to motivate but you also need to show empathy and be able to connect with people to become a successful leader.

Look for Bella 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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Frankie Rai Jensen

1/6/2021

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Frankie Rai Jensen – California
Interview by Inspiring Teens
Nomination by Robin Jensen
Photography by
C.M.Elle Studios & Amy Wenzel
Issue 42 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

The Nomination: Frankie Rai Jensen is a Competitive Dancer, Business Owner and Author.
Frankie suffers from life threatening food allergies, has endured relentless bullying and she is also an animal rights activist.
Despite suffering from food allergies and bullying from her peers and adults alike , she has shown strength , courage and has continued to persevere through her experiences.
Frankie wrote a book, STRONGER, to help her peers cope and realize that they are stronger, than any obstacle they are confronted with.
Frankie started a business, frankie + u,
Her online store is a space that is inclusive and offers products that set her peers up for success.
Frankie has helped raise funds for a TNR program in the Los Angeles area.
Frankie tries to educate people on the importance of spay/neutering their pets, so there is hopefully less animals in the streets and in shelters and more living in loving homes.
Frankie tries to bring happiness and smiles to everyone she meets.
Frankie's hope is to provide continued support, encouragement and smiles to her peers.
Reminding them that they always have a friend in Frankie.

Photography by Amy Wenzel

What is it like to be a supporter of I'm a Dancer Against Cancer and an Ambassador for HopeDance Cure?
It is an honor to be a supporter of I'm a Dancer Against Cancer and an Ambassador for Hope Dance Cure. Children, adults and their families that have been impacted by Cancer are some of the strongest, resilient and brave people. I try to help encourage, educate and support others who have been impacted by cancer, through a shared love of dance and from a genuine support of Friendship.

Photography by Amy Wenzel

What is an example of a challenging situation you have been confronted with, and how did you handle it?
I have had a few situations in my life where I have been bullied by my peers as well as adults.
From having food that I am allergic to thrown at me, being called a liar and a fake about my food allergies and being made fun of because I have to carry an EpiPen in case I have an anaphylaxis reaction.
Other situations that I have been through has been kids excluding me from friend groups, gossiping and ignoring me when I try to speak to them.
Adults have not always been the most supportive either. One taunted me before I went to compete my dance solo and one made a social media post targeting me, regarding a situation that happened during class.
In all of the situations that I listed above, the one major thing I did was to persevere.
It wasn't always easy , but with the right support, the most important tool I have kept with me, is that you are stronger than you think you are in any situation and that you can conquer anything.
I am stronger because of each of these circumstances that I have gone through and it has given me strength, determination and focus to become a better version of myself

Photography by Amy Wenzel

Tell us more about your website.
My website is called frankie + u. I created this business because, I wanted to create a space for kids can be themselves without fear of being judged. I wanted to space where I can share my life experiences and passion of dance .
I want people to walk away with the message, that you have a Friend in Frankie.

Look for Frankie Rai in issue 42 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

Click here for more information on issue 42 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

click here to nominate an inspiring teen

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Isabel Konz

Isabel Konz – California
Nomination by Wendy Streyle
from Showstoppers Dance Studio
Photography by Glitter and Sand Photography
Issue 43 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Bella Reis

Bella Reis – California
Nomination by Wendy Streyle
Photography by Glitter and Sand Photography
Issue 42 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Frankie Rai Jensen

Frankie Rai Jensen – California
Interview by Inspiring Teens
Nomination by Robin Jensen
Photography by
C.M.Elle Studios & Amy Wenzel
Issue 42 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

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Isabel Konz

Isabel Konz – CaliforniaNomination by Wendy Streyle​from Showstoppers Dance StudioPhotography by Glitter and Sand PhotographyIssue 43 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Bella Reis

Bella Reis – CaliforniaNomination by Wendy StreylePhotography by Glitter and Sand PhotographyIssue 42 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Frankie Rai Jensen

Frankie Rai Jensen – CaliforniaInterview by Inspiring TeensNomination by Robin JensenPhotography by​C.M.Elle Studios & Amy WenzelIssue 42 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Featured

Archives

Categories

Isabel Konz – California
Nomination by Wendy Streyle
from Showstoppers Dance Studio
Photography by Glitter and Sand Photography
Issue 43 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Bella Reis – California
Nomination by Wendy Streyle
Photography by Glitter and Sand Photography
Issue 42 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Frankie Rai Jensen – California
Interview by Inspiring Teens
Nomination by Robin Jensen
Photography by
C.M.Elle Studios & Amy Wenzel
Issue 42 of Inspiring Teens Magazine