Inspiring Teens Magazine Features

Lillee Engen

9/3/2020

Lillee Engen - Louisiana
Interview by Claire Plath
Nomination by Aimee Williams
Photography by Luckett Portrait Studio
Issue 37 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

The Nomination: Lillee Engen is the hardest working teen I know. She not only has a 3.9 GPA but is graduating with 18 hours towards her bachelor in May. She is a leader on the Danceline -choreographing or mentoring younger dancers. You can find her working out every day at F45. Committed, determined, and has her eyes set for her goals.

Photography by Luckett Portrait Studio

Being a leader on the dance team comes with lots of responsibility. As a 3rd year veteran, I am responsible for taking care of all the new members and helping with making sure that everything runs smoothly. I also help with choreography on the dance team. As well as being a competitive team, we also perform at all the football games, basketball games, and band competitions. It is up to us as a team to work together to come with innovative choreography that is entertaining and impressive to the audience. Being a leader on the team is like a full-time job where you are always accounted for.

Being a dancer requires skill and commitment. I have been dancing for 15 years and of those 15 years, I have been competing for 12 years. Every week, I practice for about 8 hours at my school for the dance line and occasionally I will take dance classes at Evolve 26. Dance takes lots of strength and stamina to execute the moves we must do. To help with that, I work out at F45 every day where there is a mix of both stamina and strength workouts that last 45 minutes.

As a student with a 3.9 GPA, there is a lot of hard work that goes into that. I have been taking honors classes since I was 8th grade where I was able to receive high school credit as an 8th grader. As I transitioned to high school, I continued to take honors math classes as well as duel enrollment classes. Currently, I am taking duel enrollment calculus and English IV. I also took duel enrollment American History all through LSU. When I graduate, I will have 18 hours towards college credit.

Photography by Luckett Portrait Studio

In the future, I would like to attend Louisiana State University. I have always had a passion for biology and sciences so I either want to study Biomedical Engineering or Forensic Science. I also would like to continue dancing in college, and I would like to try out for LSU Tiger Girls which is the competitive dance team for the college. After college, I would like to work in an environment where I can help people whether that be in a bioscience lab where I can help people continue their life or in a forensic lab where I can help solve crimes to bring justice and peace to families.

Hard work is very important in my life. Nothing comes easy in life so everything that I have earned has been done through hard work. Working hard in school has led me to be apart of National Honor Society, Student Council, and the Honor Roll every year. The dedication I have had to dance has allowed to travel to nationals with my team and place in the national finals. All the hard work that I have put forth will pay off in the future.

Photography by Luckett Portrait Studio

The hardest thing that I have accomplished was being able to complete my first duel enrollment class through LSU. That class really pushed the limits on how much work I would be able to complete along with all the other classes I was taking at school. It does pay of in the end because I was able to complete the class with an A and I have 6 college hours already done.

The advice that I would someone is that the hard work you put in now will pay off in the long run. Some things may be difficult now and cause lots of stress but if you are able to get through the stressful times, you will feel very accomplished.

Lillee 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

0 Comments

AnnMarie Brumley

8/29/2020

0 Comments

AnnMarie Brumley – Louisiana
Interview by Claire Plath.
Nomination by Mindy Rose.
Photography by Luckett Portrait Studios.
Issue 37 of Inspiring Teens Magazine.

The Nomination: AnnMarie Brumley is a teen dancer with multiple rare disabilities. Some are visible; some invisible she hasn’t let this get in the way of her reaching her dreams, and she keeps dancing to the best of her abilities. Even after having spinal surgery it truly amazing that she has the passion for it.

Photography by Luckett Portrait Studios

What do you love most about dance, and how has it impacted your daily life?
What I love most about dance is that we are all a big family. We all take care of one another, and I think that is an essential part of being a team. When I first started back with dance, I ended up in the hospital, and the girls visited me, then I had surgery a few months later. They have all been there to help me and get through my battles. Dance has also taught me how to be part of a team and sew a little bit.

How have you overcome having multiple rare disabilities by keeping a positive outlook and continuing to pursue your passion in dance?
Overcoming rare disabilities by keeping a positive outlook and pursuing my passion for dance hasn't been easy, but I keep a goal in mind and reached for the stars. What I learned through dealing with everything I have gone through is all you need is a little patience and some chocolate cake.

Photography by Luckett Portrait Studios

How has dance become an outlet for you to express yourself in a different way?
It's indeed become my way to take whatever is going on that day and put it into my dancing. It can make it fun, and it can make it serious, make it sad, and think of it as Disney's Inside Out but dancing style.

How have you managed being involved in many different activities while also dedicating your time to dance?
I've managed to be involved in different activities while dedicating my time to dance because I attend a virtual public school. So, I do all my schoolwork from home. As soon as my work is done for the day I get to go to dance or do anything else I need to get done.

Photography by Luckett Portrait Studios

Tell me about the program 2020 class of the St. Jude Leadership society you are a part of and being State Officer for Louisiana DECA. What responsibilities does it come with?
St. Jude Leadership Society is a leadership experience for high school students who like to give back to their community by promoting and supporting the mission of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in high schools and colleges around the world. As a State Officer, my position makes me responsible for initial member recruitment, branding, promotions, correspondence, and social media.

Photography by Luckett Portrait Studios

What advice would you give to other teens to encourage them to stay true to who they are and to never be afraid to show the real them?
The one thing I could say is, don’t copy anyone. We always want to look like the popular kids at school, but we do not realize that there is someone out there wanting to be like us. Be yourself, don't be someone else, don't be someone you're not. You're beautiful or handsome, just the way you are!

AnnMarie will be published in issue 37 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

Click here for more information on issue 37 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

click here to nominate an inspiring teen

0 Comments

Isabella Daspit

8/20/2020

0 Comments

Isabella Daspit - Louisiana
Interview by Olivia Bush
Nomination and Photography by Lasting Impressions by Josette
Issue 37 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

The Nomination: Isabella lives in Erath, Louisiana and is a senior this year at Christian Home School. She has maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout her high school years. She is active in 4-H. This will be her 9th year as a member. She has also been active in the National Beta Club for the past three years. She is active in her on campus Student Ministries Team. She is a member of The National Society of High School Scholars. She was chosen by her peers as the Captain for her cheer squad. This is her 4th year cheering with Acadiana Christian Athletics. Isabella holds a state title and is continuing her reign through 2021 as the 2019 Teen Alligator Festival Queen. The Alligator Festival is based out of St. Charles Parish in Luling, LA. Jesus is at the center of Isabella’s life! Her favorite thing to do is spend time with her family and her pet chicken!

Photography by Lasting Impressions by Josette

How did you get involved in cheer? What is your favorite memory you have made with your team?
Someone told my mom about an athletics program that offers athletics to students whose schools don’t offer it. So, my mom signed me up and the rest is history! My favorite memory is when I was given the opportunity to go with my team and compete at FCC Nationals. We ended up winning! The entire weekend is one I will never forget! It was the opportunity of a life time, and I am so grateful to have been given such an opportunity!!

How do you balance your various clubs, dance, cheer, softball and your schoolwork?
Time management!! When I am at school, I use all of the time I have to finish my work and study for any tests coming up! It also requires me to be organized and prepared ahead of time!

Photography by Ashley Hanks

Tell me about the Alligator festival? What is the process like to be chosen as the Alligator Queen?
The Alligator Festival is put on by the Rotary Club of St. Charles Parish to raise money for scholarships. The scholarships are given out to local students. To be chosen as the 2019 Teen Alligator Queen, I had to compete in a pageant. The pageant included: an interview, a themed outfit, and a formal dress.

Photography by Lasting Impressions by Josette

What does it mean to you that you get to continue your 2019 Alligator Queen reign into 2021 and that so many young people look up to you?
When I was asked to reign another year because of COVID-19, I was so excited! Being able to reign another whole year, representing something I love, I took that opportunity in a heartbeat! When a little girl notices your crown and banner at a queen event, their eyes light up, and it is the absolute best feeling in the world! It means the world to me that so many young people look up to me! I try my hardest to set the best example I can for young girls!

Photography by Isabella

What are some goals that you have for your future?
I would like to finish high school, then graduate from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette with a degree in international business. After that my future is wide open to do anything I set my mind to!

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

click here for more info on issue 37

click here to nominate an inspiring teen

0 Comments

Lillee Engen

Lillee Engen - Louisiana
Interview by Claire Plath
Nomination by Aimee Williams
Photography by Luckett Portrait Studio
Issue 37 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

AnnMarie Brumley

AnnMarie Brumley – Louisiana
Interview by Claire Plath.
Nomination by Mindy Rose.
Photography by Luckett Portrait Studios.
Issue 37 of Inspiring Teens Magazine.

Isabella Daspit

Isabella Daspit - Louisiana
Interview by Olivia Bush
Nomination and Photography by Lasting Impressions by Josette
Issue 37 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Featured

Archives

Categories

Lillee Engen

Lillee Engen - LouisianaInterview by Claire PlathNomination by Aimee WilliamsPhotography by Luckett Portrait StudioIssue 37 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

AnnMarie Brumley

AnnMarie Brumley – LouisianaInterview by Claire Plath.Nomination by Mindy Rose.Photography by Luckett Portrait Studios.Issue 37 of Inspiring Teens Magazine.

Isabella Daspit

Isabella Daspit - LouisianaInterview by Olivia BushNomination and Photography by Lasting Impressions by JosetteIssue 37 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Featured

Archives

Categories

Lillee Engen - Louisiana
Interview by Claire Plath
Nomination by Aimee Williams
Photography by Luckett Portrait Studio
Issue 37 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

AnnMarie Brumley – Louisiana
Interview by Claire Plath.
Nomination by Mindy Rose.
Photography by Luckett Portrait Studios.
Issue 37 of Inspiring Teens Magazine.

Isabella Daspit - Louisiana
Interview by Olivia Bush
Nomination and Photography by Lasting Impressions by Josette
Issue 37 of Inspiring Teens Magazine