Inspiring Teens Magazine Features

Breann Dyer

10/29/2020

Breann Dyer - Michigan
Interview by Diamond Orin
Nomination by Babe Dyer
Photography by Massie Photography
Issue 39 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

The Nomination: Breann Dyer has overcome so much to be where she is today starting with struggling with school since 1st grade. We had her tested and got her a IEP, she did summer school and had a tutor at the age of 6. We then switched her to a charter school and with her hard work and determination she was at grade level and never looked back by 7th grade. All along while dancing up to 20-30 hours a week at 2 dance studios. This past December she lost her oldest brother and has pushed forward as our entire family has been struggling and was at a 2.9 gpa and currently getting a 4.0 gpa even though it's all online. She's had to work hard for everything and continues to do so with grace, caring, and compassion. She plans to study interior design.

Photography by Massie Photography

What is your favorite kind of dance and why do you love it?
I have spent many hours training in ballet which is part of the reason it is my favorite kind of dance. I love ballet so much because it is so graceful, and it always tells a story. There is always a meaning behind each movement, and you can learn how to make it your own, to tell your own story within every performance. I have grown a lot through dance, and ballet is a type of dance that will always hold a special place in my heart.
My favorite part about dancing is being able to escape the outside world as soon as I walk into the studio. I could be going through a rough day, then I go to dance and it’s like none of that ever happened, because I have dance to help me let go, and be free. Dance has always been a part of my life, and it has helped me get through so much. I started dancing when I was three years old, and never stopped. Though I may not remember my first ballet class, I do know that it is what started my love for ballet.

Photography by Massie Photography

Why do you choose to dance at 2 dance studios? What is the difference?
My passion for all forms of dance is why I choose to dance at two studios. The difference between them is one studio is strictly ballet, and the other is where I get to learn my other genres of dance. At Greater Lansing Ballet Company, I get to do big ballet productions like the Nutcracker, which is one of my favorites to perform, and I also learn a lot of ballet technique. At Fusion Dance Center I not only take extra ballet classes, but I also get to perform jazz, tap, contemporary, hip hop, pom pon, lyrical, heels, and pointe. For the past three years I have been on the Imagery competition team as well. I love dancing at two studios so I can be a well-rounded dancer and get to have more opportunities.

Photography by Massie Photography

What is your favorite memory from dance?
My favorite memory from dance is the first class I took at Fusion Dance Center. It was just a summer class so I could get to know the faculty and my future classmates. I made the choice to change studios to find a healthier, and more challenging environment. Within the first few minutes of class I knew I made the right decision, by the support I was getting from everyone around me, and I couldn’t be happier.

Photography by Massie Photography

What do you do in school to stay ahead?
School doesn't come easy to me. I have always had to work extra hard to do well. To dance as much as I do, and still succeed in school, I had to figure out what tools work best for me. Whenever I get the chance to work ahead on schoolwork, I take it. I also learned that time management, asking questions, and taking notes that I understand, is the key to my success. What I do know is that no matter how hard school gets for me I will never give up on anything.

Look for Breann in issue 39 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

Click here for issue 39 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

click here to nominate an inspiring teen

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Jenna Kilburg

9/24/2020

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Jenna Kilburg – Michigan
Interview by Olivia Bush
Nomination and Photography by debographyphotography
Issue 38 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

The Nomination: Jenna is an inspiration, she lost her father at a young age due to a PTSD suicide and has a developmentally disabled little sister. She is a wonderful soul who always helps others. In spite of all her challenges, she maintains a high grade point average in addition to working nearly full time to help support her family. She made Varsity Cheer her freshman year and has maintained her status through senior year. She is a driven young woman, focused on getting to college and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for her!

Photography by debographyphotography

How long have you been cheering and what inspired you to start?
I’ve been cheering since I was five. Cheer has always been apart of my family. My mom was a coach and manager for a local team where we live. My oldest sister also cheered. I was always at practice and games watching and love it, it looked so fun. My sister and her friends would always put me in cool stunts and teach me tumbling skills .

What did it mean to you to have made varsity cheer as a freshman? What is your favorite memory from cheer and why is it your favorite?
It meant so much to make varsity as a freshman because at my high school freshman could only make freshman or junior varsity. It meant even more knowing that I was going to be put in rounds for a very important competition. My favorite memory is being on the sideline with my team cheering on the football players and the fans. Also, being on the mat for competitions, feeling the rush from the nerves but also excitement when everything goes good.

Has it been difficult having to step up and help out around your family? What have you learned from having to do this?
At times it can be a little difficult but I want to help as much as possible. It has definitely made me more mature and responsible growing up compared to other. It also made me realize how no matter what life isn’t going to be easy and sometimes people need a little help here and there.

Photography by debographyphotography

How do you balance school, clubs. family, and working? What are your tips for others on how to balance many things like you do?
Trying to balance everything is a lot sometimes and not always easy. I balance it by trying to plan out a schedule each week, and understand when and what I have going on each day. Tips for others would be that communication with your bosses, coaches, teachers etc. is very critical. Most of the time as long as you talk it out with them ahead of time, you are more likely to have flexibility and be able to get them all done.

What goals do you have for your future?
My goals for the future are to go to college and maintain a good GPA. I hope to go into medical school, work In a hospital as a neonatal nurse, and hopefully end up as a neonatologist as I become more educated in that field.

Jenna will be published in issue 38 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

Click here for more info on issue 38

click here to nominate an inspiring teen

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Shayne Beaufait

9/6/2020

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Shayne Beaufait – Michigan
Interview by Olivia Bush
Nomination and Photography by Images by Marie Moore
Issue 37 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

The Nomination: Shayne Beaufait is an inspiring teen because he overcame a major life challenge with the power of positivity! In October 2018 he was severely injured during a hockey game, breaking 2 vertebrae. He remained positive throughout his ordeal and was back in school one week later. Within 3 months, he was back on the ice and named a top goal scorer in the State Finals. He went on to be awarded the Barbara Ann Karmanos Humanitarian Award for Adversity. Besides playing AAA hockey, he’s a National Honor Society member and competitive golfer. He has also taught himself to play the guitar.

Photography by Images by Marie Moore

What inspired you to start playing hockey? What is your favorite moment from playing?
I come from a family of hockey players. Specifically, my dad inspired me to play. My favorite moment from my hockey career was scoring the game winning goal in overtime at the Silver Sticks International Tournament and being honored MVP of the tournament.

Tell me more about your injury from playing hockey. What was going through your head when you realized you were injured?
I was hit in the back going full speed causing me to collide with the boards head first. I suffered 2 spinal compression fractures. First, the only thing going through my head was trying to breathe because the wind was knocked out of me so badly. Once I could breathe, I wanted to try to get up. My coach helped me up and I skated off to where I was helped by my parents into the locker room. My only thoughts from that point on were making sure my mom knew I was going to be okay, and wondering when I could return to hockey.

How did you stay positive through your injury and stay motivated to keep going?
I liked to tell myself that everything happened for a reason, and even though I wasn’t exactly sure what the reason was for the injury, I kept a mentality that I was going to come back stronger and better than ever to prove everyone wrong that thought I would never touch the ice again.

What was it like being the top goal scorer in the state finals and winning the Humanitarian Award for Adversity after coming back from your injury?
The state championships after coming back from the injury were the highlight of that year. I had worked so hard to regain strength and confidence in returning back to the ice that it felt amazing to be playing my best and being rewarded with goals when they mattered most. It was a true honor winning the Humanitarian Award for Adversity mostly because it was such a nice feeling to be recognized for the amount of adversity that I had to overcome in order to be able to get back onto the ice and succeed.

Photography by Images by Marie Moore

How do you stay happy all the time? What are some tips you have for others on how to stay motivated and happy?
I like to surround myself with things that make me happy, whether that be friends, family, sports, my guitar, etc. When you’re doing something that makes you happy, and you have the outlook that it's up to you and not anyone else whether you should feel happy or not, it’s pretty easy. Some tips for others to be happier would be: don’t wait around for anyone or anything else to make you happy. You aren’t obligated to be what people think you are-- if you are unhappy, make a change and find things for yourself that make you happy.

What is the hardest thing you’ve ever accomplished, and how did you do it?
The hardest thing I have ever accomplished is overcoming injuries throughout my sports career and always finding a way to come back motivated and better than before I was hurt

What advice would you give to someone who wants to be where you are today?
I would tell them that they should have a mindset that everything happens for a reason. I would also say that life is unpredictable and short, so spend it doing things you love with people you love and don’t dwell on regrets or worry about things in the future. Enjoy life in the present while you can.

Photography by Images by Marie Moore

Where do you see yourself in 5 years/what are your plans for the future?
In 5 years I see myself graduated from college with a business degree in finance. Hopefully with a steady job either working for a finance company or even on my own with clients.

What is your favorite activity or pastime that wasn’t in your nomination?
Since hockey and guitar have both been mentioned, I also play golf competitively. I spend many of my days at the course. I have won several tournaments and I hope to get a scholarship to play in college.

Do you have a hidden talent? What is it?
A hidden talent that most people don’t know about me is that I am very good at math and with numbers in general.

If you could publicly present any topic to a group of your peers, what would it be and why?
It would be in the mindset of someone who is happy and successful. I am still very young and have not achieved nearly as much as very successful people have, but I believe I know a lot about what motivates people and how to become successful.

3 Things on your bucket list
1.    Skydive
2.    Travel to Hawaii
3.    Play Pebble Beach Golf course

Who do you find inspiring?
I find Robert Downey Jr. very inspiring because he believes people should live life to the fullest and do whatever makes them happy regardless of what anyone else thinks. He is highly successful and appears to be living life very enjoyably.

What about you inspires others/why do you think you are inspiring?
I think so many people feel like they aren’t that happy so I think I inspire others by opening their mind to the idea that happiness is not something to wait around for, it’s actually self achievable with some effort.

Anything else you’d like to tell us?
I want to thank you guys at ITM for the opportunity for my views and outlooks to be seen/heard and to hopefully motivate others.

Shayne 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

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Haylee Thompson

8/23/2020

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Haylee Thompson- Michigan
Interview by Olivia Bush
Nomination by Tonya Thompson
Photography by Kenny Hekhuis Photography
Issue 37 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

The Nomination: Haylee Thompson is a teenager with a beautiful soul who "knocks it out of the park". She comes across as a quiet, rather shy teen, but has the drive to take life down a positive path. Haylee leads by example; most importantly, holds herself accountable. Haylee was born with bilateral cleft lip. Her inner strength demonstrates scars are only superficial, beauty comes from within. Haylee knows where she wants to be in life and doesn't seem to let negativity obstruct her focus. Strong qualities of Haylee are: independent, focused, determined, caring, and self-respect.

Photography by Kenny Hekhuis Photography

I know you have spent a lot of time figuring out your goals for your future. Tell me all about these goals you have!
I have spent a lot of time trying to figure out what I want to do for my future career and what college I will fit best in. After doing plenty of research, I discovered I would like to attend Saginaw Valley State University with a Biochemistry major, in hopes to pursue genetic counseling as my career. As well as my academic goals, I have learned I would like to continue my softball career on the club team at SVSU rather than join a varsity team.

How did you figure out this is what you wanted to do?
During the pandemic, I spent most of my time researching different colleges. My main goal was to find the college I want to attend and then figure out what I want to do. I began to really like the idea of SVSU and started researching medical careers other than physicians. I knew what interested me and found Genetic Counseling based on my personal likings.

How long have you been researching these goals for? What inspired you to start researching them so deeply?
I started my research in my freshman year of high school. Once I had a lot of time on my hands from the pandemic, I dove deeper into the research. I had been wanting some idea as to what I wanted to do. I have always been interested in a career in the medical field. Once I found some ideas, I started job shadowing. I shadowed two career options and found neither was my fit. I plan to shadow a Genetic Counselor when possible.

Photography by Kenny Hekhuis Photography

Tell me more about how your past has helped influence your goals for the future!
I was born with a bilateral cleft lip. I started having surgeries when I was 5 months old. Being around this made me interested in the medical field. Growing up around my mom being a nurse also helped to spark the medical interest. I have been exposed to many different avenues of healthcare from everyday injuries to surgeries. 1 out of every 2,800 babies in the US are born with cleft lip. The fact that it happened to me interests me in helping others through genetic counseling. I have been so inspired to do whatever I can for others. Right now, one of the best ways I can help others is by donating blood. I have done this 4 times and plan to continue.

What is one piece of advice you have for others on how to stay positive?
Do what makes you happy. Everything happens for a reason but choose the things that make you happy. If you are ever torn between two things, choose the thing that makes you smile. Doing happy things help to make you a more positive and genuinely joyous person.

What is the hardest thing you’ve ever accomplished, and how did you do it?
One of the hardest things I’ve gone through is having surgery (in high school) during Christmas break of my sophomore year. This was my second fat graft. In this surgery, they took fat from my right hip and placed it in my lip. Two weeks later, I had to return to school with a bruised, swollen lip, a bruised hip, and a small limp. I pushed through and went to school. I stayed positive and upheld my normal personality.

Photography by Kenny Hekhuis Photography

What advice would you give to someone who wants to be where you are today?
Scars do not define who you are. Whether you have a physical scar from a past event, or an inner scare from hurtful words, you can spring forward.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years/what are your plans for the future?
In 5 years, I plan to be doing some kind of internship towards my career goal or starting school in a Graduate program.

What is your favorite activity or pastime that wasn’t in your nomination?
One of my favorite pastimes is coloring. I have many books and folders filled with completed coloring pages. No matter my mood, I will color. It helps to boost my mood after being sad or stressed, as well.
Another one of my pastimes is volunteering. I am in several clubs and committees through my school and my community where I volunteer and do what I can for others. This year, I became an officer for the NHS in my school. I am in Interact at my school, where I help volunteer for people in my community. I am in Be Nice, which helps raise awareness to mental illness. I am in Montcalm Youth Wellness Committee through my county, this is a group to raise awareness to substance abuse -- like vaping, smoking, and underage drinking.

Photography by Kenny Hekhuis Photography

If you could publicly present any topic to a group of your peers, what would it be and why?
If I were to give a presentation it would likely be on the topic of passion. Finding a passion can help make you a happier person. For me, I found that researching is my passion, which has helped me figure out I would like to be a part of the research team for my job while in college. If I could explain to people how to find their passions, I could help make people happier and more positive.

3 Things on your bucket list
Take a trip to Italy
Go hiking out west
Go on a wildlife safari

Who do you find inspiring?
I find my parents to be very inspiring. We have always been a very close family. We go on family vacations, have family board games, family movie nights, family dinners, family pool days, and much more. My parents have worked so hard to be able to have these nice things and to give my sister and I the best life possible. My parents have inspired me to work hard, help others, and be a kind, genuine person. I wouldn’t be where I am today without them. I aspire to be like them, have a life like this, and always be close with my family when I am older.

What about you inspires others/why do you think you are inspiring?
I feel I am inspiring in the way I work hard in what I do. Whether it's in my schoolwork, my research, my volunteering, or softball, I always try to give 100%, and do what makes me happy. Being myself and doing what I love helps me to be happy, which I feel can be very inspiring.

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

click here for more information on issue 37

click here to nominate an inspiring teen

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Breann Dyer

Breann Dyer - Michigan
Interview by Diamond Orin
Nomination by Babe Dyer
Photography by Massie Photography
Issue 39 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Jenna Kilburg

Jenna Kilburg – Michigan
Interview by Olivia Bush
Nomination and Photography by debographyphotography
Issue 38 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Shayne Beaufait

Shayne Beaufait – Michigan
Interview by Olivia Bush
Nomination and Photography by Images by Marie Moore
Issue 37 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Haylee Thompson

Haylee Thompson- Michigan
Interview by Olivia Bush
Nomination by Tonya Thompson
Photography by Kenny Hekhuis Photography
Issue 37 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

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Breann Dyer

Breann Dyer - MichiganInterview by Diamond OrinNomination by Babe DyerPhotography by Massie PhotographyIssue 39 of Inspiring Teens Magazine​​

Jenna Kilburg

Jenna Kilburg – MichiganInterview by Olivia BushNomination and Photography by debographyphotographyIssue 38 of Inspiring Teens Magazine​

Shayne Beaufait

Shayne Beaufait – MichiganInterview by Olivia BushNomination and Photography by Images by Marie MooreIssue 37 of Inspiring Teens Magazine​

Haylee Thompson

Haylee Thompson- MichiganInterview by Olivia BushNomination by Tonya ThompsonPhotography by Kenny Hekhuis Photography​Issue 37 of Inspiring Teens Magazine​

Featured

Archives

Categories

Breann Dyer - Michigan
Interview by Diamond Orin
Nomination by Babe Dyer
Photography by Massie Photography
Issue 39 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Jenna Kilburg – Michigan
Interview by Olivia Bush
Nomination and Photography by debographyphotography
Issue 38 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Shayne Beaufait – Michigan
Interview by Olivia Bush
Nomination and Photography by Images by Marie Moore
Issue 37 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Haylee Thompson- Michigan
Interview by Olivia Bush
Nomination by Tonya Thompson
Photography by Kenny Hekhuis Photography
Issue 37 of Inspiring Teens Magazine