Inspiring Teens Magazine Features

Erica Duffy

5/25/2021

Erica Duffy – Washington
Nomination and Photography by Seen by Eileen
Issue 46 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Nomination: Erica is an energetic, compassionate, and relentlessly driven young woman. With her magnetic personality, 4.0 GPA, and impressive accomplishments in music and equestrian sports, Erica is on track to be class Valedictorian. As an athlete, Erica rides horses in local and national competitions on the Washington State High School Equestrian Team and in 4-H. As a musician, Erica has played piano for 15 years and earned a prestigious position as the pianist in the high school’s pit orchestra. As a co-founder of her school’s Spanish National Honor Society, Erica created culturally enriching and educational experiences for many other students.

Photography by Seen by Eileen

What would you most like to be interviewed about?
Either my experience showing horses since 7th grade OR how I ran Spanish Club & started the Spanish National Honor Society for our school during quarantine this past year.

Let's talk about both! Tell us about showing horses. Why did you get started, what do you love about it, and what is a favorite memory or accomplishment from your time with them?
When I was in middle school, my mom signed me up for a local summer horse camp. I initially hated the idea of waking up at 6:00am and spending 6 hours with horses, but after the first day of camp, I wanted to stay for the whole day. For the week, I was assigned a horse to feed, clean, and ride. Since then, I’ve owned and shown 4 horses, and ridden more than I can count. My favorite accomplishment has been winning the 2021 Performance High Point belt buckle for the Washington State High School Equestrian Team (WAHSET) competition season.

Photography by Seen by Eileen

Share with us more about your leadership positions in Spanish Club and SNHS. What did your roles entail in both? How hard was it to start a new club during quarantine/what difficulties did you come across and how did you get past them?
I’m the president of the Spanish Club in addition to being the co-president and co-founder of the Spanish National Honor Society. Every week, we hold between 2 - 4 meetings, ranging from watching telenovelas together to meeting with native speakers from all around the world to learn more about the culture and language. As president, I work with the Spanish Club council, which I worked to establish, to organize ideas for activities. It was difficult to start the SNHS during quarantine because all of the coordination and paperwork had to be completed through Zoom and email. However, quarantine gave us the flexibility to be almost always accessible: Spanish Club met at any time of the day, whether that was a spontaneous meeting at 6:00am or a planned meeting at 6:00pm that lasted until 11:00pm.

As a leader in both, what legacy do you hope to leave behind for the future of Spanish Club?
My main goal in planning Spanish opportunities this year was to make Spanish more accessible for other students like me. I know others are hesitant to use their Spanish because I was, too… so the goal of Spanish Club events and activities was to engage with the language in almost all aspects: meeting with native speakers and listening to Spanish in different contexts. I hope that this year’s successes were the momentum that was needed to continue a fun, engaging club for years to come.

Photography by Sue Duffy

What do you show your horses in? Which is your favorite and why?
I show horses in 4-H, Washington State High School Equestrian Team (WAHSET), and the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA). I love showing in reining the most because it is the newest to me and is a different pace than traditional pleasure and equitation showing. Reining is focused on building such a connection with your horse that they seem willingly guided with little-to-no resistance. My favorite maneuvers are spins and sliding stops. I also love WAHSET because it has a little bit of every event in the horse world: roping, equitation, dressage, reining, and drill team.

Photography by Sue Duffy

Why have you chosen to study biomedical engineering?
My science teachers through high school have nourished my love for learning. Instead of brushing off my endless questions about how the concepts connect to other things, my teachers eagerly responded to each email and hand-raise in class. Because of this, I plan to major in Biomedical Engineering at Cal Poly before returning to teach science in secondary education. I had so much support in my quest for knowledge in STEM, and I want to inspire the next generation of STEM.

Look for Erica in issue 46 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

click here for more information on issue 46

click here to nominate an inspiring teen

Kenzie Roath

4/15/2021

Kenzie Roath - Texas
Nomination and Photography by Angie Read Photography
Issue 45 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Nomination: Kenzie uses every day to bring light to someone's life. Her charismatic, outgoing, yet unintrusive personality draws people in where they want to know more. The ability to change someone's outlook on the day with just her presence or a small conversation is what draws her apart and makes her an inspiration, not just to other teens, but adults, everywhere. Between swimming for Klein Collins Varsity swim team and riding her horses, she still finds time to spend in various other aspects, whether it be community service for NHS, participating in youth group activities at church, helping out friends or working at the barn. Most of her time is spent around horses: doing the dirty work, helping tack up a horse or giving riding lessons to the little kids. Kenzie's work ethic and calm demeanor shine through, inspiring everyone around her.

Photography by Angie Read Photography

What would you most like to be interviewed about?
My involvement in the equestrian community and future goals to become a veterinarian.

Please tell us more about this exciting community. How did you get started in it, what is it like for you daily as well as for “show time”?
My parents enrolled me in lessons at Goslin Nix Equestrian Center after I spent time around horses at a childhood friend’s house, at around 11 years old. I have been putting in work ever since; learning the difference between controlling the horse to do what I want and actually connecting with the animal and allowing it to show you all of its capabilities. Daily, I not only ride at the barn, but I do ranch hand work and give lessons to younger riders. During shows, we care for our horses, practice day and night, support our other barn members, learn patterns for our classes and most of all, have fun. Most people are showing different disciplines at the same time so we have to get each other and our horses ready very quickly and efficiently.

Photography by National Horseman Arabian

What is your favorite accomplishment in this field?
My favorite accomplishment in riding horses would be my multiple Youth National Top Tens. As I have grown and evolved in the sport, I have been given the opportunity excel, I enjoy being able to compete each year.

What are your future goals with it?
My future goals would be to become National Champion, I am hopeful that I will be able to achieve it this year. I will also be able to bring my horse to college and will continue competing on the Tarleton Equestrian Team in Stephenville.

Photography by Angie Read Photography

If you were to present a topic to a group of your peers, what would it be on and why?
I would talk about horses and the relationships with their riders because it is such a fascinating topic to me. Like people, no two horses are the same. I have grown to love being able to recognize and feel the personality of each horse; making a strong connection with each horse is the key to being able to work with it. Horses play off emotions, as naturally fight or flight animals, this means that whatever you are feeling, they are feeling. A frustrated attitude equals an irritated horse; a relaxed attitude equals a relaxed horse.

Photography by Angie Read Photography

What was your senior portrait experience like with Angie Read Photography?
I absolutely loved working with Angie Read Photography! She helped me regain my confidence and learn to love the skin I am in! Every photo shoot was quick and efficient but filled with endless laughter and jokes that I will whole-heartedly cherish forever.

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
I have an innate ability to empathize with other people. People automatically open up to me because they know I will help them through whatever issue they are facing.

Look for Kenzie in issue 45 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

click here for more information on issue 45

click here to nominate an inspiring teen

Shaney Enck

2/13/2020

1 Comment

Shaney Enck - Pennsylvania
Interview by Olivia Bush
Nomination and Photography by L. Welsh Photography, LLC
Issue 30 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

The Nomination: Shaney Enck is AMAZING! She has been riding horses since she was 2 and showing competitively since she was 3. She is a fierce competitor in the United States Equestrian Federation rated horse shows and the Interscholastic Equestrian Association. In USEF, Shaney has been the Professional Horseman's Association Champion in her riding division multiple years in a row. In 2019 she was invited to compete at National Finals with her horse. This year she is chasing points across the country for multiple year end Medal Finals. In the IEA, Shaney rode at the National Finals in 2016 at Lexington, Kentucky. In 2019 she was nominated and received a National Sportsmanship Award which was competed for nationally. Shaney is also in the top 5% of her class and a 2-year member of the National Honor Society! She also has early acceptance to Med School!

Photography by L. Welsh Photography, LLC

How did you get into horseback riding?
Since I am able to remember, I was on a horse’s back. My father is a retired large animal veterinarian and he specialized mainly in equine reproductive work in the standardbred racehorse industry. My mom grew up riding as a little girl and she still rides today. She was a veterinary technician for my father while he was in practice. Both of my parents surrounded me with the love of horses from an early age. I started competing at the age of 3, and I haven’t been able to put it down since. I will be forever grateful to my parents for raising me in a sport with so many valuable lessons.

Tell me more about what an equestrian competition is like?
I competitively show in equitation and hunter divisions. Both divisions contain a course of jumps that are ridden in a specific order. Equitation is judged strictly on the rider’s position and the ability of the rider to correctly use their aids (cues a rider gives to the horse to communicate what the rider wants the horse to do). Hunter classes are judged on the horse’s ability to move in a smooth and consistent manner throughout the entire course of jumps. At an equestrian competition a rider learns a set course for the class they are competing in. They get the opportunity to warm-up in a practice ring with others before they go in the show ring to make their big appearance. In a division there are normally 3-5 classes depending on the horse show. After a rider completes multiple courses of jumps, they will have a flat phase. A flat phase is where the horse walks, trots, and canters without any jumps.

Photography by L. Welsh Photography, LLC

What has been your favorite performance throughout your riding career, why?
One of my favorite performances recently was in the Dover Medal. It is a two-part class that is comprised of a course with difficult variables and then a test follows (a harder course or a flat phase). The course was moderately challenging, but the week before I worked on a lot of the obstacles that were in the course. After the first part of the course, I was in fourth place. After the test, I accumulated enough points to move up a placement which is a large accomplishment. Out of a competitive field of riders I was able to secure a second place in the Medal. I really enjoyed this class as well because a couple of the riders were friends of mine, and we could bond over the experience. It is always a more memorable experience to share with the people closest to you in your life.

Photography by L. Welsh Photography, LLC

What different awards have you won? which one has meant the most?
I have won various awards throughout my equestrian career. I have been awarded for my riding abilities in both the equestrian and hunter-jumper divisions throughout multiple associations. One of the biggest awards that I have received was not for my riding abilities, but for my actions outside of the ring. I have been recognized two years in a row by the Interscholastic Equestrian Association when I received the National Sportsmanship Award (2019-3rd and 2018-5th place). Personally, that is the most important award that any person could receive, no matter the sport that you participate in. I was nominated for this award by my peers, my coach, and other coaches in the Interscholastic Equestrian Association. Overall, they took into consideration my equine related activities and awards, school related activities, volunteer and leadership activities, and my academic standing. This award had so much meaning to me because I put a lot of work into being a good sportsman to other riders in all situations. When my mom was diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer, it was very hard for me to give back to the equestrian community. But I realized, simply being a good sport could impact a person’s day and have an impact on a large amount of people.

Who do you look up to/ who inspires you in the equestrian field?
A group of riders that truly inspire me as an equestrian are the special Olympic riders. Watching their performances in all disciplines reminds me of the true bond between horse and rider. No matter the challenge at hand, they persist and put their best foot forward. These riders remind me that every ride we have is a blessing. We are so prone to get frustrated over the little things in life, but these riders show us that we can learn so much from these minute challenges. In our area, Storm Harbor Equestrian Facility has a program for special needs individuals to learn how to ride and compete in local shows. It brings me great joy to watch their progress as riders and how much happiness riding provides them.

Photography by L. Welsh Photography, LLC

What has riding taught you, and how has it developed you into who you are today?
I have ridden under numerous trainers which has formed me into the rider I am today. Each trainer had a different outlook on riding, and therefore each person provided a new insight on how to tackle individual issues. To this day, I still use some of the fundamental knowledge that my first competitive trainer taught me, Linda Stevens. The following coaches have taught me numerous lessons in the ring and outside the ring: Linda Stevens, Suzie Turner, Rebecca Bloom, Ahna Cafaro, Spencer Turnblacer,, Barbra Bancroft, Sharon Jodun, Heidi D’Angelo, Lauren Prisuta, and Karen Lenehan. These individuals not only provided me with the foundation of my riding knowledge, but also with my horsemanship knowledge and sportsmanship skills. I have been blessed to be surrounded by these talented equestrians not only as trainers, but individuals willing to help me build my character along the way.

Shaney 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

1 Comment

Erica Duffy

Erica Duffy – Washington
Nomination and Photography by Seen by Eileen
Issue 46 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Kenzie Roath

Kenzie Roath - Texas
Nomination and Photography by Angie Read Photography
Issue 45 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Shaney Enck

Shaney Enck - Pennsylvania
Interview by Olivia Bush
Nomination and Photography by L. Welsh Photography, LLC
Issue 30 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

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Erica Duffy

Erica Duffy – WashingtonNomination and Photography by Seen by EileenIssue 46 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Kenzie Roath

Kenzie Roath - TexasNomination and Photography by Angie Read PhotographyIssue 45 of Inspiring Teens Magazine​

Shaney Enck

Shaney Enck - PennsylvaniaInterview by Olivia BushNomination and Photography by L. Welsh Photography, LLCIssue 30 of Inspiring Teens Magazine​

Featured

Archives

Categories

Erica Duffy – Washington
Nomination and Photography by Seen by Eileen
Issue 46 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Kenzie Roath - Texas
Nomination and Photography by Angie Read Photography
Issue 45 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Shaney Enck - Pennsylvania
Interview by Olivia Bush
Nomination and Photography by L. Welsh Photography, LLC
Issue 30 of Inspiring Teens Magazine