Inspiring Teens Magazine Features

Alaina Nesby

5/6/2019

Alaina Nesby - Texas
Interview by Claire Plath
Nomination and main Photography by Chele Jones Photography
Issue 21 - Inspiring Teens Magazine

The Nomination: I am nominating Alaina Nesby because she is an extraordinary, talented, humble and lovely human being who is an inspiration to all who know her!
Alaina is an incredible singer songwriter and at the time I met her 3 years ago, could play over 25 instruments at the age of 13 (that has probably increased by a couple by now).
She is currently going to school (sophomore year) at Akins high school and working on recording her own album of original works. She also assists teaching at Franklin Music Academy.
Her musical skills range from classical to quirky to complex R&B and her voice keeps up with it.
Click here to listen to her do a live set. You won't be sorry!

Image by Michele Jones - This is from a patriotic shoot in the famous Texas bluebonnets.

How did you first become involved with singing and songwriting?
Music has always been a huge part of my life. I began composing at the age of 9 and have been doing so ever since. Songwriting has helped me through a lot.

How do you get inspiration for the songs you write?
Composing music is kind of like writing in a diary for me. I love poetry, so it’s easy to write about my personal struggles metaphorically in my songs. My goal is for my music to help others as it has helped me.

Out of all the instruments you play, which instrument is your favorite to play and why?
I’d have to say guitar because it’s easiest to perform with. Violin is a close second, but only because I can’t sing and play it at the same time yet.

Image by Michele Jones - This is when I returned to my middle school to perform in a tradition I started a rock-themed orchestra concert.

Tell me a little bit about the opportunities you are involved in toward helping others compose their own music.
Well, at the moment I have a paid internship at the Franklin Music Academy. There, I understudy and even conduct some of my own music lessons for kids who are beginning to learn how to play their instruments. My goal for any student I have is to equip them with the knowledge they need to create whatever they want, rather it be musically or otherwise.

What is your favorite memory of performing for others in Austin, Texas?
As much as I love performing for large numbers of people, there’s something to be said about performances in intimate settings. No mic, no amps, just me and my guitar. One of my favorite memories isn’t from that long ago. On the lengthy bus ride home from an orchestra and guitar competition in Houston, Tx, I was asked to perform one of my original songs. It caught me off guard, but I was more than happy to. What made this experience so memorable for me was that once I began singing, the entire bus quieted down and actively listened for the entire song. Some even sang along with me. It felt absolutely amazing to be supported by my classmates like that. The rest of the journey was like a mini concert, I played some more of my songs as well as songs that they all knew. Together, we sang like a choir all the way home.

Image by My mother - This was taken after my orchestra and guitar ensembles won Best in Class and Overall Best at a competition in Houston, Texas.

How have you been able to continue your involvement with music while also maintaining good grades along with it?
I am very organized, and I expect only the best from myself. I love learning, so most of the time, school is pretty easy, but the college courses I am enrolled in keep me on my toes. I am at the top of both Orchestra and Classical Guitar programs at Akins High school, so I practice a lot as well. Often, I have to lose a lot of sleep to manage it all, but I find it more than worthwhile to be where I am today.

Who do you find inspiring?
My teachers and coworkers are very inspiring to me. My orchestra director, Thomas Mann, is an incredible musician and one of the nicest people you will ever meet. My music tutor, Scott Blanco is not only my teacher, but one of my best friends. He composes and performs complex yet soulful music in his band, Finite Fidelity. My coworkers, Luis Parra and Jesse Hernandez are amazing performers and teachers. I open for their band, GOOD., often.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years/what are your plans for the future?
I’d like to attend the University of North Texas College of Music.

Alaina will be featured in Issue 21 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

click here to nominate an inspiring teen

click here to purchase inspiring teens magazine

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Molly Crosby

5/4/2019

3 Comments

Molly Crosby – California
Nomination and Interview by Claire Plath
Issue 20 Inspiring Teens Magazine

The Nomination: Molly is a wonderful example of an inspiring teen because of how selfless and compassionate she is towards others! Molly and her family are very involved in foster care and have been for a while. Two of Molly's siblings are adopted and through her and her family's entire journey of taking care of younger children in foster care, I have been able to witness the pure joy she expresses through loving and supporting others in need. Her gentle, kind, and loving heart towards others is truly inspiring, and I am blessed to have such an amazing best friend in my life!

Image taken by Leslie Crosby

How did you and your family first get involved with foster care?
We started foster care 9 years ago when I was 7 years old. My mom and dad wanted to stand in the gap for children whose parents were trying to get back on their feet. Since then we have fostered 10 kids and adopted two. All of them have been the biggest blessings and taught me so much about love that I didn’t know I had yet to learn.

Can you elaborate on what your role is toward being a part of a foster family?
I have taken the role of the baby hog in my family, because when you come from a family as big as mine that’s the only way you get to snuggle the babies. I have also had to step up and take responsibility and help around the house for things I wouldn’t have normally done.

Image taken by Photographer at Disneyland

What have you learned from being a part of a family that helps foster babies?
When you are a part of a foster family you learn many hard and many wonderful lessons. The biggest one being that you can never show too much love, because any amount of love shown is so important for caring and raising a baby. I’ve also learned and experienced the hardest thing in my life, which is saying goodbye to them. They are some the biggest heartbreaks I’ve ever had to experience. At the same time, all the babies have taught me to love and to not hold back on showing anyone love, because any little thing can change their whole lives.

Tell me a little bit about what Night to Shine is and how you became involved with it.
I first heard about Night to Shine through my church, and I’ve done it for two years. Seeing everyone there is so much fun and brings me so much joy. I saw no one without a smile on their face and I’ve experienced it with my best friend both years. Being able to see everything and getting to be able to feel the electricity through the whole room is one of the best feelings I’ve felt.

Image by Bre Meyer

How has helping others in need impacted your life?
Helping others and getting all the opportunities that I get to help people is so rewarding. I can put smiles on people’s faces and bond with people whom I never would have known without these opportunities.

Are you involved in any extracurricular activities? If so, which ones?
I play softball for my school, go to youth group, and through youth group I am on a discipleship team. I also am a buddy for special forces, which is an organization also through my church where one other person and I help the students in there whom have special needs.

Who do you find inspiring?
I find my mom as one of the most inspiring people. She is always there for me to talk to and never judges me. She has been my rock and taught me so much in my life and continues to learn and continues to teach me and my siblings.

Pizza or Tacos? Soda or Water? Cats or Dogs?
Definitely pizza. Soda, and I’ll always choose Coke over Pepsi. Always dogs. No doubt about that.

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

click here to nominate an inspiring teen

click here to purchase inspiring teens magazine

3 Comments

Claire Plath

2/25/2019

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Claire Plath
Interview by Larissa Chelius
Nomination and Photography by Alicia Crosson Photography
California
Issue 18 | Volunteer

The Nomination: I am privileged to nominate one of my inspiring teens for this special opportunity! Claire is currently a sophomore in high school, on her school's tennis team, involved in various clubs, planning committees, and leadership teams through school and church. She is highly respected by her friends, classmates, and teachers. Claire also helps coach Cheer for younger girls in her community. One quality I would love to focus on in Claire is her kind, loving heart towards people of all different sizes, races, needs, and ethnicities. Claire volunteers her time during the summer to help assist those with special needs at a special needs camp. She has also participated as a "buddy" to guests with special needs for a National Prom Organization called Night to Shine, through the Tim Tebow Foundation. Claire truly radiates God's love and kindness to the world, and it would be so wonderful to see her being recognized in this way. Thank you so much for your consideration, and for providing this special opportunity for teens to be recognized with all of their wonderful characteristics and gifts to the world!

What was your experience at Night to Shine like?

My experience at Night to Shine was very unforgettable and heartwarming. It was amazing to be able to experience the pure joy my date felt as we spent the whole time dancing, singing, and laughing the night away. The friendship that I was able to build with my date at Night to Shine was so uplifting and special, and I hope to continue to volunteer every year!

Tell me a little bit about the various activities you do with those who have special needs.

Night to Shine is something I help out with every year and is an annual event for those with special needs where they get to experience their own prom by being paired with a volunteer for the night. It is a ministry that was founded by Tim Tebow a few years back, and now more than 655 churches across the world host it! It is put together to be exactly like a prom from red carpet, to limos, to dinner, to dancing, and last but not least, having all the guests crowned kings and queens of the prom!

Another activity I help with is the buddy program at my church, where volunteers are trained to be paired up with children who have special needs, so they are able to attend church while having a “buddy” with them for extra support.

Lastly, one of the biggest highlights of my life is attending Camp Barnabas. Camp Barnabas is a Christian camp in Missouri for those with special needs where they get to spend one full week paired up with a missionary and can share an amazing experience through fun and spiritual activities. Campers come from all over the U.S to attend, they look forward to it every year!

What does it mean to become a missionary in June for Camp Barnabas, and what do you do as a missionary?
At Camp Barnabas, I was selected to be a missionary which is a buddy for a camper you are matched up with for that week. The role of a missionary begins with months of training and learning how to serve and be there for the campers in the ways that are needed. At camp, you are with your camper 23 hours a day, and with the role of a missionary comes great responsibility and patience. It is a physical, mental, and emotional rollercoaster while serving as a missionary, due to the complexity of needs a camper may have. Some campers may be nonverbal, while others may have serious physical limitations, but no matter who you are paired up with, the bond you build with your camper is truly life changing. My camper last summer was named Emily and she has been attending Camp Barnabas for years. After the week I spent with her, she became my dear best friend. Emily was the most patient, kind, compassionate, and encouraging person I had ever met. I was able to create a very close bond with her and after the week we spent together, we keep in touch! She will always hold a special place in my heart, as will all the memories and friendships made at Camp Barnabas.

What have you been able to learn by working with those who have special needs?

While working with special needs I have been able to learn to remain positive and patient through any trials I go through. The joy of being able to work with those with special needs has impacted my view on life greatly. I have learned to try to have a selfless attitude towards others, and to apply what I feel when I work with those who have special needs to my everyday life. They have taught me to find joy in every situation, and to be present in the moment which is something I will forever be grateful for.

Image by Dallas Hamm

Do you participate in any other community service projects, if so, what do you do?

I am involved in playing on the Varsity tennis team at my school, and I help coach Upward Cheer at my church for younger girls. I am a member of the Christian Club at my school, and I take photography and have grown to love it. Lastly, I am on the Student Leadership Committee for my church youth group where we plan upcoming events and lessons!

Claire will be featured in Issue 18 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

click here to nominate an inspiring teen you know

click here to purchase inspiring teens magazine

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Alaina Nesby

Alaina Nesby - Texas
Interview by Claire Plath
Nomination and main Photography by Chele Jones Photography
Issue 21 - Inspiring Teens Magazine

Molly Crosby

Molly Crosby – California
Nomination and Interview by Claire Plath
Issue 20 Inspiring Teens Magazine

Claire Plath

Claire Plath
Interview by Larissa Chelius
Nomination and Photography by Alicia Crosson Photography
California
Issue 18 | Volunteer

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Alaina Nesby

Alaina Nesby - TexasInterview by Claire PlathNomination and main Photography by Chele Jones PhotographyIssue 21 - Inspiring Teens Magazine​

Molly Crosby

​Molly Crosby – CaliforniaNomination and Interview by Claire PlathIssue 20 Inspiring Teens Magazine​

Claire Plath

Claire PlathInterview by Larissa CheliusNomination and Photography by Alicia Crosson PhotographyCaliforniaIssue 18 | Volunteer

Featured

Archives

Categories

Alaina Nesby - Texas
Interview by Claire Plath
Nomination and main Photography by Chele Jones Photography
Issue 21 - Inspiring Teens Magazine

Molly Crosby – California
Nomination and Interview by Claire Plath
Issue 20 Inspiring Teens Magazine

Claire Plath
Interview by Larissa Chelius
Nomination and Photography by Alicia Crosson Photography
California
Issue 18 | Volunteer