Inspiring Teens Magazine Features

Kiah Coffin

9/28/2021

Kiah Coffin – Iowa
Nomination by Leah Coffin
Photography by Lehia Erger Photography + Design
Issue 49 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Nomination: Kiah Coffin is an exceptional example of leadership for many reasons. Kiah Coffin is the oldest of three girls and is a wonderful role model. Kiah Coffin sets great examples for her two younger sisters by staying involved with school, sports, and extracurriculars such as National Honor Society, National Council of Youth Leadership nominee, show choir, musical, volleyball, and track. Kiah Coffin is always trying new things as this is her first year in musical. Kiah Coffin believes in herself, and encourages others to believe in themselves too.

Photography by Lehia Erger Photography + Design

Tell us about your school life.
I am very busy all the time and have something after school everyday. Managing school work and sports can be difficult at times but I always do school work first. My favorite tradition that my school does in the homecoming king and queen court and all the pep rallies we have during homecoming week.

When you look back at covid and how it affected your life, what will you remember?
When I look back at Covid I remember working in the nursing home a lot during that time and since the resident couldn't have family come visit I would talk with them about their past. This showed me how much I need to value my family.

When did you get started in track and what do you currently run? What are some favorite accomplishments in track?
I started running track in 3rd grade and I currently run 200s, 400s, and 400s hurdles. I love making personal records for myself and whenever I beat my goal I consider those as huge accomplishments.

What is a favorite memory from volleyball?
My favorite memory about volleyball is during our first home game this year we went into five sets with a high ranked team and almost beat them. I'm so excited for this season because I see great potential in the team this year.

Photography by Lehia Erger Photography + Design

What musical are you doing this year and what is your part? Why did you decide to do it this year?
The musical this year is Cinderella and I have a small part because I am so busy with volleyball it would be hard to practice a larger role. I am Lady in waiting and I have a couple singing and speaking parts. I decided to join this year because it is my senior year and I wanted to try something different, and who doesn't like Cinderella.

What is your role in the NHS and what is your favorite part about being involved in it?
My role in the NHS is to offer some community service around our area. My favorite part about being involved in it is getting to help people around the community who need the extra help.

What does it mean to be a nominee for National Council of Youth Leadership?
Being a nominee for National Council of Youth Leadership means I am eligible to attend a two day leadership conference with other teens around the area.

What was your photo shoot like with Lehia Erger Photography + Design for your senior pictures? What was your favorite part and what part surprised you?
My photoshoot with Lehia Erger Photography + Design was so fun. Lehia had someone come to my house and do my hair and makeup before the shoot!
My favorite part about the photoshoot was getting into a river at the very end of the session to take some final pictures.

Photography by Lehia Erger Photography + Design

What else should we definitely know about you?
The traits I would like you to know about is how positive and hard working I am. I love working with others and encouraging them to do their best.

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
Some inspiring things about me that my nomination does not cover is that I’m always working hard and staying positive. Ways I demonstrate this is while playing volleyball and running track. I encourage my teammates and give the environment positive energy.

If you were to present a topic to a group of your peers, what would it be and why?
The things I feel most passionate about is how important it is to have a positive attitude and staying on top of school with how busy I am with all my extracurricular activities.

Look for Kiah in issue 49 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

click here for more information on issue 49

click here to nominate an inspiring teen

Haley McClue

6/24/2021

Haley McClue – Iowa
Nomination and Photography by Emily Hildreth Photography
Issue 47 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Nomination: Haley McClue is highly active in FFA, 4-H, and service projects with her school. FFA has helped her realize she wants to work in agriculture someday, and she will likely attend Iowa State University. She earned her Iowa Degree for FFA this year, which is the highest award you can achieve at the state level! Haley also loves road trips and hiking in addition to spending quality time with her family on their farm.

What would you most like to be interviewed about/what should we definitely know about you?
The Influence agriculture has had on my life.

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
I am a social butterfly. I love to meet new people and make new friends wherever I go!

If you were to present a topic to a group of your peers, what would it be on and why? (What do you feel passionate about or could talk forever about?)
Being yourself.

Look for Haley in issue 47 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

click here for more information on issue 47

click here to nominate an inspiring teen

BaiYu Fisher

1/21/2021

BaiYu Fisher – Iowa
Nomination by Ami Yaro
Photography by
Megan Ruth Photography & others
Issue 42 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

The Nomination: BaiYu Fisher was born in China with albinism and abandoned by her birth mother. She has difficulties with vision, yet she has become a great dancer and circus artist. She is a very positive and motivated person despite her difficult beginnings in life and her physical challenges. She has had the courage to come forward with even her toughest internal struggles and publicly tell her story in order to be a role model for others. At this point in my career, I have quite literally worked with thousands of young people. BaiYu inspires me.

Photography by KM Photography

Tell us about your childhood and physical challenges.
I was born in Xiamen City with a rare disease known as albinism. This means that I lack pigment in my skin, hair, and eyes. This disease is not curable, and its primary impact is on my eyesight. Growing up I had several accommodations in school to ensure my success. Even now that I am in college, Iowa State’s Student Accessibility Center has provided me with accommodations to aid in my educational success. Throughout my childhood I was extremely active and did several extracurricular activities and would not let my lack of vision stop me. As a dance, self-taught aerialist, hand balancer and contortionist I have proven that there is no limit to success. There is no limit to what you can do because of what you were born with, where you came from or what society says you should be able to do.

Photography by Gary Merrick Photography

Where are you now with the internal struggles that have impacted you as a teen?
Today I am continuing to learn and grow from my past. I am becoming an advocate for others who may be experiencing similar internal struggles. As someone with depression and anxiety, I understand the feeling of not being good enough. I know several teens who have experienced that feeling and being a voice for others is such an empowering thing to do. Contributing to changing the stigma around mental health is my current priority because mentally ill people are still human beings and should be treated as such. I truly believe that no diagnosis should define a person. Being able to stand up and come forward with my struggles has inspired other teens to do the same and the beauty in that is breathtaking. To know that I have such an impact on others gives me hope.

Photography by Jaime Hough Photography

How did you get into dance and contortion, and what is your training like? Walk us through your journey as well as what a typical training day is like.
As a child, my siblings were dancers, I grew up playing piano and doing gymnastics everywhere I went. When my siblings were in dance, I decided I was just going to “try” it. Seven years later and I found a new physical activity. I had gone to see my first Cirque Du Soleil show and was inspired to be a contortionist from that moment on. Living in Iowa I knew there weren’t any contortion instructors, so I began teaching myself. I began learning and expanding my knowledge in aerial arts and contortion. On training day, I always start with a warmup whether that be learning a new tik tok dance, dancing around the house, or going for a run. I typically do strengthening after that to prepare my body for handstands and contortion. From there I will stretch out and work on various contortion poses. Then come the handstands and lastly will come the aerial stuff and I will end with another stretch session and conditioning.

Look for BaiYu in issue 42 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

click here for more information on issue 42

click here to nominate an inspiring teen

Colby Sawvell

10/29/2020

Colby Sawvell – Iowa
Interview by Inspiring Teens
Nomination by Nathan Sawvell
Photography by Jon Henessee Photography
Issue 39 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

The Nomination: Colby Sawvell is inspiring to me for being a twin! In today's, world, trying to become yourself being a twin I feel is one of the hardest tasks. Individuality! He loves is fraternal brother to death. But trying to figure out who you are in this world without your twin, seems to be a struggle. My hope is they find themselves, while still holding on to their uniqueness!

What is it like having a twin?
Having a twin is the best thing that has ever happen to me. I don’t think I would want more than this, it’s like I always have a shadow always with me that loves to do what I do. We are the bond that is hard to break and we are always close or near each other we always like to go everywhere and do everything together it’s like I’m stuck to him all the time.

How are you alike, and how are you different?
We are alike in many different ways one of them is always wanting to do the same things together and want to hang out with the same friends. It’s like I have the same me always next to my side we always like enjoy each other’s company and go to our favorite places to eat. We are a lot different than you think one of us is more talkative and wants to interact with people. And the other one is quiet and wants to get work done but we still act the same if we are together.

What do you think is the biggest struggle about being a twin? How about for teens today in general?
I think the biggest struggle being a twin is having to argue a lot and just get mad at one another and still having to deal with it throughout the day because you are with him 24/7 and the main thing is you can’t get out of it and you have to find a way to make things better instead of staying mad at one another. The struggle for teens today is having them just go throughout the day and then having younger or older ones to play with and I will have to say, I get asked a lot about having a twin and them saying “I wish I had two of me it would be so fun”.

3 Things on your bucket list
My first thing I would wanna do is go skydiving, I wanna get that rush feeling and getting to see the nice views while falling. My second thing I would want to do is go scuba diving in the ocean and getting to see how it is like underwear and getting to see the sea life and how they are. My last thing on my bucket list is to drive a expensive sports car and having the feel of going fast.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years/what are your plans?
I see my self playing college football or having to start a new life in my chapter and getting the girl of my dreams. My plans are to go further into playing college football or getting somewhere in my physical therapy degree or we will just see where my life takes me.

Look for Colby in issue 39 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

Click here for more information on issue 39

Click here to nominate an inspiring teen

McKinna Hogan

8/26/2020

McKinna Hogan - Iowa
Interview by Olivia Bush
Nomination & Photography by Debbie Larson Photography
Issue 37 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

The Nomination: McKinna Hogan is involved in cross country, basketball, track, and softball. She is a stellar athlete and has even qualified for the Iowa cross country state meet. McKinna not only plays for her school softball team but also plays on a travel team. This busy girl also makes time for community service. She is involved in her local 4H and FFA chapters and Student Council. She regularly is seen around her town helping with many different projects. Even with all this she still makes time for excellent grades and was chosen to be in the National Honor Society.

Photography by Debbie Larson Photography

What different sports do you play and how did you find a passion for sports?
I am active in cross country, basketball, track, and softball. I also play for a traveling softball team each fall and spring. I would say that I found my passion for sports through my small town. My town consists of about 1,400 people, which is pretty small. With that being said, it is a lot easier to be a four-sport athlete here. I have been playing since I was a second or third grader. As I have gotten older I realized that it is something I thoroughly enjoy and thrive off of.

Out of all the memories you have made through your sports teams which has been the most memorable? Why?
I have made many memories through my sports teams but beating the most wins in a season record in softball my sophomore year is my most memorable. Our team was thriving, and the atmosphere was so fun to be around.

What do you love so much about working with kids? Is this something you would want to do when you are older?
Working with kids has always been something that I enjoy. I started babysitting in fifth grade. Since then I have gained many more kids that I get the opportunity to babysit. I love working with them so much because I have a privilege of getting to help them grow and learn. Right now, working with kids in the future is not something I am looking to do.

Image by Meg Barker

Tell me more about being a Beachbody coach! What is this and what do you love so much about it?
I have been doing Beachbody workouts and using their products for a little over a year now, but I just started coaching in June. Beachbody coaching is helping people change their lifestyle for the better and helping them stay committed to their goals. Beachbody gets people connected to not only a fitness program, but also an eating plan. I love doing this because health and fitness is something I am passionate about and I want others to have the best lifestyle they can. I want to help others be their best selves.

What are some goals that you have for your future? Do you want to continue sports in college?
One of my biggest goals for my future is to attend college and graduate with a degree. I then want to start my career and later start a family. Like everyone, I want to be successful. Right now, continuing sports in college is up in the air.

McKinna will be featured in issue 37 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

Click here for more information on issue 37

click here to nominate an inspiring teen

Kiah Coffin

Kiah Coffin – Iowa
Nomination by Leah Coffin
Photography by Lehia Erger Photography + Design
Issue 49 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Haley McClue

Haley McClue – Iowa
Nomination and Photography by Emily Hildreth Photography
Issue 47 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

BaiYu Fisher

BaiYu Fisher – Iowa
Nomination by Ami Yaro
Photography by
Megan Ruth Photography & others
Issue 42 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Colby Sawvell

Colby Sawvell – Iowa
Interview by Inspiring Teens
Nomination by Nathan Sawvell
Photography by Jon Henessee Photography
Issue 39 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

McKinna Hogan

McKinna Hogan - Iowa
Interview by Olivia Bush
Nomination & Photography by Debbie Larson Photography
Issue 37 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Featured

Archives

Categories

Kiah Coffin

Kiah Coffin – IowaNomination by Leah CoffinPhotography by Lehia Erger Photography + DesignIssue 49 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Haley McClue

Haley McClue – IowaNomination and Photography by Emily Hildreth PhotographyIssue 47 of Inspiring Teens Magazine​

BaiYu Fisher

BaiYu Fisher – IowaNomination by Ami YaroPhotography by​Megan Ruth Photography & othersIssue 42 of Inspiring Teens Magazine​

Colby Sawvell

Colby Sawvell – IowaInterview by Inspiring TeensNomination by Nathan SawvellPhotography by Jon Henessee PhotographyIssue 39 of Inspiring Teens Magazine​

McKinna Hogan

McKinna Hogan - IowaInterview by Olivia BushNomination & Photography by Debbie Larson PhotographyIssue 37 of Inspiring Teens Magazine​

Featured

Archives

Categories

Kiah Coffin – Iowa
Nomination by Leah Coffin
Photography by Lehia Erger Photography + Design
Issue 49 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Haley McClue – Iowa
Nomination and Photography by Emily Hildreth Photography
Issue 47 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

BaiYu Fisher – Iowa
Nomination by Ami Yaro
Photography by
Megan Ruth Photography & others
Issue 42 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Colby Sawvell – Iowa
Interview by Inspiring Teens
Nomination by Nathan Sawvell
Photography by Jon Henessee Photography
Issue 39 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

McKinna Hogan - Iowa
Interview by Olivia Bush
Nomination & Photography by Debbie Larson Photography
Issue 37 of Inspiring Teens Magazine