Inspiring Teens Magazine Features

Ty Thompson

5/8/2019

Ty Thompson – Texas
Interview by Zoe D'Angelo
Nomination by Berkley Thompson
Photography by Lisa McNiel Photography
Issue 21 - Inspiring Teens Magazine

The Nomination: Ty is a real example of a servant leader. As an elected member of the Amarillo High School Student Executive Council, he has over 1000 volunteer hours. The High Plains Food Bank, Snack Pack for Kids, Amarillo Symphony, and First Baptist Church Missions are some of the organizations for which he has volunteered. Ty has served as an officer in History and Latin Club as well as Jr. Class Secretary and was on the golf team. Ty enjoys US history, Texas Country music and sharing his faith. Ty is always smiling and is currently attaining his private pilot's license.

Tell us about your interest in planes and wanting to become a pilot.
"Once you have flown a plane, your eyes will always look to the skies." That's a saying that I live by daily. Ever since I was a little kid, I've always been fascinated with the idea of flight.

What is something you think not a lot of people know about planes?
1. Chemtrails are a lie.
2. Airplanes are the safest means of transportation.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to be where you are today?
If you work hard, have a good group of friends and set your goals in life high, you will be able to reach your wildest dreams.

What about you inspires others?
I am driven to work hard at everything I do. It doesn't matter what gifts or talents you are given; those who work for it will prosper.

Who do you find inspiring?
I often look at my grandparents for guidance or even advice. I see what all they have overcome through the decades and listen to what they have to say.

What is your favorite activity or pastime that wasn't in your nomination?
In my spare time, I love to sing. I sing in our high schools' varsity choir. I also love singing with friends and family and write my music when I'm at home.
Who is your favorite artist?
My favorite artist is Alan Jackson. Not only does he have some down south country, he also has some Texas country. He produces music that everyone can dance along too.

What are some of your favorite country songs?
"Summertime Blues" Alan Jackson, "Write This Down," George Strait and "Galveston" Glen Campbell.

What organizations were your favorite to volunteer at and why?
My favorite organization to serve at was Executive Council. The role of an Exec member is to serve the school's needs. Organizing for prom and food drives for the less fortunate were some of my fondest memories.

What were some of your duties as an officer in the History and Latin Club?
I organized and oversaw many of the club's activities. I often put together meetings and held weekly service opportunities such as packing lunch sacks for the less fortunate to eat on the weekends.

How did your career in golf begin? How long have you played the sport?
Golfing has been a life long past time for my family and me. Growing up with a father and grandfather who played made it easy for me to pick up the sport and try to keep up. I often find myself trying to convince my friends to play.

How do you keep yourself organized with everything you have on your plate?
I keep a calendar with all the dates and times of events where I need to be.

Do you have a hidden talent? What is it?
I used to shoot shotguns competitively for our county's 4-H team.

What are three things on your bucket list?
1. I have always wanted to skydive.
2. I would love to travel to Sweden.
3. Fly a vintage f-4 Corsair

Anything else you'd like to tell us?
I'm honored to be nominated for this opportunity, and I'm looking forward to knowing who wins.

Ty will be featured in issue 21 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

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Briley Carter

3/24/2019

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Briley Carter - Kentucky
Interview by Zoe D’Angelo
Nomination and Photography by Samantha Tooley (Tooley Photography)
Featured in Issue 16 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

The Nomination: Briley has been through more in her life that most kids ever need to go through. She was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at a young age. She was diagnosed after crashing and almost dying. Around the same time, her family home burned, and her family had to rebuild. This past year, the day before her senior shoot, her family home was hit by a tornado (while her brother and sister were home alone while she and her parents were at her golf tournament). She spent the scheduled day of her senior pictures cleaning up and packing what was left of their home.

On top of all of this, Briley hasn't missed a beat. She has continued her successful golfing career and will be attending college to further that career. She has worked with families who have children with Type 1 Diabetes as their caregiver to help manage their diabetes. She joined the DanceBlue committee as a sophomore and is now the Team Relations Chair. DanceBlue is a dance marathon that raises money for kids with pediatric cancer. Their committee raised over $50,000 last year for pediatric cancer!

Briley is an inspiration - a breath of fresh air. She has such an amazing future ahead of her!

Image by Owensboro times

How did you become interested in golfing?
I became interested in golf through my dad. He would always take me out to the course when I was little and i would watch him play; I have been around golf since I could remember; I started playing the sport at age 6 and then I joined the high school varsity team in the 5th grade. I will continue my golf career at Campbellsville University.

Tell me about your position being the Team Relations Chair.
Being the Team Relations Chair on our DanceBlue committee is something I am incredibly proud of. DanceBlue is a 24 hour dance marathon where the participants don’t sit down or sleep or rest to raise money for pediatric cancer. DanceBlue originated at the University of Kentucky and their committee branched out their enthusiasm to many high school across the state. My school, committee, and community raised over $68,000 for the kids at our eight hour mini marathon, and every penny went to the kids in the hospital at UK. As the Team Relations Chair, I get together door prizes, make sure all the food is ordered for our marathon, and create competitions between dancers. Helping these kids will be a passion of mine forever.

Image by Tooley Photography

How did you cope with having Type 1 diabetes at a young age?
Coping with T1D, at first, was a very hard thing. I constantly asked myself, “Why me?” and would come home crying after school every day. After a few months, I asked myself, “Why me?” again, but with a different perspective. I then saw my disease as a window of new opportunities; and knew that God gave this to me for a reason and I needed to figure out that reason. I now babysit other kids with T1D; I also get many families coming to me and asking how I made peace with my disease and if I could help their child out in doing the same.

Tell me a little bit about rebuilding your home.
Going through the rebuilding process of my house was a struggle. We were considered homeless for almost five months- we moved back into our house on December 31st and January 8th would’ve been five months. Rebuilding our house from the tornado wasn’t our first experience with having to rebuild; in 2007 we had a house fire and lost everything. I say ‘house’ instead of ‘home’ because I am a true believer that “home is where the heart is” and as long as my family is safe and we were all together, I was at home. I’m thankful that my siblings- who were home alone during the tornado- are safe and still with me and that means more than any materialistic thing.

Image by Carrie Carter

What’s next for you?

I hope to double-major in Criminal Justice and Psychology and minor in communications at Campbellsville University after high school. After that, I am hoping I will find myself in an investigation job. I also plan to go on many international mission trips and further the name of Christ to many nations. I also plan to be the best version of myself and not let my diabetes or other struggles in life to control my happiness.

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Ty Thompson

Ty Thompson – Texas
Interview by Zoe D'Angelo
Nomination by Berkley Thompson
Photography by Lisa McNiel Photography
Issue 21 - Inspiring Teens Magazine

Briley Carter

Briley Carter - Kentucky
Interview by Zoe D’Angelo
Nomination and Photography by Samantha Tooley (Tooley Photography)
Featured in Issue 16 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Featured

Archives

Categories

Ty Thompson

​Ty Thompson – TexasInterview by Zoe D'AngeloNomination by Berkley ThompsonPhotography by Lisa McNiel PhotographyIssue 21 - Inspiring Teens Magazine​

Briley Carter

Briley Carter - KentuckyInterview by Zoe D’AngeloNomination and Photography by Samantha Tooley (Tooley Photography)Featured in Issue 16 of Inspiring Teens Magazine​

Featured

Archives

Categories

Ty Thompson – Texas
Interview by Zoe D'Angelo
Nomination by Berkley Thompson
Photography by Lisa McNiel Photography
Issue 21 - Inspiring Teens Magazine

Briley Carter - Kentucky
Interview by Zoe D’Angelo
Nomination and Photography by Samantha Tooley (Tooley Photography)
Featured in Issue 16 of Inspiring Teens Magazine