Inspiring Teens Magazine Features

Kyler Richard

4/17/2020

Kyler Richard - Texas
Interview by Zoe D'Angelo
Nomination by Rachel Richard
Photography by Tishy Photography
Issue 32 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

The Nomination: Kyler Richard is an amazing 17-year old senior and happens to be an amazing musician as well. Kyler has been in band since the sixth grade as a percussionist. In the last two years, he has taught himself how to play the guitar, which has become his passion. He is also the singer and rhythm guitarist in a local band with some of his closest friends who have all come together to share their talents with friends and family. Kyler shares that same love for music in a diverse way, as a member of the worship team at church. Music has driven Kyler to expand his skills and love of music and truly has formed him into the exceptional young man he is today. Kyler is planning to attend college and aspires to become a dentist; however, he plans to keep music a big part of his life. Kyler is the twin brother of Keaton, so scholarship opportunities will help assure his long-term college aspirations are successful.

Photography by Tishy Photography

How did you become interested in music?
Ever since I was younger, I have always had a strong liking for music. I would always sing in the car with my parents, and I would beat on the closest thing around me like a drum. It is kind of difficult to say exactly, but I know it has always been around me for as long as I can remember.

What were some ways you taught yourself how to play guitar? YouTube videos? Books? Or did it just come naturally to you?
When I first wanted to start learning guitar, I asked my buddy for help. He showed me a couple of guitar chords and I was on my way. I would come home from school every day to try to learn more guitar chords. I went to YouTube and searched for the most basic guitar chords; I would constantly practice those chords until I got them down pretty well. I have been playing guitar for about two years now, I am constantly picking up new techniques and learning songs to help me become a better guitar player.

Photography by Tishy Photography

Tell us a little bit about what you are involved in at your high school.
I am involved in Student Council, National Honor Society, PNG Indians Give, and band. In band, I have been on the drum line since my freshman year. I started out playing the bass drum and then I played snare drum the following year, for the past two years I have been playing the tenor drums, also known as the quads. I have also been a section leader for the past two years, and this year I was selected to be Vice President of the band.

Please tell us about the local rock band you are in called Klozure.
In my band Klozure, I sing lead vocals and play rhythm guitar, Shelby Balsano plays bass guitar, Hayden Snider is the drummer and Benton Nesmith is our newest guitarist. After tons of practice, we really played well together, and we started learning covers. After a while we started to write our own music and we have successfully completed one full song named Emerge. We still have to record the song and mix and master it before we release it to the public. We are constantly coming up with new ideas for songs and we plan to learn a lot of covers, so we can get various gigs.

Photography by Tishy Photography

Why do you think people rely on you for advice?
People tend to rely on me for advice because I am trustworthy and I give honest advice. I always do my best to help the people who ask for help, and to hopefully help anyone else around me.

Photography by Ivan Jaquez

What makes a good leader?
A good leader to me is someone who is willing to put themselves before others, always early to every event and offers to help in any situation. A good leader is a hard worker and a person people look to for advice. I do my best to follow these qualities and to set the example for the people around me.

Kyler will be featured in issue 32 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!
Hear Kyler and his band play by clicking HERE

click here for more information on issue 32 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

click here to nominate an inspiring teen

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Jonah Ross

2/7/2020

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Jonah Ross - Alabama
Interview by Olivia Bush
Nomination and Photography by Heather Drummond Photography
Issue 30 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

The Nomination: Jonah is an outstanding young man who demonstrates excellent leadership capabilities in his personal and scholastic lives and throughout service activities in his community. Jonah serves as the drumline captain in his school band, plays drums in his church praise band, and serves in the Boy Scouts while maintaining a 3.9 GPA in school. Jonah also belongs to the Beta Club and National Honor Society. He serves the community through work at the local mission and assisting teachers as well as students at the elementary school. Jonah spends his extra time composing percussion music. Jonah plans to attend the University of Alabama Birmingham where he plans to pursue electrical engineering and music technology in efforts to continue to give back to his community.

Photography by Heather Drummond Photography

What inspired you to start playing music and how long have you been playing?
When I was around eight years old, my dad began playing drum set for our church on Sunday mornings. My best friend and I at the time would sit in the pew closest to the drum set and watch him play. We would mimic the way he played. Eventually, dad caught on to what we were doing and decided to get me a drum set. Of course, it was an electric drum set so my parents wouldn’t have to hear me play constantly. But once I started playing, my interest in music started to grow and continues to grow as I moved on into the future.

What is your favorite thing about getting to share your music with others? Why?
I get to share the love of music in so many ways. Through marching band, concert band, & various honor bands I can play a variety of percussion instruments as well as compose. I am also blessed to be able to play drum set for our church youth group praise band which is probably my favorite part of sharing. I love being able to use the talents God blessed me with to lead worship.

Photography by Heather Drummond Photography

How long have you been in the Boy Scouts and what do you like about it?
I started Cub Scouts as a first grader and crossed over into Boy Scouts at the end of fifth grade. It has been a major part of my life for almost 12 years. My favorite part of being a boy scout has been exploring the outdoors. Throughout the years my love of nature has grown as I have had the privilege of experiencing many outdoor adventures such as hiking, camping, canoeing, kayaking, and spelunking. Spending time outdoors and exploring is so much more entertaining to me than sitting behind a screen.

Photography by Heather Drummond Photography

Tell a little bit more about working at your local mission, what does that entail?
Spending time serving at the Mission of Hope has been such a blessing. Most of the time I’ve volunteered there has been assisting with food give away by loading groceries for the clients. The service opportunity I look forward to each year is Christmas at the Mission. The mission provides Christmas for many local, low-income families. As a student volunteer, I have the privilege of walking a young child through to pick out a new jacket, new shoes, and toys while their parents are hearing the word of God and singing Christmas carols. It is such a joy to see their faces light up as they pick out their special items.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years/what are your plans for the future?
I have big plans for the future. I am going to college to major in electrical engineering and minor in music technology. While in college I plan to be in the marching band and during the summer march Drum Corps International. I hope to graduate from college with a master’s degree in electrical engineering. After that, I just really want to get a solid job and settle down before building a family.

Photography by Heather Drummond Photography

2 things on your bucket list.
1. I really want to tour the United States. I mean travel to every state in one long trip. And I have had an idea of collecting a pair of shoes from every state. This may never happen but if it does, I will be able to check it off my bucket list.
2. It is a dream of mine to march Drums Corps International. I plan to march for four or five summers. My ultimate goal though is to march with Carolina Crown, my absolute favorite drum corps.

Jonah will be featured in Issue 30 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

click here for more information on issue 30

click here to nominate an inspiring teen

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Kyler Richard

Kyler Richard - Texas
Interview by Zoe D'Angelo
Nomination by Rachel Richard
Photography by Tishy Photography
Issue 32 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Jonah Ross

Jonah Ross - Alabama
Interview by Olivia Bush
Nomination and Photography by Heather Drummond Photography
Issue 30 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

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Kyler Richard

Kyler Richard - TexasInterview by Zoe D'AngeloNomination by Rachel RichardPhotography by Tishy PhotographyIssue 32 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Jonah Ross

Jonah Ross - AlabamaInterview by Olivia BushNomination and Photography by Heather Drummond PhotographyIssue 30 of Inspiring Teens Magazine​

Featured

Archives

Categories

Kyler Richard - Texas
Interview by Zoe D'Angelo
Nomination by Rachel Richard
Photography by Tishy Photography
Issue 32 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Jonah Ross - Alabama
Interview by Olivia Bush
Nomination and Photography by Heather Drummond Photography
Issue 30 of Inspiring Teens Magazine