Inspiring Teens Magazine Features

Russell Sharpe

5/21/2020

Russell Sharpe - Arkansas
Interview by Claire Plath
Nomination by Lynn Caul
Photography by Julie Sharpe
Issue 33 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

The Nomination: Russell Sharpe is an amazing young man. He loves being active in his church, FFA, and USBC bowling. He is a one of a kind person. He is a great role model for kids to look up to. He gives 150% in everything he does. He will help people to strive to be better.

What do you love most about agriculture, and how did you develop a passion for it?
The thing I love most about it would be cattle, I developed a passion as a young boy being around my grandpa Bruce Caul

Tell me a little bit about the ways you are involved in agriculture including through FFA.
I was on the Ag Mechanics team for 3 years and was highly successful. I also showed livestock in FFA including pigs, goats, broilers, and cattle.

How have you also been active in your church, and what have you done through your church to help others?
I help out as I can and sometimes, I play the drums.

As a part of USBC bowling, what has been your favorite memory?
I would say bowling my first 300 game would be my favorite!

How have you become a role model to others through your strive to be better, and dedication to all that you are involved in in your life?
I just work hard, and others see that and I try to help others as much as possible.

What is the hardest thing you’ve ever accomplished, and how did you do it?
The hardest thing I’ve ever accomplished would be showing 4 different species of animals at the same time and being in my hardest year of high school.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to be where you are today?
The harder you work the better results you will have!

Where do you see yourself in 5 years/what are your plans for the future?
I see myself somewhere in Arkansas with g an ag teacher.

What is your favorite activity or pastime that wasn’t in your nomination?
I enjoy riding my fourwheeler with my friends.

Do you have a hidden talent? What is it?
I play the drums.

If you could publicly present any topic to a group of your peers, what would it be and why? Simply just agriculture and everything to do with it I would want them to realize without it we have nothing because just about everything revolves around it.

2 Things on your bucket list
Be an ag teacher
Win a major pig show

Who do you find inspiring?
I find my ag teachers inspiring because they strive 110% to make the best possible outcome for me and other FFA members.

What about you inspires others/why do you think you are inspiring?
I always go out of my way to talk to others and help them out.

Russell will be featured in issue 33 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

Click here for more information on issue 33 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

click here to nominate an inspiring teen

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Rose Davies

4/4/2020

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Rose Davies – Idaho
Interview by Claire Plath
Nomination by Christy Davies
Photography by Summer Brander Photography
Issue 32 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

The Nomination: Rose Davies strives daily to accomplish her dreams, whether it's playing soccer as a 4 year starter or leading or FFA chapter as president or chasing banners in the livestock show ring, she does it with intensity, passion and integrity. It is this that has led her to traveling all over the country representing agriculture. She has her own business for which she raises and sells show lambs and will be attending Blackhawk College to pursue a degree in agriculture business and looking at law following.

Photography by Legacy Livestock Imaging

What do you love most about being involved in agriculture your whole life, and how it has also led you to become so active in FFA?
Agriculture has always been a staple in our family growing up. I became extremely active in 4H and FFA over the past eight years, I started showing nationally and ran for FFA Office. My parents, 4H leaders, and mentors always drove me to do whatever I dreamed of, I then made the decision to dive into FFA and showing my livestock.

Tell me about your experiences of traveling all over the country to represent agriculture.
These past eight years I have travelled to many different states, meeting new people and finding new experiences. One of my favorite shows is the Northern International Livestock Exposition, in Billings, Montana. This show takes place in early October, I have met my best friends at this show and have had extreme success here. The show circuit takes place all spring, summer and then the national show circuit starts with NILE and ends in Denver in January.

Photography by Robyn @ Cowfoto

What impact does the youth have on agriculture and building their communities through it?
Agriculture is an essential part of the world's future, with youth becoming involved more it shows the potential of our future. Showing livestock helps drive the prospects of the commercial livestock industry, but it also shows how the agriculture industry in crops.

How has your love for agriculture led you to attend Blackhawk College while also pursuing a degree in agriculture business?
Showing nationally allows you to meet tons of people, which is when I heard about Blackhawk. This school has an outstanding agricultural business program and a full vet tech program. This was my dream school, it made it even easier to say yes when I was given the opportunity to judge livestock collegiately.

What are some ways you can inspire other teens to become active in their communities to improve the environment of our country?
As a high school student, life was always pushed to improve your transcript and resumes for colleges. While it is our future, it is also your high school experiences. Getting involved in your individual communities can be easy, do something you love, but that doesn't just help you. Join your local FFA chapter and get active, volunteer to tutor students in your school district, or pick up trash around town.

Photography by Jennifer Cummins

Can you tell me more about your passion for soccer, and how it has also led you to being a 4 year starter?
My career in soccer started when I was five years old. My parents were both extremely active through life and both played a variety of sports, so what do I do? Choose the one sport they never played of course. I went from rec, to club, to school ball and have so many memories on and off the field, of course every athlete eventually has an injury and mine came in the middle of my senior year when I tore my acl. I had gone from four year starter to on the bench cheering on my team, I postponed surgery for two months, and continued showing to pursue my dreams.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to be where you are today?
To the show kid sitting at home reading this, Keep working, no matter what, always believe in what you are doing. I know that it can be difficult when your parents say you can't go out with friends because you have to wash your animals or clean pens or catch up on school work because you missed some for a show. Remember that this is to achieve your goals. Keep pushing yourself, your village is behind you!

Rose will be featured in issue 32 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

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Blake Richardson

12/5/2019

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Blake Richardson - Indiana
Interview by Zoe D’Angelo
Nomination by Johnna Richardson
Photography by MJ Portrait Design
Issue 28 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

The Nomination: Blake Richardson has always been very motivated from the start. I remember even as a little kid; he would do things over and over until he had it right. He's a bit of a perfectionist, which has always made parenting him easy. We could never hold him to the same standards that he holds himself, which is also a challenge for him. He is always working. Since he was 4 days old, the outdoors has always been his "happy place". Especially at the lake. When MJ Portrait Design came to take his pictures, she said she could see him completely relax, like this is where he is meant to be. He rocks the water shot!

Photography by MJ Portrait Design

How long have you been playing football? How did you become interested?
I have been playing football since pre-school. Football has always been a big part of my family and a way that we bond, and I have loved it since I was old enough to understand it. When I got the chance to start playing, I didn’t hesitate.

What does it mean to you when someone says, “You’re a good team player”? Explain.
For me, it means I’m doing everything right. Not only am I here to compete, but I’m here to develop myself and all the others around me. When someone says I’m a good team player, I know I have accomplished those goals.

Photography by MJ Portrait Design

What are some leadership opportunities you have had?
I have had the opportunity to be a part of my school’s student leaders and mentors program. I was an officer of the FFA chapter for 2 years, and a captain of the football team. I am also a member of student council, National Honor Society VP, and Senior Class VP.

Photography by MJ Portrait Design

Finish the sentence: “Blake Richardson is great at......” Please explain why.
Being a leader. Whether it is someone my age or just below me or a kid just entering kindergarten, one of my favorite things is helping them develop their abilities and watch them grow as a person.

Photography by MJ Portrait Design

Tell us about your childhood, having a great mind set of never going up from such a young age.
As a child, I loved building things and taking them apart. Sometimes when I couldn’t figure it out, I would spend hours putting it back together, which sparked the desire to challenge myself and always work until I can solve the problem.

Blake will be featured in issue 28 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

Click here for more information on issue 28

click here to nominate an inspiring teen

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Dylan Jones

10/14/2019

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Dylan Jones -Illinois
Interview by Claire Plath
Nomination and Photography by Brooke + Cheryl Photography
Issue 27 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

The Nomination: Dylan Jones is a senior at Ridgeview where he is a captain of the football team, a standout on the basketball court and a member of the FFA. He works hard on and off the court, strives to be his best and gives his all. Dylan is hard working, determined and always willing to lend a helping hand - a good role model and inspiration to all who know him.

Image by Brooke + Cheryl Photography

What do you enjoy most about football and basketball?
What I enjoy most about both sports is the competitiveness and the great feeling of getting a win.

What was your favorite memory so far of being a captain of the football team?
My favorite moment was beating Rockford Christian week 1. It was my favorite moment because they thought they were going to beat us by 20.

Image by Lisa Wilson

How do you continue to be a role model to others in your daily life?
I help others when they need it. I also make sure if someone is down on themselves. I try my best to make them smile.

Tell me about your FFA and the hard work that goes along with it?
I go to dairy judging and I also help with fundraisers we do. There is a lot of hard work to make sure everything goes smoothly.

Image by Kamala Jones

How has your kind and inspiring personality impacted your outlook on your life?
It has let me know that there is always something to look forward to.

Dylan will be featured in Issue 27 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

Click here to PURCHASE Issue 27

click here to nominate an inspiring teen

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Russell Sharpe

Russell Sharpe - Arkansas
Interview by Claire Plath
Nomination by Lynn Caul
Photography by Julie Sharpe
Issue 33 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Rose Davies

Rose Davies – Idaho
Interview by Claire Plath
Nomination by Christy Davies
Photography by Summer Brander Photography
Issue 32 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Blake Richardson

Blake Richardson - Indiana
Interview by Zoe D’Angelo
Nomination by Johnna Richardson
Photography by MJ Portrait Design
Issue 28 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Dylan Jones

Dylan Jones -Illinois
Interview by Claire Plath
Nomination and Photography by Brooke + Cheryl Photography
Issue 27 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

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Russell Sharpe

​Russell Sharpe - ArkansasInterview by Claire PlathNomination by Lynn CaulPhotography by Julie SharpeIssue 33 of Inspiring Teens Magazine​

Rose Davies

Rose Davies – IdahoInterview by Claire PlathNomination by Christy DaviesPhotography by Summer Brander PhotographyIssue 32 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Blake Richardson

Blake Richardson - IndianaInterview by Zoe D’AngeloNomination by Johnna RichardsonPhotography by MJ Portrait DesignIssue 28 of Inspiring Teens Magazine​

Dylan Jones

Dylan Jones -IllinoisInterview by Claire PlathNomination and Photography by Brooke + Cheryl PhotographyIssue 27 of Inspiring Teens Magazine​

Featured

Archives

Categories

Russell Sharpe - Arkansas
Interview by Claire Plath
Nomination by Lynn Caul
Photography by Julie Sharpe
Issue 33 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Rose Davies – Idaho
Interview by Claire Plath
Nomination by Christy Davies
Photography by Summer Brander Photography
Issue 32 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Blake Richardson - Indiana
Interview by Zoe D’Angelo
Nomination by Johnna Richardson
Photography by MJ Portrait Design
Issue 28 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Dylan Jones -Illinois
Interview by Claire Plath
Nomination and Photography by Brooke + Cheryl Photography
Issue 27 of Inspiring Teens Magazine