Inspiring Teens Magazine Features

Katelyn Watts

4/8/2019

Katelyn Watts - Kentucky
Interview by Michelle Sicard
Nomination and Photography by Jennifer Dunn Photography
Featured in Issue 16 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

The Nomination: Katelyn is super sweet! She loves her family and really loves her dogs! She has a great sense of humor and a big heart! I've really enjoyed getting to know Katelyn this year!

Tell me about the most amazing experience or memory you have had with your family.
The most amazing times I’ve had with my family is the time I get to spend with every one of them at our family camp. We call it “Anna’s Acres” after my great grandmother who had passed away at Nolin Lake. We all get to spend time with each other boating, swimming, and at the end of the day preparing dinner together! It’s truly a fun bonding experience.

What are some of your favorite hobbies or things to do in your free time?
In my free time I love to spend time with my friends or family, I really love to shop, and this may be odd, but I do love driving through parks every now and then.

As an inspiration for those around you, what advice would you give to other teens looking to pursue their dreams and find their true passions?
Just go for it! You never know the outcome of something new if you don’t try it - so why not! If you push yourself to try something new you can have fun with it!

Image taken by Katelyn's mom

Tell me about a time where you experienced a leadership opportunity.
I have always been close with my younger cousin because family is really important to me, so while she was going through hard times I stepped up to help her in every way I could even when nobody else had believed in her.

How many dogs do you have and why do you think it is important for people to have a "furry best friend" in their lives?
I have two dogs currently & would love more! I can’t stress enough how important it is to have a furry best friend. My pups are there for me when I am at a low. I truly believe dogs know when there is something wrong and when you need some love. Dogs mean the world to me & I know I couldn’t live without my happy furry best friends. Dog kisses are the best kisses.

What do you plan on doing after high school?
After high school I plan on attending college for my business degree & after that I would love to attend a cosmetology school so I could open a beauty business in the future!

Katelyn was featured in Issue 16 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

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Regan Corbet

4/3/2019

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Regan Corbet - Indiana
Interview by Zoe D’Angelo
Nomination and Photography by Jennifer Dunn Photography
Featured in Issue 16 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

The Nomination: Regan dances competitively and is very good! She has a heart of gold, I've seen it with the way she works with the day care kids. She has great plans when she grows up!

How did you become in dancing & what are your favorite songs to dance to?
I became interested in dancing because my older sister was a dancer and I loved the idea that when I'm dancing, I can be whoever I want to be. Picture taken by Jennifer Dunn, makeup inspiration from The Black Swan
I love dancing to any contemporary song because there is so much meaning in the lyrics that I can really relate to.

What do you like most about working with kids and is it your future?
I love the thought that I am impacting someone's life, either through teaching them how to dance or teaching them how to write. It is an amazing feeling when they finally accomplish what they are trying to learn with my help. I love to encourage people to accomplish their goals and I will always help if you ask me to. I plan to go to Hanover College to become Elementary School Teacher.

Regan was featured in Issue 16 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

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Kathryn Oelker

3/30/2019

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Kathryn Oelker - Indiana
Interview by Zoe D’Angelo
Nomination and Photography by Jennifer Dunn Photography
Featured in Issue 16 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

The Nomination: Katie plays softball and runs tech for theater. She loves her puppies! She is also an amazing makeup artist! Katie's best quality is how good of a friend she is. She is there through thick and thin no questions asked. I love that about Katie!

The first thing I want to be recognized for is a hard topic for me. It's an insecurity of mine that I have been working on overcoming throughout my life. I have dyslexia. I have dyslexia, and I'm successful in my school work. I might not be first in my class, but that is okay. I have graduated from my Individual Education Plan (IEP). I take and have taken college level class. I have a good GPA. I have dyslexia and I have played varsity softball all four years. The first thing I want to be recognized is that I have dyslexia and I'm a successful student. I want to be recognized for this so that other students with learning disabilities know that they can be too.

I have been playing softball since I was four years old. I probably became interested in softball at that age so that I would have something to do, instead of driving my parents crazy. The thing that kept me interested in softball all these years is how you can put your whole self into the game, no matter what you are feeling. Softball makes you step away from your problems. If you are upset, it lets you focus on something good. You can let out frustration or anger of any kind. Or it is just fun to play with, or against, your friends.

My favorite kind of puppies are the ones that are goofy and light-hearted. I have had two goldendoodle puppies in my life. They are one of the silliest and kindest dogs. They might get pretty big, but everything they do is out of curiosity or playfulness.

My favorite type of makeup is special effects makeup. Special effects makeup (fx makeup) is the makeup style they use in horror movies. Fx makeup is what makes the actors look hurt or creepy. I love Fx makeup because it is another way to express myself and you get to build something scary from scratch. I want to learn more about glam makeup. I can do traditional makeup, but I would like to learn how to do colorful and dramatic makeup.

My plan for the future is to go to Ball State University to receive a Bachelor of science in dietetics. I hope to work with athletes or with families that need help to become healthier.

Kathryn was featured in Issue 16 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

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Joe Gryboski

3/23/2019

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Joe Gryboski - Indiana
Interview by Zoe D’Angelo
Nomination and Photography by Jennifer Dunn Photography
Issue 16 Inspiring Teens Magazine

The Nomination: I cannot say enough good things about Joe! Not only is he an Eagle Scout, he also plays varsity soccer and manages the girls’ basketball team. Joe is a great student and very driven. The best thing about Joe for me is how helpful and fun he is. He adds so much as the only guy on my model rep team. He makes each session so much fun for everyone!

How did you become interested in soccer?
I became interested in soccer as a kid who just wanted to get out of the house and have fun. I started playing soccer when I was three years old, and I haven’t stopped playing since. I started
playing rec-league, but I decided that I wanted to improve my skills heading into high school, so I tried out for a travel team. I have played for the Kentucky Fire Jrs. and for the Southern Indiana United club teams. While travel ball was a lot of fun, I have made some of my best memories and friends playing soccer for my high school, Our Lady of Providence. Two of these incredible memories include getting to play in the Indiana State Championship game as a sophomore and leading my team to the Semi-State Finals as a senior.

What are your experiences of being the only guy on your model rep team?
Being the only guy on Jennifer Dunn Photography’s model rep team has been interesting to say the least. While the female models are usually doing similar things on shoots, Jennifer and I get come up with unique ways to include me. This results in me being the subject in photos that really stand out. I have been given the opportunity to be creative and express myself in ways that I hadn’t thought of before. My mom originally forced me to join Jennifer’s team, but I am thankful that she did because I have developed a real interest in photography.

Image by Dawn Gryboski

Tell me about your Eagle Scout leadership opportunities.
It had always been my goal to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout; I fulfilled this goal this past summer with the completion of my Eagle Scout Project. My project was providing Norton Children’s Hospital with two gaming carts that were equipped with a Wii, an Xbox, and a flatscreen TV. During this project I oversaw the fundraising, construction, and installation of these carts, which included working with over 50 people. Throughout this whole process, I learned that I was capable of leading others whether it was listening, guiding, or instructing them. I am very proud to have been able to help out my community.

What are your plans for the future?
While I don’t currently know which college I will be attending this Fall, I do know that I want to major in Sports Medicine Physical Therapy, and possibly minor in Photography. I want to study Sports Medicine Physical Therapy because of my love of helping others and my love of sports. I have encountered numerous injuries during my athletic career, so I have seen firsthand how important the job of Physical Therapists can be. I want to minor in Photography because of my new interest in that creative field. I have always been intrigued by it because my mom has let me use her camera before, but the experiences of being on Jennifer Dunn’s model rep team has solidified my interest.

Joe was featured in Issue 16 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

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click here to purchase inspiring teens magazine

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Alexis Filmer

3/20/2019

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Alexis Filmer - Indiana
Interview by Sierra Zaccagnino
Nomination & Photography by Jennifer Dunn Photography
Featured in Issue 16 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

The nomination: Alexis is an AMAZING volleyball player! To know her in person you wouldn't expect her to be so aggressive on the court, but she is! She is a sweet, kind and funny girl too!

What inspired you to start playing volleyball?
I started as a basketball player at the age of 4 but at age 7 I watched my older cousin, Abbie, play a high school volleyball game and knew that volleyball was the sport for me. I started playing that next season and loved it. I hope that I have been able to inspire another young athlete the way Abbie inspired me.

What has been the biggest challenge being a student athlete and how have you overcome it?
My biggest challenge being a student athlete is finding the time to balance my volleyball schedule and rigorous school curriculum. Playing volleyball all year round, overcoming it has not been easy but sacrificing social events to make time for academics has been well worth it.

In your opinion, what is the most rewarding part of being an athlete?
Although there are many, if I had to narrow it down to one reward it would be the family like bond I have made with my teammates past and present. I have built many friendships with coaches and players that mean so much to me. I know they will last a lifetime.

Is there anything else besides volleyball that you are well known for?
I love to travel! My family has always made travel a priority and I have been lucky enough to see a lot of the world. I enjoy seeing and participating in the customs of other cultures. This has been such a big part of my life that my family even took our photographer, Jennifer Dunn, on a couple trips with us to capture my love for traveling. I hope to continue this into my adulthood.

What are your plans for the future?
I plan to attend college and become a Speech Pathology/American Sign Language major. I have a passion to help people and tend to gravitate towards children. I hope to have a career working with special needs children.

Alexis was featured in Issue 16 of Inspiring Teens Magazine.

Click here to nominate an inspiring teen

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Katelyn Watts

Katelyn Watts - Kentucky
Interview by Michelle Sicard
Nomination and Photography by Jennifer Dunn Photography
Featured in Issue 16 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Regan Corbet

Regan Corbet - Indiana
Interview by Zoe D’Angelo
Nomination and Photography by Jennifer Dunn Photography
Featured in Issue 16 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Kathryn Oelker

Kathryn Oelker - Indiana
Interview by Zoe D’Angelo
Nomination and Photography by Jennifer Dunn Photography
Featured in Issue 16 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Joe Gryboski

Joe Gryboski - Indiana
Interview by Zoe D’Angelo
Nomination and Photography by Jennifer Dunn Photography
Issue 16 Inspiring Teens Magazine

Alexis Filmer

Alexis Filmer - Indiana
Interview by Sierra Zaccagnino
Nomination & Photography by Jennifer Dunn Photography
Featured in Issue 16 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Featured

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Katelyn Watts

Katelyn Watts - KentuckyInterview by Michelle SicardNomination and Photography by Jennifer Dunn PhotographyFeatured in Issue 16 of Inspiring Teens Magazine​

Regan Corbet

Regan Corbet - IndianaInterview by Zoe D’AngeloNomination and Photography by Jennifer Dunn PhotographyFeatured in Issue 16 of Inspiring Teens Magazine​

Kathryn Oelker

Kathryn Oelker - IndianaInterview by Zoe D’AngeloNomination and Photography by Jennifer Dunn PhotographyFeatured in Issue 16 of Inspiring Teens Magazine​

Joe Gryboski

Joe Gryboski - IndianaInterview by Zoe D’AngeloNomination and Photography by Jennifer Dunn PhotographyIssue 16 Inspiring Teens Magazine

Alexis Filmer

Alexis Filmer - IndianaInterview by Sierra ZaccagninoNomination & Photography by Jennifer Dunn PhotographyFeatured in Issue 16 of Inspiring Teens Magazine​

Featured

Archives

Categories

Katelyn Watts - Kentucky
Interview by Michelle Sicard
Nomination and Photography by Jennifer Dunn Photography
Featured in Issue 16 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Regan Corbet - Indiana
Interview by Zoe D’Angelo
Nomination and Photography by Jennifer Dunn Photography
Featured in Issue 16 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Kathryn Oelker - Indiana
Interview by Zoe D’Angelo
Nomination and Photography by Jennifer Dunn Photography
Featured in Issue 16 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Joe Gryboski - Indiana
Interview by Zoe D’Angelo
Nomination and Photography by Jennifer Dunn Photography
Issue 16 Inspiring Teens Magazine

Alexis Filmer - Indiana
Interview by Sierra Zaccagnino
Nomination & Photography by Jennifer Dunn Photography
Featured in Issue 16 of Inspiring Teens Magazine